A living room is the central gathering spot in a home. It’s where you sit to relax. It’s where you play games with your kids. It’s where you entertain guests. Your living room is likely where you spend much of your time, and it’s also likely one of the first rooms your guests see.
The same is true with windows. Windows are a common focal point in living rooms. So when choosing window treatments for your living room, you want something functional that looks and feels good; something that enhances your favorite living space. And here’s how you can choose the right ones.
Think About What Matters Most To You
As the most lived-in room in your home, your living room window treatments should meet your personal and practical needs. Everyone thinks of privacy and light control, but those aren’t the only needs to prioritize.
Privacy
If you only live a few arms-lengths away from your neighbors, you don’t want to feel like a fish in a fish tank all day. The need for privacy is human nature. So if this need is at the top of your list, opt for cellular shades, roller shades, zebra shades, or Roman shades. Blinds are another good choice because they give you the option of adjusting between total or partial privacy.
Natural Light Control
The point of windows is to let natural light in, but that afternoon sun can get too hot with completely open windows. Many homeowners go with traditional slatted blinds because you can have them partially or completely open for enough light to read without needing a lamp or completely closed so there’s no glare during your afternoon TV show. Vinyl mini blinds and faux wood blinds are light-filtering options that won’t be damaged if your windows are exposed to lots of light and heat.
You can also get shades that allow you to adjust how much natural light you let in during the day. Again, cellular shades, roller shades, and Roman shades are top picks, but most window shades are available in light-filtering fabrics so you can find what works best for you.
Style
No one buys new window treatments they think are ugly. Style matters, but you have to ask yourself, “Is the point of my window treatments to accent, highlight, or complement my living room?”
From contemporary to rustic, Chicology has a variety of blinds and shades to match your living room’s current aesthetic or help you create a new ambiance.
Upkeep
Dust and pet dander can quickly accumulate on window treatments. And since we have yet to meet anyone who gets excited to dust blinds or clean window shades, you probably want low-maintenance window treatments. Roller and cellular shades don’t have slats to catch dust and dander—some are even anti-static so they repel airborne dirt— and most simply require periodic light dusting or using a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean.
Blinds, on the other hands, are a tad more troublesome. Horizontal blinds have slats that collect dust and dander, although faux wood blinds can easily be wiped off. Vertical blinds are a better option since dust doesn’t typically build up on them and they can be wiped down using a damp cloth.
Safety
Cordless window treatments are the way to go if you have kids or pets. Cords are a safety hazard for curious young minds and curious cats (and dogs).
Energy Efficient
The right window coverings could save you significantly in your yearly energy bill. Cellular shades are designed for energy efficiency. They’ll help keep your living room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Consider the Size and Shape of Your Windows
Aside from choosing window treatments that meet your personal style and lifestyle needs, you have to take the size, shape, and height of your windows into account.
So before you even start looking at blinds or shades, measure the width of your window. This measurement depends on how you want them hung. Window coverings like blinds and shades can hang inside or outside of your interior window frames. For inside mounting, measure the distance between the inside frames, and for outside mounting, measure the distance between the outside of the window frame where you plan to place the hanging hardware. It’s also good to know the length of the window, so also measure from the top of your window frame to the bottom, especially if you’re doing custom blinds and shades. Once you evaluate your priorities and learn what works best with your windows, you can choose the right window treatments for your living room.
