The 10 Questions You Must Ask Before You Choose Your Window Dressings

Today I wanted to take an in depth look at window dressings (part of a paid collaboration with Hillarys with whom I have worked many times over the years) as the company launches its new range of fabrics by the British textile designer Margo Selby. I have written about curtains before and I have mentioned the blinds in my own house but I thought, while I had the attention of the Hillarys experts as they made up some new blinds for my bedroom, that it would be good to ask them about window dressings in more detail and so here is a comprehensive guide to what you need to know.

After all – do you even want curtains? Would blinds be better? What about wooden shutters – either café style or more period  style solid ones? And what are we doing about privacy? So I have asked all the questions and they have provided all the answers. Above are the Lora Ochre blinds in my house – remember I have been toying with the idea of yellow for months? Scroll to the end to see the same shot with yellow window frames – another topic that regular readers will know I have been pondering – this was photoshopped by the 18yo (should have got him to “iron” the bed where the cat jumped off just as I was shooting while he was at it).

1 Do I want curtains, blinds or shutters?

With so many styles to choose from, and that’s before we get to fabric, it can be tricky to know where to start. But getting the window dressings right will make a huge difference not just to how your room looks but the enjoyment you will then get out of it.
We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable feeling of being overlooked, or had sleepless nights because the room was too light so it’s crucial to choose the right window dressings for your room.

Textile designer Margo Selby, whose designs are featured throughout this post, says that getting new curtains can really transform a space. “We’ve all had moments of feeling bored and stuck in our four walls over the last couple of years – but our homes have been our sanctuaries. We should feel safe and warm at home, and interior décor can be a way to express ourselves.”

To help you work out what’s right for you and your windows here are the key questions that will help you find the style that’s right for you and your home.

2 Which room is it for?

Yvonne Keal, product manager at Hillarys says; “Generally speaking, all bathrooms and kitchens will need a window dressing made from a more functional and practical material so that it can withstand the pressures of moisture and humidity. After all you don’t want stains or worse, mould, growing on your window dressings. Consider water-resistant shutters and faux wooden Venetian blinds which won’t deteriorate in the steamy conditions.”

Linen, for example absorbs moisture so it can be good in a bathroom although, as anyone who has worn linen clothing knows, it creases so consider a linen/cotton mix.

Living rooms, on the other hand, can really benefit from roman blinds or curtains as they will help soften all those hard surfaces like glass and wood and even concrete. Fabric is also an important contributor to the acoustics of a room and, for those of us in draughty period homes, curtains can be vital for warmth.

Light sleepers, or those who live in areas with light pollution, may want blackout blinds. These work well as roller blinds, as you can add curtains to “dress” the window although you can also add a blackout lining to both Roman blinds and curtains.

If you’re working from home, you’ll know there’s nothing more distracting than unwanted glare on your computer screen. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider something sheer like a voile that will allow the light to gently filter through, rather than stream in.

Another key consideration is glass extensions and conservatories. These rooms heat up quickly when the sun’s out and will need a product that will help regulate the temperature, like pleated blinds that reflect the sun’s rays. And if you have a patio door, you may want to choose a blind that is fitted into the beading of the window, like INTU pleated blind, so that when you open and close the door, the blind moves with you and won’t get in the way.

3 What type of window do you have?

There are lots of different window styles and each may need something a little different, says Yvonne. “With small windows, it’s key to make the most of the natural light. Choose a window dressing that sits neatly at the top when open – like a roller blind – so it doesn’t block the view or the natural light.”
Larger windows, like bays, can be the main focal point of a room so dressing them is a key part of the decor and a great opportunity to bring in colour and pattern.

4 Do you want privacy, natural light or both?

Depending upon where the window is, you may want a window dressing that lets in as much natural light as possible, or one that is better able to protect your privacy. There are options that offer both, and you can layer products to give you even more flexibility.
“Products that protect your privacy whilst also letting the light in include café-style shutters that cover the bottom half of your window, voiles and vertical blinds,” says Yvonne. “All of these can be paired with curtains for additional privacy, and a lovely cosy feel, at night.”

