5 Ways to Get a Minimalist Look With Custom Window Treatments

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming home to a Zen-like space, with everything in its place and nothing you don’t need. The clean lines, monochromatic tones, and understated elegance that define minimalism promote a sense of calm and well-being, and should definitely be considered when choosing custom window treatments that keep things simple, yet practical. Here are five styles that truly bring minimalism home.

Hide window treatments altogether with roller shades

Roller shades are a minimalist’s best friend. Not only can they conveniently hide behind a valance when rolled up, but they also offer a wide range of light control options. From sheers that elegantly create a sense of privacy while still letting in light to blackout shades for bedrooms, roller shades are perhaps the most practical minimal custom window treatment you can find.

Invest in solar shades for partial light

Sleek and modern, solar shades protect your furniture, floors, and artwork from harmful UV rays, all while preserving your view. All styles are streamlined to match minimalist rooms, and you can also opt for additional practical features such as fabrics that reduce glare or reflect heat. What’s also unique about solar shades is you can select an openness factor between 1% to 14% to control how much light filters through. This is an excellent feature for rooms that call for shades to be closed for some privacy, but where you’d still like some natural light to shine through.

Choose cellular shades for functionality

Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, are perfect for a minimalist home where function beats form every time. They can be single or double pleated, have any level of opacity needed for the room — from sheer where you want a lot of natural light to blackout where you want to rest easy in the soothing darkness. Cellular shades can also have a top-down/bottom-up lift system, making them versatile in any room.

Add some warmth with custom panels

Despite a less-is-more approach to decor, minimalist spaces don’t have to feel cold. In fact, adding textured upholstery or fabric window treatments in neutral hues is one of the easiest ways designers can make a space feel more welcoming without ruining an established minimalist vibe. Drapery is all about the fabric, so for a minimalist space this generally means choosing a neutral color that either exactly matches or closely complements the existing color palette of the room. Fit is also extremely important, hence the need for custom panels that will elegantly frame your windows. Even the slightest slouch of fabric from panels that are too long or uneven floor gaps between panels can throw off the precision of a carefully-designed minimalist space.

Always stay neutral

Finally, perhaps the most important rule to abide by is to always work with a neutral palette when choosing window treatments. In essence, the colors you choose should blend seamlessly into the rest of the room, rather than acting as bold accents. This applies to any type of window treatment and is especially important to consider with solar shades, which may be drawn (and thus more visible) often.

Given the wide variety of fabrics, styles, and colors available, finding custom window treatments that match your color palette and overall room design shouldn’t be an issue. But, the wide variety of options can also make the process feel overwhelming. The best place to start is with a professional who can fully understand your home decor goals and help turn them into a reality. Schedule a free in-home consultation with one of Stoneside’s design experts to get started.