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Windows Home Decorating Design Dilemma

window treatment for the formal living room

6 months ago

We are considering the different window treatment options for our formal living room. This room has northern exposure and we don’t really use this room too much. Most of the family activities actually take place in our family room which is right next to the kitchen and has a fire place. We are actually thinking of eventually convert this living room into a home office by adding some French doors.

This room has 1 big window and 2 small windows. I like the look of shutters but I think they might not be suitable for a room that don’t get a lot of natural sun light. I was initially thinking of drapes that go from ceiling to floor, but I don’t know if they will look good on the 2 small narrow windows.

Is it a bad idea to have shutters or blinds on the two small windows and drapes on the big window? Is it going to be weird to mix and match like that?

Thank you for all the advice.

Featured Answer

PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

6 months ago

Usually, the style of your room would influence the selection of window treatments. Don't put the cart before the horse.

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Comments (9)

PRO
JAN MOYER
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
" Formal" in what way may I ask?

I see no furnishings at all, other than whatever is lined up on walls that can't really be seen in your picture. Window treatments are best derived from a flavor .... a feeling in a room. Privacy and light can be separated from the decorative, especially if you want panels.

What will be that flavor?

First, decide a purpose for a space you clearly are not yet even using. Adult space? Quiet space? Music? Office/library ? You can add french doors at ANY time...

Go find some inspo pics of rooms you love. Be that library, just adult space w/no tv.....etc

Make a plan for the space that includes the desk or the seating, a rug and to do that? You need to draw and measure your space, or there will be errors in size of anything. Don't buy in guesswork mode.

Post a drawing with all the dimensions!

Window treatments are best chosen when you have an extremely good idea what the room will look like and the space has a purpose: )

Neither are in place yet.
Imma S
Original Author
6 months ago
Well we just moved in so have not furnished the room yet. They just call it formal living room but we will most likely use this room as a play room or home office. We need to have some kind of curtains/shades now for privacy reasons as the room faces the street.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 months ago
I think drapes on the big window and matching fabric for roman blinds on the small ones. I just read not a formal LR at all so I would just do roman shades everywhere and since eventually those larger windows will become french doors IMO a ba idea if this space faces the street .
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
6 months ago
From what you are saying, I am hearing that both the current and future use for this room are unknown at this time. Perhaps a play room now. A playroom is not conducive to drapes.

I also hear you saying you need privacy.

I would not add some sort of shades for privacy and leave it at that for now. You can always add decorative drapes later, if you want them.
Lyn Nielson
6 months ago
layering on any and all windows is a positive.

top down/bottom up blinds are great for privacy and light. Blinds.com

Sheer drapery panels with a rod at the ceiling is a great choice for Northern exposure to help difuse light without blocking it out. on rod with rings (drapery wand) for easy open/close. if it will start out as a kids play space, start with blinds, add the panels when you transition to an office. congratulations on the move.
PRO
SunCoast Blinds
6 months ago
You could do shutters on the small windows and drapes on the large window. What is holding you back from putting shutters on all windows and complementing it with a softer touch of side panels? It looks great, you just want to make sure that the panels are not in the window making them look smaller, but instead on the wall - just slightly touching the window to make them look larger.

I think a 4 1/2" louver, with mid rails where your window lock is, would look fabulous. The larger louvers allow you to bring in a lot of light but also make it dark with fewer gaps if you close them up. There are so many design options for shutters. I think it would add a beautiful touch to the room.
PRO
Everything Home
3 months ago
So since you want the room to be a playroom or home office, the window treatments you'd get would go with whatever funishings you'd have in the room. We might suggest figuring out what the room will be used for and the furniture that will be used before purchasing anything. Here are some of the home offices we have done for our clients:
European Country Flair · More Info

Posh Home Remodel · More Info

Aberdeen Living · More Info

Luxe Living in Zionsville · More Info

Stableside: Home Office · More Info
PRO
Kimberlee Marie Interiors
2 months ago
Since the space will either be a playroom or an office, it might be a good ideas to decide on that first. Below are some home office and playroom ides with window treatments options to look into.
Clyde Hill Home · More Info

Clyde Hill Home · More Info

Lakemont Luxury · More Info

Ravensdale New Build · More Info

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