Minimalist Window Coverings For A Minimalist Design In Philadelphia

October 08, 2019

Minimalist design provides a pared down harmony to a space through defined lines, unassuming colors, and unencumbered spaces. The mission is to strip down your connection to nonessential personal items, furniture, and room elements until you’ve simplified your rooms to the essentials. When you only surround yourself with functional, unfussy items, you create a calming environment where you can focus on relaxation without distraction.

Needless to say, light has a focal role in a minimalist design. When you bring in outside light through your windows, you open up the room and get a tranquility that’s difficult -- if not impossible -- to have with artificial light. And with the functional philosophy of minimalism, you should use window coverings that block both glare and air flow. Most minimalists in Philadelphia use plantation shutters or sheer cellular shades over fabrics found in curtains or drapes.

Plantation Shutters Are Perfect In A Minimalist Design

White shutters in a minimalist bedroom in Philadelphia.

To choose the best window covering for minimalist design, you may appreciate the clean lines and multi-use practicality of plantation shutters. Style-wise, they sit snugly within the window opening without dusty fabrics or unmanageable cords hanging down. This creates an ordered aesthetic, where your shutters are using the same level as the rest of the wall.

Plantation shutters are also seen as practical, which fits the other criteria of a minimalist style. While outside light is fundamental for minimalists, unchecked sunlight can cause problems like sun glare and privacy concerns. With plantation shutters, just close the louvers when sun glare hurts your eyes until you have aimed the glare somewhere else. You may even want to close them entirely to block the entire window to get the energy-efficiency benefits.

Reclaimed wood shutters near a brick wall.

Here are some plantation shutter options that can work well in your minimalist decor. For instance, you might consider shutters made from reclaimed wood. These shutters have the same level of quality of a regular plantation shutter but they allow a more natural element to the room. If you want a more energy-efficient shutter, you should use our Polywood® shutter. These faux-wood plantation shutters come in a few distinctive shades of white, are moisture and pest-resistant, and are one of the most practical window coverings you will find.

Alternative Window Treatments For Minimalism

While many people use plantation shutters for their unfussy style and practicality, there are some non-shutter window treatments you can try:

Cellular shades in a minimalistic apartment.

Sheer cellular shades: Cell shades hang close to the window and are available in many colors and patterns. Some minimalist designs use sheer cellular shades so you can let in a diffused light without experiencing sun glare.
Barn door shutters: A barn door uses an overhead track, blocking the window or door opening. As each shutter is just a large panel, barn door shutters are made for a minimalistic design.
Panel tracks: Panel tracks also use an above track and use floor length panels that overlap as they cover the window. These coverings are exemplary at covering a sliding glass door or acting as a simple room divider that can section off different spaces when needed.

What Doesn’t Work In Your Minimalist Design

White shutters in Philadelphia dining room.

There’s plenty of window treatments that will enhance minimalist design, but then again there are some treatments that do not. Beware of bulky treatments like drapes, as they will stick out from the simplicity of the space. Curtains or layered window coverings should also be bypassed for the same issues. Ornate treatments will make your decor seem disproportionate, with your focus settling to the window coverings.

Blinds are also a poor choice. There are situations where a blind works well with the essential lifestyle, but only if they are of the highest quality. Unfortunately, blinds tend to bang and sway against the window, disrupting your feeling of composure. And any hanging slats or ugly cords from a vinyl or plastic blind just makes your windows look old and unkempt.

Sunburst Can Help You Find Your Window Coverings For Minimalist Design

As you pare down your home to the essentials, call on Sunburst to guide you to the perfect window coverings for your minimalist design. We will come to your house and offer you our selection of Polywood and reclaimed wood plantation shutters, and also other coverings that are functional and stylish. Call us at 215-874-4897 or fill out the form below.

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