After working from home, I felt less productive and unspirited than while working from the office. While there were many reasons why I felt so, one of the overlooked factors was my workspace environment.
A proper window treatment helped me create a more inviting, well-lit, and ventilated workspace, which in turn is keeping me more alert and productive nowadays.
While trying out different treatments, I discovered what works and does not. And my experience may also help you find the best window treatment for your home office.
The best window treatments for a home office are motorized treatments for more convenience, honeycomb designs for reducing noise and better insulation, and dual shade systems for better lighting and privacy.
But there’s more to it! You can select window treatments as per your need and Style.
Scroll down to learn more about different window treatments, recent trends, and factors to consider while choosing window treatments.
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Soft Window Treatment and Hard Window Treatment
In interior design, window treatments control lighting and maintain privacy, adding color and warmth to the room. Similarly, they often add a finishing touch to complete the creation of the interior.
Most window treatments can be categorized into Hard Window Treatments and Soft Window Treatments.
1. Hard Window Treatments
Complex window treatments are those treatments that include the use of hard materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal.
However, despite the name’s suggestion, not all complex window treatments are physically hard.
We can further categorize complex window treatments into the following types:
a. Window Shutters
Often called the “furniture for windows,” shutters are made of wood or plastic. These horizontal slats or louvers are attached with hinges and can be tilted up or down.
b. Window Blinds
Similar to shutters, window blinds also come in horizontal or vertical slats. A chord holds these slats together, which helps to open, close, and move the slats.
You can buy this window blind on Amazon.
c. Window Shades
Although shades fall under hard window treatment, they can be physically soft because they are made of fabric. You can neatly roll, stack, or fold the fabric to see the outside view.
2. Soft Window Treatments
Soft window treatments are those treatments that include the use of soft materials, such as fabric or textiles.
These materials are available as stock items in stores, or you can customize them to fit your Style.
Generally, soft window treatments are of three main types:
a. Drapery panels
Drapery panels are available in both stationary and functional forms. In addition, there are virtually limitless options for fabric patterns, colors, and embellishments for this type of window treatment.
b. Curtains
Curtains are usually lighter in weight and material. They are also typically unlined to allow some sunlight to filter through.
c. Valances
Valances are top treatments generally made from fabric for purely decorative purposes or to cover the window top.
Best Window Treatment Ideas for Home Office
While creating a home office, choosing window treatments that add convenience and comfort is essential.
The appropriate window treatment may differ depending on the size of the Window in your home office and your requirements.
1. Best Window Treatments For Large windows
Large windows can significantly increase your energy bills due to heat loss. It also makes working uncomfortable from blinding glare on your laptop or monitor.
Likewise, it may also raise privacy issues for you. So, if you have large windows, here are my two significant recommendations:
a. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are easy to clean and install. In addition, if you select vertical blinds with materials such as PVC (a synthetic material used in plastic products) or Vinyl vanes, you do not have to worry about them fading from sunlight exposure.
The best thing about these blinds is that they are available in the broadest size possible. However, if you have tall windows, these might not be the best fit for your home office.
b. Cellular Shades
Cellular shades come in standard and vertical forms. The former is great for tall windows, while the latter can be used for broad, transparent sliding doors.
They are also called honeycomb shades because of their honeycomb-shaped pockets, which help in insulation to keep your room cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
In addition, cellular shades are significantly lighter than blinds.
And if your home office has large windows, installing blinds makes the window treatment extremely heavy. In that case, cellular shades can be a better option.
2. Best Window Treatments for Small Windows
Although there are multiple options for window treatments for small windows, the following two are the best alternatives for home offices for their design and function:
a. A Single Valance
A single valance is “barely there” because it only covers the top of the Window. Often the valance is placed a little bit higher than the top of the window frame.
So, the small Window in your home office will be primarily open. It means the room will receive maximum sunlight. It also makes the Window appear more prominent and adds a decorative touch.
b. Roller and Solar Shades
Roller shades are best for home offices with small windows because of their design and function. They look sleek and minimalistic, and you can roll up the entire shade material to allow sunlight into the room.
Likewise, solar shades are designed to let in most of the sunlight and preserve the outside view. However, if you need privacy, solar shades are not a perfect fit for your home office.
