Although at this stage of your renovation, you may be tempted to rush into a fast and easy decision, simply to get the job done —
don’t.
Your choice of window dressing has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of a room. The right choice can enhance a design and add to the style of a space. The wrong choice can undo all your hard work.
And it’s not just aesthetics that your choice of window dressing can affect. Security, ventilation, noise reduction and internal air temperature are all factors that will be affected when you decide how to dress your windows. So before you make any decisions, it’s important to be well informed.
Factors to consider
1. Purpose
Consider what the actual purpose of the window dressing is to be.
Is it to block out light? To provide privacy? To enhance a mood or feel of a space?
Knowing what function you need the dressing to perform is essential to deciding which dressing to choose. A sheer curtain or organza will enhance the mood of a romantic-styled bedroom but it will hardly offer privacy, while timber shutters may provide ample privacy but will not enhance the look of a space filled with contemporary-style furniture.
2. Style
Ensure your choice is in keeping with the room’s style. Look at the coloring and design choices made in relation to the walls, flooring and furniture in the room and make your dressing choice accordingly. Decide on colors that will either contrast with or complement the color scheme, not clash with it.
If your room already has dark wood timber flooring, a dark window dressing will make the room even smaller.
3. Outdoor view
Remember to consider the view from the outside when choosing your dressings. Although you may wish to use different styles of dressings in different rooms of the home, consider the impact this will have on the view from the outside. If your room faces only HDB flats, it is better to use completely block-out blinds.
But you can choose those black out blinds with nicer patterns and turn your window into a conversational piece.
4. Placement
Look at where the windows are situated. If they face the street, privacy and security must be considered. If they face a garden or private area, privacy may not be so important. Look also at which direction the window faces and when the room is generally occupied. Is it a bedroom that gets lots of sun in the morning, or a living area with limited natural light in the afternoon? A clever choice in window dressings can counteract a room’s shortcomings or enhance its natural features.
Do not use curtains just because your ID asked you to !
Usually, if your room is sun-facing, a curtain means you have to have day and night tracks (extra costs)
5. Use
Who is going to use these rooms and operate the window? Will it be adults (who are capable of dealing with small cords and ties) or children, who will need a simpler and safer alternative. Will there be grubby little hands marking your stunning white curtains? These factors need to be considered in order to avoid making an unrealistic choice or one that’s impossible to maintain. If you have pets, avoid tassel unless you do not mind them salivating all over them.
6. Cost
The cost of window dressings varies enormously, so it’s essential to know all your options and shop around before making any final decision. And remember, the cheaper alternatives may not always work out cheaper in the long run. It’s better to spend a little extra on the product that’s right for you than to choose an inferior option that will hinder your enjoyment of the space. Alternatively, keep in mind that sometimes a simple — and cost-effective — solution is the best. It’s a good idea to be aware of prices but not dictated by them.
I have been to shops in Toa Payoh, IMM, Tanjong Katong…. In my next part, I will let you know which ones are good.
7. Window dressing choices
a. Timber Venetians
- Extremely popular with homeowners today, timber venetians are both practical and stylish. Offering great air and light flow, timber venetians help to regulate the temperature of a room as well as harness natural light. Generally made from western red cedar or Tasmanian oak, timber venetians can be oiled or lacquered and can be made to fit virtually any sized window.
Disadvantage - Special treatments may need to be applied if they are to be used in a high-humidity area or region like Singapore!
b. Faux-timber or synthetic blinds are also available for a fraction of the cost of that of the real timber venetians. These can be used if your budget is tight or if high humidity is a problem.
Disadvantage : Like timber Venetians, be prepared to dust, dust dust!
c. Pleated blinds
- Pleated blinds are fabric blinds that are generally used in conjunction with curtains. These blinds are good for living areas such as lounge rooms or bedrooms, as the blinds can be custom made to suit the decor. The blinds are not as versatile as Venetians or shutters as they offer only two usage options: up or down.
