Basement Window Coverings Can Add Style
Getting stylish window coverings for basement windows is not usually at the top of everyone’s to-do list. In fact, when we think of basements, what often comes to mind are images of cold, underutilized storage areas with low ceilings and minimal light. Basements are one of the most commonly overlooked spaces in homes. They are actually full of untapped potential. This can be particularly true for small and specialty-shaped basement windows that just need a little bit of love to look and perform their best.
Making the most of secondary spaces like basements can not only add value to your home, but it can maximize your livable square footage. It can also help your home adapt to your family’s changing needs. In today’s housing market, that’s essential.
When thinking about how you want to dress your windows, our website is a treasure trove of window covering solutions and ideas where you can find examples of our many high-quality window covering products.
Whether you decide to create a playroom (learn about child safety for window coverings), a home office or gym or a flex space for the whole family to enjoy together, one of the easiest ways to add design impact is with basement window coverings.
For a media room, you will love blackout blinds or shades during family movie night. Even if the basement is not the most frequently used space in the home, it’s still a good idea to cover these lower-level windows to provide an extra layer of privacy and security.
What Purpose Will Your Basement Window Coverings Serve?
There are countless options for basement window coverings, including curtains and draperies, window blinds, cellular shades, decorative window films and more. The best way to start narrowing down your design options, is to focus on the primary purpose of your basement window coverings. There are lots of options. To find the best window coverings for your basement, ask yourself these questions:
- Are your basement windows small? Do you want them to appear larger?
- Do you want to add a feeling of height to the room?
- Is there an opportunity to make your basement windows a unique design focal point?
- Are security and privacy a main concern when it comes to your basement windows?
- Do you plan to fill the wall and floor space around the basement windows?
- Are you looking for a cost-effective option that’s easy on the budget or do you have a little room in your budget?
- Does your basement feel chillier than the rest of the house? An insulating window curtain, shade, blind or shutter can help reduce your energy bills.
Three Main Product Categories to Consider for Your Basement Window Coverings
Even if you’ve established the primary purpose that your basement window treatments will serve, it’s still a good idea to have a broader idea of the possibilities. When it comes to home design, sometimes inspiration can inform purpose! Following are three main categories of window treatments you can explore for your basement windows:
Custom window blinds and window shades can add beauty and practicality to any window. They are the most popular choice for light control and privacy. Blinds are often considered a “hard” window treatment as they are usually made of metal, vinyl or wood. They have individual slats that can be tilted, raised or lowered to let natural light in and block it out.
Window shades on the other hand, are usually made with fabric, cannot tilt and are meant to be raised or lowered. Some types such as our cellular honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas have the ability to raise and lower from the top or bottom, allowing you just the right amount of light and privacy. These cellular window shades have a pleated design that traps air, improving insulation and energy efficiency.
Draperies and sheers have expanded beyond the established pleated top panels to include exciting new fabrics, hardware and top treatments in imaginative combinations. Whether you envision traditional pleated drapes with sheers or contemporary flat panels hung on decorative hardware, our decorators can help you choose the style, fabric and trims that will suit your room’s décor. Because our decorators keep up with the latest trends, they can suggest fabrics and styles that you may not have even seen yet.
With all of the new products available, do you wonder if it’s still “fashionable” to cover your windows with draperies? All of the reasons people used draperies in the past are still valid today. Draperies and sheers are both practical and decorative.
Drawn draperies provide privacy, insulate against temperature extremes and offer additional soundproofing from internal and external noises. They soften all the sharp angles and edges in the home and create a warm, welcoming environment. The length and placement of your draperies can make a window or room appear larger or smaller; allowing you to redefine your living space. A small, narrow basement window can actually be disguised by a beautiful pair of drapes.
Shutters are classic window treatments that are often used in Caribbean getaways and Paris apartments. On the practical side, they act as an energy-efficient insulator as well as a noise insulator. Shutters are very versatile and offer you the ability to regulate the natural light in your rooms from bright sunlight to darkness.
Best of all, you can enjoy them for years to come as they require very little maintenance and last the life of your home. Consider them a worry-free investment that will add a new dimension to your home’s décor.
A stylish way to solve many of the practical problems a window presents, our selection of window shutters is available in long-lasting materials and elevated finishes. They can also be custom made to fit a variety of window sizes and specialty window shapes.
At Ruffell & Brown, we think of shutters as beautiful hand-crafted furniture for your window where every part, from the colour of the hinges to the size of the louver, is a custom choice.
When we design shutters they are truly designed for your home and style. The choice between wood shutters and faux wood shutters is yours, though we recommend considering the humidity level in the home since high humidity can damage wood. Shutters are a classic way to achieve light control, privacy, and UV control. Because they can be crafted from different materials such as real wood, composite or faux wood, or vinyl, we are able to make sure you’re getting a product that is exactly right for the climate and humidity of your space.
Want to match the exact paint colour or shade of stain of your existing furniture? You can also do that with shutters.
Let Ruffell & Brown Help Your Basement Windows Pop
Basement window coverings can add new life to the space, whether the room is meant for the kids, as a home office or a guest room. Whether you’re looking to create design impact, add privacy or maximize light, Ruffell & Brown Window Covering Centre can help you explore options to make your basement windows stand out or blend in. To explore our selection of versatile and stylish products, visit our Victoria showroom or book a free consultation today!
