How to Select Window Treatments

If you've just moved into a new home, or you are looking to redecorate a room in your current home, chances are you're in need of new window treatments. Finding the best window treatment for a space can be a daunting task for many homeowners, but with a few simple considerations, this process can be fun!

Recognizing your needs as a home owner is the first step to determining the best type of window treatment for you and your space.


Who will be using the room?

If you have young children or pets, you'll probably want to select a window covering with less maintenance. Crawlers and toddlers love to pull and twist floor length fabric panel drapes. it can be difficult to monitor young children around drapes constantly. With pets, depending on species and energy level, you'll have to make sure you select a drapery style that can't be damaged by tugging or clawing. Again, something that doesn't reach the ground may be ideal. A valance or roman shade is a great option for an active family with young children or pets!



How much privacy do you need?

Obviously privacy is a large factor to consider when selecting window treatments. If your windows are facing the street or a neighbors house, you'll want to make sure you not only select a window treatment that can completely cover the window, but also a fabric that is well lined. A simple valance won't provide you with much privacy, so on these windows you'll want to look into your options with roman shades or drapery panels.




What kind of lighting do you need?

Do you work nights and sleep during the day? Do you have a toddler who takes mid-day naps? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then a shade or drapery panel with blackout lining would probably be very beneficial to you!

On the other hand, if you're trying to let in as much natural light as possible during the day, you'll want to make sure you select a window treatment that can be pulled up (roman shades), or that doesn't cover the window (valance). You'll also want to make sure to avoid drapery with heavy lining, and you should consider a sheer or lighter weight material.








What style is your space?

It's no surprise that the style of your space will have an impact on your drapery selection. However, many window treatment options can work with different design styles. For example, a floor length drapery panel can be made modern or traditional by the type of fabric used, or the way it's hung. Understanding the style of your space before selecting window treatments will make your decision much easier.




What fabric will you use?

Often finding the perfect fabric can dictate the style of curtain you go with. Something with a strong linear pattern may look more dramatic and eye catching in a floor length drape, where something with a bold geometric pattern can bring life to an otherwise simple roman shade.

With these considerations in mind, finding the perfect window treatment for your space doesn't need to be overwhelming!


Check out all of the window treatment options we have available on Etsy! The Window Treatments by Melissa team is always happy to help. Please contact us with any questions or to make an order.

And Cushions Too

When I moved across country, my mother was kind enough to give me a chair I'd always loved from my childhood home. And much like the velveteen rabbit, this chair continued to be loved by me, and my children... and our cat (...unfortunately our cat loved to play with it instead of sitting nicely in it), and our love wore that beautiful chair down. 

As you can see- this chair reached a point where it was beyond use. I was devastated to see it go, as it had become like another member of our family. 

Fortunately, one of our team members - Kelly - is a reupholstery wizard! Kelly joined our team in 2015. Previously she'd worked for a company that provided furniture for high end stores like Ethan Allan and Calico Corners for sixteen years. 

I worked with Kelly to determine what type of material may work best for my chair based on how my family uses it. She made some suggestions and I selected a silver floral upholstery weight fabric to have it recovered in. 

I sent my chair to her so she could work her magic, and she created a beautiful piece of furniture out of a mess. We now keep our beloved chair in my daughters room where it receives the TLC it has always deserved. 

Kelly has been an incredible addition to our team. She creates beautiful pieces for Window Treatments by Melissa, including window seat and bench cushions, pillow covers and shams, and even custom bed skirts! Our customers love Kelly too! Here is what some of our customers have to say about Kelly's work:

Vanessa: "Beautifully done! I needed something special, so I was worried my hopes would get lost in translation...but, no way! The sizing is perfect, and the final product is first-class professional."

Cyndy: "I feel this item is exactly as was described. I love this cushion! It is the perfect addition to the window seat in my spare room."

If you're in the market for a new bench cushion here are some things you should know about:

• You can get your cushion in any thickness. Window Treatments by Melissa typically recommends a three inch thickness if you are unsure of what you want. We use a high density firm foam for seat cushions and a softer foam for cushion backs on benches or chairs.

• Fabric for our window seat cushions should be AT LEAST a medium weight home decor fabric. We recommend staying with cottons and canvas's or "outdoor" type fabrics. We can work with linen, but we don't recommend it. 

• The closures we offer on our cushions are zipper and velcro. We also have upgrade options like adding piping to the top and/or bottom of your cushion. Piping can be in the same fabric as your cushion, or in a solid accent color. We can also add ties if you are making these for dining table chairs or want to secure your cushion to a piece of furniture! 

• We make cushions for:
• window seats
• nook benches
• dining table chairs (our cushions can be made to a custom shape and fit for your chair)
• outdoor furniture
• dog beds
• day beds
• porch swings 

And many more! As these are all custom made, we can consider any project you may have!

      

Be sure to check out our cushion listings on Etsy to see some of the cushion projects we've done, and to to be inspired!