Here is What's New in Window Treatments
Discover the eight latest looks in curtains and blinds so you can dress your windows in style
The right window finishes make the perfect finishing touch to a room scheme. We spoke to four experts to find out which styles, fabrics and features are making waves in the design world right now… and picked up a few helpful, practical tips for nailing window treatments along the way.
2. Layered window treatments
“There was a time when you had to choose between hard window furnishings or curtains, but today some of the most interesting looks are created by combining the two,” says Whitaker of the trend towards layering curtains over shutters.
“Sheer curtains can transform a room. Layering hard window furnishings with soft curtains adds an additional layer of privacy and intimacy that is as functional as it is romantic and adds an elevated design dimension to the room,” he says.
“Layering your curtains by hanging two sets in fabrics of different weights is a great option for the cooler months,” says Christine Gough, country home furnishing and retail design manager at Ikea Australia. “A sheer, lightweight curtain will keep the room bright and maximise sunlight. Pair them with heavier-weight curtains to bring light levels down or block it out when needed.”
“There was a time when you had to choose between hard window furnishings or curtains, but today some of the most interesting looks are created by combining the two,” says Whitaker of the trend towards layering curtains over shutters.
“Sheer curtains can transform a room. Layering hard window furnishings with soft curtains adds an additional layer of privacy and intimacy that is as functional as it is romantic and adds an elevated design dimension to the room,” he says.
“Layering your curtains by hanging two sets in fabrics of different weights is a great option for the cooler months,” says Christine Gough, country home furnishing and retail design manager at Ikea Australia. “A sheer, lightweight curtain will keep the room bright and maximise sunlight. Pair them with heavier-weight curtains to bring light levels down or block it out when needed.”
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3. Sheers
“A sheer curtain filters the light beautifully and can look amazing in spaces where you don’t need full blockout,” says Jasmine McClelland, principal at Jasmine McClelland Design.
“We love to layer a linen sheer with a complementary linen/cotton curtain to create a really harmonious and calming look,” she says.
3. Sheers
“A sheer curtain filters the light beautifully and can look amazing in spaces where you don’t need full blockout,” says Jasmine McClelland, principal at Jasmine McClelland Design.
“We love to layer a linen sheer with a complementary linen/cotton curtain to create a really harmonious and calming look,” she says.
4. Air-purifying curtains
Worried about your indoor air quality? Ikea now sells curtains made from a special fabric (crafted from recycled materials) that helps clean the air when they’re activated by sunlight – and they even self-clean, no electricity required.
“A mineral-based photocatalyst coating is applied to the textile and when activated by daylight, it breaks down common indoor air pollutants,” says Gough.
Worried about your indoor air quality? Ikea now sells curtains made from a special fabric (crafted from recycled materials) that helps clean the air when they’re activated by sunlight – and they even self-clean, no electricity required.
“A mineral-based photocatalyst coating is applied to the textile and when activated by daylight, it breaks down common indoor air pollutants,” says Gough.
5. Natural fibres
“Natural fibre sheers such as linen and bamboo are still big in interiors, and are likely to stay around for a while as the popularity of sustainable materials grows. They also provide a lovely casual look to a room,” says Frances Cosway, principal at White Pebble Interiors. “Texture is key – think slubby linens, raw and shot silks and soft wools with natural dyes.”
McClelland concurs, adding, “We lean toward natural fibres such as cotton and linen for our clients, where practical. When assessing a window furnishings fabric, the way it drapes and lets the light through is critical”.
“Natural fibre sheers such as linen and bamboo are still big in interiors, and are likely to stay around for a while as the popularity of sustainable materials grows. They also provide a lovely casual look to a room,” says Frances Cosway, principal at White Pebble Interiors. “Texture is key – think slubby linens, raw and shot silks and soft wools with natural dyes.”
McClelland concurs, adding, “We lean toward natural fibres such as cotton and linen for our clients, where practical. When assessing a window furnishings fabric, the way it drapes and lets the light through is critical”.
6. Soft neutrals
“A gentle, neutral palette is definitely having a moment,” says McClelland. “We have been really attracted to subtle textures and plays on muted colours that sit back nicely and create a feeling of warmth and softness in a space.
