Written by Lucy Winters-Underwood, Founder of Lucy Winterwood Luxury Interior Design Studio. Serving St Albans, Harpenden, Hertfordshire & North London.
In contemporary and modern homes, window treatments serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. The right window dressing can transform a space, adding privacy, controlling light, and enhancing the overall design. Modern homes often feature bi-fold doors, Velux windows, and expansive glass openings, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges for window treatments.
Naively we think having this gorgeous portal overlooking our outside spaces is the architectural dream, but in reality, we are often approached by clients with major regrets... 'how should I dress my windows in a contemporary modern home?' ‘The house is too hot, how can I keep it cool?’, ‘the sun is blinding us’, ‘I need more privacy at nighttime’ are just some of the quandary’s presented to us so this blog explores how you can approach dressing these elements to achieve a cohesive, stylish and practical solution.
How should I dress my windows in a Contemporary Modern home?
Bi-fold doors and expansive glass openings are popular for their ability to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces, require thoughtful window treatments that do not hinder their functionality.
First and foremost, if time allows, make use of smart architectural details; place a ceiling mounted track into a ceiling recess for a seamless look. Or create a pocket to hide those fixings if there are multiple layers of drapery. For convenience, add in smart home controls to allow automated functionality. In terms of the aesthetics, our top looks are as follows…
Sheers & Curtains in Modern, Contemporary Window Treatments
Sheers, Curtains or a combination of both. For a softer look, opt for floor-to-ceiling drapery. Use lightweight, sheer fabrics for a breezy feel in open-plan spaces. These can offer a hint of privacy and shade protection whilst softening the aesthetic of the space.
Alternatively double up with sheers and heavier curtain fabrics for added insulation and privacy. This is particularly beneficial in contemporary/modern homes with bedrooms, cinema rooms and living spaces that have expansive glass windows.
Integrated Shading Systems for the Contemporary home
Integrated Shading systems offer a smart, fuss free solution. Blinds can be hidden within the glass pane, or when outside of the window with side rails for stability. Often seen with Velux Windows, Orangeries and Skylights they can appear to come from out of nowhere. It is particularly important to introduce these at the fruition of an interior design project to allow for smart home automation for ease of functionality and convenience.
How to dress windows with Roller or Roman Blinds at home
Roller and Roman Blinds can always be introduced at the later stage in an Interior Design project. They are simple, unobtrusive and practical. Consider blackout fabrics for rooms where you need complete light control.
Roller and Roman blinds can be fitted directly onto the door panels or they can be hidden within pelmets of ceiling coffers. Available in various fabrics and colours they are the Interior Designers go-to choice to complement any scheme.
The beautiful image above shows a combination of hidden integrated roller blinds and roman blinds on the windows below. Allowing full coverage of a luxury Orangery aside a kitchen space.
Shutters in Modern Homes
Blurring the lines between modern and traditional we present to you to shutter. In the right setting we feel they can add a very contemporary feel, although a very traditional solution to airflow and shading, the shutter has evolved offering a practical solution where fabric doesn’t work quite as well. For example, bathrooms, kitchens or even pool houses!
Our advice for a modern home is to embrace the shutters with minimal detailing and little to no visible hardware.
A practical Skylight blind in a Contemporary setting
When it comes to contemporary and modern homes, window treatments are an essential design element. Whether you're working with bi-fold doors, Velux windows, or expansive glazed spaces, there are numerous stylish and functional options to consider. By selecting the right window dressings, you can enhance your home’s aesthetics, improve energy efficiency, and create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Embrace the versatility and beauty of modern window treatments to elevate your living space to new heights.
Comments