Deciding on Window Treatments in Southern California for a Contemporary Room

When you’re decorating a room in contemporary style, you need your window treatments to mirror that style as well. We talked to Jane Cunningham, principal designer at Room Resolutions, to better understand the process of choosing window treatments for contemporary rooms in Southern California.

Contemporary design includes a range of styles that are influenced by the last half of the 20th century. It features softer, cleaner lines. According to Jane, everyone has a slightly different definition of contemporary. Most of the time, homeowners are looking to open up the space. She’s heard statements like, “I don’t have to have 15 items on the counter of my house.” Or “I don’t need an ottoman by every chair.”

Contemporary rooms “give you the freedom to move.” Even if you live in a small condo, you can bring nature insideby expanding your view of the sun, the sky, and the rain in Southern California.

First, unclutter your windows. The windows in your grandparents’ house had a lot of layers: shades on top of shutters, valances, and sheers. It can be claustrophobic. Let go of layers. Look for window treatments that use clean lines. And get the contemporary look you’ve always wanted.

Contemporary Window Treatment Options In Southern California:

Shutters For Contemporary Homes

Plantation shutters work well with contemporary rooms in Southern California. The 4.5” louvers go with a contemporary style. When you add a rear mount tilt rod to these wide louvers, your shutters create crisp lines across the window.

Shutters provide you with control over light. The panels can be swung open to the side so that you’ll have access to your entire window. Another option is to have divided shutters where the light streams in through the top.

Shutters are also easy to clean, which is especially helpful if the windows are usually dusty. Contemporary décor shines best when every surface is polished.

Cunningham recommends Polywood shutters to homeowners interested in window treatments for contemporary rooms. She recommends them because don’t warp over time and they don’t change color.

A trend that Cunningham has noticed is that reclaimed wood shutters are showing up more in contemporary rooms. They have a bit of nostalgia. They bring back the industrial look of hardware. They complement hardwood flooring to bring together the entire décor of the room. Reclaimed wood shutters allow you to find a new way to incorporate an element from the past. The novel idea of using reclaimed wood as shutters is the epitome of the contemporary style.

Modern Barn Doors

Barn doors are a full scale piece of artwork on the wall. Go with as bright of a color as you like. You can have the restorative look. Or design it to look exactly like a traditional barn door. And you can give it a contemporary look similar to the hotel you just visited.

Modern barn doors become room separators in spaces that traditionally don’t have full doors. An example would be when you want to block off your kitchen part of the time.

Barn doors as window coverings look amazing on large windows with big enough wall space. Shaker doors exhibit an openness that is reminiscent of a more contemporary style. The hardware makes a difference. Select stainless steel for a more contemporary look. Or choose a bold color of paint. For example, if the entire room is varying shades of white, a bold red barn door stands out against the wall and enhances the space.

“Barn doors add a conversation piece. The next gathering you have, I guarantee someone is going to have a comment. That’s because people aren’t expecting a barn door on a window.” - Jane Cunningham

Cunningham has learned from experience that our homes are part of who we are as well as an experience we can share with our guests. And a barn door is part of that experience - and something your guests will be talking about.

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a great option for contemporary rooms that have large windows and doors that fold into themselves. They’re discretely tucked away and allow you to bring the outside view in.

If you prefer to sleep in total darkness so you can get a restful night’s sleep, roller shades can include room darkening options. If you need acoustical help to dampen noise, combine them with draperies that can be hidden on the window’s sides.

Window Film

A lot of contemporary rooms in the Southern California area have large windows that are 25-30 feet tall. And when they face towards the west, the sun takes a toll on the room’s items.

Jane likes to suggest window film to anyone with rooms that have large windows. It provides you with a wide view of your outside surroundings, which is just what you want for a contemporary room.

The film also blocks the sun’s UV rays. This means your furniture and carpeting maintain their color longer. Window film also helps your home save energy.

Purchase Contemporary Window Treatments For Your Southern California Home

Contact us at 888-611-2474 to schedule your free in-home design consultation. Our window treatment experts come to your home and show you samples of the contemporary window treatment options you’re interested in. Then you’re ready to order the window treatment that goes with your home!

To read more about Jane Cunningham and Room Resolutions, browse through RoomResolutions.com.