The interior design of a home is many things. It sets the tone and can bring feelings of happiness and comfort. When a house is designed with intention and the space is optimized for those who live there, it helps make a house into a home.
Windows are an essential part of your home’s interior design. The light that enters through them, the view they give, and the look and aesthetic they provide to a space all help to bring in a sense of personality and style.
They can be designed to fade away, so you don’t think about them (while still having an effect), or they can set the tone for the room. They can match a classic home style or be more modern. Playing with the size and shape can fundamentally change the design of a room, not to mention all the different options for styling around your windows.
The possibilities are endless, whether you’re getting replacement windows or looking to change your interior design by using your existing windows differently.
No matter your goal, your quality window company in Kitchener is here to provide tips and advice for using your windows in interior design and discuss how to make the most of your windows, depending on their purpose.
Colour Counts
The colour you choose for your window frames will have a considerable influence on your home’s style. Golden Windows offers a wide-range of options so you can customize your new windows to your personal taste. Choose a softer colour like Golden white, cashmere or sandalwood, or opt for a more solid colour such as black, sable or old world blue.
Many homeowners tend to choose one of two options that are both as popular as they are opposite: having them blend in or stand out.
Make Your Windows a Focal Point
This is one of the fastest-growing popular window design trends, and for a good reason. Opting for black interior window frames in a white or neutral coloured room is an eye-catching dramatic option that creates contrast, which underscores the room’s appearance and brings a sense of dynamism to the design.
Using your windows in this way sets a strong tone and is particularly effective if you have a stunning view you want to draw the eye towards.
Because bold black window frames make such a strong statement, they don’t need coverings, blinds or curtains. Not only does this save money, but it can add to a sense of minimalism if that’s an important design goal. For those wanting to decorate black framed windows anyways, roman shades and drapes tend to work better than wood or vinyl blinds, which can create too much contrast.
For homeowners worried about making a decision based on a passing trend, black windows actually date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, originating in warehouses and factories before being used in residential homes. That history brings a sense of timelessness to black window frames that will remain for years to come.
Blend Your Windows into the Background
If your window style is more in line with having your windows blend seamlessly into the look of your home, you are not alone. White or light coloured window frames have been one of the most popular options for centuries, followed by wood. While black window frames are gaining ground and have many benefits, they are not the right choice for everyone.
White frames will never go out of style, so choosing a more subtle option remains a good choice. The white window frame is particularly effective for homeowners seeking a clean and classic look or who have other decorative elements they prefer to feature.
If there is a lot going on in a room, keeping things light, bright and neutral with the window frames allows other areas the chance to shine. They are also much easier to pair with window treatments, which will go further into later on. If you’re someone who likes to switch up your interior decor often, a softer window frame colour will give you more treatment options (although it can still be done with black frames).
What’s the Purpose of the Window
Whether you plan to install replacement windows or are just looking to change up your décor, the first thing you need to think about is the purpose of your window. How you choose to optimize the space around the window or decorate the room will be dependent on whether the window is there to provide natural light, airflow, or a great view. Let’s look into some of the ways these purposes can make a difference.
Furniture Arrangement
An easy way to draw attention to your windows is by changing the way the furniture is arranged. You can centre furniture around a window as you would centre it around a television. If that’s too strong of a design decision, you can place furniture around your windows so you can enjoy the view while enjoying other activities, such as reading, knitting or watching TV.
The biggest thing to avoid when deciding on furniture placement is putting oversized furniture against or near a window. This is a common mistake and can end up blocking the window and therefore blocking the view, light, and airflow as well. Either leave the space around your windows for small furniture or plants or leave the space entirely empty.
Plant Life
Plants have been skyrocketing in popularity since before the pandemic. The trend of growing living things in our homes has grown even more throughout lockdowns, as the importance of being surrounded by nature and living things was made more clear than ever. And while there are plants that don’t need a lot of sunlight to thrive, there are few better ways to brighten up a room than bringing in plants to a sunlit room.
