Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hotel Drapes, Blackout Roller Shades, and Solar Shades
The bed, shower, and furniture in a hotel room shape the guest experience, but they aren’t the only factors. Every guest room is a collection of details, and the right hotel drapes and roller shades are an important (but sometimes overlooked) detail.
Whether you’re giving your hotel window treatments for the first time or are upgrading your interiors, here are a few tips to help guide your decision.
Consider How Much Light You Want to Block
Different types of hotel drapes block different amounts of light:
- Blackout Shades: Block all light coming into the room
- Room-Darkening Shades: Block a large portion of light
- Sheer Drapes: Allow large amounts of light to filter in
- Solar Shades: Allow the most light to filter in while blocking UV rays
The amount of light a given shade blocks isn’t the only factor to include in your decision. For instance, while solar shades offer a unique benefit, they can be costly, so they might not be the right choice for a very budget-minded hotel.
Think About Logistics
Many rooms are furnished with a combination of hotel blackout drapes and sheer curtains. However, before you decide on buying a set for each room, consider how easy your chosen shades are to use.
Here’s an example. Suppose that you want to install a fairly standard combination of blackout curtains and sheer drapes. You could install one curtain rod with a sheer curtain and another with blackout drapes. However, some guests may struggle to adjust the heavy blackout drapes to their preferences.
If you want to optimize the guest experience, consider a combination of traditional sheer drapes and blackout roller shades. With this setup, your guests won’t be contending with multiple sets of curtains. The sheer drapes work like regular curtains, but the roller shades are simply pulled down to cover the window.
Don’t Forget About Safety Features
Aesthetics and day-to-day functionality aren’t the only factors you should consider when selecting hotel drapes. It’s also wise — and in some cases, legally required — for your hotel drapes to be fire-resistant.
Think About the Long-Term Impact
When you’re choosing hotel drapes and shades, consider how they will impact your business over the long term. For instance, PVC-coated roller shades tend to be more durable and easier to clean than curtains made of a cotton blend.
That doesn’t mean that the best option is always the most durable fabric. However, selecting drapes that are fairly stain-resistant and easy to launder will help you maintain your hotel’s standards of cleanliness and keep rooms looking guest-ready.
Give Your Hotel’s Window Treatments a Facelift
Hotel-style blackout drapes, roller shades, and solar shades are an investment in your business — and choosing your next window treatments isn’t a decision you should rush.
At The Hemming Way, we create completely customized hotel drapes and shades for hotels. You choose the size, fabric, color, and style, and we bring your ideas to life. If you’re ready to get started or just want to learn more, reach out to us today.
