Latest Fabric Window Treatment Ideas

Drapes are fine but they are not as useful and contemporary as a window blind or shade.  Many people want the look and warmth of fabric with the operation and flexibility of a window shade.  Drapes are either open or closed with little in between, not the most useful for light control.  Whereas the various fabric window shades available offer a much wider range of decorating and light control options.  

So, if you want fabric, here are some window treatments you should consider: roman shades, roller shades and panel track blinds.  The first two are window shades, i.e. they roll or fold up.  Not to be confused with window blinds which have slats or vanes, e.g. mini blinds or vertical blinds.   Panel track blinds are kind of in a class by themselves.  The closest comparison would be to vertical blinds, but vertical blinds typically have vinyl slats or vanes.  Panel tracks have larger vertical vanes usually made from fabric or some kind of solar shade material.  They operate on a wheeled track system. 

If you are looking for the greatest variety of fabric options, roman shades, which are also known as fabric shades, are probably your best bet.  Roman shades come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics from silk, linen, suede and weaves combining natural materials like grasses, reeds and more.  Roman shades also offer features from insulated, to room darkening and blackout, to light filtering and sheer.

Roller shades offer slightly fewer fabric choices but are a popular window treatments choice with their easy use, contemporary looks and versatility.  The fabric options for roller shades tend to be more man-made materials but which closely approximate natural fabrics.  What is probably best about roller shades is their easy operation and broad choice of light control options, from sheer to blackout.

Next up are panel track blinds.  What you should first know about panel tracks is that they are expensive.  That said, they are one of the coolest new window treatments available today.  Panel tracks are an excellent alternative to vertical blinds and work well for all large windows; they can also be used as a unique room divider.  The large vanes come in almost nothing but fabrics, such as weaves, woven woods, patterns, solid colors and even solar shade materials; choices enough to compliment almost any décor.  They also come in a variety of light control options from sheer to room darkening.  That said, if you are looking for near blackout light control, panel tracks are not for you.  But, if you want the latest, contemporary window treatment for your oversized windows or sliding glass doors, or as a cool room divider, you should check out panel tracks. 

If you really want to go all out with the fabric window treatment theme, layering a roman shade or roller shade with curtains can work too.  This layering will give your room a rich, warm and elegant look, as well as potentially some nice contrasting colors.  I don’t think this option would work well with panel tracks.  Happy decorating.

Bottom line is if you are looking for fabric window treatments ideas beyond window curtains there are a few window shades that are a nice alternative.  – David Brooks