The first step was to choose a location. Some tips about location were to make sure your office space is located in a quiet space away from the mainstream of what is going on in the home. Furthermore, attempt to pick a location with a window for some natural light. We then went on to discuss what color to decide when painting your home office. 

We gave a lot of helpful information about how to make the paint choice such as, if the space is small do not paint it in dark colors, it will make it feel smaller. If the space is larger, an accent wall could be used to make the space feel a little cozier. We did conclude however that this choice is very individualized and will have to be made by the person working in the office. Our next step after painting would be to look at window treatments and wall decorations.

If your office should have a window or more than one window, it is time to think about window treatments. In my earlier article, we looked at the several options available for window treatments such as vertical blinds, horizontal or mini-blinds, roller shades and draperies or curtains and even bamboo shades as an economical option. 

When making your choice, attempt to remember that the window treatments are part of the office design. Window treatments are another way to add patterns and color to the office space. Whatever the choice, your decorating style will make a visual impact to the space.

If there is no room in the budget for window treatments, then clean the windows and make sure that if you will be seeing the window, that it looks fresh and clean. If possible, just attempt to add blinds for privacy and help with controlling drafts. It is important to always take advantage of the natural light because researchers tell us that workplace daylight has a strong correlation to the office worker's sleep, activity, and quality of life. Other research studies have found that the use of natural elements such as daylight improve our creativity and learning, so be sure to use that natural daylight whenever possible.

When you have chosen your window treatments, it would now be a good time to place your office furniture in your space following the floor plan that you have previously designed. Then, after permanently placing the office furniture, you can consider wall decorations. There is a lot to decide from, but I would always suggest making sure that you put up your achievements such as college degrees and any certifications. 

Another suggestion would be to put up your favorite inspirational quote to help motivate you through your work time. Another critical suggestion would be a nice grouping of those family pictures. This is again motivational and helping us to remember our “why”. Why we are doing the work we are doing. Again, these choices are a matter of personal taste and office design. With so many choices available to you on the internet and web shopping, it will not be hard to find wonderful items for your windows and walls.

In all the excitement that goes with home decorating and attempting to find just the appropriate window treatments, we may get overwhelmed and make mistakes or forget certain significant aspects of it, and in the end get disappointed when the result is not what we expected it to be.

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when buying window coverings for your home.

Getting your measurements wrong – Your window coverings should fit your window to its exact size, and hence the windows need to be measured to perfection. If you get your measurements wrong, then it would mean that you will get either too small or too big blinds and shutters that will look odd and improper and moreover their functionality would be lost, and it will be a waste of the money you have invested in them. Occasionally, it is better to get a professional, such as someone from the supplier, to come to your home and measure the windows rather you doing it yourself, as they will know how to do it in an accurate manner.

Don’t focus too much on aesthetics – Although aesthetics is important, you should not make it a priority because you get window treatments to serve a purpose and that purpose is not looks alone. For example, curtains in Sydney come in a range of colors and fabrics, but you need to make sure that you choose a fabric that suits your requirement the most, whether you need blackout fabric or a shear combined with a cotton, and not just looks good. It will serve both purposes.

Don’t forget your existing decor – While aesthetics should not be a priority when selecting your window treatments, you should not forget it altogether. Always ensure that the colors, themes, and styles you select match your existing decor, otherwise your window coverings will look very much improper in the room, and rather than enhance the look of the room, it will decrease its style and the ambiance you were attempting to create. Most people forget about their current interior decor when they go to select window treatments and end up with a very odd-looking room, and loads of wasted money.

Not checking actual fabric swatches – Looking at paint colors and fabrics on the computer or on printed matter may differ a great deal from what it actually looks like. If you are selecting colors and fabrics, always look at actual swatches of the paint or fabric before you select something you feel is suitable for your home. Especially when ordering fabric blinds or curtains in Sydney, you should always check swatches provided by the vendor.

Disregarding safety risks – If you have small children and pets at home, certain window treatments may pose a safety risk for them with hanging cords and chains used to operate them. A big mistake that most homeowners do is disregarding these risks at the time of selecting their window treatments. If you do have children or pets at home, then remember to order your blinds, curtains, or shades with motorized function so that there are no safety hazards in your home.

Don’t consider the general environment where the windows are – The general environment where the widows are in may need special materials or different types of window coverings, hence don’t simply get the same type for every single room of the house, but rather consider the options well and get what is best suited for each different environment. For example, getting timber shutters for a bathroom is a recipe for disaster because natural timber absorbs moisture and will get warped or damaged rapidly, and the best option or such an area is either faux wood or PVC.

Can the existing hardware support the window treatments you want – Make sure that the current frames of your windows and other hardware are strong enough to support your new window coverings. In such an instance, it is always best to have your supplier’s experts visit your home and check all these and give you the appropriate recommendations.

Having an open mind – Many people will research about blinds and shutters or even styles of curtains in Sydney before buying the product they want for their home. Researching about the pros and cons of these types is excellent, but don’t make up your mind before you even speak to a professional. Keep and open mind and get the best possible information you can from the supplier, from interior decorators and experts before you make your final decision.

One of the best ways to proceed when getting your window coverings is to get expert advice, this is why it is important to go with a well-experienced and reputed vendor, who can advise you on all aspects related to the best blinds and shutters suitable for your specific requirements. Always ensure that the window coverings you select are ones that will last some time; otherwise it would just be wasted money if you have to replace them again in just a short time.

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