“People simply do not give enough thought to window coverings,” says Ursula Sumka, interior consultant at Wen-Di Interiors. She advises that consumers consider the insulation, heat and light control, and privacy features window coverings can provide, and examine the specific needs of each room and window. This doesn’t mean that every room in every home must have full, custom draperies installed. The range of choices when it comes to window coverings includes blinds—Venetian, honeycomb, mini-blinds and more, side panels that complete the look when using blinds, full draperies (available in different fullnesses) and finishing touches such as valences.

Do your homework
To start, as with any other interior design decision, a bit of research is in order. Though many people already have a vision in their minds, and others enter the design store not quite sure what they are looking for, it can be helpful to get a feel for what’s out there. Watching design shows and flipping through design magazines is a good place to start, even if it is just to learn what you dislike. Sumka suggests browsing manufacturer websites online, such as the Hunter Douglas website (http://www.hunterdouglas.com). The Maria Tomas website (http://www.mariatomas.com) also features information on measuring and other aspects of choosing draperies and blinds. Interior decorator PJ Shields of points out that typing “window coverings” into an Internet search engine will also yield plenty of results.

For the first appointment with the designer, or the first trip to the design shop, take along fabric samples and paint chips (wall and trim colours) from the room, samples of the flooring, and window measurements. Estimation of window size has proven problematic, comfirms Nathalie Nobbs, design consultant at Maria Tomas.

The final decision may be partially dependent on cost. While blinds for a window can range in price from $100 to around $1,000, custom draperies range anywhere from $900 to $2,000 and up for one window.  As Nobbs relates, “People tend to get a quote on the whole house, and then depending on what their budget is, they may get one or two rooms done, but normally if a person is going into custom draperies, they have saved up a bit.”

Getting over hang-ups
Though it can be easy to get hung up on how each room looks from the inside, it is important to consider the view from outside the house. “You have to remember what it looks like from the outside of the house,” advises Shields. While it might seem like a great idea to put up mini-blinds in most of the front rooms and brightly coloured blinds in the kids’ rooms, think about what it will look like from the yard or the street.
Also remember that the degree of visibility from the inside of the home during the daytime will be the same as the degree of visibility into the home from the exterior at night, when, opposite to daytime, it is dark outside and light inside.

“Whatever you can see out during the day, is what people can see in at night,” says Sumka.

What goes in each window will also depend on the position of each window; windows that face south with full exposure at the ground level will call for different treatment than north-facing windows on the second floor. Fortunately, using backings and different types of blinds, a range of drapery types can be made to work in many situations.

However, Nobbs warns, draperies are fabric, fabric is fluid, and designers must work within the limitations of the materials. “There are some limitations. People have to understand that fabric is a very fluid thing; it’s not cardboard. Although they may have seen a picture, the end product may not be identical because it’s in their house, in their setting.”

Location, location, location
When considering the location and exposure of the window, consumers should take into account both the needs of the drapery and the needs of the room. Most crucial are the south-facing windows, and slightly less so, east- and west-facing windows. Window coverings are key for protecting hardwood floors, furnishings and artwork from fading, and can mean the difference between stifling heat and comfortable cool.

A low-E window does not mean bulletproof protection from UV rays. Good blinds or draperies will block the amount of fading sunlight that still makes it in and keep furniture and possessions looking new for as long as possible.

High-sunlight windows do call for a bit more care in choosing a fabric or material for window coverings, but with the right planning, even silk can work in a south window—just be sure that the drapes are backed properly in order to protect them from the sun.

Another important point to consider when choosing a fabric is the ease of care. Consider lifestyle components such as children and pets, how much noise the drapery fabric and hardware make, and think about how much effort you are willing to put in to maintenance. As Sumka points out, it is not a wise decision to buy Venetian blinds if you won’t take the time to dust them weekly. Other options do not need to be dusted and will still look great.

Taking care
When draperies do need to be cleaned, the experts agree that it pays to have them cleaned by a professional specializing in the cleaning of drapes. Do not attempt to wash them yourself, and do not have them dry-cleaned by conventional methods.

With proper care, draperies should last 15 to 20 years, though most will be changed within that time period due to redecorating or changing styles. Many blinds come with a limited lifetime warranty which applies to the original owner only.

Considerations when heading for cover

Privacy: What can you see from the window? Anyone whom you can see, can see you. Consider the “fishbowl effect” that is created at night when it is dark outside and light inside. No- to full-coverage options are available in sheer and semi-sheer draperies, full draperies and a variety of blind types. Consider that blinds can stack vertically (from the top or bottom) or horizontally, on different portions of the window.

Heat control/insulation value: As Sumka points out, metal blinds will conduct both heat and cold. Varying degrees of insulation are available using different fabrics and types of blind construction. This will give you temperature control in both hot and cold conditions. Light control: Different than privacy considerations, varying degrees of light control are available in both window coverings that offer little privacy, and those that offer plenty of privacy.

Aesthetics: Window coverings exist to cater to any style, from very traditional or formal to very contemporary or casual. Accents such as box valences and side panels can change the look of a window and the room in which it is located. Hardware is available in wood, metal and endless finishes, and should not be difficult to coordinate with any room. Draperies can be hung at varying heights and distances from the window to achieve different effects.