COVID-19 has led organizations and employees around the world to embrace work from home. This newfound flexibility is a boon for employees as they can focus on their work while being in the comfort of their homes.
To aid productivity, your home office requires the right atmosphere besides the essentials. That may include a table, a chair, a computer/laptop, Wi-Fi, a table lamp – and window treatments.
Here are seven window treatment ideas for your home office to get the perfect mix of attractiveness and practicality.
Best Window Covering Options for Your Home Office
Creating a professional and aesthetically-pleasing home office boosts your morale, focus on work, and productivity – and the right window coverings can help.
When choosing window treatments for your home office, consider:
- Light control
- Comfort level
- Privacy
- Visual appeal
- Convenience
- Durability
- Energy efficiency
- Level of maintenance
Taking these factors into consideration, popular window coverings that work for your home office include:
1) Shutters
Both California and plantation shutters make a stylish and sophisticated addition to a home office. These beautiful window coverings reduce distractions by blocking light and increasing privacy. They also help reduce glare on your computer screen which can affect productivity.
These window treatments seamlessly blend with all types of interior decor to enhance the room’s visual appeal without missing out on functionality. Shutters also help regulate room temperature by reducing heat transfer through windows, thus keeping you comfortable.
No matter the shape of your windows, shutters can be customized to match your windows, even if they’re triangular or octagonal.
As for maintenance, get rid of dirt or dust by running a vacuum cleaner over them. Use a soft dusting cloth to get in between each shutter and pick up any remaining debris.
2) Roller Solar Shades
To get the perfect combination of smooth roll-up mechanism, sophisticated appearance and sun protection, roller solar shades are one of the best window coverings.
They not only give your home office a professional look but also control glare, heat penetration and UV rays, thus increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy bills.
You can also choose blackout shades in a roller mechanism if you want to make your home office totally dark for an online presentation via Zoom call.
That said, these shades are a little tricky to maintain and require careful cleaning to avoid damaging the internal mechanism. The best way to clean them is with a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water. Then leave them lowered to dry.
3) Cellular Shades
Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular shades are durable and affordable window coverings ideal for blocking light and reducing outside noise.
They not only keep your home interiors safe from the extremes of heat and cold but also keep the warm or cold air of your HVAC system from escaping.
If your home is near a busy street, cellular shades are a great way to keep external noise from distracting you.
Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, these window coverings can be customized to match your home office decor.
Although mostly easy to maintain, the fabric folds of the honeycomb cells can trap floating dust and dirt. Use a blow dryer at its lowest, coolest setting to get rid of accumulated debris.
4) Aluminum Blinds
Aluminum blinds are practical and functional in a home office because of their sleek appearance, diverse light control options, and durability.
These cost-effective window coverings also last a long time and are fashionable. They come in many different styles and colours, so you can choose from a wide range of brightly-coloured blinds with a glossy finish or neutral hues with a matte finish.
The best feature of aluminum blinds is their water resistance, thus making them a good choice for humid regions.
As far as light control is concerned, you can open or shut the blinds as per your needs.
When it comes to maintenance, they’re super easy to clean. Gentle dusting with the help of a duster or microfiber cloth will keep them clean. In the case of stubborn stains, use a damp cloth with mild detergent.
5) Roman Shades
Roman shades are dynamic window coverings that add the softness of drapery with the versatility of a shade.
You can close them at night to block streetlights, especially if you work night shifts, or open them during the day to get fresh air from open windows.
They come in a variety of colours and patterns to add visual interest to your home office. For added privacy, choose a blackout lining with Roman shades. Indeed, there are endless ways to customize these shades to give your home office a personal touch. If your job is creative, Roman shades are the best choice for your workspace. Experiment with motifs and colours to create a unique, quirky home office that reflects the nature of your job.
To keep them in good shape, simply sweep across the fabric gently with your vacuum’s brush attachment while supporting the fabric from the back. For more intensive cleaning, blot them with warm water and mild dishwashing soap.
6) Curtains
Do you want to turn a cozy nook into a makeshift home office? If so, place your desk in front of a large, unoccupied window and dress it with a linen curtain. This perfect amount of natural light and airy space provides motivation during the workday.
Curtains are a timeless window treatment that works well with all types of decor. Plus, you can machine wash them in a gentle cycle using cold water and chemical-free detergent.
The best thing about curtains? You can mix and match them with other window coverings to create an unconventional look. You also receive multiple benefits from this variety of options. For example, curtains with shutters add softness to your windows without losing out on privacy. Or you can pair curtains and blinds for better light control, sunblocking and heat retention while creating a focal point in your mini-office.
7) Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a popular choice of office window coverings. If you had them in your office, why not recreate the look at your home?
Available in a wide range of colours, this window treatment is also an excellent choice to control glare and provide privacy. Plus, they can be used to add a pop of colours to your home office.
In addition to their professional and sophisticated appearance, they offer hassle-free operation and improved comfort. It should be noted, though, that vertical blinds have cords that can be dangerous to children and pets. It’s best to choose motorized vertical blinds for convenience and safety.
To clean them, remove from the headrail, wash with a mixture of soap and warm water (less than 30°C, or 86°F), and scrub away stains with a sponge. Do not hang them to dry; lay them flat instead.
When choosing window coverings for your home office, choose ones that best reflect your work and decor while increasing your comfort and reducing distractions. Remember, they can affect your productivity and motivation. Found our window covering ideas helpful? If you need additional help, our team of skilled professionals are always there for you. Contact us at 416-489-9990.
