Plus Tips for Matching Window Coverings to Your Home’s Architectural Style

Historic homes pose a unique set of challenges when it comes to selecting the right window coverings. In this article, we’ll take a look at some considerations to help you find the right window treatment for your historic home, plus some of our favorite window coverings for historic homes.

Considerations for Historic Homes When Choosing Window Coverings

Finding the right window covering for your historic home can be a bit of a challenge. But here are the things you should take into consideration when selecting the perfect window treatment:

• Architectural Style: There are plenty of different historical architectural styles. From classic craftsman to colonial, each architectural style is unique. That means not all window treatments will go with your home’s architecture. 
• Original Features: If your home has historic window details, selecting a window treatment that highlights that, rather than conceals it, is ideal. You also want to consider the inside, such as original moulding that you’d like to keep or ensure isn’t covered by your treatment. 
• Energy Efficiency/Insulation: Older homes can have older windows. If you aren’t looking to replace your windows with historically accurate modern versions, keeping your home well insulated should also be part of your consideration. Adding a lining to your treatment can improve your home’s energy efficiency. 
• Window Size: Historical homes often have irregularly sized windows. Custom or bespoke window coverings ensure a perfect fit! 

Why Custom Window Treatments are Better for Historical Homes

We briefly touched on some of these in the considerations above, but we want to delve into this a bit more. Standard window sizes have changed over the years and if you’ve ever tried to replace your windows in a historical home, you’ve run into that issue already! Big box windows just don’t fit right. The same goes for window treatments. Custom window coverings ensure the perfect fit for your irregular-sized windows and windows with custom historical moulding around them. 

If replacing your windows with more energy efficient custom versions, or modernizing your home’s insulation just isn’t in the budget, insulating window treatments are a more affordable option that can help you and your family feel more comfortable year round without breaking the bank. Simply add a solar, room darkening, or blackout lining to the fabric window treatment of your choice. Not into soft treatments? Real wood blinds and shutters both offer amazing insulating benefits. 

The Best Window Coverings for Historical Homes

Here are our top window coverings for historical homes broken down by architectural style:

Colonial

Colonial style houses were built from 1600 to the 19th century, though this school of design overlapped with many others. Typically, this style home is outfitted with double hung windows and needs treatments that can accommodate this construction. During this time period, homeowners would use both interior shutters and simple tabbed drapes in small florals or muted plaids. To make it modern, opt for interior shutters in wood or faux wood. Try matching the color of your shutters to your home’s existing wood or to your wall paint color. 

Georgian

Georgian homes are known for their stately, symmetrical style and became popular during the 1720s to 1780s. Key characteristics include a grand entrance, balanced facade, multi-paned sash windows and high ceilings. Historical homeowners were known for Venetian Blinds–stately dark-stained wood blinds with a flat cloth strip. To add drama, drapes were layered over and topped off with a cornice. Make it modern with traditional cordless blinds or opt for modernized Venetian Blinds! 

Federal

This architectural style was from 1780 to 1830. Federal architecture is known for its classical Roman and Greek influences, refined symmetry, and a formal five-bay facade with a centered entrance that has a semi-circular fanlight. During this time period, American textile production increased, and drapes that extend to the floor came into vogue. They often were adorned with more elaborate embellishments, such as tassels or fringe, and made use of tiebacks. They also did away with cornices in favor of swagged valances that imitated diaphanous robes worn by Greek or Roman goddesses. To make it modern, opt for custom drapes made of light and airy materials, but opt for sleeker pleats and less swooping. 

Victorian

Homes constructed during the Victorian Era were known for their opulence and extreme attention to detail–think gingerbread house trim, steep rooflines, wraparound porches, towers and turrets, and sometimes bright color schemes, just to name a few iconic features. Victorian homes are also known for their asymmetry–a real break from previous architectural styles. Inside, window coverings built off the Federal styles, but became more over-the-top, with layers of lace and intricate swags. (Think of Victorian style as the precursor to maximalism!) Drapes were perhaps the most prominent symbol of Victorian excess. Make it modern by opting for Roman shades with soft folds, selecting fabric that coordinates with your upholstery. 

Arts and Crafts/Craftsman

Arts and Crafts house refers to the British-born design philosophy of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that rejected industrial mass production in favor of hand-crafted, natural, functional design. Craftsman is the American interpretation of this movement, characterized by simple, durable forms, exposed structural elements and local materials. This also influenced the way homeowners in this era adorned their windows. They typically did not have window treatments, so as to not cover up the beautifully constructed decorative windows. However, in order to maintain privacy, some homeowners used sleek roller shades. Modernize it with a roller shade with a decorative edge and trim to stay true to the handmade yet minimalist style, but use a modern textile that blocks harmful UV rays to protect your furniture from sun damage. 

Elevate Your Historical Home’s View

Elevated Views is your Pikes Peak Region custom window covering experts! We know this region’s historical homes are full of Victorian and Craftsman style homes, and modern homes that harken back to even older historical architectural styles! If you are ready to match your window coverings to your home's architectural style, our experts can help you. From design selection to installation, our experts make the process easy and enjoyable. Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote today and we’ll bring the showroom to you.