A simple checklist on how to choose the right curtains, shades, or blinds for your space
If I had a dollar for every time I walked into a customer’s house and said, “I wish I had done something different with the windows”…
It happens all the time.
Not because people make bad decisions.
Because they make decisions before they know what they need.
By the time they realize they want more privacy, softer lighting, or better sleep, they’re already living with something that isn’t working properly.
And window coverings are not something you can redo carelessly.
It’s one of those decisions you hear every day.
A quick note where I’m from
I am not an interior designer.
But before I started my editing business, I spent ten years designing film sets. I have a master’s degree in design, and I have spent years thinking about how space reads, how it works, and how it makes people feel.
Now, through editing, I see another side of you.
People think the problem is clutter. And sometimes it is. But often, the environment itself works against them.
The light is very harsh.
There is no privacy.
The room is never static.
And window coverings are one of the most overlooked pieces of that.
I’ve gone into homes and suggested that we take something down completely because it didn’t support how the space was meant to feel.
Start here instead
Before you look at blinds, curtains, or shades, pause.
Ask yourself:
What do I really want this space to feel like?
Not how you want it to look.
How do you want it? live in it?
Calm down
It’s soft
What is confidential
Relaxation
Open it up
Because once you have that answer, everything else becomes much easier to navigate.
A quick real life example
I just moved into a studio apartment in Studio City surrounded by trees, which I love.
At the same time, there is a traffic lane in front, so I needed privacy.
I didn’t want to block everything and feel like I was working inside a tunnel.
There are five windows in the small entrance, so light defines the entire space.
I ended up using light curtains on three of the windows to soften things up and create privacy without losing that connection to the outdoors. Elsewhere, I chose a shade that goes from top to bottom so I can still see the trees during the day and close it off more at night.
Nothing about those choices was random.
Everything went back to how I wanted to feel when I was in it.
Ask these questions before buying curtains, blinds or curtains
If you’re trying to figure out what window coverings to get, this is where I’d start:
- How do I want this room to feel during the day?
Bright and energizing or soft and calm? - When do I actually use this space?
The morning light and afternoon glare are completely different experiences. - Do I want complete privacy or just a little separation?
- Do I need this room to be dark at night?
If so, blackout is more important than you think. - Am I trying to simplify the look of the room?
One good solution can replace many layers. - How do I react to light?
Some people are well aware of it. Some people feel instantly refreshed. - Is this room too hot or too cold?
Window coverings can help more than you expect. - Do I want to see outside during the day?
Or do I actually want to shut things down? - Do I care about materials or sustainability?
- Will this make my life easier every day?
If you can answer these, you’ll make a much better decision than just picking something that looks good online.
Where this actually matters
Window coverings are one of those things that are easy to overlook.
But they control light, privacy, and how comfortable the space feels.
When they are right, you don’t think about them.
When they’re wrong, you always feel it.
If you’re exploring options, here’s a helpful breakdown of how blackout curtains work and when they make sense.
And if you want to see a range of options according to your needs, Ecoline blinds for windows are an excellent resource.
The way I think
You don’t just choose window coverings.
You choose how your space supports you.
How do you wake up?
How do you run out of breath
How private or open do you feel?
The way the light goes in your day
That’s why it’s important to slow down for a minute and ask the right questions first.
Because once you do, the right choice is often pretty obvious.
To find out more about how we can do it I helped you at homecheck out our menu of full services or Why Investing in Home Planning is Just as Important as the Home Itself.