Design Principles:
The principles that shape exceptional window treatments
Exceptional window treatments are the result of good decisions made in the right order. Before considering fabrics, hardware or operating systems, it is important to understand the architecture, the light and the purpose of the space. The principles explored in this section provide the foundation for every window treatment that follows, regardless of style or product.
They begin with architecture.
Architecture Establishes the Brief
Choosing window treatments should never begin with fabric books or product catalogues. It should begin with understanding the architecture of the space and the way it will be lived in.
Every space presents its own opportunities and constraints. Orientation determines the quality, intensity and duration of natural daylight. The scale and position of the glazing influence views and the connection to the outside. Ceiling heights influence proportion, while surrounding buildings affect privacy. Equally important is the way the space will be lived in. The role of the window treatment is not to dominate the architecture, but to complement it and enhance the way the space is experienced.
A south-facing living room may require effective glare control during the afternoon while preserving uninterrupted views towards the garden. A bedroom presents a different set of priorities, where privacy and darkness become equally important. A home spa may benefit from softly diffused daylight and moisture-resistant materials, while a listed property often demands careful consideration of its original architectural features.
Although each space requires a different response, the starting point remains the same.
The architecture establishes the brief; the window treatment responds.
Rather than asking,
“Should this room have blinds or curtains?”
a more valuable question is:
“What should this room feel like throughout the day?”
Orientation
The orientation of a building determines how natural light enters a room throughout the day. Before considering fabrics or systems, it is important to understand the quality, intensity and duration of sunlight each window receives.
A south-facing living room may require greater control of glare and solar heat gain, while a north-facing room often benefits from softer, more consistent daylight. West-facing windows can experience intense afternoon sun, whereas east-facing rooms enjoy gentle morning light.
Understanding how sunlight moves around a building allows window treatments to respond to the architecture rather than simply covering the window.