3. Other Ideas for Home Office Window Treatments
To create the best environment possible for a home office, one may have different requirements, such as minimizing distractions and saving energy.
Below are some of our recommendations to achieve various functions of window treatments.
a. To Saving Energy
The window treatments that allow the right amount of sunlight to enter the room are best for health. In conjunction with all the health benefits, these treatments are also cost-effective.
Up to 30% of a room’s heating and cooling energy can seep through windows. In addition, 2018 research found that energy waste is 28% lower in a well-lit office.
A workspace that is either too cold or too hot can make it difficult for you to concentrate.
Opt for reflective shades with light-colored fabrics to minimize solar heating if your home receives enough sunlight. It will also reduce your cooling bills.
If your room does not receive enough sunshine, add sheer panels or curtains to your windows.
As mentioned earlier, cellular shade with a honeycomb design is a great alternative to maintain a consistent temperature.
This design traps air at the Window, which builds an additional insulation layer and prevents heat from getting in or out. The insulation will protect you from outside cold in winter and from excessive heat in summer.
You can compare the amount of energy saving from different window treatments in the table below:
| Type of window treatment | Approximate reduction in heat loss (in %) |
|---|---|
| Roller shade with inside mount (1/4” from glass) | 24-31% |
| Roller shade, reflective coating, inside mount | 45% |
| Roller shade, side track, 1” from glass (inside mount) | 40-45% |
| Roller shade, side track, reflective coating, 1” from glass (inside mount) | 55% |
| Drapery, hung on rod | 5-10% |
| Drapery, tightly woven fabric, separate lining, sealed at all four edges | 25% |
| Venetian blind | 6-7% |
| Shutter, insulating core, sheathing material vapor retarder and decorative covering | 75-90% |
The Cornell University Department of Design and Environmental Analysis published the information in this table.
Read more: Energy Saving Window Treatment
b. For Minimizing Noise and Maintaining Privacy
If you want to ensure privacy and minimize distractions in a noisy and busy neighborhood, choose window treatments, such as drapes, shades, or blinds with opaque material.
It allows enough sunlight to come in and gives privacy to your room. Experts also recommend roman shades and honeycomb shades to reduce noise.
Depending on the type of fabric, these shades can absorb as much as 60% of the sound. Similarly, in rooms with wooden flooring, you can use fabric shades for the same purpose.
To know more about other amazing Window Treatment Ideas: 16 Home Office Window Treatment Ideas
What Window Treatments are in Style for 2022?
The window treatments in Style for 2021 are motorized and cord-free. In addition, we see an innovation in dual shade systems to maintain privacy and allow more natural sunlight.
Colorful window treatments are also back in trend. Learn more about these in detail below:
1. Motorized Window Treatments
Experts claim that motorized and automated home office window treatments will take the market by storm in the upcoming days. It was already quite popular in 2021.
An average American has about 17 windows in their home; if they were to raise and lower window shades every day, it’s about two and half weeks of their life.
You might also have felt the inconvenience of getting up every time to adjust the window shades when the sunlight causes excessive glare on your screen.
The solution? Automated or motorized shades or blinds can be adjusted from your chair. In addition, these shades can be controlled with a remote or an app on a smartphone.
Another trending home office window treatment is installing blinders with voice-activated motorization. You can instruct Google Assistant to close or open the blinds whenever possible.
In addition, you can also schedule a fixed time for those blinds to automatically close or open. Even cellular and roller shade comes with a motorized wand.
2. Dual Shade Systems
Sheer shades have dominated window treatment options for the last four or five years. These shades are great for improving lighting but do not provide much privacy.
In 2021, we saw innovations combining the light filtering property of specific window treatments with another room’s darkening property.
The primary shade is made out of sheer fabric, and the secondary shade – which is usually behind the primary shade – is made of more opaque material.
So, the room gets brighter when you only have the primary shade on. But when you need privacy or get the glare off the monitor, you can turn on the secondary shade.
This type of window treatment is usually motorized and helps you get the best out of both worlds.
3. Colorful Shutters
Wood shutters have been a prevalent form of window treatment for centuries. But, in 2021, there is an upgrade with an influx of colorful shutters.
