There are many aspects to learn when shopping for window treatments. Here's a look at all the window treatment designs and how to pick the best ones for your home.

Consider Window Treatment Styles

The style of window treatment you select will vary based on the room design and how you use the windows. If privacy is an important feature, look for lined drapes, window shutters or window blinds. If you plan to open and close the window treatments frequently, consider the weight and mechanism for opening them. Among the other considerations are:

• The way you use the room--is it formal or informal?
• Functional aspects, such as the size of the window and whether items such as light switches, wall sockets and baseboard heaters will interfere with the window treatments.

Window Treatment Designs are Plentiful

There are many window treatment options available. Consider the style of your home, the location of the windows, and the amount of light that comes in when selecting a window treatment style. Among the common window treatment ideas are:

Curtains. These are traditional window treatments that can be lined or unlined. For a more formal or dramatic look, use floor length window treatments.
Window shutters. These can be combined with a valance on top or used alone to cover the bottom half of a window.
Window Blinds. These allow you to adjust the slats to change the amount of light coming in the window. These are sold in:

• Horizontal or vertical designs.
• Energy-efficient window treatments that keep rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Window Shades. These are sold in a variety of styles, including:

• Roman shades--a more formal shade that lies flat against the window when down, and has a cord mechanism that raises it in folds.
• Bottom Up/Top Down shades--let you lower the shade from the top to let in natural light while retaining the privacy with the bottom portion.

Before selecting window treatments, also think about:

• How much drama do you want in your window treatments?
• Whether the windows will be a focal point.
• What colors, textures and patterns do you like?
• The number of windows in the room and their size and shape.
• Safety, particularly in children?s rooms, where shades without cords are preferred.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home-improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home-improvement Web sites.