Blinds are the most popular window treatment thanks to their clean design and full light filtering capabilities. But we know that sometimes homeowners are looking for something a little different to make their house a home. Here are some of our other favorite window covering options that you should consider. Interior Shutters If you still want full light filtering capabilities but want something a little more upscale, interior shutters might be right for you. The slatted design provides the same functionality as blinds, but is mounted directly to your window frame. There are plenty of different options and customizations to choose from, giving you endless design opportunities. Their charm and curb appeal makes these window treatments very desirable, and home buyers are willing to pay more for them! So while interior shutters are the most expensive option, they are the only window treatment that actually adds value to your home, making them a great long-term investment in your home. Vertical Panels Another option for a slatted window treatment is vertical panels. These statement-making window coverings are an upscale version of vertical blinds. The wide panels slide back and forth on their casing and are a good option for large or oversized windows and modern tastes. Roman Shades If you want classic design and a softer window treatment, roman shades never go out of style! But these window coverings aren’t just for traditional style homes. Roman shades come in different pleat styles, from soft and voluminous, to a more structured pleat that is perfect for modern home designs. The near endless choices of fabric, colors, and patterns means there is something for everyone, whether you want soft and neutral, or bold and vibrant! Cellular Shades If you are looking for energy savings, look no further than cellular shades. Also known as honeycomb shades because of their pocketed design, cellular shades offer the most insulation and energy savings of any window covering. But don’t worry, these aren’t the same cellular shades your grandmother had. These more modern window treatments provide a sleek option in endless color options and multiple layers of pockets. Natural Shades Looking to bring a touch of the beauty of nature into your home? Natural shades are made of materials such as bamboo, rattan, or reed. They roll up into a neat little stack when open but when drawn, provide warmth and texture to your home. With a variety of materials, colors, and textures, nothing brings style and beauty into your home quite like natural shades! Get Advice from the Window Treatment Experts Still not sure which window treatment is right for your budget and needs? Elevated Views’ design experts can help you select the right options for your style and budget. As a family-owned business, we believe that making the process of choosing your next window covering should be fun and simple–yes, fun! Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote and our experts will bring the showroom to you!

Window treatments aren’t just about making a statement on your walls or providing shade when the sun peeks in just a little too strongly. Window coverings are also about providing you with privacy in your home! In this article, we take a look at our top three window coverings that provide the best privacy, plus one window treatment you should never opt for if privacy is your main goal. Most Popular: Blinds Blinds are perhaps the most popular window covering out there and for good reason. They are affordable and offer full light filtering and privacy control. When you want an unobstructed view, simply open them fully to create a neat little stack at the top. For light filtering, keep your blinds pulled down but the slats tilted open. For complete privacy, tilt your slats closed. For the best privacy with blinds, we recommend getting custom blinds. These will be cut to fit your exact window measurements, ensuring minimal gaps. Not only does this increase privacy, but it improves insulation as well. Blinds come in a variety of options, from real wood to faux wood, various slat widths, and from white to black and everything in between. You can even color match the wood stain to existing wood in your home. We also recommend that you opt for faux wood blinds in rooms with higher humidity levels (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms) as humidity can warp and discolor real wood blinds. Best Investment: Interior Shutters Interior shutters are considered the most desirable of all window coverings. So much so, that home buyers are willing to pay more for homes that have them. This makes interior shutters the only window covering that actually adds value to your home, making them a great investment! Like blinds, the slatted design gives you full light filtering and privacy control. But unlike blinds, you can opt for split control, allowing you to independently operate the top and bottom half of the slats. This means you can leave the top slats open for light while closing the bottom for privacy. And because shutters are mounted to your window frame, the gaps are nearly non-existent, providing improved privacy and insulation. Interior shutters also come in a variety of colors and stains, slat widths, and materials (wood and faux wood). Again, we recommend opting for faux wood in higher humidity rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, as real wood can warp and discolor from humidity. Best Soft Treatment: Shades If you would rather have a soft treatment, there are a variety of shades you can choose from to fit your style. From classic roman shades to roller shades, there is something for everyone. To improve your privacy, add a lining to your fabric shade, such as room darkening or blackout. This lining increases privacy and insulation, and can make bedrooms and nurseries perfect for a nap or a good night’s rest. Options are basically limitless with style, material, pattern, and color, making fabric shades a favorite of interior designers and homeowners alike. The One Window Treatment that Doesn’t Provide Privacy While most window coverings provide some level of privacy, there is one window treatment that does not provide privacy at night. Solar shades are a great option for sunny windows in rooms that do not require privacy, such as living rooms or dining rooms. When pulled down during the day, those outside your home cannot see in. However, at night when you have your lights on, those outside your home are able to see through the solar shade, providing almost no privacy. We do not recommend solar shades for rooms that require privacy, like the bathroom or bedroom. But for sunny living rooms, solar shades are a win thanks to their ability to block harmful sun rays that keep your home’s temperature more stable while giving you a great view through the fabric from inside your home! Elevate Your Privacy Today! Are you ready to increase your home’s privacy with new window treatments? Elevated Views understands that the right window covering can make all the difference! Our experts can help you select the right window covering for your style, budget, and needs. Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote and we’ll bring the showroom to you!

