Are you overwhelmed by the many window covering options available? You’re not alone!
Here’s a guide to the newest and most popular trends in window coverings.
This is perfect for you whether you’re moving into a new home or open to updating your current home. 😊
Window Treatments Are Safer and More Minimal
One of the most significant shifts in window coverings is the move toward cordless designs.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission passed new regulations in November 2022 aimed at reducing the dangers to children and pets posed by corded window treatments. Starting June 2024, all window coverings sold in the U.S. must either be cordless or have cords that are inaccessible to children.
Aside from safety, cordless window treatments give your windows a more minimalist look. It’s always nice to get rid of clutter!
New systems are either manual, where you adjust your shades by pushing or pulling them, or motorized, where you can control your shades with a remote, app, or your own voice.
When you automate your motorized shades, you can unlock an additional safety feature: Since you can program your shades to open and close at any time of the day, when you’re away on vacation, your house will still look inhabited. (Additional benefits include energy efficiency and convenience!)
Manufacturers Created Amazing New Shading Systems
In the last decade, we’ve seen multiple innovative technologies to optimize for light control and privacy.
One of our favorites are the Silhouette® Sheer Shades. These feature S-shaped vanes that float between sheer panels, giving you the benefits of both blinds and shades.
You can tilt the vanes to different angles to adjust the amount of light entering your room while still enjoying your view.
Silhouettes also provide daytime privacy. During the day, you can see out but others can’t see in.
Honeycomb Shades Are Really Popular
In the past, you might have overlooked honeycomb (cellular) shades.
With hotter summers and sometimes cooler winter, many of us are looking to enhance insulation.
Windows are a famous weak point in insulation. Honeycomb shades are designed to combat this by trapping air within a cellular structure. This creates an insulating barrier between your home and the outdoor temperatures.
Trapping air is great, but what about dust? Many honeycomb fabrics from our favorite manufacturer, Hunter Douglas, includes an anti-static treatment to naturally resist dust buildup.
Honeycomb shades also offer a sleek, modern look that syncs with many design styles. With options for light filtering, room darkening, and motorization, they’re a functional and stylish option to keep in mind!
One more tip here: If you like what you’re seeing, check out Duette® Architella® shades. These take cellular shades to a new level with a honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb construction. This gives you the ultimate in energy efficiency.
Drapery Is Cleaner Than Ever
From castles to mansions, drapery has always given a stunning, classy look.
There was a problem though: Many of us remember the dust that flew out of our grandmothers’ drapery when we moved or patted it. Who wants to live with all that dust?
Well, we have good news!
Manufacturers have worked on solutions to both of these issues. If you invest in good fabrics, you can get features tha make drapery much easier to care for.
The best modern drapery fabrics are designed to resist dust by repelling particles. They’re also designed to hold up to occasional vacuuming, soapy water treatment, or dusting.
When you want a deeper clean, perhaps once every year or two, we recommend taking your drapes to a professional dry cleaner. Putting drapery panels in a washing machine is an easy way to ruin your fabrics. But, if you want to chance it, make sure you use a gentle cycle, and completely finish one panel as a test before washing others.
Home Automation Changed the Whole Game
If you haven’t tried home automation, you’re in for a treat.
You can feel like a butler prepared a room just for you every time you walk in or out of a space by setting up automations to make a space ideal while you’re in it, and then turn everything off when you leave.
A great way to get started is to add smart lights like Philips Hue bulbs, or add Kasa Smart Plugs to your outlets for your existing lamps.
Once you set up a scene where you walk into a room and the lights turn on automatically (or you ask Alexa, if you prefer), there’s a good chance you’ll want to take your home automations to the next level, and eliminate the manual chore of opening and closing your shades.
To automate your shades, blinds, drapery, or shutters, you can install PowerView® Automation. This works with battery power. Or if you’re doing a new construction or major renovation, you can also hardwire it.
One huge benefit of automation is that you won’t forget to close your shades when they should be closed. This helps you keep your floors, home furnishings, pictures, and decor looking brand new. When you have your shades closed, you protect your belongings from the sun’s visible rays, UV rays, and heat.
You can automate shades to open or close based on the time of day, temperature, rain, sun, window, or motion sensors. And, of course, you can have them open using a remote, app, or your voice.
You’ll be amazed how new your home looks like after 20 years if you only have shades open when you’re using a room!
Everyone Is Going Custom
Today’s homes feature larger windows than in the past. Today’s windows often stretch as big as a wall will allow!
With that has come the need for custom window treatments that match the dimensions of each unique window. Your window just doesn’t look good if it’s an inch too short, too long, too wide, or too narrow.
A professional installer can guide you on styles and fabrics, take precise measurements, and ensure a smooth installation. Plus, a professional can help you get the best fabrics that manufacturers don’t sell directly to consumers.
If you’re an Idaho homeowner and you’re excited to get beautiful, modern window treatments, we’re happy to help you. To get started, schedule a design consultation with our local experts today.
