Cottage Windows

Cottage windows are designed with large expanses and open so the beautiful scenery could easily be seen from inside the house and the breezes would waft through the home.

Since cottage style decor brings to mind the seaside, the rolling country, or a rustic cottage in the woods. Cottages are often found near the ocean or in countryside.

Cottage window treatments should allow ample light into the home as well as lending to the overall cottage style decor.

Simple is the key element to window treatments with this decorating style. Natural fibers are popular in cottage decorating. Although white sheers, valances, blinds, or curtains are the most popular for cottage style homes, colors and textures are always welcome.

Lace curtains are a hallmark of cottage window fashions and works well in the form of a valance, curtains, cafe curtains, or longer drapes.Faux wood blinds or plantation shutters are an excellent choice for your bungalow style windows. Faux wood blinds are available in white or natural wood tones and work well in a bathroom or kitchen since they don't react to moisture. Shutters work well in a living area or dining room. Wood slat blinds are a classic choice for a cottage den or sitting room.

Bamboo shades bring a natural element into the home and coordinate beautifully with sheers or tab top drapes. Cellular shades in light shades of white, cream, or neutrals are a great choice for energy efficiency and low maintenance. Roman shades with ribbons or buttons added bring classic cottage decorating to any room of the home.

Prints and floral cotton fabrics are lightweight and will allow light and breezes into the room while adding color and visual interest to the overall cottage decorating theme. Striped curtains look great in a living room or den. Cottage decorating is all about simplicity and a relaxing atmosphere. Flat sheets are easily sewn into valances or cafe curtains. Blue toile fabric works well for window treatments in a blue and white cottage color scheme. Vintage fabrics or barkcloth are excellent choices for covering your cottage windows as well.

There are several styles of fashions for windows that affectionately are associated with cottage style decorating: tab top curtains, cafe curtains, pinch pleats, draperies, curtain door panels and sidelights, roman shades, and sheer curtains. Buttons, rickrack, ribbon, lace, and other accents are reminiscent of using “what you have on hand” to make your house a home and work well with cottage window treatments.

Cottage style decorating is known for mixing the old with the new and repurposing items to make them fresh and new. Cottage curtains fit into that same ideal, but are sure to coordinate the color palette in the curtains to your paint color and to the other fabrics used in throw pillows, seat cushions, slipcovers, or table linens.

Window fashions should be simple, but also add beauty and texture to the room. If privacy is desired in a particular room, consider pairing your lightweight cotton sheers with a bamboo blind or roman shade. In the daylight hours, the shade is pulled up to the top of the window and the sheers can remain closed or be opened. In the evening, both the shade and the sheers are closed for privacy.

So keep in mind the ideas of simple, coordinating, light, and airy when you're considering window treatments for your cottage home and they'll turn out perfectly.

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