How To Dress Your Windows

Windows feeling a bit bare? You’ve stumbled on the great debate - of curtains versus blinds. Or maybe security shutters? Skylight shades? Or au naturel? Finding the right window dressings can be a substantial investment, if only emotionally. Here are a few tips for ensuring you select the best product for the space.

Much like interior paint, window dressings tend to be overlooked or almost invisible. Subconsciously, however, and in the eyes of your guests, their colour and style have a huge impact on the atmosphere of the room - not to mention the convenience of allowing natural light to flow in from outside.

Curtains tend to have a more traditional feel. Even today it is sometimes customary for families to pass on hand-made or embroidered curtain sets to the next generation. They suggest warmth and homeliness, especially when folded or tied to the side. Because materials and patterns are practically limitless, curtains can be made or bought to complement any design scheme or express any taste or personality. For this reason, they are especially popular choices in lounge rooms and bedrooms, where they can be made to match furniture and linen. In contrast, blinds are well-regarded for their practicality and sleek, minimalist look. Motorised or mechanical blinds are a popular security feature and can completely extinguish the amount of light which makes it into the home. Roman blinds, which collapse upwards, are often used in open-plan living situations, mainly for their sophisticated, yet uncrowded, look.

Venetian blinds are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries - spaces where curtains make for less than ideal choices. The fabric would likely fade or rot in such humid settings, not to mention the likelihood of damage and staining. Retractable blinds, either of timber or aluminium, are a great alternative. However, in carpeted spaces, curtains are the easy favourite. While they require more regular cleaning (read: vacuuming), the fabric helps to keep in heat and make the room feel safe, personal and enclosed.

So where do the discrepancies between this simple wet/dry split emerge? Blinds are becoming increasingly popular in bedroom interior design, since their shape can be manipulated to elongate the wall space and make the room as a whole feel more spacious. Roller security shutters are a good bedroom choice for those who work unusual hours, such as in nursing or hospitality. And with ventilation systems growing ever more innovative, curtains in the bathroom may soon become the norm. Ultimately, it’s up to the homeowner and their budget to decide which features are most necessary for their home.