The beauty of natural light is wonderful, but in some homes the amount of sunlight streaming in the windows simply ends up making the room uncomfortably warm, as well as fading furnishings, artwork and flooring.

Current trends are for more windows and the larger the better. The look is fantastic, but finding a window treatment to help control the effects of the sun and still allow that wonderful natural light to brighten the room can be tricky.

As with any home improvement project, the first step is to carefully consider the function of the room so the window treatment will not only look great, it will work for the activities that regularly occur in that space. Think about the need for privacy, the view, whether you want to open the window or leave it closed, and the main users of the room.

The answers to these questions will be your main guide in deciding what type of treatment will work best for you.

The next thing to consider is the look you want. Do you love long, flowing drapes, or do you prefer simple lines?

Current trends are for more sheer fabrics in a variety of rich colors. They look great but still let almost all the sunlight in.

Velvet is a perennial favorite for drapery. It looks elegant and suits almost any décor. But who wants to have the curtains pulled all day long?

A layered treatment usually offers the most flexibility. A layered treatment involves a combination of fabrics and blinds, or shades, for sun control when needed, and fabric for style and color.

Blinds come in a wide variety of material —vinyl, PVC, fabric or wood, just to list a few of the many options.

Depending on the numbers — and size — of your windows, budget is also a major concern for window treatments. A layered treatment offers the advantage of starting with the blinds and adding the fabric later when you can afford it.

Here are some tips when choosing blinds:

	A room with a view — pleated shades or horizontal blinds pull up to provide full exposure to the view.
	Bedrooms or bathrooms — horizontal blinds, roller shades or faux wood allow light control, as well as meeting any security and privacy concerns
	Family rooms — roller shades, woven woods or vertical blinds can effectively, and stylishly, eliminate glare on your television and computer screens
	Kitchen — modern faux wood blinds, aluminum blinds or blinds that have a smooth, painted finish are easier to clean
	Front house windows — cellular shade or roller shade with a white backing allows consistency in color for the front of your home
	Formal rooms — sheer panels or sheer fabric with centre horizontal or vertical vanes add style and sophistication to the most elegant formal setting

When it comes to window coverings there are an endless array of options. Talk to an interior designer for advice on what will work best for your home.