Cellular shades provide energy efficiency for your home.
They feature long, open channels that trap air, providing insulation. This
insulation can help keep the heat from entering your house, thus lowering your
cooling bills. Cellular shades also provide privacy and light control. In
short, they're a practical choice for your windows.
The shades alone probably aren't enough window dressing.
Discover tips for dressing your windows around your cellular shades.
Hang Curtain Panels
The most obvious method for dressing your window is to hang
curtain panels. Curtains add color and pattern to your decor. Your cellular shades
can provide a neutral backdrop for your patterned curtains. If that's the goal,
choose a light beige or white shade.
You could also create a chic monochromatic effect with your
window treatments. In this case, you'll choose curtain panels with gradients of
the same color. For instance, the curtains can feature a subtle pattern in a
slightly lighter or darker version of the overall color. Your cellular shades
should match one of the shades as closely as possible.
Add Visual Texture With the Curtain Fabric
Because cellular shades offer visual structure, you have two
approaches for textured curtains. You could choose a stiff fabric, which adds
more visual structure. Conversely, you could choose a flowy fabric to soften
the overall look of your window dressing. Your approach depends on personal
style and the rest of the décor in your room.
Pick Colorful Shades
You don't have to try and camouflage your cellular shades.
You could incorporate them as a design element by picking colorful
shades. They come in a wide range of hues. Use them to add a pop of color or to
enhance a palette used, say, in the curtains. For example, you could match a
blue in the curtains or choose a shade that complements the pattern.
Top the Shades With a Swag or Valance
Since the cellular shades themselves give you light control
and privacy, you could simply top the window with a swag or valance to add
decorative appeal. A swag is a swath of fabric that hangs from a curtain rod or
tiebacks, which adds a graceful arc to the top of your window. A valance is
essentially a very short curtain that decorates the top of the window.
As with curtain panels, you'll want to coordinate the color
of the shade with the pattern of the swag or valance. With a valance, consider
using the fabric to add some pattern to the window treatment. Swags often look
better in a solid color, so the pattern doesn't interfere with the shape of the
draping fabric.
Add Decorative Hardware
Curtain rods are utilitarian in nature. You don't need them
for the shades, but they're obviously necessary for curtain panels. You can
enhance your entire window treatment by choosing decorative rings, finials, and
even brackets.
Look for styles that enhance the overall décor of your room.
For example, you could match metallic finishes in a kitchen or bathroom.
Conversely, you could further a modern appeal with geometric finials or a
traditional vibe with ornate finials.
Coordinate the Color With Tiebacks or Trim
With curtains, you have a couple more additions — tiebacks
and trim. As the name suggests, tiebacks hold the panels back. Trim can consist
of tape, tassels, or even glass beads. Typically, these either match or
complement a color in the curtain pattern. Your window treatments will look
well-tailored if you match the color of the shades to the tiebacks or trim.
The first step to dress your windows is to hang cellular
shades. You can create a decorative overall look with other window treatment
additions such as curtains, valances, and decorative hardware — or a
combination of them. After you purchase cellular shades or another window
covering from Sylvan’s & Phillip’s Drapes & Blinds,
use these ideas to complete the look.
