Window treatment mistakes can be QUITE costly!
If there is one mistake to avoid when designing your home, it is choosing the wrong window treatments.
Homeowners want to create the perfect nest. Choosing the appropriate window coverings will help transform a house into a home and enhance the quality of life. Closing in on 4 decades in the window covering industry, the Shade Gurus here at EcoSmart Shades, compiled a list of the most common mistakes make.. Say buh-bye to stress. Here is a list of the nine most common mistakes homeowners make when buying window treatments.
1. Measuring
This might sound silly- just like snowflakes, no two windows are the same. The importance of accurately measuring your windows for treatments is highly underrated. Measuring incorrectly will waste your time and cost you more money in the long run. There is so much to consider – depth of window, depth of treatment, inside or outside mount, placement of brackets, UGH! Thank GOODNESS EcoSmart Shades has Measuring Safeguard!
2-NEGLECTING OVERALL STYLE AND DESIGN
Picking the wrong color or even material for window treatments, is a mistake you can easily avoid! Each room of your home, may call for something unique in terms of style and functionality. The role of our Shade Gurus is to guide you the goals for each space in your home. And this is where FREE fabric samples is invaluable! Order Free Samples Here!
They will ask the really important questions like..
» How much privacy do you require?
» Do you have baseboard heating?
The answers to these questions will guide you to a specific product to achieve your goal. For example, you may want natural sunlight to shine through the main living area. In the bedroom, you might prefer blackout shades for more privacy and darkness. Kids’ play area? Are you more of a contemporary type? Or do you prefer a more rustic design? This decision making process can get overwhelming, so having our expert Shade Gurus who can narrow down exactly what treatment is right for you matters.
3-NOT THINKING ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Keeping up with home maintenance is a LOT of work. Whew! Don’t let the wrong type of windows or coverings be part of the reason. Before purchasing, make sure to go through all of your options and ask yourself these simple questions:
» What is the main purpose of this room?
» Do I know how to work with and maintain this style?
» Is this something I plan to change in the next 5 years? 10? 20 or more?
Window treatments come in ALL shapes, sizes, colors, fabrics, operating systems and materials. Think about the location of the windows and the room’s main purpose. When considering shades for common areas- living rooms or dining rooms, you might choose shading with shade flexiblit, like our Top Down/Bottom Up EcoSmart Cellular Shades. In kitchens, sunrooms and bathrooms, you will definitely need a treatment that is more durable, and easy to clean (two words: cooking grease 😬). This is where our EcoSmart Roller Shades, shine! Considering the humidity in your home is important as well. Some homes are particularly humid, so having window shades that stand up to moisture is very important. If you are designing for a bedroom and you’re a light sleeper, blackout shading is the ticket!
4- NOT THINKING OF HARDWARE
Hardware is a big part that many forget to include when buying window shades. Brackets are what keep your shade in place. Super important. 😁 There are many ways to hang shading. Here in New England, the older the home, more likely the shallower the jamb.
“What’s a jamb”, you ask? Here’s a GREAT diagram of the anatomy of a window!
Shallow jambs pop up often, in older homes. This is when our Shade Gurus shine! We can walk you through the measuring, and design options with you.
5- DISREGARDING FUNCTIONALITY
How do you know which shading is the RIGHT choice for you and your lifestyle? Think about the use of the window like you do the purpose of the room. For instance, families with toddlers or pets often go with cordless/motorized window shades in common areas and nurseries to provide more safety.
Do you have close neighbors or your home faces a very busy street? Consider a window treatments with Top Down/Bottom Up operation. Top Down/Bottom Up treatments allow you to lower the shade from the top to maintain your privacy, without sacrificing your privacy and still have natural light.
You may be surprised at how much the ideal window treatment will influence the overall feel of your home. I’m sure you getting the theme here, but again, working with our super Shade Gurus, they are sure to guide you to the solution that works best with your lifestyle.
6. FORGETTING TO HAVE FUN!
Even though there can be a lot involved in the process, adding custom window shades to your home should be an AWESOME experience (and it will be, when you work with our Shade Gurus!) We want you to focus on the fun without getting bogged down in all details. Let our Gurus guide you through the process seamlessly. We’ll help you figure out a strategy that will help you stay on track and save time. If you don’t know where to start, or feel overwhelmed, we can help!
