You have an open concept floor plan and the open areas and the adjoining rooms have different functions. Because of those different functions, you may be wondering if your window treatments all have to match or if you can choose different treatments for different areas based on the function of the room.

You might be afraid that going super “matchy-matchy” could mean that you have to select one window treatment based on the most important room function and put it throughout your home. But we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to have the same exact window treatment throughout your home. 

But just how much difference can you have throughout your home before it starts to look like a mismatched nightmare? 

Here are some tips to help you select the right window treatments for your open concept home.

1 | Focus on Creating a Coherent Look

First and most importantly, your goal is to create a coherent look. In other words, you want a unified look between individual areas. This doesn’t mean you have to get the same window treatment in the exact same color for every room. However, it does mean picking one consistent element to stick with throughout the different areas of your open floor plan home. By picking that one consistent design element, you can select different window treatments from room to room. 

Here are the different design elements you can select from to keep consistent throughout your home:

• The Texture: Similar textures give your window treatment consistent character and that one treatment won’t feel out of place. For example, you could have different woven shades throughout your home, made of different natural materials or have slight variations in color. Another example is using linen on all your shades, allowing you to select different colors or patterns for different areas.
• The Type: Another option is to use the same window treatment throughout your home, which can have a calming effect while still allowing you to use different colors in your color scheme. This allows each room to be distinct while still each having its own character. One example would be to have roman shades throughout your home. 
• The Color: The two options above both allow for variety in color, however, if you want to play with different textures or different types of coverings, opt to keep the same color of window treatment throughout your home. This will create a cohesive look while still allowing you to choose different functionalities for different rooms. 

2 | Color? Keep it Timeless

We’ve mentioned color a few times here. Decorating an open concept home, including selecting the right window treatments, can be tricky. One tip to help you with not only selecting the right window covering for the open areas of your home, but the rest of the interior design elements as well, is to keep your color palette timeless. 

What does a timeless color palette look like? Think of it this way–you should be able to change the accent pieces in your home without having it directly clash with your window treatment. You don’t want to have to change your window treatment anytime you decide to update your rug or change out the throw pillows. So the easiest thing to do is select a color scheme that allows for change. 

These color schemes are often neutrals, such as whites, creams, grays, or blacks. By having a neutral backdrop on your windows, you can easily switch out your rug anytime it needs to be replaced. 

What does this mean for the three design elements you can select from to focus on? If you’ve chosen color already, then great! If you select to play with color by focusing on the type of window treatment or the texture, you can still play with color. Try different neutrals in different rooms–like a bedroom, while keeping the same neutral in the open areas of your home. 

3 | When Should Treatments Match?

If you opt to play with texture or type, there is one time when you want your window treatments to match. That is when the windows are right next to each other, especially if they are on the same wall. Windows of the same size should also have similar treatments when near one another. However, if they are in a different room, you can get away with a different yet similar treatment that follows your element of focus. 

A standalone window is the perfect opportunity to add a different window treatment into the mix. This is because it isn’t directly corresponding with a matching window. 

Get Expert Advice

Elevated Views’ design experts are here to help you create a coherent and harmonious look to your windows in an open floor plan home! Their attention to detail, along with understanding your needs and budget, can help you create the right look for your needs no matter the openness of your floor plan. Schedule a free in-home consultation and quote today and our design experts will bring the showroom to you!