Basements are great but they don’t always have the best natural lighting situation. If you have a dark and gloomy basement despite having windows, there is no need to skip out on having chic and stylish window coverings. In this article, we share our favorite window treatments that help create a light and airy or bright and fun feel in your basement! What to Avoid Whether you are looking for a lighter feel or a more colorful feel, there are a few things to avoid when selecting window treatments for a basement. The first is to avoid dark colors. Black shutters, forest green shades, or dark cherry wood blinds can make basement windows feel even darker. The other thing you want to avoid is heavy fabrics. Fabrics with a lot of heft, such as velvet, can add weight to your basement windows and block more light, making your basement even darker. Now that you know what to avoid, let’s look at three of our favorite options for creating a brighter or lighter feel in your basement. Light-Toned Blinds and Shutters Blinds and interior shutters are a popular option because of their full light filtering control. If your guest room is in the basement, your guests will thank you for the ability to close their blinds or shutters at night for more restful sleep or privacy. We recommend opting for lighter stains and colors for your real or faux wood blinds and shutters. Lighter colors absorb less natural light and instead act as a bounce, helping to create a warm, soft, and inviting glow to your basement rooms. Light-Toned Fabric Shades Fabric shades come in a variety of styles, from traditional roman shades to more modern roll up shades. Lighter fabric materials and colors will help create a light and airy feel to your basement rooms. We recommend light, neutral-toned linen fabrics and pastel-hued fabrics to create a light and airy feel in your home. You can opt for a solid fabric or try a tone-on-tone pattern for a chic and subtle look. For additional privacy in basement bedrooms and bathrooms, add a lining to the back of your fabric shade. Bright and Colorful Fabric Shades If you aren’t into the light and airy vibes, we recommend opting for bright and colorful tones and bold patterns. Remember to avoid heavy fabrics to keep these bolder colors and patterns from becoming too heavy. With bright and colorful fabrics, you can liven up any gloomy and dull basement room! Try a fun chartreuse green or a bright teal as a pop of color! For bedrooms and bathrooms, we recommend adding a lining to the back of your fabric shade for additional privacy. Elevate Your Basement with Chic Window Coverings! If you are looking to take your basement from drab to fab, Elevated Views is here to help! Our design experts can help you select the right window treatment for your basement windows and budget. Then your installation experts will ensure your window covering is hung right the first time. We make the entire process of choosing your new window treatment fun and simple. Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote and we’ll bring the showroom to you!

Are you wondering how house window coverings can take your home to the next level? Continue reading to find out! Contact us today to learn more!

Let’s face it–we all love the architectural interest that arched windows bring to our homes, but they are a bit of a conundrum for homeowners. You don’t have to cover them, but what if you want more privacy or need to filter or block sunlight? It’s no fun having a great living room with lots of natural light but then getting frustrated when the sun hits your arched window at 4 pm and you can’t see your TV anymore. We get it! But don’t worry, there are plenty of stylish window covering options specifically for your arched windows, even for those that are imperfect or are considered a palladian arch! Why Custom is Best Because arches are a special shape and every window, regardless of whether it’s an arch or not, is a bit different, custom is the best option for dressing your windows! Custom window coverings give exceptional coverage, providing you with more light filtering, room darkening, and privacy. Custom window treatments are also made from higher quality materials, so your custom window coverings will stand the test of time. So while you may pay more up front for custom, in the long run, you’ll be glad you didn’t go with a big-box store option like your neighbor, who’s already having to replace their cheap window covering! Custom Window Coverings for Arches Let’s dive into our top two favorite options for covering an arched window. Each of these options allows you to have a separate covering for your arch, perfect for story or transom arches (these have a bit of wall between the arch and the lower window or door), or you can opt for an all-in-one covering for arches on single windows with a curved arch at the top. Cellular Arch Cellular arches are a beautiful way to cover your arched windows. The pleated fabric offers a stylish feel and creates soft, filtered light in your home. The pocketed design of cellular shades also offers insulating properties, making them perfect for drafty and sunny windows alike! Interior Shutter Arch Made of real wood or composite, these bold and striking window coverings give you a sunburst-style arch and slatted design that makes them perfect for pairing with your interior shutters or blinds! If your arch isn’t considered a story or transom, you can get an all-in-one custom shaped arched shutter. Bonus: Interior shutters are the only window treatment that add value to your home, making them a great investment! Elevate Your Arched Windows! If you are ready to cover your arched windows with a chic and stylish window treatment, Elevated Views has you covered! We’ve seen windows of every shape and size and can help you find the perfect solution for your lifestyle, budget, and style! Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote today and we’ll bring the showroom to you!

