The 5 Accessories You Should Always Buy for Your Windows

When you’re trying to sell your home, a good start is to ensure that your windows are clean — but that’ll only get you so far. If you’ve been staring at the same curtains, shades, or blinds since you first moved in, it might be time for an upgrade to impress buyers. 

“Windows are a major consideration when purchasing a home,” says Christopher Totaro, sales director of Coldwell Banker Warburg in New York City. “Windows are not only the frame that enhances the artfulness of the interior space; they are also permanent individual works of art.”

While it’s true you can’t rearrange windows as you would furniture, and it’s impossible to add any more to an apartment, there are ways to make the most of your current fenestration situation. Here’s what Totaro and other real estate pros advise you to purchase.

It’s OK if you like creating a colorful space. Just don’t do it with window treatments, says agent Andrea Wernick of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “To leave a lasting impression on potential buyers, it’s best to opt for neutral-colored curtains crafted from premium materials and hung on a robust, ornamental rod,” she explains. 

Still want those pops of color? Go with throw pillows and other decor instead.

Raising or lowering a window shade might not seem like the most laborious task — unless you have high ceilings and your windows stretch far out of reach. 

“For modern apartments with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, motorized shades are always very appealing — especially when the ceilings are particularly high,” says real estate agent Jeremy Kamm of Coldwell Banker Warburg.

“Buyers are wooed by the convenience of pressing a button to let in the light and view or to have instant privacy,” says Totaro. He notes this is an amenity that has “unanimous appeal” in New York City, where neighboring buildings are often extremely close in proximity. 

“To create a warm and inviting ambiance, consider using curtains that allow ample natural light to filter into the space,” Wernick says. 

Thick, gorgeously draped curtains bring plenty of drama to the theater. But for your home, you’ll want something that doesn’t require a stage crew to open up in order to get a few rays of sunshine.

All that natural light is wonderful — except for when you’re trying to sleep in on the weekends. That’s why blackout curtains are key for controlling the amount of sunlight, not to mention providing much-need privacy.

“Blackout shades with a sheerer option in bedrooms are also extremely popular,” says agent Jeremy Kamm, also of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Trends are staying away from heavy or ornate window treatments to keep spaces feeling lighter and brighter.

Can’t decide what to buy for your windows? Then save your money, advises Alexis Peters, strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees. She actually opts for no window treatments if you’re looking to sell.

“Let the undressed windows speak for themselves so the focus will be on the bones of the home, and the bright light throughout, so potential buyers can imagine their own families growing there,” she says.

Of course, if you do go for new window treatments, choose carefully and don’t break the bank. As is the case for just about any upgrade you make in your home, there’s an excellent chance your style choices won’t be in line with what buyers prefer. “Don’t do anything to detract from the sale of your home,” she says.