6 Alternatives to Lace Curtains That Will Make Your Windows Pop

Lace curtains have gone in and out of popularity throughout the years. Lace is undeniably elegant, yet curtains made from the fabric are not always the best fit in a modern home. In addition to potential style concerns, lace is notoriously delicate. While this makes lace desirable in other aspects of life like clothes and decor for special occasions, it can be tricky to maintain lace curtains over years of consistent handling. Luckily, there are other window treatment options that can deliver the same classic style and luxury as lace curtains, without any of the drawbacks. Here are a few alternatives that can enhance a refined modern home, while being easy to use and function reliably year after year.

• Wide width sheer drapery: One reason a homeowner might be interested in lace curtains is the mood they create, with fabric that lets in soft light. Wide width sheer drapery can accomplish the same breezy atmosphere, with thin but durable fabric options that can achieve a smoother, more updated look than lace. Whether hung from windows on their own or combined with matching shades, sheer drapery can add a pop of classic elegance to any room.

• Roman shades: The traditional style that lace curtains provide can be achieved with other window treatments. Roman shades are classic and fashionable, like lace curtains, and they give windows the soft look of drapes. With the convenient functionality of shades, they are also easier to use and maintain than lace curtains. Plus, they can give a room an airy look like lace curtains depending on the fabric chosen, or they can be made with blackout fabric that provides even more control of a home’s light and privacy.

• Solar shades: Homeowners interested in lace curtains often value beauty and have tasteful, high-quality decor throughout their home. Solar shades have one big advantage over lace and other window treatment styles: UV protection. While still adding elegance to any room, solar shades help shield your furniture and floors from UV rays that might otherwise wear out or fade your favorite home accents. Without the need for blackout fabric, solar screens also control glare and heat in the home, so that you can reduce energy costs and maintain visibility out your windows. There are many variations of solar screens; you can choose fabrics that provide between 1%, 3%, 5%, 10% or 14% openness factors -- which indicate how much light is let through -- and plenty of unique fabric styles.

• Wood blinds: Blinds are a bigger divergence from lace curtains, and they don’t deliver the exact same type of soft light to a room. However, blinds made from wood can provide a similar traditional style to lace, while adding a wow factor to both classic and modern homes. Their natural look makes wood blinds even more timeless than lace, and their wood material is light, making them easy to use day in and day out.

• Vertical blinds: Vertical blinds are another option that differs strongly from curtains, but one that solves one of the biggest drawbacks of lace curtains. Because of their intricacy and fragile nature, real lace curtains can be difficult to keep clean. Vertical blinds not only easy to keep free of dust and grime, but they’re also an ideal option for larger windows. Especially when made with elegant fabric, vertical blinds are a beautiful and modern alternative to lace curtains.

• Custom shades: With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine what kind of window treatment is best for you. With so many factors involved—like style, fabric, window specifications, light control, and usability—you may not know what to choose for your home and lifestyle needs. That’s why the best option is customization. Working with an expert to pick shades or drapery can make the process of outfitting your windows a breeze.

Want to learn what kind of window treatment is best for your home’s style needs? Contact us today for a free design consultation.