curtain fabricWhen one enters a room the window and the curtains are usually where the eyes are drawn. It is thus normal that we should try to dress our windows in the best possible way. One problem that many homeowners encounter is that oftentimes windows do not contribute well to the overall style of the room.

We spend a lot of time on the various accessories and too often we quickly choose a curtain fabric and a color and we think we are done. Just like any other accessory in the room curtains must fit in the general theme of the room rather than blend into the walls or the furniture fabrics. Here are some tips to give character to your window dressing.

Be unconventional, there is nothing like a splash of color to brighten up your everyday life. Nobody ever said that you should have identical curtains  (well may be someone said it – but you don’t have to listen). Mix motifs and colors. If you have a shawl or large scarves collection, saris, or fabrics from other countries you can use them. All you really need to do is drape them over a rod, or you can make a casing into which to slide the rod. Read the rest of this entry

window-treatmentsWindow treatments are part of what makes a house a home. It’s hard to imagine a beautiful, stylish room with bare windows on the walls, which is part of the reason that curtains and blinds are such an essential part of one’s home.

But there are quite a few things that must be taken into consideration when choosing the kind of window treatments that you’ll be using. For one thing, you need to make sure that you get something that will provide you with the privacy and room darkening capabilities that you need.

For another, you’ll need to choose window treatments that are both practical and affordable. And finally, you’ll also want to make a selection that will blend well with, complement, or enhance the rest of your room’s decor. Read the rest of this entry

window valancesIf you enjoy decorating your home, you would probably like to do more of it but it can be costly and time consuming to give a room a whole new look. It would be much better if you could change just a few things and achieve a fresh look like that.

Well, you can!

Window treatments have so much impact that they can instantly give your room a lift. If new curtains are out of the question, consider just adding or changing the window valances to give your windows a new look. You can either use the window valances with a cheap window blind or use a contrast valance with your curtain curtains.

One thing a valance can do is to help you bring a new color into your room. Once you have your valance in the new color, you can swap out a few other accessories in the room and replace them with those which match your valance. Read the rest of this entry

Aluminum BlindsAre you looking for an alternative for the cheap-looking vinyl blinds? Then you should look for aluminum blinds. Available in many colors, they are sturdier than the vinyl ones and much more stylish. They do cost more, but they will last longer and give a modern feel to any room.

Sizes range ½” (micro-blinds),  1” and 1 3/8” (mini blinds), and 2” (blinds, or macro blinds). The main difference in daily use is that mini blinds give you more control over light, while macro blinds give you a better view once you open them.

Aluminum blinds come in many colors, so they fit most decoration styles. You can combine colors if you want, or use simpler colors such as silver, bronze and black for a contemporary room. Read the rest of this entry

blackout window coveringsResearch proves that sunlight is actually good for us but in some circumstances it is not quite as desirous. Such as for those people who work at night to whom the rays of the sun are a hindrance to the much needed rest their bodies require above anything else.

No matter what the reason there is a solution for those seeking to limit the amount of actual light that comes into their room. Short of sleeping with an eye mask which can irritate delicate facial skin or come off at a seconds notice the use of blackout window coverings is ideal.

Who are these people looking for these types of curtains and window treatments?

As mentioned previously if you work during the night and desire sleep during the day which you cannot get if relentless streams of light come in through your window or you have a restless youngster who thinks just because the sun is still up it means play time, these are candidates for the use of room darkening shades. Read the rest of this entry

honeycomb blindsThere are a lot of different window treatments available on nowadays market. Two options that we are going to discuss in this article are vertical blinds and honeycomb blinds. Blinds are the perfect window treatment if you want to have a lot of privacy. They often have a great aesthetic look, function and are easy to clean.

Vertical blinds are attached to the top and sometimes the bottom of the window frame and often haven a chain to keep them in place. They are available in different kind of colors and sizes. Vertical blinds are perfect to control light coming into the room. If you do not want to have light in your room you close the vertical blind slats that overlap each other. Read the rest of this entry

Plantation shuttersPlantation shutters are some of the more expensive window treatments; however it is possible to find cheap plantation shutters that look great if you are willing to do a little searching for them.