When you look at them straight on, pleated shades and cellular shades look awfully similar. Both types of shades are made from similar materials, operate in much the same way, and offer the same types of light control and light filtration. It isn’t until you look at them from the side that you notice a slight divergence in appearance. So what’s the difference? And why would you choose one over the other? Don’t worry, we can help! We’re going to dive into what makes cellular and pleated shades unique and the benefits of both. Cellular Shades Cellular shades are often referred to as honeycomb shades. This is because of their pocketed or cellular design. This pocketed design has a function and that is to insulate your home. The cells trap hot or cold air that seeps in through your windows, helping keep the temperature inside of your home more regulated. This can cut down on energy costs! In fact, cellular shades are considered the best energy saving window covering. You can opt for multiple layers of cells, and with each layer, you get even more insulation. When selecting the right cellular shade for you, you’ll want to consider the number of cells, the material, the shape of the cells, and the pleat size. Besides the pocket construction and material, other design features you can opt for include cordless and bottom-down top-up design. You can also add an additional lining to help with room darkening. Pros of Cellular Shades: They offer better insulation than other window coverings. The small stack height means the shades compress tightly when raised, creating a wonderful view through your window! They offer great privacy, especially with a blackout option. They come in a wide range of colors. There’s an optional upgrade to cordless for child safety. The pleats retain their shape better over time than pleated shades. The pocketed design also reduces noise for a more restful sleep. Cons of Cellular Shades: The fabrics that cellular shades are made of are harder to clean than wood or faux wood blinds. They are more expensive than pleated shades. Rooms Cellular Shades Work Best In: Bedrooms Living rooms Dining rooms Pleated Shades Pleated shades, often called pleated blinds, do not have slats. From the front, they look like cellular shades, but from the side, you can see that pleated shades only have a single layer of fabric that creates a zig-zag, so there are no pockets to insulate your home like in cellular shades. But like cellular shades, you can choose material, color, and other upgrades such as cordless and bottom-down top-up design. Pros of Pleated Shades: They are less expensive than cellular shades. The small stack height means the shades compress tightly when raised, giving you a great view through your window! They come in a wide range of colors. They let in more light than cellular shades. There’s an optional upgrade to cordless for child safety. You can add additional linings for more privacy or room darkening. Cons of Pleated Shades: The single layer of fabric means less privacy and many pleated shades can be quite sheer without an additional lining. The fabrics that pleated shades are made of are harder to clean than wood or faux wood blinds. They are not as energy efficient as cellular shades. Rooms Pleated Shades Work Best In: Living rooms Dining rooms Elevate Your View Today! Ready to buy your new window coverings? Or do you still need help deciding? Either way, the experts at Elevated Views are ready to help! We believe in helping you find the best options for your style, budget, and needs. Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote and we’ll bring the showroom to you!

Blinds are perhaps the most ubiquitous window treatment out there. And it’s not just because they are what most big-box stores offer. It’s because blinds are amazing and so versatile, especially custom made blinds! Here is why we love blinds and why you should too. 1 | Blinds Give You Full Light Filtering Control With blinds, you get absolute control. If you want as much sunlight as possible, pull the cord up and fully open them. You want to darken your room to watch a movie or go to bed? Fully close and tilt the slats. If you want something in between, then tilt your slats to get just the perfect amount of sunlight. 2 | You Get Enhanced Privacy with Blinds Blinds also deliver enhanced privacy that most other window coverings just don’t have. Because blinds can be completely closed, you get maximum privacy. If you want privacy but still want light filtering, such as in a bathroom, we recommend top-down bottom-up blinds, which will allow you to have the slats closed at the bottom but bring the blinds down from the top to have a bit of your window open for light. You can’t get much more perfect than that! 3 | Blinds are Easy Maintenance Blinds are relatively easy to clean, especially faux wood and aluminum options. Occasional dusting with a damp cloth will keep the slats clean and grime free. Be sure to use a vacuum hose attachment to remove dust from the strings and mechanism to keep your blinds looking like new for years to come. Need a deeper clean? Faux wood blinds can be soaked in the bathtub or hosed off outside. If you opt for real wood, just be sure to oil them once in a while to keep the wood shiny and hydrated. 4 | Blinds Come in Many Styles and Options Blinds offer many different options to choose from including: Slat width (the thinner the slat, the more modern looking they are) Material (aluminum, faux wood, and real wood) Color/stain Horizontal or vertical (vertical is ideal for large windows and sliding glass doors) Regular top down mechanism, or top-down bottom-up mechanism Corded or cordless (we recommend cordless for homes with pets and small children) Adding a cornice or decorative valance to cover the mechanism housing Adding a motor for control at the touch of a button or by voice command 5 | You can Layer Blinds with Soft Treatments Blinds are considered a hard window treatment, which means you can layer them with soft fabric treatments such as custom drapes. This gives a more luxurious feel to your room, perfect for formal living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. This can also maximize light control, privacy, temperature control, and noise control even more than you already get with blinds! Install New Custom Blinds in Your Home with Elevated Views! Elevated Views is your trusted custom window covering company of the Pikes Peak Region! Whether you are looking for faux wood, vertical, real wood blinds, or even blinds for your bay window, we have you covered! Our expert team will help you select the right option for your needs and budget. Schedule your complimentary in-home consultation and quote today and we’ll bring the showroom to you.