So, if you already have shutters in your home office, colors might add a perfect aesthetic to your home office.
If you want to give a contemporary look to this rather traditional Style, opt for wood shutters with no tilt rods or those with tilt rods at the back of the shutters.
With this tip, you can achieve a cleaner look and include larger louvers that provide a better view of the outside.
When choosing window treatments, keep the undertones in mind. If your walls are a warm color, use window treatments that are warm as well.
You can go for window treatments that are the same color but a slightly different shade (a bit lighter or darker).
Read more: Best Wall Colors for Home Office
Factors to Consider While Choosing Window Treatments for Home Office
It would be best to consider several factors while choosing the best window treatment for your home office. The most relevant characteristics are discussed below:
1. Consider Durability
The most durable home office window treatment is window shutters. However, they are also quite expensive in comparison.
Although blinds are pretty similar to shutters, they are significantly less durable. Similarly, window shades, curtains, and drapery panels have a relatively low lifespan.
The table below summarizes the Durability of these three types of window treatments:
| Type of window treatment | Durability |
|---|---|
| Window shutters | 25 years or more |
| Window shades | 7 to 8 years |
| Blinds | 4 to 5 years |
| Drapery panels and curtains | 4 to 5 years |
2. Consider Functionality
In the case of curtains, if you are going to open and close them quite frequently, installing grommet curtains in your home office is the best alternative.
This type of curtain has holes rimmed with metal rings that the curtain will go through, making it easier to slide the fabric.
You can also install tab-top curtains in your home office for a similar function.
On the other hand, if you do not open and close the curtains multiple times, you can opt for curtains with rod pockets.
Rod pockets hang from a rod inserted in a channel on the top of the curtain. In a formal setting like a home office, the combination of the lush fabric and substantial rod provides an elegant look.
3. Consider Style
To complement the architectural theme of your home, you must choose window treatments that blend with the music.
If your home office has a traditional or classical look, opt for drapes or curtains to match the aesthetic.
On the other hand, your home office window treatment will look better with shades and blinds if you have a modern-style home.
4. Consider Affordability
a. Hard Window Treatments
The most expensive complex window treatments are plantation shutters and motorized window treatments. Other shades, like cellular shades, may also leave a dent in your budget.
However, there are multiple alternatives for affordable window treatments. The table below compares the latest price of different hard window treatments:
| Type of hard window treatment | Average cost per window in 2021 |
|---|---|
| Shutters | $45 to $420 |
| Blinds | $27.80 to $34.17 |
| Roller shades | $140 |
| Solar shades | $150 |
| Cellular shades | $170 |
| Motorized shades | $320 |
b. Soft Window Treatments
The cost of curtains and drapery panels depends on the type of fabric. The fabrics are usually sold in discussions, each with a standard width of 54 inches.
You can find the list of the latest price of different soft window treatments in the table below:
| Type of soft window treatment | Average price in 2021 per panel |
|---|---|
| Curtains or draperies made with inexpensive fabrics | $7-$20 |
| Silk, brocade, linen curtains or draperies | $20-$150 |
| Customized curtains or draperies with designer fabrics | $250-$1500 |
| Energy efficient curtains or draperies | $20-$150 |
| Sheers | $10-$100 |
| Valances | $10-$50 |
How Many Panels of Curtains or Draperies will you need for your Window?
As mentioned, the fabrics used for making curtains, sheers, or draperies come in panels. On average, a meeting is 54 inches wide.
When calculating the amount of fabric you may need for curtains or drapery for your Window, you need to multiply the width of your Window by 1.5 to 2 for a fuller look.
For example, the width of your Window is 40 inches. Now, when you multiply 40 by 2 (40*2), you get 80 inches.
So, you need 80 inches of fabric to make curtains or draperies for your 40 inches-wide window.
Since one fabric panel is usually 54 inches, you will need to get two panels of the fabric to cover that Window.
Final Thoughts
No matter how much time and money you invest in upgrading your home office, much of the shine will be lost if you have shabbily dressed windows.
It is essential to ensure the window treatment looks seamless with the rest of the decor.
Blinds, drapes, shades, shutters, and curtains are the market’s most common treatment forms.
