Building a new home is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. Every decision is crucial in creating your dream space, from selecting the perfect floor plan to choosing the right paint colours.
One important aspect often overlooked until the last minute is window treatments. Blinds, shutters, and curtains not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also provide privacy, energy efficiency, and functionality.
Whether you’re considering blinds, curtains, or shutters, planning ahead and choosing the perfect window treatments for your new home is essential. Here, we’ll explain the process of selecting window treatments that align with your sense of style, needs, and budget.
Why are window treatments important for new home builds?
Window treatments serve several crucial purposes in a new home build. First and foremost, they offer privacy, allowing you to control the amount of light and visibility in your space, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and home theatres. In turn, window treatments can contribute to your home’s energy efficiency by reducing heat loss during cold months and blocking excessive heat during Australia’s hot summers.
They play a significant role in enhancing the overall aesthetics of your home, adding a finishing touch to your interior design. With these important factors in mind, it’s crucial to carefully consider your options and choose window treatments that meet your specific needs and preferences.
Factors to consider when choosing window treatments
Before diving into the various types of window treatments available, it’s important to consider a few key factors that will help guide your decision-making process. These factors include your home’s design theme, the level of privacy you need, the amount of natural light you want to allow, and the overall functionality and convenience of your window treatments.
Let’s explore!
Design theme
Consider the design theme of your new home when selecting window treatments. The style of your home’s exterior and interior decor choices will influence the design theme.
Your home may fall into one or a combination of design themes, like modern, contemporary, minimalist, industrial, mid-century modern, Scandinavian, traditional, or transitional. Understanding your home’s design theme will help you choose window treatments that seamlessly blend with your overall aesthetic.
Privacy
Assess the level of privacy required for each room in your new home; bedrooms and bathrooms typically require more privacy, especially if they face the street or neighbouring properties. Consider the orientation of your windows and the proximity of neighbouring buildings to determine the level of privacy you need.
Window treatments can offer varying degrees of privacy (e.g. blackout roller blinds), allowing you to strike the right balance between natural light and seclusion.
Natural light control
Determine the direction your windows face and how much sunlight they receive throughout the day; north-facing windows receive softer, indirect light while south-facing windows receive more direct sunlight. East-facing windows provide morning light while west-facing windows receive afternoon and evening light.
Understanding the natural light patterns in your home will help you choose window treatments that provide the desired level of light control.
Functionality & convenience
Think about how often you’ll open and close your window treatments and the ease of operation. Some window treatments, like blinds and shutters, offer adjustable options, allowing you to control the amount of light and privacy easily.
Motorised window treatments provide added convenience, allowing you to open and close them with the touch of a button or through smart home automation. Consider your lifestyle and preferences when deciding on the functionality of your window treatments.
Specially-shaped windows
If your new home features specially shaped windows, like arches or circular windows, consider window treatments that can be customised to fit these unique shapes. Our Fusion Plus Shutters are a popular choice for specially-shaped windows, as they can be custom-made to match your windows’ exact dimensions and curves.
Customisation
Consider custom options if you’re looking for window treatments that perfectly fit your new home’s windows. Custom window treatments can be tailored to your measurements, ensuring a perfect fit and a polished look. Customisation allows you to choose the materials, colours, and styles that align with your vision for your new home.
Types of window treatments
Now that you better understand the key factors to consider let’s explore the different types of window treatments available for your new home. Each type offers unique benefits and aesthetic appeal, and the most popular options include blinds, curtains, and shutters.
Blinds
Blinds are a versatile and practical choice for window treatments; they consist of simple slats that can be adjusted to control light and privacy. Blinds are available in various materials, including aluminium, timber, composite carbon or glass, and fabric.
Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, and roller blinds are particularly popular designs. Venetian blinds feature horizontal slats that can be tilted to control light and privacy. In contrast, vertical blinds have vertical slats that can be rotated or drawn to the side, making them ideal for large windows or sliding glass doors.
Roller blinds feature a single piece of fabric that can be rolled up or down to control light and privacy.
Curtains
Curtains are a classic choice for window treatments, adding elegance and softness to any room. They are available in various fabrics, colours, patterns, and styles, leading to sheer to opaque effects for more privacy and light control.
Curtains can be paired with decorative rods, tiebacks, and valances to enhance their visual appeal.
Shutters
Shutters are a timeless option available in various materials, including wood and composites. Featuring adjustable louvres that allow you to control light and privacy, shutters can be installed on the interior or exterior of your windows — this can also help with noise reduction and insulation.
Choosing window treatments room-by-room
Every room has unique requirements and design considerations. Choosing the right window treatments for each space allows you to create a cohesive and functional look throughout your home from the beginning.
Living rooms
You’ll want window treatments in the living room that offer versatility, privacy, and light control. Blinds and curtains are excellent options for living rooms; blinds allow you to adjust the amount of light and privacy, while curtains add softness and elegance to the space.
Consider the style of your living room and choose window treatments that complement your furniture and decor.
Kitchens
In the kitchen, window treatments should be practical and easy to clean. Blinds, made from aluminium or composite materials, are popular for kitchens. They are moisture-resistant and can withstand the heat and humidity of cooking.
You can also opt for curtains made from washable fabrics.
Bathrooms
Privacy is key when it comes to bathroom window treatments. Blinds with moisture-resistant composite are practical for bathrooms. They offer privacy while withstanding the humidity of the space.
Alternatively, we recommend shutters for complete privacy.
Bedrooms
Curtains made from blackout or light-blocking fabrics are ideal for bedrooms, as they help create a dark and tranquil sleeping environment — particularly for nurseries and shift workers.
You can pair blackout curtains with sheer curtains for added versatility or shutters with adjustable louvres to control the amount of light and privacy throughout the day.
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms often benefit from natural light and a touch of sophistication. Sheer curtains can add a soft and ethereal ambience to the space while allowing natural light to filter through. You can pair sheer curtains with heavier curtains or blinds for privacy during evening meals.
Home Offices
Home offices require window treatments that minimise glare on computer screens. Blinds with adjustable slats or roller shades with light-filtering properties are ideal for home offices; these window treatments allow you to control the room’s light while maintaining a professional and productive environment.
Playrooms
Children’s rooms should be bright, cheerful, and safe. Blinds with cordless or motorised operation are the safest option for children’s rooms, as they eliminate the risk of entanglement. You can choose blinds or curtains in playful patterns or colours that reflect your child’s personality and interests.
Entryways & Hallways
Entryways and hallways benefit from natural light and a welcoming ambience. Sheer curtains or blinds with light-filtering properties allow light to enter while maintaining privacy. Consider the overall design theme of your home and choose window treatments that seamlessly blend with the decor of your entryways and hallways.
Contact Blinds-N-Shutters for professional advice ahead of your new home build
When selecting and installing window treatments for your new home build, seeking expert advice and service is essential. While some builders may offer window treatments as part of a package, working with specialists like Blinds-N-Shutters can lead to better knowledge, service, and a wider range of options.
We specialise in high-end blinds and shutters, industry-leading expertise and a customer-centred approach — allow us to make window treatment selections quick and simple. Contact us today.
