5 Common Window Treatment Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
When it comes to window treatments, it’s easy to make a few innocent mistakes that can lead to frustration, wasted money, and a less-than-perfect look for your home. Whether you’re outfitting a cozy space in Franklin, a bright living room in Hendersonville, or a brand new home in June Lake, the wrong choice can stand out in all the wrong ways.
The good news? These mistakes are completely avoidable. Let’s break down the five most common window treatment blunders—and how Southern Shades can help you avoid them.
1. Choosing Cheap Over Durable
We get it—those blinds from big-box stores might look appealing at first. But here’s the thing: they’re cheap for a reason. Within a year, the sun will discolor the slats, the heat will warp the material, and the plastic mechanisms will start to fail (which is the reason for a limited 1 year warranty). You’ll find yourself replacing them every 2-3 years, turning what seemed like a good deal into a long-term expense.
How to Avoid It:
Opt for quality blinds backed by a lifetime warranty, like the ones at Southern Shades. Our blinds are built with durable materials, including metal mechanisms, ensuring they’ll last for decades without warping, fading, or breaking. And if something unexpected does happen? We’ll replace or fix them at no cost. This ensures a one-time purchase, for a lifetime of quality. As a family-owned and operated business in Middle Tennessee, we take pride in offering exceptional products at competitive prices. You get durable, stylish window treatments made to last a lifetime—and we’re proud to stand by our community with that promise.
2. Not Measuring Correctly
There’s nothing worse than ordering window treatments, waiting for them to arrive, and realizing they don’t fit. A small miscalculation can leave you with glaring light gaps on the sides, shades that are too short, or blinds awkwardly mounted.
One of our customers learned this the hard way. Excited about their brand-new condo, they measured for woven woods themselves and placed an order from a big-box retailer. We arrived to help install, and that’s when the issues began.
The shades were too narrow, leaving unsightly gaps on the sides. “No worries, I have curtains to cover that up,” they said. Yay! Disaster averted—until we lowered the shades and realized they were also 10 inches too short. That’s when the frustration set in: “What am I going to do now?”
Thankfully, it was not too late and we worked with the store to negotiate an exchange for the correct size. But the headaches, extra time, and cost could have been completely avoided by starting with professional measurements.
How to Avoid It:
Leave it to the professionals. At Southern Shades, we handle the measuring for you as part of our free consultation process. No guesswork, no stress—just perfectly fitted blinds every time. Your window treatments should be an investment that fits your home flawlessly and lasts for years.
3. Overlooking Light filtering miss coloring
In my 15+ years working with window coverings, there’s one surprising detail I’ve noticed no one seems to talk about: how materials and sunlight can completely alter the appearance of colors once they’re installed. It’s one of the most common mistakes people make when choosing window treatments—and it’s completely avoidable with the right guidance.
Here’s a scenario: You go online or visit a store to color match your window coverings to your walls, trim, or furniture. After much deliberation, you pick a light-filtering red that seems perfect. But when it’s installed? It doesn’t look red at all—it’s pink! You’re left scratching your head, wondering how your carefully chosen shade doesn’t match anything in your space.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: different materials, levels of light filtering, and sunlight exposure throughout the day can drastically change how colors appear. Light filtering, in particular, allows sunlight to interact with the material, altering its hue. For example:
A light-filtering grey might look significantly lighter during the day, even taking on a bluish tint.
A light-filtering red could appear pink or peach under direct sunlight.
The difference in color may seem subtle when you’re choosing samples, but once it’s installed, it can throw off your entire vision for the room.
How to Avoid It:
This is where having a professional consultant makes all the difference. At Southern Shades, we don’t just match colors—we take into account how materials will look in natural light, morning sun, and evening shadows.
These small adjustments may feel like minor details, but they make a massive impact on the final look of your space. Our goal is to make your vision a reality, without the stress of trial and error.
If necessary, when you work with us, our trusted consultants don’t just bring samples to your home—they leave them with you overnight. This way, you can see how the materials look in daylight, under the soft glow of evening, and even in artificial light. You’ll have time to really get a feel for the colors, textures, and light-filtering effects, ensuring your choice fits your space perfectly.
It’s why we offer free consultations, and we take pride in being one of the only companies in the area to explain these nuances to our customers. This attention to detail is why we have 100s of happy customers, and why we’re trusted across Middle Tennessee.
4. Skipping Professional Installation
DIY might seem like a cost-saving option, but one uneven mount or misaligned slat can ruin the functionality and appearance of your window blinds. Worse, you might accidentally damage your walls, leaving you with more than just blinds to fix.
Even when you buy from other companies, they often send subcontractors for installation. You end up dealing with strangers who don’t know you, your home, or your specific needs—and let’s face it, that’s not the level of service you deserve.
How to Avoid It:
At Southern Shades, the same expert who helps you select your window coverings will handle the installation. No strangers, no subcontractors—just a professional who understands your preferences and ensures everything is installed perfectly. With our help, your window treatments will look and function exactly as they should, from day one.
5. Forgetting About Energy Efficiency
One of the most overlooked benefits of quality window treatments is their ability to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Many people choose blinds or shades purely for their aesthetic appeal, forgetting that the right window treatments can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. Without energy-efficient options, your windows could be working against you, letting in too much heat in the summer or losing warmth in the winter.
How to Avoid It:
Choose window treatments made with energy-efficient materials, specifically designed for different uses and levels of light control. Whether you prefer blackout, light-filtering, or sheer options, energy-efficient materials can help you save up to 30% on your energy bills.
Woven Woods: These textured, natural materials bring a rustic charm to your home while offering moderate light filtering. Their dense weave provides insulation by reducing heat gain in the summer and retaining warmth in the winter, making them both stylish and functional.
Transitional Shades: These versatile shades feature alternating sheer and opaque panels, allowing you to seamlessly switch between diffused natural light and complete privacy. Their unique design also acts as a barrier, softening harsh sunlight and reducing heat transfer, all while giving your space a unique, modern look.
Blackout Blinds: Designed to completely block out light, these blinds are perfect for bedrooms or media rooms. Beyond their light-blocking benefits, blackout materials create a barrier that helps keep your home cooler during scorching Tennessee summers and warmer during chilly winter nights.
Solar Shades: These high-performance shades are engineered to filter sunlight while preserving your view. By cutting glare and reducing UV rays, solar shades not only protect your furniture from fading but also keep your space cool and comfortable, especially in sun-drenched areas like kitchens and sunrooms.
At Southern Shades, we believe energy efficiency should go hand-in-hand with style. Our experienced consultants guide you in selecting the perfect materials and designs tailored to Middle Tennessee’s climate, where summers bring intense heat and winters can get brisk. Whether you’re considering woven woods for a warm, inviting living room, transitional shades for versatile light control in your bedroom, or solar shades to tame the brightness in your kitchen, we’ll ensure your home is both beautiful and energy-efficient.
Why Southern Shades?
At Southern Shades, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional products and unmatched service to homeowners across Middle Tennessee. Whether you’re in Franklin, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, or the new subdivisions in June Lake, our goal is to make your window treatment journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
With our competitive pricing, free consultations, and lifetime warranty, it’s no wonder we’re the trusted choice for window blinds, shades, and shutters in the area.
Avoid These Mistakes Today!
Choosing the right window treatments doesn’t have to be stressful. With Southern Shades, you’ll get perfectly measured, beautifully designed blinds that combine style, function, and durability—all backed by a lifetime warranty.
👉 Schedule your free consultation today and experience the Southern Shades difference for yourself.
