In my article last month, I gave you a little insight into the variety of purposes window furnishings have in your home. Now that you’ve got a good idea about the purpose of your window furnishings, it’s also important to establish your budget and consider current decor, future decor and any design tricks you might like to utilise to enhance your room.

Once you have considered all of these aspects, it’s time to start looking at the types of curtains and blinds available to you.

So what’s the difference between them all?

Sheers

Sheers are thin and translucent and commonly used in combination with other curtain types. They provide minimal light filtering and privacy but provide an opportunity to add texture, pattern and interest to your windows. Sheers can be used alone in places like bathrooms and toilets if you don’t like the idea of a bare window.

Window Furnishing Types & How to Choose

Credits to: http://www.invogueblinds.com.au/images/products/curtains/lge/04-curtains_motorised-sheer-curtain.jpg

Sun-screens

These are typically fabric window dressings that have different transparency or opaqueness to filter light. Sun-screen fabrics are available in a number of shades and colours and come in blackout fabrics also.

Usually used in combination with other window furnishings, sun-screen fabrics typically come in roller blind formations, but can be used in roman blinds and other structured blind styles. Translucent sun-screens can allow views of outside during the day and blackout fabrics will allow no vision through  – a top choice to add privacy!

Credits to: http://yahmoblinds.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/SlideShow001.jpg

Credits to: http://yahmoblinds.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/SlideShow001.jpg

Blinds

Blinds come in vertical, roller and horizontal options. The vertical and horizontal slats allow varying degrees of openness by incremental opening to filter light and witness views. Blinds come in a variety of styles, textures and colours.

Credits to: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/5801f8d902323ee1_4-4613/modern-vertical-blinds.jpg

Credits to: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/5801f8d902323ee1_4-4613/modern-vertical-blinds.jpg

Screen and Blind Combinations

Screen and blind combinations include honeycomb blinds, venetians with sheer infills between the slats, and roman blinds. Mostly pleated items that give the appearance of blinds but form a continuous screen of fabric.

Window Furnishing Types & How to Choose

Credits to: http://www.nichollsfashioncentre.com.au/wp-content/gallery/blinds/Blinds001.jpg

Curtains and Drapes

The most dramatic of all the window furnishings. Drapes are typically made up of a variety of fabrics, thick or thin, heavy or light, that sit above the window head as well as across either side of the window to cover the frame and head of the window. Typically a drape would fall from the rail or head of the curtain to the floor finish, but this isn’t always the case. Curtains or drapes come in a variety of style such as pinch pleat, pencil pleat, box pleat, eyelet on a rod or rod- pockets.

Window Furnishing Types & How to Choose

Credits to: http://withgood.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/new-how-to-pick-curtains-with-how-to-choose-the-perfect-curtains-and-drapes.jpg

Decorative Touches

Pelmets, valances, swags, tiebacks and cascades to your window can help define elements as discussed above.

Window Furnishing Types & How to Choose

Credits to: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/364111db0fdfab59_4-8457/modern-bedroom.jpg

Unfortunately because there are so many different sorts and styles of window furnishings, the cost varies significantly between them all. Going in with a clear understanding of what you need in your home along with your personal tastes will help you to determine the best window furnishings for your home.

About The Author

Elise Miles Simonovski

Elise is an ACT Registered Architect and Interior Designer with many years experience working on Public Architecture, Commercial Architecture and Primary, Secondary and Tertiary educational projects in Canberra and Sydney. Additionally Elise has 10 years experience as an Interior designer, and has completed numerous Luxury Residential Interiors amidst her extensive Commercial Architecture and Interiors career. Elise contributes to teaching the next generation of design professional’s at Canberra Institute of Technology and has also taught at the University of Canberra. Education is a cause close to her heart as Elise considers this an important influence on the Design and Construction Industry.

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