Spruce up Your Window with Window Blinds

Do you need to spruce up your windows? If so, then you have several options. One of the best ones is the blind. Why should you choose it over other types of window dressings? Here are some of the key benefits of choosing the blind over other options:

1. Increased Privacy:
One of the benefits of a windows is that you can see out. Conversely, one of the drawbacks is that people outside can see in! By installing a window blind, you'll be able to control how easily people can see inside your home. So whether you're watering your plants, reading a book, or any other task-you can do it in private.

2. Room Beautification:
This is yet another of the key benefits of choosing this type of window dressing for your home. They're available in a wide array of different styles and colors. The particular ones you choose can create a certain theme or color scheme in the room. In fact, you can find them in just about every color of the rainbow, and in a cornucopia of different styles. The ultimate goal of this type of window dressing is to improve the overall look and feel of your rooms.

3. Different Materials:
The window blind is available in several types of materials, including wood, aluminum, and vinyl. Each type of material has different pros and cons. So it's important to consider the look and feel you want to create in your home. When choosing a particular material, think about various issues. How durable is it? How much maintenance is needed? How many colors and designs is it available in? Regardless of which material you choose, the various options that you have will help you to choose one that best complements your home.

4. Sunlight Control:
You will likely need to adjust how much sunlight enters each room within your home. That's based on various factors, such as the time of day and the particular activity that you're doing. One of the key benefits of blinds is that you can easily control how much light enters the room. That will make those tasks much easier to perform, which will in turn make your life easier.

5. Lower Bills:
By reducing the amount of sunlight that enters your rooms, you will consequently be able to reduce your utility bills. For most of us, such bills are already too high. So we're interested in using any and all means necessary, to reduce them. Enter the window blind. Besides improving the look and feel of a room, they can also reduce how high your fuel bills are. In fact, a window blind is so efficient that it can pay for itself in a short amount of time.

If you are looking for the perfect type of window dressing for your home, then consider choosing stylish window blinds. These above benefits are some of the key ones that they can provide. When choosing a dressing, don't turn a blind eye to the blind!

Window Blinds or Curtains

When it comes time to buy new window coverings, whether as part of a renovation, building a new home, or just redecorating a bit, one of the things you'll need to decide is whether to use window blinds or curtains. A big part of the decision is aesthetic, but there are practical considerations as well.

There are so many types of window coverings to choose from these days, that it can be a tough decision. And the costs can vary greatly, so the choice you make can have a big impact on your overall budget.

The first thing you need to decide is whether you like window blinds or curtains better. Practicality aside, choosing the coverings that you like better is important since you're going to be looking at them for years to come.

The reason for the window coverings should also be considered. Are you looking for light-blocking, privacy or noise-blocking, or maybe some combination of the three? Some types of window coverings are better suited to each than others.

Generally, window blinds or shades are more effective at blocking both light and sound than curtains. Curtains can have good light-blocking properties in some cases, but it depends on the material used and whether or not they have a liner. No matter what, curtains are generally not the best for blocking unwanted noise.

Another factor to keep in mind is where the windows are and how they're going to get used. If they're in a high traffic area, and are going to be opened and shut on a regular basis the cleaning and maintenance requirements should be considered. This is especially true if you have kids or pets in the area, since they tend to create messes quickly.

The last consideration I'll mention is the aesthetics of the window coverings. Some types of decor suit blinds better, while others suit curtains. For example, if you're decorating a room in an oriental style, bamboo blinds or shades are going to be a better match than curtains. Make sure you choose window coverings that will suit the room they're going to be used in.

Creating a Garden Window

If you have a sunny window in a room where you don't have to worry about privacy, this décor idea will provide a country home feel along with the beauty of Mother Nature's flowers.

What you will need for this project:

1. Rope about 10 inches longer than your window is wide
2. 6 small flower pots with handles (small tin buckets work well also)
3. 6 clothespins
4. Potting soil
5. 2 decorative pots
6. 2 mug hooks
7. 2 potted plant trellises
8. An assortment of seeds or seedling herbs and leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach, parsley, and chives
9. 4 morning glory seeds or two morning glory plants
10. 1 other somewhat tall decorative item that fits into the décor of the room
11. Measuring Tape
12. Pencil

How to Create this Look:

• If you are using morning glory seeds, you will first want to put them in warm water and leave them there for about 24 hours. This helps the seeds have a shorter germination time.
• Put potting soil in the 6 small pots and 2 decorative pots.
• Plant the seeds or seedlings according to directions on seed packet.
• For placing the rope, measure how tall your window is then divide this number into fourths. Measure that length from the top of the window and make a mark with a pencil on both sides. For example if your window is 36 inches tall you will make a mark at 9 inches from the top.
• Put in the mug hooks where you made your marks.
• Tie a secure knot in both ends of your rope.
• Push one knot over a mug hook.
• Slide the handles of the small pots onto the rope.
• Carefully push the other knot over the mug hook. Caution: If you have ceramic or glass pots be careful at this step. Slide the pots to the center slowly and have them next to each other so they do not slide and break each other as your are moving your rope up to put the knot over the mug hook.
• Evenly space your pots and keep them in place by putting a clothespin on the handle and rope.
• Push the 2 potted plant trellises into the 2 decorative pots, and place one on each side of the window.
• Put your other decorative item in the center.
• Water your plants, and wait for Mother Nature to do the rest.

