Window treatments are one of the most important parts of any design. Not only do they function to provide privacy and to protect your interiors from heat and fading, but they provide the finishing touch that ties an entire room together. Many people choose basic blinds for a window design, but there are several styles of shades that can bring much more sophistication to your design.

Here are some shade types to consider, and how they tie in to specific design schemes. 

Roman Shades

Roman shades are a budget friendly alternative to blinds. They can work well with most design schemes, but they are often found in rustic, cape cod cottage, or farmhouse designs because they incorporate wooden bamboo slats or thick canvas fabric that provides texture or fun patterns. Roman shades pull up in gentle folds, which is another reason why they fit in with more rustic designs.

Roman shades can bring in the softness of a curtain without the bulk. It's ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where you want a textile element but don't want to have excess fabric that can get dirty from daily bathroom use or food preparation. 

Shutters

Shutter are an old-fashioned interior window treatment. Many houses, particularly houses in the south, have exterior shutters to use for storm protection. But some older homes will also have interior shutters to close when the window needs to be covered. These shutters are the right choice for Colonial or Victorian homes that have high ceilings and window seats. The shutters are often painted to match the color of the surrounding wall and can be used in winter to decrease the draftiness that can come from an older home. If you do not have the original shutters of your home, they can be reproduced by a craftsman. 

Cordless Shades

Cordless shades are ideal for more modern designs. They have a finished look that provides the soft glow of light from the window, but they also have clean lines and are simple to use. There are nice additions behind curtains in the living room or master bedroom. Because they are cordless, they are also safer for nurseries and children's playrooms because strangulation can sometimes occur with regular blind cords. 

Roller Shades

Roller shades provide a sleeker cleaner look compared to roman shades. They are best suited for the modern or contemporary design. These shades can also be paired to contrast with a "focal point" window treatment. For example, if a person wants lacy curtains in a romantic style, a blank creamy colored roller shade will only provide a backdrop instead of an additional color or style element. Roller shades are also often effective to use as blackout treatments for bedrooms, especially when dark in color. 

Drapes

If you don't want ay type of shade, layered drapes are the next option. You want curtains that frame a window, but you also want the panels to provide privacy when you need them. Gauzy panels should therefore be framed with more substantial fabric to allow for varying degrees of privacy and light. Drapes are one of the most versatile types of window treatment. They generally go with all styles of home, depending on their individual design. The only home style that drapes may not look as well in are Craftsman style homes, mostly because these windows were designed to be looked through and functioned to beautify the home with their wooden casings and divided panes.. Roman shades are better fitting for the Craftsman style. 

For more information on window treatments, contact a company near you who specializes in providing window shades and shutters. For more information, contact companies like AAA Blind & Shutter Factory.