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3 Tips for Layering Shades

Drapery is a chic and modern window treatment that provides many benefits. This is especially true when it comes to layering your drapes with shades. For example, let’s say you live on a busy street where noise pollution is constantly an issue. Layering drapery with window shades can block the outside noise and improve your home’s acoustics. Or, let’s say you have a room in your home that is always hot in the summer and cold in the winter. This might be an insulation issue! By layering drapery with window shades, you can improve insulation.

Hunter Douglas Duette® Cellular Shades layered with custom drapery near Sioux Falls, South Dakota (SD)

At Betz Blinds, we offer all kinds of ways to layering Hunter Douglas drapery with other fine window treatments to offer increased style and functionality to your space. However, how do you go about finding a style that works best for you? That is where our team of experts come in to help.

Tip #1: Layers Are Not Equal

When it comes to layering shades or blinds, one of our first tips for layering drapery is to remember that order is important. This is because the different elements of window treatment that you are layering provide different benefits, and can only provide these benefits if hung accordingly. Your base layer should be an inside-mounted blind or shade that hangs flush against the window. Your second layer is where custom drapery comes in. Because of their length and thickness, drapery looks beautiful when mounted over simpler blinds or shades. You can stop here if you wish. Or, if you want to add a third layer—sheers, a valance, or an additional liner adds decorative appeal and additional function to your window treatment.

Tip #2: Mix & Match Textures

If you are worried that your layered look will just look like a bulk of fabric, don’t be afraid to vary your colors, patterns, and textures! In fact, basic, solid curtains and drapes look gorgeous when paired with textured blinds or shades. Simple shades are also beautifully complemented with ruffled valances for an extra touch of texture. Of course, when it comes to patterns, we encourage you to use them sparingly. Conflicting patterns can look busy and make a space feel smaller than it is.

For a subtle and elegant touch of organic texture, try layering drapes or shades with Provenance® Woven Wood Shades, available in layerable Roman shade, Waterfall Roman shade, and drapery styles. The natural woven woods, reeds, and grasses of these shades are available in colors and neutrals perfect for layering and adding dimension to your interiors.

Tip #3: Any Window Can Participate

If you think that layering shades is strictly for wide windows, then we are happy to help provide some new insight. While layering curtains over blinds or shades on picture windows looks absolutely gorgeous, there are more avenues to explore when it comes to layering drapery. In fact, any window in your home can benefit from drapery layering!

Since drapery provides added light control, noise reduction, and plenty of privacy, you can layer smaller windows, tall windows, wide windows, bowed windows, sliding glass doors, and just about any window you can think of. If you are concerned about the size of your windows when it comes to layering, allow our friendly team to help!

Contact Us Today

We are located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and proudly serve the areas surrounding Harrisburg, Brookings, and Mitchell, SD; Rock Rapids, Larchwood, Spirit Lake, and Okoboji, Iowa; and Luverne, Minnesota. A member of our team is standing by to help you create the next exciting new window treatment design for your home, and we can’t wait to start working with your family!

To learn more about layering shades, blinds, and drapery from Hunter Douglas, be sure to contact us online or visit us today at Betz Blinds to learn more.