EEK! 9 Pricey Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Custom Window Coverings

Window treatment mistakes can be QUITE costly!

If there is one mistake to avoid when designing your home, it is choosing the wrong window treatments. Trust us, we’ve seen it all.

Homeowners want to create the perfect nest. Choosing the appropriate window coverings will help transform a house into a home and enhance the quality of life. Closing in on 4 decades in the window covering industry, the team here at GWD, compiled a list of the most common mistakes they have seen clients make.. Say buh-bye to stress. Here is a list of the nine most common mistakes homeowners make when buying window treatments.

1- MEASURING WINDOWS YOURSELF VS. HAVING AN EXPERT CUSTOM FIT WINDOW TREATMENTS
The importance of accurately measuring your windows for treatments is highly underrated. Measuring incorrectly will waste your time and cost you more money in the long run. There is so much to consider – depth of window, depth of treatment, inside or outside mount, placement of brackets, UGH! This list is 10 miles long!

This might sound silly- just like snowflakes, no two windows are the same. 

Window treatments work best when they are custom fit. A great fit ensures that the coverings provide you with the light control, privacy, energy efficiency, and appeal as intended. Making the investment upfront to have your windows correctly measured by an expert is worth its weight in gold.

2-NEGLECTING OVERALL STYLE AND DESIGN
Picking the wrong color, pattern, or even material for window treatments is a mistake you can easily avoid! Each room of your home, may call for something unique in terms of style and functionality. The role of the expert in the design process is to explore with you the goals for each space in your home.

They will ask the really important questions like..

» How much privacy do you require?
» Are your windows short and you want to create the illusion of height?
» Do you have baseboard heating?

The answers to these questions will guide you to a specific product to achieve your goal.  For example, you may want natural sunlight to shine through the main living area. In the bedroom, you might prefer blackout drapery for more privacy and darkness. Kids’ play area? Are you more of a contemporary type? Or do you prefer a more rustic design? Each desire can be met with a different type of window covering. This decision making process can get overwhelming so having someone who can narrow down exactly what treatment is right for you matters. Many people do not take into consideration how much the ideal window treatment will impact the rest of the room. Coordinating window coverings throughout your home will create an overall cohesive vibe -which will create a calming effect for your entire home. And we all can use more peace in our lives.

3-NOT THINKING ABOUT MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Keeping up with home maintenance is a LOT of work. Whew!  Don’t let the wrong type of windows or coverings be part of the reason. Before purchasing, make sure to go through all of your options and ask yourself these simple questions:

» What is the main purpose of this room?
» Do I know how to work with and maintain this style?
» What fabric or material works best for the room?
» Is this something I plan to change in the next 5 years? 10? 20 or more?

Window treatments come in ALL shapes, sizes, colors, fabrics, operating systems and materials. Think about the location of the windows and the room’s main purpose. When considering treatments for common areas- living rooms or dining rooms, you might choose draperies with a low-maintenance material like cotton. In kitchens, sunrooms and bathrooms, you will definitely need a treatment that is more durable, and easy to clean (two words: cooking grease 😬). Considering the humidity in your home is important as well. Some homes are particularly humid, so having window coverings that stand up to moisture is very important. If you are designing a bedroom and want more style, you might choose colorful draperies or blackout shading that are made with a more tightly-woven dense material.

 

4- CHOOSING THE WRONG MATERIAL FOR THE WINDOW COVERINGS
Fabric and material choice is so important when it comes to care, maintenance, and style. Classic fabrics like cotton, linen, or damask are a safe and low-maintenance choice. Some of the more popular fabrics for drapery including voile, nylon net, lace, and velvet will need more delicate care, and have very specific instructions for cleaning.

Choosing the right material or fabric for your home will affect insulation requirements, lighting, and sound.

Whether you are buying a house for the first time or renovating, let’s start at step one and sit down for a consultation. We’ll make sure you find the best fit for you and your home for years to come.

5- GOING TRENDY WHEN YOUR HOME ALREADY HAS AN ESTABLISHED STYLE
If you have already established a certain type of interior design style, choosing trendy designs could clash with other elements in the room or may not provide the right functionality you need. While being in-the-know of what’s “in” and what’s “out” is a great way to stay inspired, use it as a starting point and then look at the bigger picture.  Check out our other blog –Trends 2023

Keeping up with trends is great, and our experts can help you figure out the best way to maintain the look and aesthetics of your home while also introducing small touch here and there to keep things feeling fresh.

6- FORGETTING HARDWARE
Hardware is a big part that many forget to include when buying window treatments. There are many ways to hang drapery and valances. Depending on the style of the drapery– be it rod pocket, rings with clips, grommets, or tabs, there is specific hardware to make sure that the drapery will look and function well for years to come. One of the things that needs to be taken into consideration is how the material of the drapery will fall/fold with different attachment types. It is not always a great idea to hang pinch pleat drapery in a heavy material on c-rings for example.
Drapery hardware can be very basic and almost disappear or it can make as bold a statement as the drapery itself. Some pieces, like rods and decorative finials, can be interchangeable to create a style that is all your own. This is a great way to refresh your windows without getting all new treatments. Our experts will work with you to make sure that the hardware can handle the weight, space allotted and is installed/anchored into the wall correctly, to avoid any costly damage.

7- DISREGARDING FUNCTIONALITY
Draperies, shades, shutters, and blinds – how do you know which is the right choice for you and your lifestyle? Think about the use of the window like you do the purpose of the room. For instance, families with toddlers or pets often go with cordless window coverings in common areas and nurseries to provide more safety. Cords can be a safety hazard in the home, but there are many options today like cord-free cellular shades, roman shades, or roller shades that adapt to any room and are risk-free.

Do you have sliding doors that lead to a deck, patio, or backyard area? Consider vertical shades, SmartDrape, or custom motorized shades, as these products are perfect for larger spans of glass. Vertical blinds are easy to maintain and provide privacy without sacrificing light control.

Do you have close neighbors or your home faces a very busy street? Consider a window treatments with Top Down/Bottom Up operation. Top Down/Bottom Up treatments allow you to lower the shade from the top to maintain your privacy, without sacrificing your privacy and still have natural light.

You may be surprised at how much the ideal window treatment will influence the overall feel of your home. I’m sure you getting the theme here, but again, working with our experts, they are sure to guide you to the solution that works best with your lifestyle.

8- WASTING YOUR VALUABLE TIME
At first, the idea of checking window treatments off the honey-do-list can feel like a headache. There are so many decisions and products, it can feel overwhelming. Professional window treatment Designers have taken hours and hours of classes and training in order to make the process fun and easy. Before calling our expert, it is a great idea to think a bit about your budget, and your goals for the treatments. It is also great to get some inspiration online. Take a look at our portfolios, Pinterest boards, and Houzz galleries and prepare to be inspired!

9. FORGETTING TO HAVE FUN!
Even though there can be a lot involved in the process, adding custom window treatments to your home should be an AWESOME experience (and it will be, when you work with our expert Designers!) We want you to focus on the fun without getting bogged down in all details. Let our experts guide you through the process seamlessly. We’ll help you figure out a strategy that will help you stay on track and save time. If you don’t know where to start, or feel overwhelmed, we can help! Schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our Window Covering Design Experts to get things started.

Schedule your Consultation Today