The right window treatments can make all the difference in the design of a space, but we know first hand that choosing them isn't easy!
With so many options and things to consider, doing it all on your own can feel overwhelming.
After years of selecting window treatments for clients and recently choosing them for our own home, we've learned a lot about how to make the process smoother.
Today, we're partnering with our friends at The Shade Store to share some of our favorite tried-and-true tips for choosing window treatments, and give you an inside look into the process of deciding on our own in The McGee Home!
We used window treatments from The Shade Store throughout our entire home and we absolutely love them. They are hand-crafted in the US and the best quality. Plus, they do everything custom, which makes the world of difference.
Here are some of our top recommendations:
Start With Considering Functionality
Before you choose colors, textures, or styles, it's best to start with considering the functionality. We often get asked if you need to select the same window coverings throughout your home, and the answer is no!
Each room has different functions, and therefore, different needs when it comes to privacy, light, and aesthetics. When we work with clients to choose window treatments, we always start by considering their needs in each room individually.
In The McGee Home, we have different window treatment functions in nearly every room! When choosing the treatments for our bedrooms, we started by selecting motorized shades with a blackout liner for maximum functionality and privacy. When we want to pull them down or roll them up, all we have to do is press a button.
In Syd's office, our garage, and a few other spaces where we still wanted privacy but didn't need the maximum amount, we chose Waterfall Woven Shades with a privacy lining instead of a blackout lining. In our dining room, we skipped the shades altogether and used Tailored Pleat Drapery instead to make sure we got as much natural light as possible.
One of the great things about working with The Shade Store is that all of their options are completely customizable, so you can get really specific about the functions and privacy levels of each treatment, making ordering that much simpler.
Designer tip: In a new build, it's best to choose window treatments right away so that you can be sure to wire for certain functions before it's too late!
Decide on the style
Once you've chosen your function, it's time for the fun part! Deciding on the style of your window treatments can be tricky because although you don't need to use the same ones throughout the entire home, you do want to make sure they all flow together.
In the McGee home, we made sure everything was cohesive by using repeating textures and tones throughout the space. We typically repeat either the color, material, or, in some cases, both.
For example, every time we used a Waterfall Woven Shade in The McGee Home, we used the material "Seaview," and the color "Dune." Every time we used Tailored Pleat Drapery, we used the "Luxe Linen," material, but chose different, complimenting colors for each room.
When deciding on materials and colors, we like to consider what the room needs to look complete. In our master bedroom, we wanted to add more texture and dimension without darkening the space, so we layered Luxe Linen Drapery in "Beige," over our Woven Shades to give it some extra visual interest.
In Syd's office, we wanted to bring out the depth and drama of the room's moody color scheme while still letting natural light in, so we layered the Luxe Linen Drapery in a darker "Taupe," color over our Woven Shades .
It's important to select options that, even if they are different, feel like a good fit when traveling from room to room. The best way to make sure everything is cohesive is to order swatches of the different materials and colors you plan to use so you can place them all side-to-side and adjust accordingly.
The Shade Store makes it so easy to do order swatches, and they have over 1,300 fabric samples, so you better believe we ordered A LOT so we could choose the perfect ones.
Design tip: Choosing neutral colors that blend with your furniture allows your eye to relax on the window treatments, allowing them to add to the room instead of taking away from it.
Don’t forget the hardware
Often, window treatment hardware gets overlooked, but the rods make a big difference, too!
When deciding on finishes and styles of hardware, we like to choose simple tones and styles to create a seamless, classic look. Although we don't always use the same rods in every room, we do make sure they work together and compliment the other finishes in the space.
In The McGee home, we chose a Wrought Iron Rod in Black for both our dining room and Syd's office, and in our master bedroom and bathroom, we used Steel Rods in Oil Rubbed Bronze and GunMetal for added interest.
The Shade Store has some of the best window treatment hardware options around, making it a great one-stop-shop.
Make sure you know your measurements
Last but most certainly not least, make sure you know your measurements! Not every window is created equal, and there's nothing more distracting to the eye than window treatments that don't fit perfectly.
We use custom treatments in all of our projects, and it makes an impactful difference. We love working with The Shade Store because they help with every step of the process, making it so easy to do custom window treatments with clients both nearby and long-distance.
They have consultants in showrooms nationwide, but for The McGee Home, we actually used their virtual consultation process. Once you decide on your orders, a professional measurement and installation team comes out and makes sure that your window treatments fit perfectly. It's the best way to be confident in your purchase, and we couldn't recommend it enough!
When you have the right custom window treatments made to fit your windows just right, the results are so much better than what you might get with a premade product.
If you’re designing a home or looking to update your window treatments, check out The Shade Store’s guide to getting started here.
You can shop Studio McGee’s top picks from The Shade Store here.
