Window Coverings for Your Living Room

With so many options to choose from, selecting window treatments can be a challenge. Different rooms call for different styles of window coverings - it's not a one-size fits all approach.

Here at Somfy, we pride ourselves on making your life simpler, including helping you choose the right window coverings for your home. With that in mind, we've created a ten-part series to help you choose the best window coverings to suit each room of your home.

Part Six: Living Room

The living room is one of the most varied and versatile of all room types, so when it comes to window coverings, almost anything goes! Window coverings in this room can add personality or subtly complement the character of a room.

The living room is often a gathering place for family and friends so picking a treatment based on aesthetics is common. However, you need to ensure that both form and function suit your needs. For example, a sheer curtain that matches your lounge but leaves guests blinded by the sun is not a good solution.

Let's take a look at the three functional factors you should consider:

Privacy

As one of the most 'public' rooms in your home, privacy is a key factor to consider. Whether you would like to stop nosy neighbours from seeing what you're doing or block strangers from eyeing the valuables in your home, you should look for window coverings that offer privacy. While some light-filtering fabrics are perfect for letting the light in during the day, they may offer a lack of privacy during the night. Treatments such as blackout blinds can prevent outsiders from looking in, even when the lights are on in your home. For an added touch, combine sheer curtains with your blackout blinds for the perfect combination of light and privacy, night and day.

Another privacy issue to consider is when you leave home in the morning with the blinds open to let the sunshine in, you don't want to return home to a fishbowl with bare windows at night. A simple solution is Somfy automation - allowing you to close your blinds from your smartphone, even when away from home. So that when you do arrive home, your blinds are already closed and you feel secure as soon as you walk through the door.

Energy Efficiency

The living room is one of the busiest rooms in your home meaning your heating and cooling appliances are working hard to keep it at the ideal temperature. Living rooms also often have large windows so keeping these windows bare can prove to be counteractive to energy efficiency.

If you're looking to save on energy bills, opt for window furnishings that will absorb heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Treatments such as honeycomb or cellular blinds can trap air between the layers and can be motorised for your convenience. Alternatively, you can choose exterior window coverings which will block the external elements before they enter your home.

Light Control

Your aim in the living room should be to find the perfect balance of light. While flooding this room with natural light looks amazing, there are some practical reasons to minimise light too. For example, the living room may have valuable electronics or artworks which need protection from harmful UV rays. You may also want to keep the light out for those afternoon naps on the couch. Most importantly, you need to eliminate glare on the television.

The first step is to assess how much sunlight your living room receives and choose your window coverings accordingly. Light-filtering materials can allow gentle light in to the room but still protect furniture, floors and photos from discolouration. Alternatively, motorised venetian blinds offer precise light control from your remote or your smartphone. Angle venetians to allow some light in or close them completely for both privacy and darkness.

Recommendations

After considering these three factors, it's time to question what's most important to you. For an all-round solution, we suggest combining window treatments to allow for both privacy and light control, while keeping your home running efficiently.

By motorising your window coverings with Somfy, you can remove the fuss of window treatments in this hardworking space and keep this room safe for children by eliminating dangerous cords and chains. Additionally, automation via the Connexoon Window RTS app means your window coverings will work for you!

If you're interested in Somfy-motorised window coverings for your living room, or would like to know more about our home automation solution, Connexoon Window RTS, speak to your local Somfy Expert retailer today!

More:

Part 1: Window Coverings for Your Bathroom

Part 2: Window Coverings for Your Home Theatre

Part 3: Window Coverings for Your Kitchen

Part 4: Window Coverings for Your Home Office

Part 5: Window Coverings for Your Bedroom