Bedroom Windows Buying Guide

Bedroom Window Buying Guide

Many homeowners or renters don’t give much thought to bedroom window treatments. You can throw something out the window to block the light if you sleep late or skip it entirely if you are an early riser. But valances, curtains, or other room window treatments can help turn your home into a home, adding a unique personal touch. This is what you need to know.

What are bedroom window treatments?

Although curtains are certainly included, window treatments provide a variety of options for dressing up your bedroom window. Ideas span the gamut of styles, from vintage to ultra-modern. Bedroom window treatments include everything from curtains to formal drapes, as well as decorative valances, window scarves, and cornices that go over the window.

Master bedroom window treatments are often used to add luxury and serenity to the room, while window shades from one bedroom in another part of the home can give a different feel or function. For example, blackout curtains can make it easier for a young child to nap.

How To Buy The Best Bedroom Window Treatments

The best bedroom window treatments are the ones that work for you. You may want simple bedroom window curtains in a minimalist room or heavy formal curtains with valances in a vintage-inspired room.

It is also important to consider the actual window. Bedroom windows come in many shapes and sizes, and some lend themselves more easily to small window treatments, such as small blinds. If your window glass is thin, thermally insulated curtains can help improve the comfort of the room.

Choose colors that match existing colors in the room, including paint and trim, for a peaceful and harmonious look. Or add drama to the room with contrasting colors and bold patterns. A color wheel can help you select colors that work well together.

Types of window treatments for bedrooms

Although there are seemingly myriad styles, window treatments fall into a few simple categories:

Curtains and curtains

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but curtains and curtains they are not exactly the same. Both consist of two panels meeting in the center of a window (although single panel curtains also exist), but curtains are thicker, longer, and more formal than curtains.

Curtains and shades come in a variety of light filtering options, from pure to maximum blackout:

• Steep: Sheer curtains allow almost all light to filter through. They can help reduce glare without blocking your ability to see out the window.
• Semitransparent: Semi-sheer curtains provide some privacy while allowing a lot of light into the room at the same time.
• Room darkening: As the name implies, these curtains greatly reduce the amount of light entering the room, creating a soft twilight effect.
• Blackout: Blackout curtains offer privacy, noise reduction, and some insulation while creating a dark environment for sleeping even during the day.
• Maximum blackout: For a truly dark sleep experience, consider the maximum blackout curtains, which filter 99% to 100% of the light. They also provide maximum privacy and insulation, as well as protection against noise pollution.
• Thermal insulator: Some curtains or drapes, especially the blackout and max blackout styles, have an additional acrylic foam back panel for added insulation. It is also possible to buy a separate insulating coating for existing curtains or drapes.

Blinds

Shutters are generally the most expensive window treatment for a master bedroom or other room. However, they add the timeless elegance of wood to your bedroom design. Standard shutters are available, but are generally best made to measure. This ensures that they fit properly in your window for maximum protection, privacy and room darkening effects, as well as aesthetics.

Blinds

Generally the least expensive option, blinds are also the simplest of master bedroom window treatment ideas. The blinds, slatted and operated with a cord or small handle, can be placed inside or outside the window. They can be an excellent option for modern and minimalist bedrooms.

Shades

Curtains are a fabric option similar to blinds. They come in various styles, from simple roller shades to elaborately folded roller shades, and in different levels of light filtering. Depending on the style, the curtains can be combined with almost any bedroom.

Valances, window scarves and cornices

Room window valance Ideas also include decorative cornices and window scarves, but all three are not exactly the same. A valance is a piece of fabric that hangs across the top of a window. Simple valances are casual, while box valances hang straighter and are considered more formal. A window scarf is a long piece of fabric that fits loosely around a curtain rod. A cornice is a wooden frame that can be painted or draped over and hung over the top of the window.

Valances, window drapes, and cornices can be used alone, but are often paired with curtains or sheers. They can add visual interest, contrast, or even drama to a master bedroom window. They are sometimes used in other rooms as well, especially rooms with a vintage or shabby chic decor aesthetic.

Choose the correct size

Choosing the correct size window treatment is extremely important. But how you measure depends on the type of window treatment you select.

For blinds or shades that will be mounted inside the window frame, measure both the length and width of the window at three different points. Use the narrowest width and longest length. If they are to be mounted outside of the frame, measure the outside of the frame and add 1.5 inches to each measurement to account for overlap.

For curtains or drapes, measure the width of the window and then add 3 to 8 inches, depending on how full you want the curtains to appear. To choose a length, decide where you want the top and bottom of the curtain to be and measure the distance between those points. Formal curtains tend to reach to the floor, or even pile up on the floor, while more informal curtains can hang just below the windowsill.

Interior shutters are measured similarly to blinds or curtains, but exterior shutters are significantly more complicated. Consider having your window professionally measured or follow the manufacturer’s measurement instructions for the specific shutters you choose.

As long as the width is at least as wide as the window frame, it has a lot of latitude with borders and cornices. Window scarves are the most flexible, as they are draped rather than precisely hung, but for best results, choose a scarf that is significantly longer than the width of the frame.

Compare bedroom window treatment costs

Master bedroom window treatment ideas often involve multiple pieces, such as two curtain panels and a valance, so when analyzing costs, be sure to include everything you will need. You can find window treatments for less than $ 15 in department stores, or pay hundreds of dollars per panel in specialized stores. Curtain rods are sold separately and may increase in price. In general, the larger the window, the more you pay to cover it. Floor-length curtains are also often more expensive than window-sill curtains, and the material you select matters a lot in the final price.

Read reviews of bedroom window treatments

Bedroom window treatments come in all types, sizes, styles, and prices. However, none of these factors is necessarily an indicator of quality. The best way to know if you are choosing window treatments that will last is to read customer reviews. Look for comments on durability, ease of installation, and even if the indicated size is exact.

Installation

Installing most bedroom window treatments it is relatively simple. You will need some basic tools like a drill, a tape measure, a level, and some screws, along with a ladder. You may also need anchors to secure the mounting brackets or hardware to the wall, depending on the type of walls you have and if you are drilling a stud. Outdoor shutters can be a bit more difficult to install, as can window treatments for windows that are very tall or large, or that are located in an awkward area, such as above a staircase. Always seek professional assistance if you have any doubts about your ability to do the job safely.

Bedroom Window Treatment Brands

There are countless brands for every style of bedroom window treatments, and which one is objectively better depends on your individual needs. In many cases, store brands (Amazon, Home Depot, The Shade Store, Bed, Bath & Beyond) are just as durable and long-lasting as the more expensive specialty brands. Custom window treatments are also available from both national brands and local stores. Focus on the features and reviews rather than the brand names, and you will find the window treatments that are right for you.