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BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS - Sometimes, the BEST window treatments are NONE at all.

Removal of window treatments often lets in far more light and can really pay off, as in this case, when there is a
beautiful view just outside. Plus, the windows now look twice as wide. If there is a warm and beautiful paint color on the walls, and the window frames are attractive, better to save window treatments for problem windows. Plus, it saves money, time and effort in staging your home for sale.

BEFORE

BEFORE traditional style window treatments

AFTER

AFTER removal of window treatments add light and a view

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Posted by Lisa Kauffman Tharp - BostonHomeStaging.com on 05/01/2007 05:02 AM

Comments (27)

before and after photos, home staging, window treatments

27 Comments on BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS - Sometimes, the BEST window treatments are NONE at all.

MAY

2007

Lisa - Wow! This is a great transformation. And you're right. Without the window treatment, it opened up the room and brought a sense of sophistication to the room. Awesome job.

Oh - you might want to post this in the Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures group.

Kathy

Lisa,

I have done this many times with success. It is usually difficult getting the clients to "see" the need for change.

Thanks for sharing.

Lucky :)

I never was a firm believer of window treatment for the same reason you have posted. If you want it dark use a shade...lol!

This was an awesome transformation!

The room looks very updated with the changes you've made

Wonderful work. I sell window treatments . mostly custom blinds of all sorts and find now I feel smothered in a house with heavy drapes. I try not to let my eye only see blinds but its hard sometimes to redesign with the drapes left in place. Great pictures and I agree ,,enter those on the before and after site.

Lisa, I totally agree. So many times I have left the windows without adornment. The buyer's comment is the house had "so much beautiful natural lighting". (it is included in the purchase price)

You've done a nice job transforming the room! True, you've let a LOT more light in, but taking photos has just become a nightmare b/c the extra light fools the camera into making everything else dark. In this case, natural light is both your best friend and your worst enemy since in the 2nd shot, you can't see what's outside of the windows AND the interior of the room now appears much darker. Would it really be so bad to keep a light (sheer) drape to cut the light?

Very nice. Great job and very stong point.

Justin - True, it does become somewhat trickier to shoot into unadorned windows. However, the net effect is lighter and airier overall. When buyers walk through the actual home, the windows open to the view are a MAJOR plus, and the light flooding into the room is spectacular.

Also, there are ways in photography to compensate. If I had had more time on this particular shot, would have brought extra lighting into the room, just for this angle, to fool the camera back into truly reflecting the very bright interior.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Fantastic Lisa - good to have you back on AR!

I'm staging a loft and came across the same decision, but was double guessing myself, until I saw these pictures. In a loft you need as much light as possible, that coupled with the fact that in this case, there are no neighbours, only skyline as a view. Would you agree that curtains are not necessary?

You are so right. You can never have too much light in my opinion and the more natural light the better. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

What a dramatic difference !

You've also eliminated the potential risk of fire ... those curtains were right up against a baseboard heater.

Lisa: Good post and good photos to illustrate. I also like your choice of color.

Lisa,

I'm completely in synch with you on this -- the transformation is remarkable! Removing the overwrought window treatments was just the beginning -- the paint change was dramatic, and I love nice touches like the armchairs, vases and perfect rug. It's streamlined and much more elegant and sophisticated. Great job!

Leslie Olson Leslie Olson Interiors, Austin Texas leslie@leslieolsoninteriors.com

Lisa what a transformation! It is so much more bright and open. Very inviting.

Lisa - BEAUTIFUL. I love the color!

Fantabulous job. You should put that in a magazine!

Beautiful work! I agree with Cindy, the after belongs in a magazine.

I love those old Boston houses!

Your after is beautiful. I love the vases. . .your point about window treatments is so true. Sometimes it is difficult to get people to part with them, but the result is fabulous, especially when there is great woodwork. Again. . .great job!

Beautiful staging job! Thanks for the tip!

Beautiful... a picture is worth a thousand words!

MAY

2007

Hi Mary.

Thank you for your comment and welcome back!

I think going without window treatments in a loft with a private view sounds perfect! Best of luck. Will watch for your AFTER photos soon. :)

Lisa

I completely agree. MOST of the time I ditch the window treatments, unless they are hiding something ugly outside. There is nothing more space creating than an uncluttered window. It lets light in, allows the outside to come in, and opens the space. Great example of how much better a room can look without covering up the windows.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Nice, warm & inviting

Absolutely striking! You definately produced a Wow factor here. I sure hope that you use these two examples for your work, they are excellent pics!

LOVE IT! I rarely prefer using window treatments unless totally necessary. Besides, aren't we, as stagers, supposed to show of the features of the home, not the "decoration". Great job Lisa.

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