Shopping Tips: How to Buy Window Blinds and Drapes

Windows can become a focal point of your home. The treatments you choose can do more than add beauty to any room. The right window treatment ensures your comfort and helps you manage the budget of running your home. Two of the main options to consider are blinds and drapes.

Window blinds enhance privacy, allow better light and heat control, and they’re easy to install. Drapes, meanwhile, are like window curtains, but they’re made from thicker fabrics and cut to floor length. Both provide options in design and color, so you’re sure to discover the perfect treatment for the style you envision.

But should you buy the same window treatment for every room in your home? Which type of blinds do you go with: vertical, wood, or metal? How do you match the window treatment to the room?

We help you decide with these factors to consider when shopping for window blinds and drapes.

Shop for the room.

Which room needs a new window cover? Blinds are best for all rooms, from the living room and kitchen to the bedrooms and bathrooms. Drapes, on the other hand, are typically reserved for bedrooms because they can block out light completely.

If you’re buying new treatments for all the rooms in your home, blinds would be the easiest choice. You only need to pick a different style for every room. Metal vertical blinds, for example, look perfect for a home office, but they’ll be out of place in a traditional living room. For traditional interiors, like the classic farmhouse, wood is a better material than metal or aluminum.

An option to wood blinds for windows: shades. Unlike blinds, shades are soft window treatments that don’t feature slats. You’ll find different types of shades, from the popular roller shades to the elegant Roman shades, which are a hybrid of curtains and blinds. Each window shade comes in a variety of fabrics, patterns, and colors. They’re versatile enough that they can work in traditional or modern interiors. 

When it comes to controlling light and privacy in any room, though, you’d have to pull the covering all the way up to allow more light into a room or gain access to outside views.

When shopping for your bathroom window treatments, choose materials that do well in wet and humid environments.

Know the level of lighting in certain rooms.

How much light do you want to block out in your bedrooms, living room, or home office? 

If you happen to work nights and sleep during the day, you’ll probably want complete darkness in your bedroom. The choice should be easy enough with dramatic drapes since this window treatment is lined with heavy fabric, blocking all light. 

If you prefer a lighter fabric but still want a great deal of privacy, blackout curtains are a good alternative for bedrooms.

Another option would be blackout blinds if you prefer its modern look over the traditional curtain. These window coverings block out light and noise while helping to keep your energy costs down since they trap the cold during summer and the heat during winter.

Consider sound dampening.

Noise from the outside is not just distracting or bothersome; it can disrupt your sleep. The right window treatment can block sound for a house that’s located near street traffic. 

Shades made from heavy fabric can absorb external sound, so these would be ideal to install in rooms that face noisy streets. 

Many curtains are also designed specifically for sound dampening. These curtains are not only made from heavy fabrics, but they also feature vinyl or similar material as lining to absorb sound.

Think about energy efficiency.

In the average single family home, up to 35% of heat loss happens through windows. Energy bills can be a concern, especially when extreme temperatures hit. You want to make sure that you’re comfortable indoors without overusing your cooling or heating system. The right window treatment in the right room can help you manage bills. 

Some of the more energy efficient window covers are Roman shades, roller shades, and drapes.

The thick fabric and folds of Roman shades provide energy efficiency, offering an adequate layer of insulation for your windows. Roller shades can block air flow and create an insulating layer of air, but an opaque shade is much more efficient than a translucent one. As for draperies, they can reduce heat loss by about 10%, but they must be lined to be energy efficient. White plastic backing can cut heat gain by 35%, which should be beneficial during summer. Your choice of color also affects whether the drapes help you save money on energy costs.

Match the window blinds or shades to the window type.

Different windows function and look better with specific treatments. Does your home have sliding windows, casement windows, or bay windows? Maybe you have high windows and skylights? 

With the right window cover, you can enhance the appearance and function of any room.

• Draperies could add height and interest to small but long windows in basements. 
• Lightweight curtains or Roman shades could work for round windows that are high up. 
• Roman or roller shades are suitable for casement windows since the window treatment rolls up, allowing you to access the crutch or latch to open the window.
• Blinds are suitable for wide, rectangular windows in bedrooms or family rooms, 

Don’t forget the ease of operation.

Simple, easy, and convenient – all three words best describe automated window treatments. Remote control curtains and blinds can be programmed to open and shut at your preferred times. You can operate motorized shades and blinds through a tablet, smart phone, wall switch, or remote control. This mechanism is perfect for hard-to-reach windows and for people with busy schedules. 

Voice-controlled window coverings are seamlessly integrated in smart homes. One home automation device or hub can support multiple blinds, saving you from lifting a finger.

Remote control motorization may not seem like a big deal as an added feature for your window treatment. But when you’re comfortable on the couch or feeling under the weather, this convenience will mean the world.

Make sure the window cover is child- and pet-safe.

How can window treatments be hazardous? Corded window coverings are a hidden hazard for entanglements. 

When you have kids and pets, cordless window treatments are a better option. If cords are unavoidable, make sure these are inaccessible. You can shorten cords or tie up the ends, keeping them out of reach.

Check the size.

Window blinds, curtains, and shades will always look and function better when they fit your windows well. You can learn how to measure for blinds or find a service that can customize window treatments.

Customization ensures you use the right treatment for the right room, and that you enjoy the benefits of window covers, from energy efficiency to privacy.

Consider mixing two different treatments in one window.

Sometimes, two treatments can work in harmony for a single window. Large picture windows or massive bay windows become even grander when you install roller blinds with drapes or sheer curtains with heavy drapes. 

Focus on the value rather than the price.

Although price is still important when you’re shopping accessories for your home, don’t get caught up in the cost as the final deciding factor. Consider the value you’re getting for one window treatment that may cost more than another window covering. 

The well-priced window blinds, drapes, or shades will keep your home comfortable, safe, and stylish for years to come. 

Decorate Your Home With Custom Window Coverings

Sedar brings more than 130 years of innovative legacy. We are leaders in the art of window couture, bringing our craft to more than a million homes, business, and government interiors. 

Decorate your space and find your perfect window coverings from our vast collection of world-class fabrics, wall coverings, blinds, drapes, curtains, and accessories.

To get the best  blinds, drapes, and other window coverings for your home, request a free consultation today.