However, they do offer reasonable insulation and privacy. As long as the room is well ventilated and kept clean, these blinds are relatively easy to maintain but you must consider fading when choosing a fabric.
d. Roller blinds
The simple things in life are often the best, and nowhere is this clearer than with roller blinds. The design of the roller blind hasn’t really changed since its beginning — it’s still fabric wrapped around a roller — but new technology has resulted in a wider choice of fabrics and materials and increased sophistication of the roller mechanisms (which range from the standard roller to a mechanized, remote-controlled type). Roller blinds can be made to fit almost any size window and can be custom made in a fabric to suit virtually any decor. Roller blinds are also available in new UV-resistant materials. Roller blinds are relatively easy to maintain but offer little in the way of insulation.
(And this is what I installed.
I will let you know in 2 weeks’ time how the workmanship is).
e. Vertical blinds
Vertical blinds are suitable for both windows and sliding doors. They offer good light and airflow and are available in a variety of sizes. Vertical blinds provide privacy but limited insulation. As with fabric blinds, vertical blinds are available in a huge range of colors, patterns and textures.
Disadvantage : Improved technology has brought vertical blinds a long way from the days where they became a tangled mess at the touch of a hand, though they do still tend to sway when opened or closed.
f. Honeycomb blinds
Honeycomb blinds are a modern variation on Venetian blinds. The double-cell — or honeycomb — effect offers superior insulation and can block out 99 per cent of the sun’s UV rays (depending on fabric choice). Honeycomb blinds are available in a huge range of colors and are considered an energy-efficient choice in window coverings as the insulating qualities can reduce heating and cooling costs.
g. Curtains
The variety of curtains available is really as wide as your imagination will allow. This is perhaps the most versatile option for window coverings as — depending on your chosen style or fabric — they can be custom made to suit any room. Fabric choice will also dictate the amount of insulation, privacy and airflow the curtain offers: a heavy drape will provide superior privacy and insulation, while a sheer fabric will allow airflow and natural light into a room. Consideration must be given to fading and curtains need regular maintenance to stay looking fresh.
PS: Those allergic to dust, should avoid curtains. 
I am allergic to dusting aka housework. Hyak hyak hyak ....
My tips/learning;-
1. Before choosing any window dressing, look at the style and shape of a particular window in the room, and consider all decorative options. Take into account the practical functions that dressings will serve, such as increasing privacy, keeping out the noise, or blocking light.
2. Window types and sizes vary considerably. Adapt your window dressings accordingly. Do not just use blinds just because you like them. Sometimes, a curtains can hide the shortcomings that you want to disguise better. I always take a picture of the window to show the supplier and hear their views.
3. Choose simple, inexpensive hanging systems whenever you can, especially if your window dressings are purely decorative. You may need to invest in more costly hanging systems if you decide to hang curtains made of heavyweight material for warmth, for example. For roller blinds, do not compromise and buy those cheapo ones from Korea, China or Malaysia… I chose to invest in a Japan-made type for less headaches in the future.
4. Calculate your budget. If you decide to try to follow a regional or period theme, research appropriate materials, designs, and colors in order to create a complete, authentic look. I rather you do not buy yet, than to compromise and buy something too cheap. Take your time and save the money. You will thank me for it in future.
5. Keeping Fabrics Plain: Use plain materials to make color scheming easier. Window dressings will thus play a complementary decorative role together with your sofa color or bedspread.
6. Making a Statement
- Drawing attention if you want a window dressing to be a focal point, choose bold or contrasting colors and patterns to draw the eye.
7. Disguising window shape - Curtains hung outside a recess will disguise the shape of a window, especially if tied back from a closed position. Use a shaped valance to disguise the squareness of a window.
8. Emphasizing window shape Hang a blind inside a window recess to emphasize the shape of the window. A patterned blind will draw attention to clear lines and square angles, and help to make the window a features
9.
Being precise -- Not all floors, windows, and ceilings are absolutely "square", so take at least three width and length measurements.
10. Allowing for pattern repeats; centralize large patterns for balance.
That is all for now.... Pls wait for my next post.
In the meantime.... hang loose and enjoy your life ~~~
End of Part 7
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