The trend in window treatments today is clean lines and understated elegance, easy to care for and not overwhelming. That said, don’t think their impact can’t be huge.

Speaking from experience, window treatments can really bring a room together and give it that “finished look.” As the last step in accessorizing our family room and dining area, we had no idea what a big step it would be to complete our overall design scheme.

What we opted for were slatted wood blinds with fashionable twill tapes for accent (decorative, ribbon-like alternatives to standard, braided cord ladders which connect the blinds vertically). What we got was much needed contrast and elegance, not to mention privacy and temperature and light control!

Even though aesthetic value is, of course, very important when considering options, your first thoughts should be driven by functionality.

“Function usually drives my client’s decision to start thinking about window treatments; do they need more privacy? How much? Is the room cold in the winter and too warm in the summer?” says Robin Hoffman, owner of Interiors by Robin, in Spokane.

“After determining a client’s needs, then it’s on to the fun part – the style, which for 2010 is simple. Shades, especially the sunscreen roller and roman shades, as well as hand-drawn curtains, are very popular right now.”

Gone are the days of “draw draperies” where hardware plays a behind-the-scenes part. It’s prominently one of the stars of the show – rods and finials exposed and fabulous! Available in any shape and form, the choices nod heavily toward Mother Nature in organic materials such as bamboo and matchstick, but they also share the stage with chrome and brushed nickel as well.

Eco-friendly and energy-efficient products are popular in all aspects of window treatments for 2010. Blinds and shades are going up on windows across the country, but also in natural materials and woven wood. No more plastic or aluminum; homeowners are looking to create a natural look, also using such resourceful products as rice, hemp and cork.

When it comes to color, the Kasmir Fabrics Color and Style Trend Report states that in tough economic times, consumers typically tend to lean toward “safe” neutral colors and the tranquil colors of nature. This is not only because of how they make us feel safe, but it also costs less to modify or switch up a muted color scheme than a vibrant one. When the economy is doing well, and we are optimistic about the future, colors tend to be more bold. This year, as the economy is rebounding, at least in baby steps, we’re seeing a mix of the two.

“Although we’re sticking with neutral colors for our backdrops, vibrant, bolder colors have come out this year such as pumpkin and tomato-red, making for stunning accents,” says Gina Cook, owner of the Design Corner, in downtown Spokane.

Yellow is also a popular color right now, reflecting our optimistic side, psychologically defining sunny skies ahead.

And even though the look for 2010 is simple, luxury fabrics are still very popular, but in the form of sleek silhouettes against a window, without a lot of excess. Think blends of silk or velvet (lined for protection from deterioration) for floor-length drapes which always look classic and function in just about any situation. Also popular is wool which drapes beautifully because of its weight, its insulating properties and its ability to hold up well in direct sunlight.