We see it all the time, properties where the owners have renovated the home from floor to ceiling covering every detail a potential buyer is looking for, until our gaze reaches the windows (inset cricket sounds).
A beautiful property with inappropriate or dated window furnishings is a deal breaker for buyers. In a human analogy, it’s like a well-dressed woman turning up at a gala dinner wearing a gorgeous gown…in her wellies.
The case of no window treatments
In the hierarchy of your renovation budget, window furnishings should be amongst the top tasks on your expense list. Leaving your newly renovated property without window treatments is an automatic red flag for buyers that signals they need to invest extra dollars they often don’t have.
A house with no window treatments also lacks warmth and elegance, often jeopardizing the perceived value of the home.
The case of dated window treatments
You’ve renovated the entire property, but have run out of budget for new curtains or blinds. The ones currently in the property are still functional albeit a little dated and not matching to the new colour scheme of the home. Do you keep them or do you ditch them?
Replace them immediately!
If dollars are tight, you may be able to sell them online as secondhand window treatments provided that they are still in a good condition. With endless choices available you are bound to find a window treatment that will fit the budget, or stretch it conservatively, but whatever you do don’t have a blind spot when it comes to assessing and dressing your windows.
Curtains, blinds or both?
Your budget will determine your choices. If you’re renovating for profit, versus renovating to live in, you will also have different standards for the window treatments you wish to see. Layering is so important for creating aesthetic abundance and elegance in a home.
Window furnishings have a dual purpose; a functional one (keeping the light out, controlling room temperature) and an aesthetic one (creating the illusion of space, grandeur, softness and warmth)
Block out blinds will tick the functionality box, but why not add another layer of sheer curtains which will give you additional light and mood control!
If you’re adding curtains to the property, it’s best to create the illusion of space by increasing their length so that they appear longer from floor to ceiling, even if your window is considerably smaller in size.
If you’re adding blinds, remember to review all the colour choices available to you. The days of white or beige blinds are long gone, and nowadays you can colour match your blinds to your wall colour therefore creating a seamless look that adds more dimension and flow to your interiors.
Are plantation shutters worth it?
Plantation shutters are gorgeous and opulent yet earthy, and can literally transform not only your windows but the entire look and feel of your home. They are low maintenance, ideal for families with asthma, and will look ‘as new’ in years to come.
Traditionally, renovators steer away from plantation shutters due to their cost, but we’re here to tell you that if you are ruling them out because of the dollars you need to think again! Market competition has really increased, and more suppliers are offering cost-effective options for plantation shutters that look incredibly beautiful but are manufactured at a cost of the usual retail price. Shop around and obtain not only three but four, five or six quotes. You’d be surprised how much you can save.
Balance is key
Not dressing your windows is just as bad as overdressing them.
Be conservative with your choices and always assess for balance. Heavily dressed windows in a minimalist home will stand out and feel out-of-place. Likewise, poorly dressed windows in a beautiful home will also have negative aesthetic repercussions.
Do you have a window furnishing question? We’d love to help.
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Comments
One of my mum’s pet hates was when people didn’t have curtains – sheets strung across the window after a building or renovation project were a particular bug bear. When we built a new house she sewed all the floor length curtains herself. It took forever but they were done by the time we moved in. We just purchased curtains for our large front room and it makes such a different. There were blinds there previously but now it looks really finished and so much more luxurious. Love it!
What about French doors? Do they need curtains or blinds?
I guess it depends if they are getting direct light/ heat from the sun? Ours open out onto our alfresco area –so my thought was none.
But if you were renovating and had an ugly sliding door, what would you recommend?