Hanging plants on either side of a large window can bring a sense of balance. If you have a bay window nook, adding several small green or brightly coloured plants can bring a splash of colour and life to your room while taking advantage of the natural light from the windows.
Window Treatments
The possibilities for window treatments are endless. There are blinds, drapes, curtains, shades, valances, and more. From functional considerations such as privacy and allowing light or air to still enter the room to decorative considerations, such as design elements, materials and size, there’s something to be found for everyone. Not to mention the many ways functional and decorative considerations can overlap and intertwine. So, let’s get into it!
For those opting for a neutral coloured room but don’t want to go with such a strong option as black window frames, choosing to be bolder with the treatments is a smaller commitment. Selecting bold print curtains can provide a needed flair and bring attention to your windows and the view as well.
Other important elements to consider when dressing your windows include:
Shape and Size
Windows come in all different shapes and sizes, so the right treatment for one window could be a disaster on another. Also, as each type of window opens differently, it can be a major factor on what kind of treatment should be used.
- Casement windows hinge at the side and are open outward like a door by operating a crank, so treatments that interfere with turning the crank are less desirable.
- Double and single hung windows slide vertically.
- Sliding windows slide horizontally.
- Awning windows hinge at the top and swing outwards, creating an awning.
- Fixed windows do not open but are usually chosen to provide natural light or to take advantage of a view.
Function
While they can be gorgeous and important to design, that’s generally not the only purpose of window treatments. The functional purpose of window treatments is just as important. While a quality window can provide fade prevention, insulation and noise control, window treatments can aid with these in addition to offering privacy and the ability to block out the light.
- Privacy: If people can see through your windows from nearby properties or the street, privacy can be the top factor for window treatments, so a solid material should be of utmost importance
- Decorative: You may choose to use window treatments to meet your aesthetic needs, choosing a light option for a minimalist look, or even choosing floor-to-ceiling curtains to make a room look larger
- Light control: One of the greatest benefits of windows is the natural light they provide, but sometimes it can be too much. No one wants the sun in their eye when they’re watching TV or being bathed in sunshine when trying to take a nap
Window Treatment Options
After considering the type of window you’re looking to dress and the functional elements you’re looking for, what are your options? Luckily, there are many different types of window treatments and many different options so it’s easy to find the right choice for your needs.
- Shades: Soft fabric panels attached at the upper edge to a rod come in various materials, lengths, widths, and colours. Using cords or rollers, shades bunch or roll around a rod as they lift. These can be used on their own or paired with sheer curtains. Roller, Roman and cellular shades are all popular types.
- Blinds: Raised up and down using a cord or other lifting mechanism, blinds can be made of bamboo, wood, aluminum, or vinyl. They can be tilted open at varying degrees to allow for different levels of light and privacy. They don’t need to be lifted to allow for light, making them a great option for fixed windows or operable windows that are rarely opened. They can be combined with a valance or curtain for more decorative appeal.
- Curtains: Made of lightweight, unlined fabrics, these are a versatile option as they come in varying fabrics, patterns, widths and lengths. Often sold in pairs that separate to either end of the window when opened and meet together in the middle when closed. They help to filter out light, but not entirely, so they are often paired with other treatments when light control is a strong factor, like in bedrooms. The rod they hang from can be hidden or displayed for added decoration.
- Drapes: Similar to curtains, drapes are made of fabric and often sold in pairs and function in the same way curtains do. They differ because drapes are lined, often with heavy material that is effective at blocking out light completely. They come in a wide range of colours and styles and tend to have a more formal appearance than curtains.
At Golden Windows, we strive to help our customers find the best options for their needs. We’re here to help with anything windows and door related, from design tips to triple glazed windows benefits.
We offer many opportunities for customization, starting with the type of window and going through material, shape, size, colour, glass, grille pattern and many more. All of these options mean you can get windows that fit into the sense of style that you want and that are best for your home.
If you’re looking for replacement or new construction windows, visit us at one of our showrooms in Kitchener, London or Kanata. You can browse our wide selection of windows and doors and see all the different styles and design options. We have expert sales representatives on hand to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and offer suggestions. For more information on our products and services, please visit our website.