A window treatment shade in its basic terms is a spring cord pulley system that allows you to raise and lower a window covering shade. There are a wide variety of different types that you can choose from like roller shades to cellular shades to natural shades like bamboo or other natural fibers. With so many different styles and combinations you might have to do a little research on your options and know what your specific needs are for a window shade. The first to start with is how much light control and home privacy are you trying to achieve, decide whether you're trying to control nighttime privacy or daylight heat and glare or maybe you need a combination of the two. To have the best of both worlds you can start with a light filtering shade for protection against the sun and in the evening you could add curtains or some draperies that will give you the privacy. Two shade options like pleated shades and roller shades can give you the option of being installed from bottom up giving you privacy during the day and allow the sun to shine through the top. If your window shade is going to be used quite often then you should make sure you have a pulley or operating system that is easy to use.

Discover a shade style that works for you

You can find a numerous amount of shade styles and colors from window covering manufacturers. These window shades start from being a very distinctive character style and then you will find some that can blend in perfectly depending on the trimming or the fabric of the window shade treatment. An example: an appearance of a contemporary look would be with the use of a pleated shade or either as cellular shade, reason for this is because of the fabric that is gathered on the bottom of the shade. If you're trying to create a softer look and appeal you may consider the cloud or the balloon shade, remember that there is a big impact with colors on your window treatments. By using geo-metrics and solids you will create a new tailored look and style than if you were to choose to use florals and lace fabric for the window shade treatment.

Which mounting style will work for your window shade?

All shade styles can be designed to be mounted on the inside of the window frame or either the outside of the window frame. With this in mind you'll be able to decide on the overall appeal that you are trying to accomplish, depending if it's for decoration or you need a shade that is very practical. When you use the inside mounting shade a top window treatment should be used like a swag or a valance. If you would like more control on the window you could add a curtain or a heavier drapery to it. Another appeal of this style of window shade is it allows you to show off the workmanship of the window frame, or you might not have the space around the window for the outside hanging shade and operating mechanism. From the basic design appeal the shade that is on the inside will allow the frame to encompass your window treatment allowing you to have a more visual emphasis. Using the outside window shade you will get the complete opposite look and feel. This shade style works well if you are trying to conceal the frame of the window or even make it look bigger than it is. This shading option will also have the ability to camouflage an oversize window and allow you to have more of a decorative shade look and appeal to an otherwise boring window.

Add to your window shade with a hem design

If you are looking to add a personal touch to the window treatment then the hem is the easiest way to accomplish this. The hems on the shades can be very intricate to very basic and plain depending on your plans for the overall window design. The downside of this idea is that not all window shades will give you the opportunity to add a hem in the design. Example: Cellular shades and Pleated shades don't blend in and don't benefit from a hem in the design, Roller shades on the other hand work well with a hem and are usually a perfect canvas to start your window shade design. Hems have a few different types and styles that you can add like scalloped, notched, Geo metric or even a curved hem. Edge treatments like this can also copy a pattern or style that you may have somewhere else in your room.
Trims that are decorative are: lace edgings, cording, a fringe, ruffles, Rick rack or even ribbon. By using different styles of hems on your window you can really add some nice finishing touches to the window treatment. These hems work well with any cord mechanisms like cloud or Balloon shades or Austrian window shades. If your window shade incorporates a tie back such as used in the rollup shade than your best hem choice would be a plain one because an embellished one would hinder the shades operation.

Here are six main groups of window shades

Window shades will fall into six different groups. Light blocking ability will depend on the shades material it's made of. If you have a plain or lightweight window shade you can always add a liner to help control the light. Always make sure you choose the right window shade for your needs.

·Festoon shades: This style of shade will give you a more soft decorative feminine feel. Festoon shades are shade design to be stationary but you do have the option of making them operable or adjustable.

·Roman shades: Flat and very streamlined with horizontal plates that are 4 to 6 inches deep. Adding a liner to the Roman Shade works well or depending on the look and style you can stay with the single layer of fabric.

·Cellular shades: Looks like an accordion because of the pleated fabric layers. The layers are joined back to back giving you an air pocket between the fabric, which gives you great window insulation and good UV protection.

·Roller shades: Comes in a variety of different materials like plain fabric, vinyl, or textured to give more character. This spring operated shade is the basic and simplest which makes it a very attractive option.

·Pleated shades: Being made with folded fabric or paper, this shade will stack when pulled and tucked nicely under any window treatment like a curtain or drapery and be virtually invisible. Pleated shades have the option of a double cord system allowing you to lower from the top.

·Woven wood shades: This is a natural shade made with grasses, matchsticks, bamboo, Hemp or any material deemed natural. They are controlled with rollers or cords. Light control depends on the type of weave of the material.

Window shade planning

You may already know the type and style of window shade that you want and the finished design you are trying to accomplish. You may want to put it on hold and see more different types of shade ideas so that you can compare the different attributes of other window treatment styles. I hope by reading this that you have more ideas and ways you may not have thought of to plan and finish your window treatment.