Houses come in all shapes and sizes from small one level ranches with small cottage style windows, to multi-level homes with spacious rooms and oversized windows. Add in bay windows, those little octagon-shaped windows, short ceilings, and other oddities, and it can get overwhelming trying to find the right window covering for your needs and budget. But fear not! We’ve literally seen every type of window and style home and there’s always the perfect window treatment for your home, needs, and budget. Here are our top picks for 5 of the most common window and home issues. Issue: Small Windows Small windows may leave you feeling less than inspired when it comes to finding the right treatment. Your canvas isn’t as large here, but it’s possible to work some magic and even make your window feel larger with the right treatment! Our top solutions for small windows are treatments that keep your room feeling light and airy. Some of our favorite coverings for small windows include interior shutters, sheer shades, roller shades, and blinds. Issue: Oversized Windows and Hard-to-Reach Windows Large windows present a weight issue; you don’t want the mechanism housing your window treatment to be too heavy or it will literally rip away from your wall. Hard-to-reach windows shouldn’t be out of your reach for controlling light filtering and privacy either. Our solutions for oversized windows are treatments that offer a lighter housing mechanism, such as vertical blinds, vertical slats, and roller shades. For hard-to-reach windows, we recommend upgrading to a motorized control, which allows you to open and close your window treatment at the touch of a button on a remote control. Issue: Low Ceilings or Small Clearance Above Your Window Low ceilings or a short clearance between the top of your window and your ceiling can bring some challenges. However, there are plenty of window covering options and even tips to help your ceilings appear higher than they actually are. Let’s start with solutions for a small clearance. If you can hang the mechanism inside the window casement, then your problem is solved. But if for some reason you can’t, knowing how much room you have for mounting the mechanism above your window is important. Just be sure that your design center helps you find the right treatment to fit your specs for an outside mount. For short ceilings, we recommend selecting treatments that are more simple, such as blinds, shutters, and fabric shades with simple pleating. Treatments with more voluminous pleats add bulk to the top of your window and can make a ceiling appear heavy and even lower. Another trick is to use vertical stripes to help the walls appear taller. Or you can try an outside mount, hanging the treatment as high as you can above the window (which is great for custom drapes, which can be layered over other hard treatments like blinds or interior shutters). Issue: Casement Windows Casement windows typically hinge open on the side, rather than being opened and closed by pulling or pushing a part of the window up and down. While this has its advantages, it can mean you need to take extra consideration when it comes to window coverings. The best window treatments give you access to the mechanism to easily open and close your window. Some of our favorite options include blinds and interior shutters. Another good option is top-down bottom-up cellular shades. Issue: That Odd-Shaped Window Whether it’s a bay window, an arch, a sidelight, or an octagon, these odd windows can be a problem to cover for privacy and light filtering reasons. Odd shapes present more of a challenge than your basic square or rectangle. The solution is to buy custom window treatments for your odd windows. Custom window treatments are made and cut to fit your exact window dimensions so you won’t have to worry about having a set of mini blinds to cover an octagon-shaped window in your bedroom. There are some treatments that work better for these odd windows. We’ve got an entire article dedicated to these odd and problematic windows that you can check out here. Work with the Best Custom Window Covering Company in the Pikes Peak Region Elevated Views understands that the right window treatment can literally change your point of view! Our no-pressure process is designed to create a fun experience of choosing your new window covering, plus help you find the perfect window treatment for your needs, style, and budget! Check out our family and locally owned business and experience the Elevated difference!

From Nurseries and Bedrooms to Playrooms, These 5 Kid-Friendly Window Treatments are Still Chic and Stylish!