Your New Window Treatments: 8 Questions To Expect During Your Consultation

When you want to add professional window treatments to your living or work space, the first thing you probably do is...hire a professional! An experienced Stoneside design consultant has the know-how to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring no detail is overlooked. They can show you all the options and help you decide what will work best, looking at practicalities as well as your design preferences.

As the client, you have invaluable knowledge too! Only you know your personal tastes, your lifestyle, how your home functions and what your top priorities are. When you and your designer share input, you’re guaranteed to cover all the bases for a great result.

Here’s a list of questions—a kind of “cheat sheet”—of what a window treatment professional is likely to ask during your conversation:

1. What are the three things that are most important to you about your new window coverings?

There are no right or wrong answers: everything depends on your own personal choice. Does the design matter most? Is budget a consideration? Is energy conservation vital? If you intend to own this home for years, maybe you want blinds or shades that will adapt to many decorative changes. Having to pick your “top three” priorities will not only help a professional, but it will help you narrow your focus.

2. What prompted you to reach out to us?

There are many reasons to need window treatments, and many places to purchase them. Did you just move into a new home? Do your old blinds need replacing? Are you renovating a space? And did you choose Stoneside primarily because of our wide range design options, reputation for outstanding service, or word-of-mouth from a friend?

3. What do you envision, and what are you trying to achieve?

A professional designer will come to your home to take a firsthand tour of your space. This is an ideal time to explain your goal for the window treatment—whether it’s privacy, light control, a design-savvy touch, or some other key element you’re hoping to attain.

4. How would you describe your style?

Is it traditional, contemporary, minimalist? Do you generally prefer neutral, subdued decor or bold pops of color? If possible, show your designer photos of rooms or window coverings you particularly like, so he/she will have visual examples to go on.

5. How have you used automation in your home? For example, do you use “smart” thermostats, smart bulbs (like Philips HUE), Amazon Echo or Google Home, or current motorized window coverings?

If so, then you’re probably already familiar with the concept of home automation. Your designer can show you how motorized window treatments can move with the touch of a button, and even set things up so you can control the blinds or shades from a remote or smartphone. From there, you might consult an expert on how to integrate your new shades or blinds into your existing home automation setup. If you’re new to automated home technology, your designer can answer any questions you have about how motorization and automation work.

6. What type of window coverings have you had in the past, and what did you like or dislike about them?

Knowing your firsthand likes and dislikes, based on past experience, will give your designer a better idea of what options to consider. For instance, if you like the modern look of solar shades but didn’t like their lack of privacy, your designer can show you options that meet both your needs. Or if you love Roman Shades but don’t want any dangling cords, you might find a new variety of cordless options.

7. How do you and your family use the various rooms in your home? Are there any unique needs that each one has?

You might have a bedroom that needs shielding from morning sun, a family room that requires extra insulation, a playroom that calls for kid-friendly choices or a kitchen with a view that can’t be covered up. Sharing these details will guide your designer to the most suitable window products.

8. How important is child safety to you when selecting window coverings?

If you have children, or if children visit your home, cordless window treatments are key. Parents for Window Blind Safety, an advocacy group, says dangling cords on blinds or shades are a strangulation hazard; an estimated 16,827 children under six were treated for cord injuries in the U.S. between 1990 and 2015, a number which includes 271 deaths. The problem is real, but the solution is simple: Choose cordless options on all windows, and let your window designer know that’s a priority.

Want to learn more about the many options for all types of window treatments? Contact us today for a free design consultation.