5 Do you need something that will help with temperature control?

And, given the recent hike in heating bills this has turned out to be more topical than I thought when I first spoke to Hillarys, a thermal lining added to a roman blind or a curtain will help prevent heat from escaping through your windows, which makes it a good choice for windows above a radiator.

Shutters, especially solid styles, are excellent at blocking out draughts and complement period windows. Thermashade™ blinds have a unique construction that traps air, keeping the heat in the room with you. But if, on the other hand, you need something that will keep your room cool, pleated blinds might be what you need. These reflect the sun’s rays back out of the window to keep things feeling comfortable in rooms with large expanses of glass.

6 What is your personal style?

More often than not, window dressings are only considered once the rest of the room has been decorated, but choosing them beforehand can really help set the tone for the whole space. Think about what colours and patterns bring you joy, what fabrics you like to see and touch, and the vibe you’d like to create. Certain fabrics have more of a formal feel to them, like velvets, while others are more relaxed, like linens. “But don’t think too hard,” says Margo Selby. “Follow your instinct and choose things which you have an emotional connection to. If you love all the things in your home individually then they will work together and represent your own unique style.”

7 Could you benefit from layering?

“Layering window dressings can open up a world of possibilities,” says Yvonne. “If you love the look of voile curtains in the bedroom for example, but know you need something with blackout properties to help you sleep, then you can have both. Simply add a blackout roller blind to your window, and only draw it at night. You can pair pretty much all window dressings with something else, even shutters, so get creative to find the combination that meets your needs.”

8 How often are you planning on updating your windows dressings?

Shutters and curtains can be expensive so while answering these questions should help you decide what type of window dressing you need you also want to make sure you choose a fabric you are going to like for a long time. Choosing a pattern means you can always change the colour of the walls as you can pick out a different colour each time. If, on the other hand, you like to constantly change things or are looking for a temporary solution while you save up to do some big renovation work then a more affordable, and simple, roller blind might be the best option.

9 Is safety of particular concern?

All window dressings come with safety devices but if you’ve small children or pets then you may want to consider a product that’s not operated by a cord. Shutters are inherently child safe, as are curtains, motorised rollers and tabbed pleated blinds.

Whatever window dressing you decide is right for your home, the key to getting the very most out of them is the fit. For Margo Selby ‘getting the weight and hang right is vital’ for the overall appearance and performance of curtains, but this is true for all window dressings. ‘A professional service that includes measuring, fitting and a bespoke product is what will provide the very best results,’ says Yvonne.

10  How high should I hang my window dressings?

Always hang curtains and blinds as high as you can – this will not only maximise the amount of daylight that comes in but, when they are closed, will give the impression that they are covering a huge window so it will feel more luxurious. As a general rule hang high and wide – go as far out to the sides as space will allow.

If your window goes right up to the ceiling consider a wave fitting on the ceiling and you can even take the curtain across the whole wall rather than just across the window which will bring a real sense of luxury to a room. Margo used this fitting in her bedroom and chose to take the curtain straight across the bay window. This allows her to pull it fully back at the sides without losing light and also meant she didn’t have to either three different blinds or an expensive curtain pole bending around corners. This works well in a bedroom. If you have a sitting room with a bay window you can do the same if, for example, you have a desk in it that you don’t use at night rather than a vital family armchair.

Curtains should also be full length and reach the floor although the puddle is optional. If you have carpet and are pulling the curtains every day then a hover length is probably the most practical. For a slightly more luxurious look try the “break” – a slight bend like a suit trouser over a shoe. If you have a large room and a wooden floor then you can go for the puddle but this does need arranging to look its best (and not like the curtains were just too long) so if you have to open and close them every day this might not be the most practical solution unless you have tweaking time on your hands.

Margo Selby creates designs on her loom and her collaboration with Hillarys was inspired by the work she does there. The collection was in development for two years and includes cushions as well as curtains and blinds. I visited Margo at her home in Whitstable (see pictures above) and the patterns work brilliantly on large scale as you can see from her floor to ceiling curtains. Margo says in the video that you can see at the link that she is also super impressed with the quality of fabric and the craftsmanship. To see the full collection click here.