Window Treatments for a Summer Cottage

A summer cottage or cabin is the perfect rustic getaway for those who live and work in the city or suburbs. Getting out to the countryside can be a nice escape from the rigid efficiency, constant demands for attention, and frantic pace that have become key elements of modern life. One way you can enhance both your relaxation and immersion in nature when visiting your cottage is to install the right window coverings. But what are the right window coverings? Here, we break down the best options for cottage window coverings that will improve your summer getaway immensely.

Wood Shutters

Starting out with the most luxurious of window coverings, wood shutters are the perfect fit for a summer cottage. Traditionally used in many of the cottage styles emulated by modern summer cottages, especially prior to the widespread use of glass windows, window shutters will fit right in with the charming, rural aesthetic of cabins and cottages. The use of natural materials helps lend a veneer of authenticity to the cottage or cabin, especially if it is located in a forested area where such materials would be readily available. Wood is also a warm and characterful material that will improve the look of your cottage or cabin from both the inside and the outside. In terms of function, shutters offer excellent insulation, which is a major benefit in older cabins or cottages where heating and air conditioning units may not be as advanced as those in most modern homes – or even present at all. They’re also great for guaranteeing privacy, as they create a very solid barrier when closed. There are, however, two important downsides to wood shutters. The first is that they are a luxury item, so they are significantly more expensive than some of the more basic options. The second is that they can degrade over time when placed in moist or humid environments, so if your cottage or cabin is in a particularly damp location, wood shutters may not be the best choice.

Wood Blinds or Faux Wood Blinds

As with wood shutters, wood blinds offer the beauty, warmth, and natural charm of authentic wood, though they are a far more affordable style of wooden window treatments. They are a great fit for a cottage or cabin for many of the same reasons, but they also have the same problems with prolonged exposure to moisture or humidity. Faux wood blinds provide superior resistance to moisture and humidity at the cost of some of wood’s natural charm. Blinds of both the wood and faux wood variety have a lot to offer as window coverings, both aesthetically, and in terms of privacy and light control.

Natural Shades

Another type of window treatment made from natural materials are natural shades, which are flat, vertical sheets of woven wood made from bamboo, jute, or tall grasses. They offer warmth and texture, as well as light filtration that provides decent privacy without sacrificing the natural light. For greater privacy and room darkening, you can even add a solid fabric liner behind the woven wood. They are easy to operate, clean, and maintain. Natural shades are also an environmentally friendly option, as they are responsibly sourced from sustainable materials. They make a charming addition to a cottage setting.

Drapery

You don’t have to go with natural materials in order to tap into a natural aesthetic. Simple floral patterns are a great way of maintaining a nature-based theme in your cottage or cabin, and drapery is one of the best ways to take advantage of a beautiful fabric, as it remains displayed when opened. Curtains have a long history of use, so they won’t feel overly modern should you desire to maintain a more old-timey feel in your cottage or cabin. They are also great for keeping out unwanted light and providing insulation against noise and outside temperatures. Drapery will help make your cottage or cabin feel friendly and inviting.

Roman Shades

As with drapery, roman shades use patterned fabric, which can be customized to perfectly suit your cottage or cabin. Unlike the more utilitarian designs of modern roller shades, roman shades use decorative folds to continue to prominently display your fabric even when they are raised. This makes investing in a beautiful floral pattern or other high-quality fabric design much more worthwhile. Roman shades, as their name suggests, date back to ancient Rome, so they won’t feel overly modern in a cottage or cabin with a rustic or traditional style. Roman shades are also easy to operate, clean, and maintain. Partway between drapery and roller shades, roman shades occupy an attractive space in the window treatment line-up. They would make an excellent addition to the right cottage or cabin.

Cellular Shades

With their honey-comb structure, cellular shades are a great compliment to a natural aesthetic. Visually, they provide both colour and texture to the spaces where they are installed. In terms of their functionality, cellular shades offer a high degree of insulation from outside elements like heat, cold, light, and noise. This benefit is especially important for older cottages and cabins without up-to-date heating and air conditioning systems. While they do have a bit of a modern look to them, the right cellular shades will fit right in with a rustic cottage design.

Exterior Awnings

If you’re planning on spending a considerable amount of your summer at this location, it is probably a good idea to have some exterior shade that you can relax in while taking advantage of the outdoors. Exterior awnings allow you to reliably provide that shade in the space of your choosing. They also provide shade to the building itself, which can help to keep it cool throughout the summer heat. While not technically window coverings, exterior awnings make a great addition to summer cabins and cottages, where having that extra bit of shade can be so valuable.