Window Shade Trends For 2018 – What Are Your Options?
While perhaps not always the most stand out item in a room, window coverings play a crucial role in enhancing your home’s interior décor; however, it can be difficult to find that perfect balance between form and function when you’re choosing what types of shades, curtains, or shutters to hang.
While a wide range of available options means you will always find something to suit your home design tastes, the selection process can be quite challenging. Knowing the different options available is the first step getting the right window treatments for your home. This month we decided to focus on shades, which are set to make a big comeback in 2018 trends. There are multiple styles to choose from, all of which will block light and heat transfer in your home while still having their own unique look and feel to dress up your room. But what options are there? We’ve outlined some of the most popular choices below.
Fabric Shades
Wood, plastic, composite, and even metal are some of the common window shade materials you will come across nowadays. However, fabric window shades are making a comeback in 2018 – and for good reason. These types of shades combine the best of both worlds for functional and decorative purposes. They are versatile and come in a myriad of styles and drapes.
Fabric window shades can either be tailor-made or store-bought. Either option has its own pros and cons. For instance, tailor-made fabric shades allow you to choose the specific design you need for your interior décor, as well as find coverings for windows that are awkward or unusual sizes. However, you may have to pay more for these – which is why it’s always best to get expert advice when you’re searching for the right fit.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are a specific type of window shade to consider next time you are looking for window treatments for your home. They are less bulky compared to some other draperies but will give your windows the same well-dressed style with softer lines.
Roman shades are ideal for enhancement of privacy in addition to being very easy to operate. However, roman shades are also available in a variety of custom options. The main difference in these options is the fold style. Flat fold, plain fold, soft or hobbled fold, and European fold are the major roman shade types you will come across.
Flat folds are usually made of a single solid piece of fabric. This means they lack seams. You should consider this shade if you prefer a solid look that is not interrupted by any lines. They are also ideal for those who like large patterns on their shades, particularly ones with an irregular or complicated print.
Plain folds are similar to flat folds in the sense that they lie flat on the windows. However, unlike their flat counterparts, they have seams that run every few inches. They tend to be more durable, which makes them suitable for areas such as the living room and bedrooms where shades are opened and closed more often.
Soft folds or hobbled roman shades are more of a traditional style. They have fabric loops that run the entire length of the shade. These folds will remain visible even when you raise the shades or lower them all the way down. They are more bulky and hefty and are great for larger windows. The extra fabric required to make the folds means this style blocks out more light as well as stops more heat transfer.
The European roman shades are different in that they will fold up when they are drawn. They afford your window a softer and more luxurious look. They serve a more decorative purpose and their pulling mechanisms are more delicate, which is why are not often ideal for rooms where they would see frequent use.
Operational Balloon Shades
These shades cover our window when lowered, but still cover up to half or one-third of your window even when they are raised. However, when choosing the fabric for these shades, consider the gathers and tucks that the shade creates. The gathers can sometimes make it hard to distinguish the patterns on the fabric. For best results, go for the fabric with a relatively small-scale print – anything large risks getting lost in the hang of the fabric. Another alternative would be to choose a solid fabric in a colour that contrasts with your room.
No matter which option you chose, shades are a beautifully functional way to dress your windows going into 2018. If you are interested in browsing more styles or speaking to an expert about what treatment would work best for your windows, contact us today.
