Choosing Window Treatments in Washington DC for a Contemporary Room

When your home’s style is contemporary, you want your window treatments to be that same style as well. So we spoke with Room Resolutions’ principal designer, Jane Cunningham, to better understand how customers should choose the right window treatments for contemporary rooms in Washington DC.

Contemporary design includes a range of styles which are inspired by the second half of the 20th century. It features softer, cleaner lines. Jane has found that contemporary doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. The majority of the time, homeowners are looking to open up the room. She’s heard statements like, “I don’t need an ottoman by every chair.” Or “I don’t have to have 15 items on the counter of my house.”

Contemporary rooms “give you the freedom to move.” Even if you live in a small condo, you can bring the outside inby opening up your view of the sky, the rain, and the sun in Washington DC.

The first step is to unclutter the windows. Your grandparents’ house had windows with many layers. There were shades on top of valances, shutters, draperies, and sheers. It’s often claustrophobic. Let go of layers. By picking window treatments that offer clean lines, you can have the contemporary look you want.

Contemporary Window Treatment Options In Washington DC:

Shutters For Contemporary Homes

Plantation shutters are perfect for contemporary homes in Washington DC. Their wide 4.5” louvers go with a contemporary style. When you combine their wide louvers with a rear mount tilt rod, your shutters create crisp lines across the window.

Shutters give you light control. You can open the panels to the side and see through your entire window. Another option is to mount divided shutters where the light streams in through the top.

They’re easy to clean, which is especially helpful if the space gets dusty easily. Contemporary décor shines best when everything is clean and polished.

Cunningham recommends Polywood shutters to homeowners who are searching for window treatments for contemporary rooms. She recommends them because they don’t change color and they won’t warp over time.

A trend that Cunningham has noticed is that more contemporary spaces have reclaimed wood shutters. They have a touch of nostalgia. They highlight the restorative use of hardware. They complement hardwood flooring to tie in all the décor in the room. Reclaimed wood shutters allow you to find a new way to incorporate an element from the past. And the new application of reclaimed wood as shutters goes right along with the contemporary style.

Modern Barn Doors

Barn doors are a full scale masterpiece on the wall. Choose as bold of a color as you like. You can get the restorative look. You can make it look just like a traditional barn door. And you can give it a contemporary look that matches the hotel you just visited.

Modern barn doors become room separators in spaces that traditionally don’t have full doors. An example would be when you want to close off your kitchen but not all the time.

Barn doors as window treatments are perfect for large windows with adequate wall space. Shaker doors have an open feel that is reminiscent of a more contemporary style. The hardware you decide on makes a large difference. Choose stainless steel for a more contemporary look. Or choose paint in a bold color. If you had a room that was decorated primarily in shades of white, a bright red barn door stands out against the wall and adds to the space.

“Barn doors add a conversation piece. The next gathering you have, I guarantee someone is going to have a comment. That’s because people aren’t expecting a barn door on a window.” - Jane Cunningham

Cunningham knows from years of experience that our homes are part of who we are as well as an experience our guests can share with us. And a barn door is part of that experience - and something your guests will be talking about.

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a great window treatment for contemporary rooms which have big windows and doors that can be folded into themselves. They’re neatly tucked away, yet allow you to bring in the outside view.

If you like to sleep in total darkness so you can have a restful night’s sleep, roller shades can come with room darkening options. And if you need acoustical help to reduce unwanted noise, pair them with draperies which you can hide by tying on the sides of the windows.

Window Film

Most contemporary rooms in the Washington DC area feature large windows that are 25-30 feet in height. And when they face west, the sun wear down the items inside.

Jane likes to suggest window film to anyone with large windows. It provides you with an unhampered view of the outdoors, which is perfect for a contemporary room.

The film blocks the sun’s UV rays, which helps your carpeting and furniture retain their color longer. Window film also helps your home save energy.

Find Contemporary Window Treatments For Your Washington DC Home

Call us at 240-339-2588 to schedule your free in-home design consultation. Our experts come to your home and show you samples of the contemporary window treatments you’re interested in and their options. So you can choose the window treatment that goes with your rooms!

To learn more about Jane Cunningham and Room Resolutions, browse through RoomResolutions.com today.