Window Coverings: Light Control & Beauty for Every Room

Window coverings do more than just dress up a window. They control light, add privacy, and improve comfort in a space. In a recent podcast, we covered everything from automated blinds to blackout solutions and how they can make a difference in your home.
WHY WINDOW COVERINGS MATTER
A well-chosen window treatment can enhance your home in multiple ways:
- Light control – Filter, diffuse, or block out light depending on your needs.
- Privacy – Keep prying eyes out without sacrificing natural light.
- Energy efficiency – Certain styles help regulate indoor temperatures.
- Jewelry – The right window coverings complete a room’s look.
WHAT MAKES A QUALITY WINDOW COVERING?
Not all blinds are created equal. While cheaper alternatives might look similar at first glance, quality matters. Higher-end options last longer, function better, and provide a more polished aesthetic. The high quality blinds we’ve installed have been going strong for over 15 years.
AUTOMATED WINDOW COVERING OPTIONS
Automated window coverings are a game changer. Being able to open and close your shades at the touch of a button from across the room feels like a little touch of magic to your day.
Battery-powered Window Coverings
Adding automation doesn’t always have to mean a complete electrical rewire. If you’re not planning on doing a full renovation, battery-powered window coverings are an option.
Things to consider:
- Batteries can be stored in the headrail or behind a valance.
- No need to tie into existing wiring.
- Many existing blinds and shades can be motorized.
- Batteries need to be changed occasionally.
- Remotes can be stored in drawers or on wall brackets to avoid misplacing them.

Hardwired Window Coverings
If you’re already planning on doing a large renovation and would prefer automation, hardwiring is the better option.
- These are more powerful and programmable to be included in smart home operations.
- They can be controlled from a centralized location or on a wall switch.
- There are no batteries.
- An electrician is required to connect them.
- An automation specialist may be required to program them depending on the system you employ.
A combination of battery, hardwired, and manual window coverings are the best option for most families going through a renovation. While new builds are more likely to have a combination of hardwired and manual.
Not ready for automation? Manual drapes and blinds still work beautifully. Some draperies even have built-in magnets to eliminate “light bleed” in bedrooms or media rooms.
WHY DO PEOPLE NEED BLACKOUT WINDOW COVERINGS?
You might be familiar with the circadian rhythm of the body. It’s our body’s natural response to light. Because of interior lighting, we’re awake far later than we were before bright lights were at the flip of a switch. Without light, we’re more apt to fall into a deeper, restful sleep. Blackout blinds help us feel more rested and alert the next morning. We’d also suggest you turn off that phone long before bedtime and read a book instead.
Here are some ways to make your bedroom a true blackout:
- Purchase blackout blinds and shades that include window frame channels to stop the light on all sides.
- Layer blinds, draperies and valances:
- If you did not purchase blinds with blackout channels, adding draperies will eliminate side light bleed.
- Draperies alone cannot offer full blackout. Adding a valance to the top of a drapery can eliminate light bleed onto your ceiling. If your ceiling is vaulted, an l-shaped valance will work for such a situation.
THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR EACH ROOM
Kitchens & Living Areas
For spaces where light is welcome, but privacy is still a concern, sheer or semi-sheer options work well. Consider something like a Hunter Douglas Silhouettes shade, allow light to filter through while still shielding the view from neighbours, offering options for day and night privacy.
Bedrooms & Media Rooms
Blackout solutions are key to better sleep and glare-free screen time. Draperies offer sound deadening and dampening that create acoustical privacy in both bedrooms and media rooms.
A bedroom without draperies lacks the softness required for getting cozy and dampening sound to offer a sound night’s sleep.
Home Offices
Workspaces benefit from soft, diffused light. We often recommend sheer draperies with additional blinds for flexibility between day and night privacy needs.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WINDOW COVERINGS
Window coverings influence how a space feels. From softening a room’s acoustics to creating a cozy retreat, they play a bigger role than many people realize.
If you’re looking to renovate your home, let’s talk!
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