By: Natalie Elmhurst
Updated: 9/10/2024
Are you thinking about the resale value of your home? In today’s economy, it’s important to make the best choice for you and your family. Often, that means choosing to invest in certain things for your home that will give you a higher return on your investment.
This often comes up for homeowners as they navigate home ownership — you end up having to think about the best way to get what you need while maintaining or increasing the value of your home. That way, you’re not throwing money down the drain!
So, do window treatments add value to your home? Most often, the answer is yes, but of course, there are other factors that impact home value.
The best way to add more value to your home is either by adding something that makes the home more functional or adding something that makes the home more desirable because of style — think central air versus a new entryway for curb appeal.
Window treatments are one of those design gems that give you both style and function. But to make sure you’re truly adding value to your home, you need to choose window treatments that work well (and look great) in the home you have.
That means taking certain things into consideration:
➔ What do you need for every room to function properly?
➔ Do you get afternoon or morning sun?
➔ Do you need more insulation or climate control?
➔ What’s the weather like where you live, year-round?
➔ What are the most popular window treatments in your area and why?
These questions will help with your decision. You want something that will last, so when you’re ready to sell your home, the window treatments still work the way they should and look good doing it.
There are tons of factors when it comes to home value, and it’s not just about what’s currently available in your home. We can’t predict the market when you enter it, and there’s no way to tell exactly how much value adding a window treatment will bring. BUT we can say with confidence that the more you can make your house stand out (in a good way), the more you have a chance of increasing your home value.
Think of it this way. Have you ever purchased a home with amazing window treatments? Our guess is you’ve never walked into a viewing and exclaimed over the window treatments.
That’s because most often, homes don’t come with them. That, or they’re outdated and in desperate need of a refresh.
That’s actually good news for you, because if you decide to invest in quality window treatments, potential buyers are going to truly notice the difference between your home and the house in the other neighborhood that’s missing that key ingredient. And with the right ones, your buyers are going to be inspired.
There are a couple of details to keep in mind when you choose window treatments intentionally to increase your home value.
You still want to enjoy them. Don’t choose a random window treatment just because you think it will do well in the market. You should still have the chance to enjoy your home (and your window treatments) while you’re there, so make sure you’re taking into account your desires, and not just your potential buyer’s desires.
Look for versatility. When it comes to window treatments, you should heavily consider any window treatment that has a great deal of versatility. The more versatile in function and style, the more likely a buyer has of noticing and liking what they see.
Your home’s unique needs. Like we mentioned before, you have to think about the needs of the space. From insulation to glare, to simple light filtration — the best window treatments for you and your future buyer is the one that creates a comfortable and stylish home. And that means window coverings that look good but also do what they’re meant to do.
Here are some ideas on which window treatments to consider to add value to your home.
Blinds make the cut for two main reasons: 1) they’re a classic, so they’re likely to fit into the space and make it look good, and 2) they’re simple.
Simple is sometimes better, and with blinds, their benefits are as simple as their style: light control and privacy.
If your home is pretty basic, or you have a traditional style home (yes, home style is also important when it comes to choosing the right window treatment) then blinds may be exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, blinds are simple to maintain and create a clean, polished look your potential buyers will love.
Additionally, you’ve got options when it comes to type, so you can choose the best for your budget and home. Blinds bring a home together, and make your space more functional and therefore comfortable, adding that value you’re looking to add to your home.
Shades are going to be a top contender for adding home value, because there are so many great options out there.
Roller shades are minimalistic, simple, and streamlined, making them a top choice for modern homes and spaces where simplicity goes further than extravagance. Roller shades are also one of the window treatments that tend to go effortlessly with tons of interior design styles. That means if you’re more of a traditional home lover but your buyer is a little more eclectic, you can both be satisfied with rollers.
Solar shades and cellular shades are both exceptional choices for temperature control. Solar shades are created to directly address sunlight, whether that’s through heat mitigation, light filtration, or UV protection.
Cellular shades, on the other hand, are a big name in the climate control world. Because of their unique honeycomb structure, cellular shades are the number 1 insulating window treatment — and that doesn’t just mean keeping the warmth in during the colder months. It also means keeping things cool if you live in sunnier climates.
Both solar and cellular shades are excellent ways to add value to your home if you face intense sun or fluctuating temperatures.
There are tons of other shades that might be what your home needs. It really depends — every home is different. To get a better idea of what shades to use for what type of room and home, check out our Ultimate Guide.
Drapes are one of the most luxurious and loved window treatments. And good news — they’re also one of the most versatile.
Benefits of custom drapes include:
And that’s just the start. Drapes are very different from curtains — you won’t find them at your local big box store, and that will be obvious to discerning buyers. While both have fabric that hangs over your windows, drapes are made from high-quality materials and have extra details that ensure quality and durability, such as weighted double hems.
With custom drapes, you also get more options to choose from when it comes to making it fit perfectly in your home.
Drapes are easily one of the top choices for window treatments, and a great way to add home value.
One thing you might not have thought about — does your home have any unique windows? For example, an arched window, tall multi-story windows in an open concept that aren’t accessible from the ground floor? French doors?
If your home has a more unique window, and it comes with a custom window treatment built specifically for that window, you are absolutely creating more value in the eye of your potential buyers. No one wants to look at a home and think “Wow, that’s beautiful, but we’re still going to have to spend a ton of money installing custom window treatments.”
There’s also one option that we recommend to anyone considering resale value: motorization.
Motorization isn’t just a luxury these days. Motorization is all about keeping a space functional in the simplest way possible. Motorization gives homeowners more access and an easier way to control temperature, comfort, and light. And those super large windows you have? Way better to not have to manually open and close the window treatments!
As any real estate agent will tell you, the actual home isn’t the only thing you need to pay attention to. Staging is one of the most effective ways to attract new buyers. And let us tell you — you can’t stage a home well if the lighting is off. Window treatments give you all the control you need to successfully stage your home and help improve perception.
Do window treatments add value to your home? With the right ones — absolutely. You may be tempted to put it off, but it’s always a good idea to prepare for the future. Plus, you’ll want a chance to enjoy your space to the fullest.
Reach out to Stonside and schedule your free consultation. We’ll chat with you about all the details so you’re sure you’re making the right move for your home — and the market.