“We have been using a lot of neutral and natural tones lately, such as oatmeal, linen and warm greys. We have been playing on slightly lighter and darker variations for curtain-and-sheer combinations,” she says.
“A gentle, neutral palette is definitely having a moment,” says McClelland. “We have been really attracted to subtle textures and plays on muted colours that sit back nicely and create a feeling of warmth and softness in a space.
“We have been using a lot of neutral and natural tones lately, such as oatmeal, linen and warm greys. We have been playing on slightly lighter and darker variations for curtain-and-sheer combinations,” she says.
“We have also been using textured neutrals for roman blinds for some clients, which gives this classic style a more contemporary look,” says McClelland.
“Plantation shutters will always have their moment within particular styles of homes. It is about considering what is best for the space and then adding contemporary touches to complete the look,” she says.
Find a designer to design your living room
“Plantation shutters will always have their moment within particular styles of homes. It is about considering what is best for the space and then adding contemporary touches to complete the look,” she says.
Find a designer to design your living room
7. Minimalist hardware
“Curtain and blind hardware is becoming more slimline and minimal. This allows all those bits and pieces you don’t want to see to fade into the background,” says McClelland.
“Where possible, we always try to fix curtain tracks to the ceiling to create height and add a feeling of elegance,” she says .
“Curtain and blind hardware is becoming more slimline and minimal. This allows all those bits and pieces you don’t want to see to fade into the background,” says McClelland.
“Where possible, we always try to fix curtain tracks to the ceiling to create height and add a feeling of elegance,” she says .
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8. Motorisation
Automating your window coverings means you don’t have to lift a finger to open or shut your blinds or curtains, which can be particularly useful in those hard-to-reach spots such as skylights. According to Whitaker, motorisation is becoming increasingly commonplace.
“Technology has become integral to design, whether it’s asking Alexa for the daily weather report or a coffee table that charges our smart devices. Automated window coverings, lighting and heating are now elements of that,” he says. Products such as Luxaflex PowerView Motorisation allow you to control shading, temperature, energy efficiency and privacy from an app on your smart phone or by scheduling settings.
Ikea has also recently released two smart blinds, Fyrtur and Kadrilj, which come in sheer or blockout versions and retail from AU$189.
8. Motorisation
Automating your window coverings means you don’t have to lift a finger to open or shut your blinds or curtains, which can be particularly useful in those hard-to-reach spots such as skylights. According to Whitaker, motorisation is becoming increasingly commonplace.
“Technology has become integral to design, whether it’s asking Alexa for the daily weather report or a coffee table that charges our smart devices. Automated window coverings, lighting and heating are now elements of that,” he says. Products such as Luxaflex PowerView Motorisation allow you to control shading, temperature, energy efficiency and privacy from an app on your smart phone or by scheduling settings.
Ikea has also recently released two smart blinds, Fyrtur and Kadrilj, which come in sheer or blockout versions and retail from AU$189.
Top tips for success:
To find the right window treatment for a space, says Whitaker, start by asking yourself:
To find the right window treatment for a space, says Whitaker, start by asking yourself:
- Will your window treatment be purely decorative or do you need it to play a role in controlling light and temperature?
- How will you use the room and have you addressed the issue of whether it currently has too much or too little light?
- Are technology and automation important to you or is the mood of the room your main priority?
It’s also wise to:
- Determine your light and privacy needs; for example, whether you want to darken a bedroom or media room, reduce glare in a living room or brighten a hallway.
- Get expert advice early. Specialists will help you identify whether there are any structural or electrical factors you need to consider when installing your window treatments.
Tell us:
What’s a window-treatment look you love? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
What’s a window-treatment look you love? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
1. Indoor-outdoor styles
“The role of window coverings has evolved with greater emphasis on indoor/outdoor living in contemporary homes and with a better understanding of the transformative effect of light,” says Neale Whitaker, interior design expert and brand ambassador, Luxaflex Window Fashions. Think styles such as Luxaflex LumiShade, which combines the functionality of vertical blinds with the softness of sheers – perfect for patio doors as you can walk through them even when they’re closed.
“To ensure you design with future-proofing in mind, opt for clean, simple lines in neutral shades,” he says.