What to expect from the world of window coverings for 2017
2016 was a banner year for the window coverings industry. There weren’t any major revelations or new product releases this year. There were however some adjustments that will continue to affect the product lines in future years.
Remote and Scene Controller
Motorization
Window covering manufacturers have been using motorization for decades, but the advancements are now making their use easier. I did my first installation this year with Somfy motors that are controlled by voice. Amazon Echo and the Samsung Smart Hub and a clever homeowner are making that work in the south suburban part of Reno. Hunter Douglas is constantly improving their PowerView motorization and it is integratable into many home automation systems. Other companies like QMotion and Lutron are also doing fantastic things with motorization. Look forward to further integration that will be easily usable by the homeowner in Reno, Sparks or Lake Tahoe.
Child Safety
As of July of 2016, Hunter Douglas removed standard cords from their offerings of the premier Duette shades. This is a harbinger of what is soon to be common practice for most window covering companies. Expect more cordfree options in the future. Motorization will be coming down in price and new technologies are in the works that will make child safety a priority. Kempler Design made a stand for child safety and the removal of standard pull-cords in 2014. I’m not sure, but we may have saved 100s of lives. (Probably not, but it is my article.) :)
Updated Colors
As palettes change, so do the colors you can expect to see in sampling. The color of the year is Greenery, and so you can expect to see more greens in the offerings. Window coverings tend to be slightly muted, but new offerings will lean toward these new trendy colors. Grays are still hot as are the off whites. Chrome is a great new (again) finish, and can be coordinated with many designer window fashions.
Final Thoughts
New releases tend to come out in the spring, so stay tuned to Kempler Design to keep up with the latest window coverings releases. Prices also tend to go up with the new samplings, so if budget is a factor, you might consider purchasing your window fashions during the winter months.
About Us
Kempler Design is located in Reno NV and serves the northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe regions with a mobile design showroom. Paul Kempler, its founder is considered a window fashions expert. Kempler Design has been featured in many prestigious projects, including the HGTV dream home in Lake Tahoe. Kempler Design works with homeowners as well as interior design firms looking for a local contact in the Reno/Tahoe area or is available for travel.