The bene t of controlling light is that you can also reduce high temperatures – and raise low ones – leading to greater energy ef ciency and more protection from harmful ultraviolet rays.HUNTER DOUGLAS
Yes, we see you signature wallpaper. And you, velvet statement chair and warm-toned metallic accents lounging there on the coffee table. But the unsung hero of interior design? Look to the light – and your room's window treatments. As a major component of any décor plan – and with the potential to significantly alter the amount of light and privacy – they can make or break a room's overall look.
But first you have to figure out what works for you – both in style and function.
Choose your look
Blinds and shades really do the trick, but the kind you choose will depend on your décor, says Sue Rainville, marketing director for Hunter Douglas. "In a traditional home, you probably want something a little softer, like Hunter Douglas Silhouette, or Pirouette, and then pair them with drapes or side panels."
Silhouette shades, made of a sheer fabric with a movable vane inside, can be manipulated to affect the amount of diffuse light – and would either contrast nicely with rich dark drapery panels or add a romantic layer to pale creamy drapes.
Consider vertical blinds for contemporary or transitional spaces that have large expanses of glass. Ms. Rainville recommends Skyline Panel Track, which stacks wide fabric panels, or the Luminette vertical sheer, which softly diffuses or blocks light.
HUNTER DOUGLAS
The modern interior, more spare than contemporary with its cool accents like chrome and glass, works well with roller blinds that sit cleanly inside the window frame. As a bonus, this style also effectively cuts the sun's rays moderating interior temperatures.
Rustic or casual interiors, on the other hand, work well with wood blinds or shutters, or woven wood blinds. Think seagrass carpets, whitewashed walls, mattelasse coverlets and white slipcovers, punctuated by walnut end tables and woven wood blinds, and you get an idea. Heritance Hardwood shutters, though, could help transform your interior into a breezy plantation look.
Narrow your needs
Once you've looked at your styles, there are choices within each category. For example, roller blinds come in variations from a one per cent openness factor – really tight but not completely dark – to a 10 per cent openness factor that allows more light. These work well in large windows as UV protection for your carpets and fabrics. Being plain and unobtrusive, they're best paired with drapery panels although they can also stand alone.
Horizontal slatted blinds, which look a bit like shutters, are beautifully clean and tidy, and go equally well with traditional and plantation or rustic country décor. They can be tilted or closed entirely depending on how much light and view you want.
You can also get shutters which are mounted on the windowsill. These come in wood and faux wood with slats between two and four inches wide. When real wood is stained, it shows all the variety of grain, but faux wood is the better choice where humidity is a factor. If you prefer painted blinds, Ms. Rainville recommends faux wood – they're cheaper, and last just as long.
Analyze privacy and light
HUNTER DOUGLAS
"Think about how much control you want over light and privacy. Can your neighbours or passersby easily see in or does the sun blaze through creating glare and heat? If so, you need to look at what will filter the light," says Ms. Rainville.
The benefits of being able to control light is that you can also reduce high temperatures – and raise low ones – leading to greater energy efficiency and more protection from harmful ultraviolet rays, which cause carpets and fabrics to fade.
Some blinds can be rolled from the bottom up making them perfect for privacy in the bathroom, while still providing light where they're open at the top. They also work in kitchens where privacy is an issue – for example, if it's at the front of the house and you don't want all the neighbours seeing you making dinner every night.
These days, a lot of designers favour woven wood blinds, Ms. Rainville says. On the plus side they add a warm organic touch and contrast nicely with neutral or all-white décor schemes. But their opaque materials – reed bamboo, grass, jute – block both light and view. "I personally wouldn't put a wood blind in my window because of the view. Of course if your view is the neighbour's brick wall, then they work very well."
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.