5 Window Covering Design Elements to Consider Before You Buy
BWS Design • October 24, 2019

Window treatments are an essential part of interior design. Not only do they frame the room, they also add texture, dimension, and tonal unity to a space. Even more importantly, they create privacy and regulate the amount of sunlight in the room. Many homeowners choose their window treatments based on the color and visual aesthetic. But there are several other factors to consider in window covering design. Before you invest the time and money in installing window coverings, take a look at these 5 design considerations to help you make the best selection.

CHILD SAFETY

Corded window coverings pose strangulation hazards for small children, as well as pets. In fact, the Consumer Products Safety Commission calls corded window treatments one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes. Young children can easily become entangled in the cords. If you have children, or host small children in your home, choose cordless treatments, or place the cords out of reach. Cordless blinds are also less likely to malfunction and are visually streamlined and tidy.

COLOR, PATTERN, TEXTURE, & SHAPE

Some people choose their window treatments first and design the room around them, while others choose them after the room is complete. Either way, you’ll want to make sure your window coverings blend seamlessly into your room. If you are choosing one treatment to use throughout the home, you may want a neutral option like wood blinds or pleated shades. Custom draperies and window treatments can add colorful interest to each room and accent a particular style. Elegant fabrics with silky textures for the dining room can pair with rustic woven treatments in the family room, when the patterns and colors are complementary. Know the look you are going for throughout the home, before you commit to a purchase.

ECO FRIENDLINESS & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The right window coverings can dramatically improve your energy efficiency. Blocking out the hot sun in summer and the cold wind in winter, window treatments can save you a bundle on energy bills. Cellular shades  and shutters add insulation to your home, while solar shades block out harmful UV rays and increase energy efficiency year-round. Window treatments also protect your rugs, floors, and furnishings from fading and UV damage. Window coverings can do much more than dress up your windows- they can safeguard your home, your health, and your finances.

LIGHT CONTROL & PRIVACY

Sure, you want to let a little sunlight in, but maybe not all of it, especially on a summer afternoon. And while daylight peeking through your blinds is pleasant, neighbors peeking through is not. Window coverings offer you the ability to control how much sunlight you let in, and how visible you are to the outside. Your bedroom may call for blackout blinds to secure a sound night’s sleep. A rear window facing your private patio is ideal for beautiful curtains that can be pulled fully back. Whereas a front window facing the street might benefit from roller shades, shutters, or blinds. Think about how each room will be used and the privacy needed before you buy window coverings.

MOTORIZATION

Motorization allows you to control your window coverings from across the room, or even remotely from your phone. If you want to close the blinds when no one’s home, or set them to open and wake you with the sunrise, motorization gives you complete control. You can block the sunlight at peak hours to maximize energy efficiency. Or lower the blinds at dusk to set the tone for your evening. Motorization also reduces the wear and tear that comes with yanking on cords or manually pulling back treatments. Most importantly, motorization eliminates the safety hazard of young children with corded blinds.

Window coverings set the tone for the canvas of your home. Elegant, rustic, chic, or classic, they accentuate the space you love. While style and color are important factors, they aren’t enough to base your decision on. When deciding on window coverings, you must take into account these 5 design considerations: child safety, color/pattern/texture/shape, eco friendliness and energy efficiency, light control and privacy, and motorization. The experts at Just Blinds, Inc. are experienced in designing the right window coverings for your specific needs. In order to make the selection that is the most beneficial and beautiful for your home, contact us today!

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.