When it comes to selecting window treatments for our clients, the answer is always custom-made. Window treatment fabrics and styles are decided as we are designing the entire room to ensure it fits perfect. The choice to add or not add a window treatment in a home is more important than you think. They don’t just control light. They influence scale, proportion, privacy, and the overall feeling of a space. Today, we are talking how and why we choose certain styles for our clients, their function, and how it impacts the space.

Start With Function + Flow

Before choosing fabrics or styles, we step back and ask one simple question: what role should window treatments play in this space…or should they be there at all? We consider:

Light & privacy: Does this room need soft, filtered light, or blackout?
Acoustics: Will treatments help absorb sound in a larger space?
Exclusion: Would the room actually feel more elevated without them? Is privacy even a concern here?
Function: How is the window or door used day to day? Will treatments be opened and closed often? Is automation the right solution?

Every decision starts with purpose. Window treatments should support how the home is lived in, not just decorate it.

My Favorite Styles

I’m very intentional about choosing styles that will stand the test of time…especially when it comes to window treatments. These are the classic, tried-and-true options I return to again and again across my projects.

Roman Shades

Roman shades are a go-to for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. They’re an easy way to introduce color, texture, or pattern while still keeping the space feeling clean and tailored.

Below are the two styles I use most often: relaxed and flat.

Relaxed feels softer and more casual.
Flat is a bit more structured and formal.

Both work beautifully. The choice depends on the space and the client.

You’ll also notice these are mounted inside the window frame rather than outside. This allows the trim and architectural details to remain visible, which is always a priority in our designs. However, if you do not have window trim, I suggest an outside mount.

For the most luxurious upgrade, we suggest automated roman shades—especially in homes with many windows. Being able to open everything at once changes how the space is experienced.

Drapery Panels

We most often use drapery panels in living areas, dining rooms, and bedrooms. These are one of the most impactful elements in a space, so we’re very intentional about how they’re designed.

We like to use a 2-finger French pleat. It strikes the right balance, tailored and polished without feeling overly formal. A 3-finger pleat tends to read more traditional, which isn’t our preferred style.

For hardware, we keep it simple and timeless:

Traverse rods: Our preference for very tall or wide windows. They make opening and closing effortless.
Rings: Add subtle texture and an extra layer of visual interest while still feeling clean and elevated.

From there, we decide how the panels should function:

Functional panels: Designed to open and close regularly.
Stationary panels: Ideal for windows that don’t need daily use. We still do double-width so they stack beautifully and maintain a full, high-end look.

Every detail, from pleat to hardware to function, is chosen to ensure the drapery feels intentional, refined, and never like an afterthought.

Café Curtains

Another favorite in kitchens, laundry rooms, and even bathrooms is the café curtain. It’s an easy way to add charm to contemporary spaces without making them feel busy or overly styled.

Café curtains look especially beautiful on windows or used in place of a cabinet door. They introduce texture, color, or pattern in a way that feels light and considered. Perfect for spaces where you want a little bit of privacy but still want light coming in.

Below are a few of my favorite ways to use them.

The Importance of Custom

In a high-end home, custom window treatments aren’t optional, they’re essential. Off-the-shelf options rarely achieve the right scale, proportion, or level of quality needed to truly elevate a space.

Custom window treatments allow us to:

Size each treatment precisely for its window or door
Select materials alongside the rest of the design, not after the fact
Prioritize durability and long-term performance
Choose blackout or light-filtering linings not just for function, but to enhance the richness of the fabric
Achieve a polished, fully considered result

Below is a fabric curation for an upcoming project. We review window treatment fabrics alongside sofas, rugs, and pillows so every material works together. This approach ensures the finished space feels cohesive and intentional and never like window treatments were an afterthought.

Takeaway

Window treatments may feel like a small detail, but they are one of the final layers that make a home feel complete. Thoughtful design, custom details, and refined styles ensure every window contributes to a home that is cohesive, sophisticated, and entirely tailored to the client.

Selecting Window Treatments for High-End Homes