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Nothing impacts a living room aesthetic faster than framing favorite outdoor views through dressed windows. Thoughtfully updated treatments transform dull spaces into eye-catching focal points showcasing interior design priorities.
In this blog, we’ll talk about all the different ways in which you can revamp your existing living room windows. Read on for clever tips revitalizing lackluster living rooms through refreshed window styling allowing your décor’s full potential to shine.
Assess Your Current Window Situation
Before restyling your living room windows, evaluate what exists in your room presently. Scrutinize all visible elements from architectural surroundings to existing dressings.
- Window Styles – Note operating mechanisms, sizes, current conditions and sightlines showcasing views worth framing. These parameters influence suitable treatment options.
- Existing Treatments – Assess what window coverings already hang and their merits. Could simply cleaning or re-hanging produce better effects? If replacing, what worked well worth revisiting?
- Lighting Needs – When do living spaces require full daylight or filtered dimness? How do seasonal sun angles and exterior tree shadows impact potential treatments?
- Privacy Factors – Consider privacy needs balancing desired daylighting. Sheers diffusion brightness sans exposing interiors entirely. This varies by room purpose and outside proximity to neighbors.
Replace Old Windows for Maximum Impact
For living rooms burdened by severely outdated or deteriorating windows, minor treatment facelifts fail delivering needed transformation. Replacing entirely with today’s exceptional quality window assemblies yields superior longevity and enjoyment.
Seek energy efficient models with durable construction like commercial-grade vinyl, fiberglass or composite frames. Their color-stable, weathertight, easy-operating materials withstand decades of smooth functioning sans painting or repairs.
Single hung windows work wonderfully for traditional architecture. The bottom sash lift opens easily to facilitate room ventilation from multiple heights. Newer versions greatly minimize jamming issues plaguing past cheaper models. Consider built-in ventilation locks securing slightly open positions cleanly too.
Casements and awnings allow full-view openings without center meeting rails segmenting views. Side-hinged functionality captures passing breezes directed deeper into rooms as well. If meeting egress safety codes, ample clear openings aid emergency exits.
Choose the Right Window Treatments
An enormous variety of material and style options exists for dressing windows. Narrow selections suiting your tastes, architecture and goals.
- Style Preferences – Choose cohesive looks aligned with your interior design aesthetic ranging from casual to formal. Create depth mixing textures like sleek roller shades underneath breezy mesh curtains.
- Light/Privacy Control – Factor in needed visibility and darkness balances when selecting sheers, layered panels and heavier opaque shades or dramatic draping.
- Color Schemes – Tie together interior colors through coordinated window treatments. Repetition creates calm while contrast adds vibrancy.
- Materials – Match durability to usage zones. Rich velvets adorn formal areas while breezy linen or casual Roman shades fit familial spaces.
Layering for Depth and Texture
Rather than single dressing styles, creatively blend layers upon each window for increased visual interests. Mixing materials, patterns and gathering styles prevents boring flatness.
Begin with opaque essentials like room-darkening roller shades or insulating cellular shades addressing light control and energy efficiency needs. Hang velvety drapes or Roman fold-up shades atop these for beautiful softness. Finish by topping with breezy sheers filtering incoming views and sunlight diffusion.
Vary textural combinations between separate windows to maintain cohesion yet deliver intrigue. Keep upper layers simplified if lower levels or architectural surroundings already feature ample complex details.
Incorporate Natural Elements
Balance rich textures next to windows with contrasting natural ones for harmonious appeal. Incorporate sheer linen, breezy bamboo slats, unfinished wood blinds and living green accents.
For example, mount wooden half-blinds holding recessed side channels for dangling ivy tendrils or succulents overflowing built-in planters matching the blind stain.
Woven abaca shade cloths diffuse brightness beautifully. Display handcrafted artisan ceramics atop multilayered bamboo Roman shade trims. Upcycle aged lumber salvaged from a grandparents’ barn into custom sidebar twins flanking large living room focal windows dressed in earthen hues.
Add Decorative Hardware
Even with the perfect window treatments beautifully framing your views, missing details distract. Elevate the look by incorporating decorative supports generously sized extending visual interests into the room.
Seek tall curtain rods reaching higher than window tops themselves to boost perceived heights. Select finial caps atop with interesting silhouettes like faceted geodes matching similar coffee table décor accents. Install staggered double rods allowing separate flowing sheers and opaque panels hung at contrasting heights.
Introduce smart motorization and rechargeable battery packs where helpful improving access and convenience without complicated wiring. The hardware options to showcase or spotlight your windows are endless.
Utilize Window Sills and Surroundings
Framing treated windows beautifully remains just one aesthetic option for this often underutilized space existing around nearly all homes’ living room views. Expand visual interests into the surrounding negative space too.
Incorporate bookshelves or built-in cabinetry flanking and beneath wider vista outlooks. Recess slender console tables matching nearby wall trims to underscore large picture windows. Layer custom moulding details embellishing the sills and side returns themselves.
Then dress these newly interesting flat spaces further through creative vignettes including art, greenery, sculpture accents and layered decor tidily composed avoiding clutter distractions from the impressive views beyond.
Consider Smart Window Solutions
Technology improves most everything, window treatments included through clever automation upgrades. Consider these modern conveniences perfect for living spaces chasing both beauty and simplicity:
Motorized Operation: Replace hand-operated pulley systems with slim unobtrusive motorized actuators discretely mounting atop shade and drapery hanging rods operated through remote controls or voice commands. This eases access considerably for house members lacking height or mobility while eliminating annoying cords.
Automated Sun Tracking: Specialized sensors perceive sunlight intensities, modifying interior brightness without occupant interventions. These sophisticated systems automatically lower blackout shades during movie times or filter incoming daylight to predetermined optimal levels matching usage needs throughout changing days. Smart homes love smart window capabilities.
Conclusion
Revisit tired living spaces with refreshed window treatments, coordinating style priorities with essential functions like privacy and light modulation. Beautiful aesthetics don’t need to sacrifice comfort and effortless control.
You can layer sheers, drapes and opaque shades to achieve ideal daylight diffusion. Use earthen woods and linens for intriguing textures next to smooth glass. Hang visually interesting hardware drawing eyes up towards creative displays.
For increased appeal, extend the architectural frameworks and surrounding sills’ stylistic coherence. Combine technological conveniences if you’re trying to optimize energy use or deal with mobility issues.
Transform more than just the current views with careful window treatment refinement. These tips will help you change your entire living rooms into casual settings that allow for comfortable gatherings with loved ones and meaningful moments.
