Window Treatments can be a big-ticket item for many homeowners. Read on to learn some tricks of the trade that may help you save money on your window treatments.
Benefits of Window Treatments
Window shades and draperies are so important when it comes to design. Window coverings help to create a cohesive design and give warmth to spaces while “finishing” them. But they also have a functional purpose as well. Having functional window treatments helps with temperature control and even energy loss, ultimately saving you money on your energy bills! Shades and Draperies also provide UV protection and will help to prevent sun damage on your floors, upholstery, and artwork.
Stationary Shades and Draperies
Now that we’ve talked about the benefits of functional shades and draperies, let’s talk about stationary treatments. If you are just looking to dress up your windows a little bit, this trick may be for you!
Part of the reason window treatments get to be so expensive is due to the cost and the quantity of fabric required. Even if you have selected a more cost- effective fabric, the price adds up due to the yardage required to make functional shades and draperies. A way you can save money while still getting that finished look is by using stationary treatments which require less yardage to make. A downfall to using stationary shades is that they do not help with the energy efficiency and UV protection that we mentioned above. A solution to this would be to use stationary treatments in tandem with functional shades so you get the benefits of both beauty and function.
Stationary Roman Shades:
Stationary Roman shades are a great way to dress up your windows without breaking the bank. Roman shades in general use less fabric than drapery panels, and stationary shades use even less! If you need some privacy or want UV protection you can always add a cost effective cellular or roller shade underneath the decorative stationary shade.
Stationary Drapery Panels:
If you desire drapery panels but want to keep the cost down, stationary panels may be your best bet. This is a trick that is used in model homes all the time! Using stationary draperies gives a finished look to the home and the money saved can be used elsewhere. Drapery panels require a lot of fabric, and using stationary panels will help lower the quantity needed meaning the overall cost will be less.
When using stationary panels, you can also save money on the hardware. Instead of buying a long rod spanning the entire window, you can do the following.
a- Use short rods to hang stationary panels on the sides of the windows – this gives you a sleek look that will save you money since you are not paying for extra length that won’t be used.
b- Use Curtain Holdbacks to hang panels – This is an alternative to the drapery rod for stationary panels that adds a fun decorative element. These panels were made with loops that go around the holdbacks to keep the curtains in place. You can see a lot of traditional homes use this trick for their elaborate draperies, but we think this works just as well for other styles.
Will you be utilizing any of these money-saving tricks? Let us know what you think!
Stay Inspired!
The Margery Wedderburn Interiors Team