If you are not set on wood shutters, you may find that white PVC shutters look just as good. They have a very clean and cheery appearance, and can give a real boost to any room. They are often a perfect choice for kitchen windows, but you can also install them in bedrooms and living rooms.

Just because they are made from PVC does not mean that they have to look cheap. It all depends on your overall décor. PVC shutters are considerably cheaper than wood or faux wood plantation shutters, and you can still get the same look yet at a much cheaper price. Read the rest of this entry

caravan blindsA caravan is a mobile trailer used to live or travel from place to place. These are generally used during a holiday season, weekends or for camping purposes. It provides the ability to move around to various locations in a mobile home.

It is generally regarded that mobile homes need to be well maintained. For this purpose using a suitable type of caravan blinds is required to protect the interiors from getting faded. Besides giving protection to the interiors, it also helps to keep the caravan cool especially during hot summer days. Further it offers privacy and security from any theft or burglary. Read the rest of this entry

eyelet curtainsWindow treatments are one of the most important features of any room, and the type of curtain chosen for any room should be well thought out. Eyelet curtains provide a great flexibility in design and function, they also have tremendous availability and selection. Compared to other curtain styles, eyelet curtains are among the most durable, making this style of curtain a top consideration for window dressing.

What are Eyelet Curtains?
Eyelet curtains are a type of curtain that is hung directly on the curtain rod through a series of eyelets. These are holes in the curtain with a metal ring, called a grommet, used for reinforcement. A curtain rod is run through the grommet holes, so the curtain hangs in a folded “accordion” fashion. Read the rest of this entry

eyelet curtainsIf you are looking for a great way to dress up your windows, then you may want to consider adding some eyelet curtains to your decorating scheme.  These types of curtains are easily found in most any type of store that sells window treatments, or if you are somewhat handy and know how to sew, you can even make a pair or two of your own to save yourself some money and allow yourself limitless design possibilities.

What exactly are eyelet curtains?  Well, chances are that even if you’re not familiar with their name, you are familiar with their style.  They are simply a set of curtains, made from just about any type of fabric, that has a set of eyelets, grommets, or holes on the top of the curtain panel, through which curtain hooks or rings can be placed which then attach the curtain to a rod or pole.  Read the rest of this entry

Kitchen CurtainsThere are a few things about kitchen curtains that make them unique and different than other types of curtains in your home.  For one thing, the materials that you find curtains for your kitchen curtains may be made of material more suitable to that environment.

Similar to how you might find a different type of paint for use in a kitchen.  Because of the grease and other agents that exist in the kitchen, the materials that make up a quality curtain will be more resistant to these environmental factors.

Then again, there are simple cotton kitchen curtains that are made of the same material that you might find in the curtains for your bedroom.  One common style is the gingham curtain.  This refers to that popular checkerboard style that is often red and white. They do come in other colors as well, this red and white is just more of a classic for this particular style. Read the rest of this entry

how to make roman shadesSometimes you’re just looking for a change regarding your window treatments.  Have you ever considered roman shades?  Learning how to make roman shades is simple, fast and easy when you follow step by step instructions.  The shades are elegant window treatments and the are much nicer than the standard plastic shades.

The Basics

The reason you might be considering making your own roman shades is that you desire to inject your own personal style.  You also get the benefit of a custom look without the custom price.  You can certainly go to any home improvement store to buy them or fork over a ton of money to have an interior designer custom make them for you.

We however think that you will want to make your own when you discover just how easy it is.  Think carefully about the window(s) that is going to be dressed.  Things such as where the window is located, lighting desired, window measurements are important considerations before beginning your how to make roman shades do-it-yourself project. Read the rest of this entry

DIY Window treatmentsDIY window treatments have a tremendous affect on your home’s decor. It’s a good idea to give as much attention to curtains and draperies as you do to your artwork and furnishings. DIY window treatments can save you tons of money and also be a lot of fun as you allow your creative juices to flow.

The total environment and energy of your home is reflected in the style and colors of window treatments you choose. You could simply choose to go with a more laid back style such as table top curtains or something much more formal like pinch-pleated curtains.

If you look at window treatments as a percentage of your overall decorating budget, the total will even surpass the cost of furniture, especially if you elect not to go the diy window treatments route. Custom drapes are expensive but you can nearly cut the costs in half if you are sewing your own window treatments. Read the rest of this entry