Bathroom Window Treatments
Every bathroom is different, special, and unique to the homeowner. Because of this, a variety of features will directly influence what specific types of bathroom window treatments you may choose. Some leave the windows bare, while others will go the extra mile to produce elaborate decorative touches. The bottom line is that whatever you decide for your window treatment will also directly reflect on the final visual appeal of your bathroom.
Happen to live out in the country, and your bathroom window overlooks a picturesque view instead of a nosy neighbor that could be peeking in on you. You might just leave it alone and not interrupt a picture-perfect view you could enjoy while taking a long bath. However, if you live in a subdivision or have “back-door” neighbors whose windows peer into your bathroom, privacy could become a very important issue. Maybe not something so elaborates, just something nice and clean that does the job.
Maybe you’re the type that’s looking for that escape and just being able to drown yourself out from the outside world completely. Or just looking for something nice to enhance the surroundings and bring its elements into the room. Whichever it is, hopefully, this little bathroom windows treatments guide will frame out what’s possible in your room.
Keys To Bathroom Window Treatments
Environmental: Ok, let’s be realistic here. Most people don’t take cold showers every day. They like to kick back, relax and unwind in a hot bath or shower. The problem is this tends to make your bathroom the most humid place in your home. Due to this, you have to be careful with the materials you use as your window treatment.
You need something durable and won’t mildew too badly. If you dream of using wood blinds, just keep in mind that they could warp due to the humidity and might not be a very good choice. Plus, some fabrics will mildew with the moisture collection. A good alternative is using faux products like synthetic wood shutters and blinds.
Situational: Adding to the operational woes, bathroom windows are mostly situated directly over the bathtub for their elegant perspective. This does limit you some while selecting an appropriate treatment. Not only do you want it to look good, but remember that this is probably your only natural lighting source for your bathroom. Make sure that whatever you choose is functional and easy to work with. Some good draw blinds or pull curtains might be a solution.
Style: Just because you might have some environmental and situational issues, you don’t necessarily have to skimp on your style. Be creative, add a mid-window sheer, or top it off with a good valance. You could even use mildew-resistant curtains or sheers and drape them over a curtain rod you install above the window, so they flow down.
Add an extra touch of style and class with the ability to tie them back, making them visually appealing. Use a different complementing color as your ties. Don’t get stuck on one color or use the generic white mini-blinds. Dress it up, and let them complement each other.
Privacy: Privacy is important, but not to the point that it drowns out all the natural light flowing thru the window. Of course, nobody wants a peeper glaring at you in your birthday suit when you are trying to get clean and unwind after a long day. Maybe you don’t want all the bells and whistles with blinds, shades, and curtains.
Maybe you want to keep it simple. You could get a privacy glass window installed. It’ll still let in all that nice sunshine. You might even opt for an excellent stained glass window. These will shine in all those nice colors and can sometimes set a mood. Whatever it is, ensure you are comfortable getting undressed and hopping in the tub.
Your bathroom should be unique, like yours, including your bathroom window treatments. They should address the 4 issues laid out above and complement the whole decor of your special place where you might finally get some much-needed alone time.
To Drape Or Not To Drape
Well, that is the question most homeowners face when looking at a bathroom window. Should I put curtains up or not? You all see those nice pictures of the perfect bathrooms in almost all home improvement magazines. Huge glass windows are draped with flowing curtains that seem to fall to the flower. Perfect touches of complementing color that makes you say, “I want that!”. Well, not every bathroom is suited for curtains. Here are a few tidbits you can use as a general rule of thumb to see if bathroom curtains are right for your window.
Mostly, people with curtains in their bathrooms generally have larger than average bathrooms and typically have additional furnishings like a sitting/changing area. Adequate space is required to pull off this look. You need this space, especially wall space, to let the curtains flow.
Not only that, you have to remember that curtains don’t work like other bathroom window treatments in that they are not retractable. Blinds you can pull up and out of the way. Roller shades can retract into their nice little round shape. Curtains will always be there. Sure, they can be secured back to open the window, but you’ll need the wall space to make that happen.
There are some advantages of using curtains, though. For one, they are pretty easy to install, and just about anyone can do it. Simply mount the curtain rod just above the window and thread the curtain through it, and you’re done. You can make your own to have the decor of your dreams. It’s not hard to go and get the right fabric color and patterns you absolutely want for your bathroom.
Bathroom Window Blinds
I know, shocker, but it’s true. I’m a real sucker for the hardwood look and a big fan of faux. It adds a distinguishing factor and elegant form to almost any room. And if you have hardwood flooring or some other form of natural wood throughout your home, you may want your bathroom window blinds to match perfectly and might be thinking about using wood blinds. Well, unfortunately, wood in a humid bathroom can sometimes spell disaster as they tend to warp. That’s why I’m a big fan of faux wood window blinds for this little area of your home.
The Advantages of Faux Wood Blinds
With faux blinds, you get the beauty of a real wood look and the appeal and durability of vinyl or plastic blinds. They are just as easy to maintain and clean as well. Not only that, they won’t warp like a natural wood blind will due to the moisture and humidity that a bathroom can produce and are much more resilient to the impact of exposure to the sun than typical natural wood blinds.
They don’t cost near the amount that wood blinds do, and it’s very hard, if not impossible, to tell them apart. They come in many colors, have the same hardware as most blinds, and can be custom-built to exact window specifications. These blinds are perfect for your bathroom and virtually every room in your home.