Making Quick Set of Curtains and Valance for any Window

Making a quick set of curtains and a valance is something that you can do even if you don’t have much sewing experience. It’s just a matter of thinking through the process and calculating for fabric needed and knowing how to use a sewing machine.

Tools needed: calculator, pencil and paper, tape measure, yard stick, pins, scissors, iron, thread and sewing machine.

Decide what color or pattern will work best with your room décor now. Going to the fabric store is always one of my most fun times, I keep my imagination open and get swatches of fabrics (and prices) the first time to see what all my options are. Take swatches home and start eliminating them by laying them next to major parts of the already decorated room (couch, chair, tables, walls, etc). Once you’ve decided on your fabric start measuring.

To measure for material, decide how long you would like the valance to be. Where will you place the curtains in the window? Will you do them café style or halfway down the window? Maybe you only want a small space between the valance and curtain, use your imagination, draw a sketch of the window and do some placements on it to see what looks good.

Once you make these decisions, measure from your top reference point (top of window, top of rod) down to where you want the valance to end. Add additional 7” for top and bottom hems (this will give you 3” for top hem, which rod will go through and 4” for bottom hem). Let’s say you want your valance to be 10” long, add 7” for hem and you have 17”. Now measure for your bottom curtains. The same goes here, measure from top reference point (where your curtains will start) to just below or above the windowsill. Add the 7” to this length. Example: 32” bottom curtain length, add 7” = 39”. Write all this down. For width across, measure across window from outside to outside molding. Depending on how “full” you want the curtains, will be the deciding factor on how much material you purchase. Normal fullness recommendation would be twice the window width, or at least ½ again as much. We are going to be very basic, let’s say a normal window is 36” across X 60” length. This means you will need to calculate double the width for the valance and curtains, but remember the curtains are split in the middle. Most material will run 36”– 44” (regular material) to 60” (drapery & upholstery material) in width. If you choose a fabric width of 36”- 44”, it will be easier to just use the width doubled. If it's wider cut a little off the ends if needed.

Now it’s time to go get your material! Take your swatch, sketch and measurements with you! I would recommend a pliable fabric that is easy to work with (cotton, broadcloth, etc). Have your material store sales person help you with calculating the amount, and give you any details in laying out, especially if it has a design going a specific way or has a nap. In most cases, 3-3½ yards should be plenty per window.

Pre-wash the material if you choose. If you do not pre-wash material and wash the curtains later expecting them to be the same length, you may be surprised! If you have pre-washed your material, take it out of dryer, fold in half, wrong side out (if you can tell), like it was previously from store off the bolt, and lay it on your surface and smooth it out (table, floor, etc.). Do the same for all widths of material; this will make it easier to handle. You may want to touch up with an iron.

Time to mark the fabric and cut! Your material is now laid out (not many wrinkles). You’ll want to get an even line across the top using your yardstick. Mark a straight line with a pencil along the top (if darker material a pen will work or even chalk if you have it). Eyeball it to make sure it looks even, sometimes the fabric store will not cut it even so it’s up to you. This will be your starting reference point (this will be a cutting line for you). Get your calculations for the length for each: valance and curtain. Now measure from that straight line down for valance length needed, do this twice because it needs to be doubled for fullness (unless 60” width fabric). Make a mark. Do the same halfway across and on the folded edge. Now put your yardstick across from mark to mark and draw a line (this will also be a cutting line). Do the same for curtains. Each curtain side gets its own length (unless 60” width fabric). Grab a couple of pins and pin just inside the edges and lines of each section you marked. Cut along lines. You should have 4 pieces cut, 2 for the valance and 2 for each curtain side.

Once again were going to mark, this time on the right side of fabric. Open up your pieces, right side of fabric up, lay them out straight, using a pencil, lightly mark 3” down from straight top on each piece, make several marks across. Use yardstick to connect marks to make a straight line. Do the same on the bottom, 4” up from straight edge. Mark 1” in on both side edges of each piece. Mark all pieces. Make sure all marks are lightly placed on outside of fabric, but dark enough so you can see them. Sew two valance pieces together, so it's one long piece. Press seam flat. Fold under side edges of all pieces turning under ½” twice (will be 1” all together, pencil line should be on outside edges), press & stitch along inside folded under edge. Press up hems to inside of material along all marked lines. Fold them under ½ of width and press again. Stitch along that folded edge on inside. Holding fabric as you stitch to make sure fabric doesn’t bunch up. You should have a 2” bottom hem for each piece and a 1½” hem for top hem to slide curtain rods through. Make sure to backstitch when you begin sewing and at the end to reinforce stitching from coming out.