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Polywood shutters in a great room

Finding Your Perfect Great Room Window Treatments

November 16, 2017

Contemporary home design is all about functionality. More and more homeowners in are adopting the design philosophy that each element of your home shouldn’t only look good, it should serve a function as well. And if it can serve more than one function, even better! That’s why the great room has become a more common fixture in homes, serving as a combination of a family room, living room, dining room, and more.

 

Arched shutters in a great room

 

A functional, versatile room needs those same qualities in its window treatments. So let’s go over how to find the perfect window treatment for your great room.

Great Room Window Treatment Priorities

Light Control – Great rooms tend to be the largest room in the home, which means that they usually have the largest windows. That means it’s important to be able to control how much light comes through your windows so you can always set the perfect mood.

Energy Efficiency – Just like with light, those big great room windows are going to let heat in and out fairly easily. A window treatment that can block energy loss can go a long way to improving your comfort and your energy bills.

Looks – Since the great room serves a lot of functions, it’s usually going to be the room guests see the most. Leave a lasting impression with a beautiful window treatment that fulfills the aforementioned functions as well.

Ease of Use – Most great rooms are in open-concept, multiple story homes, which can mean high-ceiling windows that are more difficult to operate. Being able to easily and quickly adjust your window treatments can make for a better functioning space.

So now that we have our list of “must-haves,” which window treatments fulfill these needs?

Plantation shutters in a dining room

Plantation Shutters for Great Room Windows

Photo courtesy of Room Resolutions – www.roomresolutions.com

Check, check, check, and check–plantation shutters pass our great room window checklist with flying colors. Plantation shutters offer the most discriminating light control, with the adjustable louvers able to sit fully open, completely closed, and every angle in between. Add to that some of the greatest thermal protection your windows can get, and you have an energy-efficient window treatment that reduces heat transfer by 45.96%.

Even if your windows are tall or sit high near the ceiling, they’re still easy to use, with a provided adjustment pole that telescopes out and gives you quick access to the tilt rod.

Last but not least, plantation shutters give you all this functionality with the looks to impress any houseguest. Few furnishings can add the same touch of class to a home as plantation shutters.

Other Window Options for Your Great Room

Though plantation shutters are the top recommendation for achieving all your great rooms’ needs, there are a few other options that can help out in most of those categories.

Ovation shutters in a great room 

Cellular Shades – Cellular or “honeycomb” shades can offer some dimming capabilities and decent energy efficiency, all while giving you a range of colors to choose from to match your space. If you opt for motorized shades, they can also be placed on out of reach windows for easy adjustment.