Current trends in window treatments
So what are the current trends in window treatments? The key words are simplicity and minimalism with an emphasis on crisp, clean lines. Gone are the days of heavy draped effects using jabots and swags; tab curtains or gathered valances. If you are wondering if any type of valances are still in style this post will answer the question.
Not a lot has changed since I wrote this post in early 2012. Because it is so popular with my readers I thought I would add updates that reflect 2015 choices. You might also like to check out Choosing Drapery Hardware.
Layering
While layering is popular, the overall look remains clean, and the palette is usually consistent for both treatments. Blending colours rather than contrasting ones work best when you want to layer treatments. Any type of blind can be used under drapes for a layered look.
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| Layering drapes and Roman shade in bay window |
Pattern is hot
When you look through new fabrics you are bound to notice that textures and patterns abound. You can't go wrong with geometric patterns, trellis designs, large scale florals, bold colours, whimsical motifs etc.
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| Geometric designs are always popular |
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| Stripes never go out of style |
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| Floral patterns on light backgrounds are very popular |
Banding
Vertical or horizontal banding is very popular and adds beautiful detailing and interest to any plain drape. You can add banding to good advantage if you want to add visual height or width to a space.
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| Vertical banding to match duvet |
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| Horizontal banding |
Wider drapes
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| Visual width added by mounting drapes beyond the window frame |
Overall, drapes are getting longer and wider to accommodate the trend to make windows appear larger in scale which is a trending look right now. Lush materials like velvet and silk add to this look.
Tone on tone
The window treatments in the room below are simple, harmonious with the walls, and allow the view and the room to shine. When deciding the colour of your drapes you should first consider the look/feel you want in your space. If you want restful, choose solid colour with texture and keep to the colour tones in the room.
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| Tone on tone draperies for a restful look |
Longer, looser pleats (5-6 inches)
While on a recent trip to Europe I noticed that pleats are getting softer and longer to provide a more contemporary and less formal feel in a room. There are many different headings to choose from to get the look you want .
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| Longer pinch pleat |
You can't beat pinch pleated drapes. They continue to be the industry standard for elegance. Pinch-pleated drapes characteristically retain their shape, maintaining a consistent appearance opened or closed and hang beautifully.
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| Long looser pencil pleat |
Cleaner look in headings
The inverted box pleat (back pleat), my personal favourite, is a soft but tailored look for modern decor. It has been replacing pinch pleat styles when a more clean contemporary feel is required. Lighter colours and tone on tone add softness to home decor.
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| Inverted back pleat is contemporary and tidy |
For grommets to look "lush" you need at least 7 or 8 folds at the top. That means purchasing two sets of ready made panels or have custom fully closing ones. .If you plan to open and close grommet panels daily be warned that you will spend a lot of time fiddling to adjust them so they hang nicely.
Yes, sheers are still popular, but they are a world away from the fussy, frilly and lacy ones that the word sheer brings to mind. The "new" sheers have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns or contemporary headings as in the room below.
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| Contemporary look in sheers |
Houzz
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| Layered drapes over sheers with contemporary headings are still popular |
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| Printed/textured sheers add interesting light play |
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| Roman shade with valance |
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| A bold patterned Roman on patio doors |
Metal Blinds Return
Who thought we would see a resurgence in metal blinds? It's driven by the popularity of stainless appliances, and other metals especially bronze in an industrial style loft living.
Woven Wood Shades
The trend to more eco-friendly materials has prodded this design aesthetic along. most are made from sustainable materials including: grasses, sisal, reeds or bamboo.
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| Metal blinds for lofts and contemporary spaces |
Woven Wood Shades
The trend to more eco-friendly materials has prodded this design aesthetic along. most are made from sustainable materials including: grasses, sisal, reeds or bamboo.
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| Woven wood blinds come in many colours |
Cellular shades
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| Cellular shades offer great versatility |
Cellular shades are one of the most versatile window treatments available today. They can be hung by themselves for a very contemporary look or layered with other treatments and provide additional insulation for your windows. Options for cordless, corded, remote and top down/bottom up round out this very popular window treatment.
RollerShades
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| Hunter Douglas patterned |
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| Modern and room darkening |
Roller blinds/shades are sleek, simple and very functional and economical as well. I can think of no other window treatment that solves as many problems as the roller blind:
- they fit into tight quarters;
- can be used as an inside or outside mount;
- look great layered in a more traditional style or stand alone;
- are available in a range of opacities from room darkening to almost sheer, and a range of colours;
- choose from plain, patterned or textured;
- are available in materials that are wipeable making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
So many options for today's windows. All you have to do is decide which works in your home. Do you have favourite window treatments?
