By Kassra Kassraie, Owner of Covering Windows
Congratulations on your new home! Now comes the enjoyable part: making it feel like yours.
Window treatments can make a wonderful difference. They soften a room, give you privacy, manage sunlight, and complement the furnishings you love. But with so many products, fabrics, colors, and controls available, knowing where to begin can take a little guidance.
After years of helping homeowners, my advice is simple: think about how you want to live in each room before deciding what to put on its windows.
You have three main ways to approach the project. Let’s explore them together.
Do it yourself: a rewarding project with some homework
If you enjoy decorating and hands-on projects, choosing and installing your own window treatments can be satisfying. Give yourself time to learn, and start with the supplier.
You will find familiar brand names alongside private-label products. Either may offer a suitable choice, but compare more than the price. Look at the supplier’s reputation, product construction, warranty, and willingness to help after the sale. Before ordering, ask what happens if a product arrives incorrectly—or if you make a mistake.
Then imagine the treatments in your home:
- Will the colors and textures work with your walls, furniture, and flooring?
- Does the bedroom need room darkening while the living room needs filtered daylight?
- Should the room feel relaxed, formal, traditional, or contemporary?
- How will neighboring windows look together, both inside and from the street?
Child safety and suitability for pets deserve attention from the start. Choose designs that avoid accessible dangling cords, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, and consider what curious children or pets might reach. Delicate fabrics and accessible components may not suit every household.
Also think about how you will operate each treatment. Manual operation may be just right for an easily reached window. Motorization can be helpful for tall windows, large shades, or several treatments you want to adjust together. Depending on the system, you may choose a remote, wall control, app, or a combination.
Finally, double-check your measurements and order details.
I remember a customer who accidentally reversed the width and length when ordering. One small oversight resulted in 14 shades in the wrong sizes, and they had to start again.
I share that experience because a few extra minutes of checking can save considerable expense and disappointment. Confirm the mounting requirements and return or remake policy before placing your order.
With thoughtful selections and careful installation, DIY can give you a result you are proud of.
Big-box stores: understand what comes with the price
A big-box store can be a convenient option, particularly if you already know what you want. Depending on the store and product, measuring and installation services may also be available.
Ask who will guide your selections, take responsibility for measurements, install the products, and help resolve any problems. Measuring and installation are valuable services, but they serve a different purpose from design advice.
My own recent big-box experience involved a kitchen renovation, rather than window treatments. I spent more than 20 hours on the phone resolving issues. Incorrect sizes on more than three occasions contributed to delays, and the project was postponed by approximately three months.
Of course, one experience does not represent every store or project. It simply reminded me to include my time and the work of coordinating corrections when comparing prices.
For a straightforward purchase, this route may work well. Understanding the complete service beforehand helps you make a confident decision.
A local specialist: a little guidance can bring everything together
If you would enjoy having someone help you sort through the choices, a local blind and drapery specialist may be a good fit.
At Covering Windows, our free in-home consultation with an expert designer starts with a conversation. I want to know what you like, how you use your rooms, and what you hope to achieve.
Perhaps you want morning light in the kitchen, more privacy in the family room, or a bedroom that feels restful. Perhaps you have a favorite rug or painting you would love the room to work around. Those details help us recommend selections that feel personal to you.
For draperies, we consider fabric, color, pattern, fullness, length, and hardware together. The finished treatment should suit the room’s character, whether casual, formal, modern, contemporary, or traditional.
One of the greatest benefits of custom window treatments is coordination. That does not mean every window must look alike. Your rooms can have individual personalities while sharing colors, textures, or a consistent appearance from outside.
The goal is a home that feels comfortably connected—and unmistakably yours.
Make everyday operation easy for everyone
A beautiful shade should also be a pleasure to use. Choosing the right control can be just as important as choosing the product itself.
You may prefer the simplicity of manual operation or a remote. You may enjoy adjusting several shades together or using an app to manage compatible treatments. Motorization does not mean you have to operate everything through your phone.
We help you choose controls that suit your household. Where supported by the selected system, we program individual shades and room groups, set preferred positions, and help create schedules that fit your routine.
Then we walk family members through the controls and provide clear instructions. For app-controlled systems, we use recognizable shade names and groups so everyone can find what they need.
The aim is for using your window treatments to feel easy from the first day.
Finish with careful installation
Thoughtful design comes to life through proper installation. We want the treatments to look as though they belong in your home, with careful attention to fit, alignment, operation, and finishing details.
Covering Windows uses experienced in-house installers, directly supervised by a decorator or the owner. We review the finished work with you, explain its operation, and work toward your complete satisfaction.
My favorite outcome is seeing a homeowner look around the room and smile. That is when all those individual decisions become something they can enjoy every day.
Enjoy making your new home your own
Whether you choose DIY, a big-box store, or a local specialist, I hope this guide helps you feel more comfortable with your options. You do not need to learn everything at once. Start with your needs, ask questions, and give yourself room to explore.
If you would like a helping hand, Covering Windows offers custom blinds, shades, draperies, motorized window treatments, and professional measuring and installation throughout Northern Virginia and the DC metro area.
We serve homeowners in Ashburn, Leesburg, Sterling, Aldie, Brambleton, Purcellville, Herndon, Reston, Chantilly, Fairfax, Vienna, Oakton, Great Falls, and McLean. Our free in-home expert design consultation gives you an opportunity to see possibilities in your own rooms and understand what will work with your style and budget.
Give Covering Windows a call, or visit coveringwindows.com to arrange your consultation. Bring your ideas and questions—we would be happy to help you turn them into choices you feel good about.
And if someone you know is moving or thinking about buying a home, please share this article with them. A little useful advice at the right time can make settling into a new home easier—and much more enjoyable.
