The right window treatments do more than just look great. They enhance sleep, privacy, and comfort while fitting seamlessly into your lifestyle. As window covering experts, we know the common pitfalls homeowners face when purchasing blinds, shades, drapes, or shutters. Let’s explore the biggest window covering mistakes to avoid and how to get it right from the start.
Prioritizing Style Over Function
We’ve all made the mistake of buying a gorgeous pair of shoes that looked amazing, but felt awful to wear. The same thing happens with window coverings. You spot a look you love online and want to recreate it. But if you don’t think about how it should function in your home, you might end up with buyers remorse. And our team is here to tell you, you can absolutely have both. Yes, style and function, and we can find that perfect balance.
Ordering Process by Room
Begin by thinking about the room and how you use it every day. Our window treatment guide can help you find what works best for each space. Then, get familiar with the difference between light-filtering and light-blocking options. This’ll make choosing the right solution much easier.
- Bedrooms: Blackout/Room Darkening, Privacy
- Bathrooms: Privacy, Easy Clean, Humidity Resistant
- Living Rooms: Light-filtering, Glare Reduction, Privacy
- Kitchens: Light-filtering, Easy Clean
- Home Offices: Glare control, Privacy
- South-facing Rooms: Energy Efficient
- East/West-facing Rooms: Light-blocking for Sunrise/Sunset
Wrong Measurements
When we visit your home for your free in-home design consultation, we don’t just take quick measurements, we take precise ones. Why? Well, custom shades, blinds, and shutters are made to fit your windows exactly. So even being off by just ? of an inch can cause big headaches. Think shades that don’t close right, visible gaps, or friction between hardware. We measure at the top, middle, and bottom, both ways, to make sure your new window treatments fit like a glove. Because most windows aren’t perfectly square they need our custom touch.
Measuring Properly
If you prefer to take measurements yourself, use a sturdy metal tape measure and double-check your numbers. Be sure to account for any obstructions, such as window handles or cranks, and determine the correct mounting type. Also, note how much wall space is available, whether the window casing will be affected, and if the wall material can securely support the window coverings.
Choosing Without Checking Swatches in Your Space
No two homes have the same lighting. The way light moves through your rooms, bouncing off walls, furniture, and fabrics creates a look that’s completely your own.
Make a well-informed choice
Bring your favorite swatches home before making your final choice. The bright light of morning looks very different from the warm glow of evening, and even the same room can shift in color throughout the day. Tape your swatches to the wall or near the window to see how they interact with the changing light. This will help you find the perfect tone for your space.
Missing Out on Available Operation Features
This is a biggie for window covering mistakes. Most of today’s window coverings have eliminated the dangerous and older model of dangling cords to cordless operation. And there are other innovations you should be aware of:
Operating Systems You Should Know
- Motorized Blinds: Convenient, light control and privacy. Easy operation for hard-to-reach windows
- Motorized Wand: Available for individual window, makes regular adjustments a breeze
- Cordless & Cord-safe: No more cords, cordless and push-button options, retractable cords, cords fastened inside the window frame
Going for Cheap Instead of Quality
Choosing the right window coverings is an investment, plain and simple. But their impact on your comfort, privacy, and happiness can’t be measured. It’s essential to select quality, especially for something that’s part of your home every single day and night.
How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Quality
Look for durable mechanisms that ensure reliable operation, fabrics that withstand frequent adjustments and UV exposure, protective finishes that endure sunlight and daily wear, and a trusted brand reputation with warranty coverage.
Finally, choose a company you can rely on. With California Window Fashions, quality comes standard. You get what you pay for, and then some. Contact our team today for the best options, and enjoy knowing window covering mistakes are a thing of the past.
