10 Top Window Treatment Trends

When your window treatments — curtains, valances and cornices — have seen better days, it's time to try these window treatment trends to shed some new light on your space.

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October 27, 2014

By: Caren Baginski

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Photo By: Photo Credit: Jenifer Jordan © Gibbs Smith, Charles Faudree Interiors, Charles Faudree, Jenifer Jordan (photographer)

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Photo By: Coddington Design ©Scripps Networks, LLC

A Favorite Focal Point

Window treatments often turn into a design challenge or major investment, but let's face it: If you neglect your windows in favor of a different design focus, you'll be left with a bare view. Whether you find yourself in need of fresh window treatments, or are starting from scratch, we've gathered 10 trends to help you turn any window into your new favorite focal point.

Organic Materials

One of the most popular window treatments at manufacturer Smith+Noble is the natural woven shades in bamboo and matchstick. Cindy O'Reilly, product development manager for Smith+Noble, has them in her home. "They let in diffused light, so I can see what's going on outside, but it's not just an open window, so I have some privacy," she says, "I think it works in so many different environments."

From: Regan Baker

Covered in Color

We've seen white paired with black or navy. O'Reilly says blue is becoming the new "red" in the window treatment industry, with a variety of ocean hues in teal, aquamarine and soft green. Soft lavender and gray, dusty hues round out the soothing part of this palette. Persimmon, orange and gold will be popular jewel tones, while brown continues to dominate. "[Brown] has been, and continues to be, the new basic," says O'Reilly.

Luxe Fabrics

Luxury fabrics key in this category are silks, velvets, damasks, fur, leather and suede, according to Grace McNamara Inc. While the overall design trend leans toward simplicity, this trend will remain popular with those who desire embellishment and luxury. Linda Henry, editor-in-chief of Window Fashions magazine, says this trend includes "sparkling crystal, beaded tassels and lavish embellishments on every element of the window — hardware, trimmings and fabric."

From: Charles Faudree

Bamboo

Susan Schultz, trend specialist for Grace McNamara Inc., says decorative hardware had been dominated by metallics and sparkle for quite a while, but now is returning to wood and natural textures. Bamboo is also popular for its sustainable, environmentally-friendly quality.

Velvet and Grosgrain

"Soft textiles are still driving the market and styles," says Barrett. "Fashion and interiors trends are almost simultaneous now, and because of that you are seeing couture fabrications and dressmaker details such as ruffles, cording, beading, lace, etc."

Grosgrain, a strong, closely woven ribbed fabric usually made of silk or rayon, is used as a ribbon detailing on blinds and drapes. Velvet banding can also be used as detailing, or as ladder tape to cover up route holes for string in blinds. On a business trip in Milan, Italy, O'Reilly got velvet inspiration when she saw some grassy window shades with bits of velvet woven in. When she returned to the states, she incorporated the trend at Smith+Noble.

From: HGTV Magazine

Sleek Lines

Simple, sleek lines are dominating window fashions in everything from flowing drapes to chrome decorative hardware. Creating sleek silhouettes against a window instantly lends a clean, modern look to any window and room. A quick way to get truly streamlined treatments is with popular panel-track systems. Unlike their ugly vertical blind precursors, panel-track systems are made of fabric or woven-wood panels and can be used as room dividers or on window walls or doors, says Henry. Influenced by Asian shoji screens, these panel-track treatments can look contemporary or European depending on the fabric.

Bold Prints

Smith+Noble reports an extreme popularity of stripes and bold prints across all product lines, with bold stripes continuing as a trend in 2007. Bright florals that attract traditional tastes and graphic geometric patterns that offer youthful spunk are some of the bold prints being seen on windows lately. "With pattern becoming more important, it will change the way a designer designs for the window and how the client views her [or his] window fashion," says Barrett.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Silk Panels

Silk is a pricier option for window treatments, but the shine and luxury of the fabric instantly wakes up a dull room. The Silk Trading Co. offers 100 percent Como silk panels in a variety of colors as well as embroidered silks, plaid silks and jacquard paisley designs. The online drapery maker is particularly helpful for building a window treatment and seeing how it looks before you order.

From: Coddington Design

High-Tech Touches

"Technology plays such a huge role in our lives and yet we yearn for simplicity," says Henry. Window blinds can now be controlled via remote, a light switch or even the Internet. But just because your windows have gone high-tech, it doesn't mean they have to be stark and uninviting. Layering fabrics with high-thread-count cottons is one trend sure to cozy up a window.

Green Design

Green design is becoming a popular trend from consumers looking to combat allergies to those looking for heat- or cold-repellant window panels.

Performance fabrics have also gone "green," with anti-microbial, anti-fungal traits woven into the yarn or offered as a topical spray. Stain-resistant and mildew- and mold-resistant fabrics are also popular picks for allergy sufferers. Even the environmentally conscious will feel right at home with non-toxic dyes on fabrics.