When you think about window treatments, curtains and drapes most likely come to mind. While these options are easily accessible and often budget-friendly, they are not the only window treatments available. If you’re looking for a way to make your interior design more unique, investing in custom window treatments is one way to do so.
Learn more about the different types of window treatments and how you can decorate with them.
Hard Window Treatments vs. Soft Window Treatments
First and foremost, it is essential to distinguish the difference between hard and soft window treatments. As you may have guessed, hard treatments are made from stronger, more durable materials like wood, vinyl, or bamboo. You’ll typically see shutters, shades, and blinds made from these textiles.
Soft treatments, however, are made from more delicate fabrics and textiles. Some of the most popular soft window treatments are valances, cornices, sheers, drapes, and curtains.
When choosing which type of treatment to bring into your home design, identify the overall look and mood you want to establish. If you want something heavy that helps keep in the heat and provides privacy, you may want to invest in hard window treatments. A soft window treatment is best if you prefer a light, open, and airy space. Make sure you explore all of your treatment options before deciding on the best design for you and your home.
Trending Top Treatments for Your Windows
Many homeowners are starting to shy away from draperies and are leaning into alternative styles, like top treatments. As the name suggests, top treatments are add-ons around the top frame of your window. There are a variety of top treatments available, all of which subtly draw attention to your windows, giving your space a new sense of vitality and helping you embrace the view from outside. The most popular top treatments right now are cornices and valences. But what is the difference between the two?
Cornices
Cornices are decorative boxes placed at the top of a window. They are typically made from wood and can be upholstered in fabric. From a practical standpoint, you can use a cornice to hide your window’s rod or minimize the amount of light shining through the window. Stylistically, you can use cornices to add more color and patterns to your overall design.
These days, cornices come in many modern and streamlined forms. They’re not only available in different textures and colors, but you can also create different shapes with a cornice, like an arch or rectangle. If you want to create cohesion in an open floor plan, consider using the same cornice on all of your windows.
Valences
Valences are short panels of drapery that hang from the top of a window. They can be mounted above your window or on the pole itself with rings. While they serve the same purpose of hiding the window’s hardware and bringing more color and texture to your space, they are made entirely of fabric whereas a cornice is usually a wood base.
If you have another treatment on your window, like blinds, you can add a valence for a layered, more textured effect. And since valences are made entirely of fabric, you can choose one that matches the rest of your home. For example, if you have a luxury glam-styled home, consider a valence in a jewel-toned velvet fabric. Or, if you prefer a bohemian vibe, look for a valence with fringe, beads, or tassels.
Some might think top treatments like these are outdated and unnecessary when in fact, the colors, patterns, and textures used to create them have every ability to feel updated and new and downright stylish.
Contact us today at (317) 660-6421 to learn more about our custom window treatments. Let’s get started creating something beautiful!
