Window Treatments That Work on North-Facing Windows
Rooms with north-facing windows tend to feel dimmer and cooler than the rest of the house. The limited natural light can make even a well-decorated space feel flat. But you can make changes to your window treatments to help a room feel livelier.
Our Custom Wood Shutters & Blinds team specializes in window covering solutions near Tustin, CA, and we know how to make the most of these north-facing windows.
North-Facing Windows Deal With Less Light
In the northern hemisphere, north-facing windows never receive direct sunlight. The light they let in is indirect, diffused, and consistent throughout the day. It sounds pleasant in theory, but it can leave rooms feeling perpetually shadowy and even too cool at times.
Because no direct sunlight shines in, there’s less natural brightness. That means living rooms, kitchens, and other gathering spaces may need more artificial lighting to compensate. Besides that, the indirect light that does come through reads as blue-toned and cool, which can make wall colors look different from what they did on the paint chip and give the space a duller atmosphere.
Heat loss is a third concern, especially in winter. Without the warming effect of direct sunlight, rooms with north-facing windows lose heat faster during those cooler months.
What Are the Best North Window Treatments?
One design trap many homeowners fall into is covering these windows with heavy drapes to add visual warmth, but that may make the low-light problem worse. The goal should be to keep those windows as open as possible without compromising insulation or style.
Here are some options for north-facing window treatments that our team recommends:
- Sheer shades allow available natural light to filter into the room while softening it slightly and eliminating glare that can occur even without direct sunlight. You can layer sheer shades with light linen drapery panels on either side to add design interest.
- Roller shades with light-filtering enhancements also do an excellent job of letting ambient light in without blocking it. These come in warm-toned fabrics that counteract the cool color temperature these windows naturally produce.
- Wood blinds are another strong option, as the natural grain and warm tones of real wood complement the cool light quality exquisitely. Keep the slats tilted open to let light bounce off the ceiling, which brightens the room more effectively than letting it fall directly onto the floor.
- Cellular shades are the most energy-efficient choice, as their design traps air to form an insulating barrier that offsets heat loss through north-facing windows in winter. Choose a light-filtering opacity that still lets the room benefit from available daylight.
Brighten Up Rooms With Custom Window Covering Solutions Near Tustin, CA
You don’t have to settle for a less-than-optimal north-facing window treatment. Our design experts at Custom Wood Shutters & Blinds know how to enhance a home's specific natural light rather than work against it. Contact us online or call (714) 838-2142 to schedule your consultation with us to learn more about how the right window coverings can help.
Our team can also help you find the perfect window treatments for west-facing, south-facing, and east-facing windows.
Custom Wood Shutters & Blinds is a family-owned window fashions store, serving Tustin, Rancho Mission Viejo, Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Yorba Linda, and Corona Del Mar, CA.
