Whether you recently purchased a condo, townhome, or stand alone house, one thing’s for sure – you’re going to need to find a way to cover up your windows (unless, of course, you really want your neighbors to get to know you on an all new level). For most homebuyers, the world of window treatments tends to come across as vast and utterly confusing. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which specific types of window coverings will best suit your needs. Do you like the look of blinds, or would you prefer curtains? Do you want faux wood or fabric? And how do all of these choices translate as far as finances are concerned?
Mark Needleman is the owner and design director of Signature Interiors, an interior design company that has been serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire for the past 15 years, and he realizes that the act of picking out window treatments can be one of the most stressful aspects of home décor. He therefore suggests that before you start driving yourself crazy flipping through catalogs and visiting specialty stores, you figure out whether you’d prefer shades or slats.
But what exactly is the difference between these two options? When it comes to blinds, slats are the movable panels that can be rotated back and forth to control the degree of sunlight that is allowed to seep in through the windows. Slats can either be vertical or horizontal, though the former option is one that many interior design professionals consider to be rather outdated. Shades, on the other hand, consist of a single piece of material that gets moved up and down to control the flow of light. When left hanging in their full-coverage position, shades can either be solid or pleated, depending on the style at hand.
Both slats and shades offer varying benefits as far as light management and privacy are concerned. If your goal is to retain the maximum amount of control over the natural light that shines into your house, then slats might be the better option for you. However, if you’re looking to create a blackout effect – which might be the case when dealing with your bedroom – then you might want to go with specialty shades. Of course, there’s no need to commit to either option on a house-wide basis. After all, it might make sense to go with slats in certain areas of the home, and shades in other parts of the property. From a design perspective, there’s certainly no reason to stick to any single style or form and incorporate it across the board. On the other hand, you should understand the advantages inherent in both slats and shades before making any initial selections.
As far as choosing specific colors and styles for your slats or shades – well, that part of the project can take anywhere from a number of hours to a number of years. If you think that you could use some help evaluating your options, then contact an experienced interior designer to help you work through the decision-making process. Remember, window treatments are more than just a series of decorative pieces; they’re an investment in the comfort and style of your home. By choosing the right ones, you’ll be doing your part to make your windows all the more useful and inviting.
