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Fashion trends can be fickle, and home fashion is no exception. With fads coming in and out, it's hard to keep up. Here are our expert opinions on what's in, what's out, and what's here to stay.
Keep It Sleek and Simple
Window treatments with sleek, clean lines have taken over! Many of today’s most popular window treatments are now sporting simpler, more tailored looks, which open up the room, keeping it modern and uncluttered.
Smooth, crisp roller shades are one way to achieve this look. Roman shades are another option for incorporating the tailored look. Try Roman shades with a flat-panel design, for the contemporary feel that you are going for.
Multi-Task: Fashion and Function
No longer are window treatments designed for fashion alone. Or necessity alone. Instead, the latest trend is to offer both. Here’s an example of just a few of the latest multi-functional window treatments on the market today:
Cellular shades improve energy efficiency and offer a variety of light-filtering and privacy options, depending on which fabrics you choose.
Sunscreen fabrics provide visual comfort by limiting eye-straining glare, maintain view-through so your view from inside is not limited, and provide energy efficiency – all at the same time!
And many new window treatments are made of specialty wood alloy materials and fabrics that are anti-static, actually repelling dust! So they look good and clean themselves, too!
And all of these options accomplish these functions in a variety of fabrics, colors, patterns, textures, and styles.
Go Au Naturel
Mother Nature’s is quickly becoming a true fashionista in the world of window treatments. Bamboo, reed textures, and exposed wood grain in blinds and shades are becoming increasingly favored options in every room of the home.
Technology with Style
You can check email from an airport and conduct business meetings from your home – why not control your window shades from across the room? Or better yet, from the office? Technology has afforded us many luxuries, the latest of which have hit the window treatment industry.
Motorized window treatments allow you to open and close your shades with the flip of a switch or the push of a button, so you get the privacy you want, when you want it. Not only does this allow you to easily raise and lower those hard-to-reach window shades, but it also allows you to set timers, or even set sun-activation controls on your shades to make them work for you – even when you’re not there.
Partnering with the Environment
Go Green! We've all heard about how important it is to start conserving our earth's natural resources. These efforts have made eco-friendly window treatments more fashionable than ever. You can find environmentally-friendly Wood Alloy blinds that will give your home a classic look and feel, but the blend of wood and recycled materials makes it a product you can feel good about.
Room with a View
Window treatments are no longer designed to be the sole accessory dressing up your window. Cutting-edge window treatment designers recognize that sometimes the best accessory is what is happening outside your window: the leaves changing in the fall, a winter snow, or just a bright sunny day. A fashion-forward window treatment will allow you to capture that, as well as providing interior beauty for less-than-picture-perfect days.
Window treatments maximize what’s called “view-through" in a number of ways. One option is to choose shades that open from the top and the bottom. This is perfect if you have a terrific view at the top but you want to maintain your privacy below. Wider slats, and specialized slat shapes also work to increase your view from the inside out.
Heighten Up
Draperies are getting longer. Even when your windows aren’t. This is part of a trend that adds space and height to any room. And it’s relatively easy to incorporate this cutting-edge style into your home decor. Simply place your window treatments just below the ceiling line, and let the drapes flow from there to your floor. It’s that simple!
One is the Loneliest Color
Monochromatic rooms may be modern, but they have the potential to result in overkill. Which spells boring for your decor, and is certainly not a trend. Liven up your room with color. Better yet, let your window treatments do that for you. Choose window treatments that accent the already existing color schemes -- they can provide the perfect splash of color to add interest to the design.
There you have it - the top window treatment trends that are sure to have an impact on home design! |
