The style statement of black windows has taken the design world by storm. But, it seems that once the windows are installed, many homeowners are left wondering about pairing window treatments with black trim. Don’t let the world tell you that bare windows are the answer! You need protection from light, heat and neighborhood views into your home–even with modern black frame windows. We will walk you through the concepts of highlighting the black trim or softening it for a more balanced approach. When you discover the right window treatments for black window frames, the result will be stunning.
Black Window Trim Is Popular, But What about the Window Treatments?
It’s one of the hottest looks in home design. The striking contrast and contemporary lines bring an upscale look to the interior and exterior of the home. The manufacturing process (of the windows) can add a higher price to for black window frames, making them more unique, as less homeowners choose this option. The look of modern black frames can work beautifully across style statements, including modern, industrial and farmhouse design. What’s the challenge? The glare, privacy and design decisions (whether to hide or highlight) can get in the way of you enjoying your new windows. Blinds, Shades, Shutters and Drapery are all wonderful options. What you’ll need to decide is which look you like the best–highlighting just what appeals to you, including whether you want to cover vs blend window coverings.
To Highlight or Soften the Black Trim: That IS the Question
Once your black windows are installed, you might be hesitant to add window coverings for fear of losing that sophisticated look. And, of course, every home design site on the internet is going to show off bare windows. But, that’s no way to live. If it’s the black trim you’d like to enjoy, even when the window treatments are closed, rely on the correct fabrics.
Show Off the Black Trim
By choosing a treatment that is sheer or offers view-through, you’ll still see the contrasting look while enjoying light control and privacy. Light or sheer fabrics offer a soft look, perfect for the design lover that wants to show off the black frames.
Another option is to choose dual control. This can include window coverings that either have two different settings, or the dual shades feature. Enjoy the light and style of the windows when you want, and then close it off when you need more control.
Drapery easily adjusts off to the side to frame the modern black frames beautifully, yet offers coverage when you need it most. Sheer fabrics will reveal the black trim while also reducing glare and improving privacy.
To Cover the Black Trim–or Soften the Look
Of course, you can cover black trim windows. Many homeowners decide to choose black windows for the outside curb appeal, but aren’t as tied to the black on the inside. When you cover black trim windows, you might decide on something that allows coverage, but can easily be adjusted to show off the look, or show off the view. Window coverings can also be set in position to allow a hint of black trim without overwhelming the entire space.
Additionally, when you cover windows, chances are some of the trim will be visible on the edges, which can be a subtle statement of contrast.
If covering black trimmed windows, room darkening and blackout fabrics work well. Choose coverings that overlap the frames, allowing them to only be seen when the window treatments are raised. This can be a great option in bedrooms, or when you choose room darkening window treatments for media rooms as well.
With light-filtering fabrics, you’ll cover the black trim–easily showing off a hint of the silhouette in the background, but not allowing the black color to take center stage, unless uncovering portions of the window, similar to this top down bottom up look with Duette Honeycomb Shades.
Layering drapery with shades is another option for coverage. The light filtering neutral roller shade softens the look of the black window frames, while the draperies overlap the sides, capable of closing out the light and the trim. Motorized shades are a great option for black framed windows, patio doors and large windows.
Best Window Treatments for Black-Trimmed Windows
We love to offer suggestions of different types of window treatments that work with black trim to clients who have chosen modern black framed windows for their homes. This can include the black window frames, or dark casing that surrounds the window. Any kind of blinds, shades or drapery can look amazing. But, you’ll want to consider the type that fits the look of your home, while also offering the light control, privacy and energy efficiency you’ll need for comfort.
Roller Shades Offer Clean Lines
The low profile of roller shades pairs well with black framed windows–it’s a modern look with clean results. Roller shades offer both light filtering in neutral tones for a contrasting look with the black lines, or darker fabrics for more of a blended look. Choose motorized roller shades for rooms where you want to both close out the light or reduce the glare, as well as show off the wide open view. Roller shades are a great choice for living rooms and kitchens–anywhere you have large black framed windows to cover.
Soft, Tailored Styling of Roman Shades
Roman shades introduce a softness, with folds of fabric, whether in light filtering or room darkening fabrics. The contrasts well with the strong presence of the black window trim. Roman shades can be custom fit to show off the black frames, or extended slightly to cover the edges when fully closed. Roman shades are an ideal choice for bedrooms, dining rooms and a wide range of style statements, including traditional and transitional.
Drapery Panels to Hide or Show Off the Trim
The benefit of drapery panels is that you can customize the look–whether you want to soften the space by making the draperies cover the stark edges of the black frames, or open them more to show off the dark color. The drapery fabrics can enhance the design of your home with colors and patterns, allowing the black window trim to be in the background. Floor to ceiling drapes can heighten the look of the room, taking the attention away from the black window trim if that’s what you desire. Choose matte black drapery hardware to complement the look of the windows. This is a gorgeous look on large windows, glass doors or in any room where you want to add softness and the benefits of energy efficiency and sound absorption.
Woven Wood Shades Add Natural Warmth & Texture
Introducing warmth into a space with black trim windows can create beautiful design. The organic fibers of woven wood shades offer a striking contrast to the strong lines of black trim at the window. The colors associated with the woven materials of bamboo, woods and grasses naturally warm up the atmosphere created by the black trim. This softens the overall design, while still feeling modern. Woven shades are a great choice for living rooms and home offices, as well as any space where they can be paired with drapery.
Cellular Shades for Light Control and Energy Efficiency
Like any windows, black framed windows can bring in too much light and can affect the way our homes feel, due to sunlight entering. Cellular shades can be a welcomed solution, as they provide efficient light control and can protect the interior of your home from overheating or feeling drafty–depending on the season of the year. Honeycomb shades, like the award-winning Duettes or the low profile function of cellular rollers, are an ideal choice for bedrooms or South-facing rooms.
Getting the Look of Black Trim Without New Windows
There are many how-to videos and blog posts about DIY options for turning white window trim black. But, we’ve got our own ideas! Instead of investing time and money into black windows, you can emulate the look with window coverings. Shades and blinds can be customized with dark trim, headrails, hardware and fabrics for a stunning look.
Shutters are another option when you’d like to make a contrasting statement in your home, without changing your windows.
The Exterior Views
When you outfit your home with window coverings, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask how the outside of the home will appear. Many shades are designed with a uniform appearance for the outside view, allowing you to cover your windows with the style that suits you. Consider whether you’d like something that contrasts, or something that blends.
Schedule Your Free In-Home Consultation
If you are looking to cover the black windows in your home, our team can help! The sophisticated style of black trim gives your home a premium look, for style on the inside and outside. Let us help you discover the best ways to cover windows in your home. Visit one of our showrooms, or get in touch for your FREE consultation.
