If you’re building a new home or are renovating your current one, you’re probably spending a good deal of time considering options, with higher priority decisions, such as roof color and flooring, near the top of your to-do list.

One decision that most likely warrants bumping up a few notches, though, is planning for window treatments. While window treatments may seem like more of an accessory in space, they really are a major piece of any room’s design, becoming part of its architecture and helping to anchor it. Plus, they’re a must for adding privacy, blocking strong sun when it’s hot, retaining heat when it’s cold, and filtering daylight.

Ready to plan for new blinds or shades? Here’s how to get started.

Elevating Your View

To begin, think about styles, colors and fabrics, and how you want them to work with your home’s aesthetics. In addition to adding visual appeal, also consider the functionality of your window treatments, as that will influence your choices, too.

For example, do you want to relish the view outside your living room window, while still enjoying natural light in that space? If so, Silhouette^® Window Shadings are perfect. Their S-shaped fabric vanes elegantly float between two sheer panels, letting light filter into a space while also providing daytime privacy.

Maybe energy efficiency is a must? Duette^® Honeycomb Shades help your house stay snug when it’s cold and cool when temperatures heat up, thanks to their honeycomb construction, which provides a layer of insulation at the window.  (Duette shades are also available with LightLock™—a unique feature that blocks nearly all incoming light—perfect for bedrooms and sleeping tight.)

And don’t forget about any specialty shaped windows you might have, such as arches or skylights. You can benefit from blinds or shades there, as well, for blocking glare or creating privacy.

Covering Large Windows

Popular in newer homes, large windows usher in natural light, boosting a room’s ambiance and energy. But large windows can also welcome in heat and glare, depending on the time of the day and the season, making a room uncomfortable. Plus, over time, harsh UV rays can fade flooring and furniture.

That makes light filtering shade styles, such as Silhouette shadings, ideal for these designs. Not only do they filter light in a space, but they also provide UV protection.

Duette shades create beautiful light, too, making them another option for large windows.

If you have lots of large windows and prefer the look of sheer panels, consider Luminette^® Privacy Sheers. Like Silhouette shadings, these sheers beautifully filter light while providing privacy, as well as protect interiors from fading. They’re available in a wide variety of fabric and colors choices, making it easy to complement a room’s aesthetics.

Controlling Your Window Treatments

How you’re going to control your blinds or shades is something else you’ll need to decide on. You could control them manually—or, if you want added convenience (and a little “wow”), you could opt for automated control.

With the magic of automation, you can control blinds or shades from anywhere, home or away, via an app (when you're within your home you can also use a remote). In addition, you can schedule them to automatically adjust at set times of day on schedules you create.

Even better? Integrate your blinds or shades with other smart home systems and you’ll enjoy greater functionality—like controlling them with your voice or scheduling them so that they open or close as your smart thermostat raises or lowers the temperature.

Automated window treatments are available battery-powered or hardwired. (New construction or a major renovation is the perfect time to install hardwired window treatments. That’s because the installer can run the wire during the build—something that’s more challenging after the fact.)

Hunter Douglas offers both battery-powered (PowerView^® Automation) and hard-wired window treatments, so you can enjoy the beauty of natural light, when and where you want it—for an unparalleled experience.

Enjoying a Custom Fit

The best way to ensure your shades fit your large windows perfectly is by working with a window-treatment specialist. A specialist will meet with you to talk about the needs for your space and collaborate with you to select fabrics and colors.

A specialist will also take care of measuring and installation, ensuring a seamless fit.