5 Benefits of Customized Blinds, Shades & Drapes for South Florida Homes

Whether you've just moved into your starter home in Fort Lauderdale or you've settled into your forever home in Pembroke Pines, having custom window coverings can make all the difference in how your South Florida home looks and functions. 

The trick to selecting appropriate window coverings is knowing exactly how you need them to work in each space. If you're close to your neighbors, you'll want options that add privacy. And if you're energy-aware or budget-conscious, you can select ones that are more energy efficient. Whatever your needs are, you can find custom products like drapes, blinds and shades to fit your lifestyle.

Here are five ways custom window treatments can enhance your home:  

1. Control Your Lighting

One of the easiest, most effective ways to control lighting in your home is with the right window treatment. Generally, custom blinds, shades, drapes, and other window coverings allow you to control how much or how little light you let into your home. For example, you may desire a lot of natural light to brighten up your living room or to give you an energy boost as you work from your home office. 

If you like waking up to light filtering through your Fort Lauderdale highrise windows, a custom sheer or screen shade is a good choice. But blackout drapes and other room-darkening options are ideal if you work at night and sleep during the daytime. The versatility of window treatments keeps you in control of your lighting—day or night.

2. Energy Efficiency

According to the Department of Energy, 27% of energy consumption is for air conditioning alone for a typical Florida home—that's over four times the national average! While energy use for individual homes depends on several factors, one proven way to increase your energy efficiency is by incorporating appropriate window covers in your energy conservation plans. 

Luckily, there are a variety of custom shades and drapes that could benefit South Florida homes. Specific window treatments can help you save on energy costs while enhancing your home's design.

For instance, large floor-to-double height ceiling windows—popular in areas like Pembroke Pines and Coral Springs—are statement-making and allow for tons of natural light. Still, they become energy sappers during the summer when temperatures can hit triple digits, and UV rays are at their peak. Energy-efficient window coverings, like blackout shades, solar shades and drapes, can reduce heat gain by up to 77%, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. 

3. Privacy

Although you may not mind your neighbors getting a peek through the windows of your newly renovated kitchen, you might want to keep prying eyes from bedrooms and bathrooms. Window treatments that offer privacy are essential, whether you live in a tiny apartment or a beachfront mansion.

There are numerous options that offer different levels of privacy—from opaque to complete blackout. You can use blackout privacy shades, Roman shades, pinch pleat drapery, zebra shades, or a combination to accomplish the level of privacy that is right for you without compromising style. 

4. Complements Interior Design

Window treatments can improve the aesthetics of your home—whether your style is traditional, casual, modern, or eclectic. With the extensive selection of window treatments in South Florida, it's easy to find options that complement your interior design. For example, if you live on a waterfront property in Sunny Isles Beach, you're likely to want a window treatment that allows you to enjoy the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal. 

You should also choose window treatments that complement your decor, like heavy pleated drapery for a classic or traditional design or streamlined zebra shades for a chic, modern style. Incorporating elements like on-trend colors, textures, and fabric can add a custom look to your house, while techniques like layering different window treatments add depth and dimension to your design. Professionally installed drapes are known for creating a high-end look.

And don't overlook custom window blinds! Blinds are highly customizable and come in various styles and materials. Among the choices, you’ll find real wood blinds, faux wood, vertical blinds, and Plantation blinds (also known as Plantation shutters). As well as offering shade, these light-filtering window treatments create texture and interest in your house. Plus, they can look great on doors. 

5. Multiple Options

From the extensive selection of window treatments to the variety of options each one offers, you can maximize privacy, function, and light control and enhance the aesthetics of your home with selections that are right for you. Choosing the right window treatment can be daunting since it's not just a matter of picking shades instead of blinds or drapes instead of curtains. In fact, each category features different materials, designs, and functionality. 

Say you decide on window shades, you now have to consider the kind of shades you want—zebra shades, sheer shades, cellular shades, roller shades, woven wood shades, or top-down, bottom-up shades—and whether they should be manual, motorized, or automated.

You might also choose drapes for the living room in your home, but they are no less diverse. They come in a variety of fabrics, colors, styles, and designs, including ripple fold, pinch pleat, and tailored pleat. Drapes can also have motorized operation (one of our 2023 trends) and can be linked to your preferred smart home system.

Work with a Professional

Working with an experienced design consultant offers several benefits when considering window coverings. An interior designer or your blinds and drapes shop professional can help you expertly measure and choose the right size and fit for your blinds or shades. In addition, they can suggest different materials and looks to complement the other furniture and decor in your home. 

Design consultants can also help you determine which window covering is best for the type of light control you need—whether it’s blackout curtains or sheer panels. Finally, they can recommend the best system for your needs if motorization is desired. 

Let’s Make It Happen!

So whether you’re making a few updates or a total makeover, Drapes and Shades Custom Window Designs will help you choose the right window treatments for your space, style, and budget.

Call us today at (954) 289-3311 for a free consultation.