Window Treatment Tips for Small Spaces

Decorating a small room is hard enough, but choosing window treatments for small rooms can be maddening. Here are some great small room decorating tips to help you choose just the right window treatments the first time.

* Remember, the windows are an extension of the walls and cover a large decorating area. Keeping that in mind, when decorating a small space, the first thing you must know is whether you are decorating to make the room look larger or cozier. There is no right or wrong answer, just what feeling you are looking for in your small room.

* If you are trying to make the room look as large as possible, keep the window treatments simple. Don't layer window treatments if possible, and make sure all the window treatments in the room are the same.

* Another way to make a small room look larger is to make the color of the window treatments closely match that of the walls. That way, they will blend with the walls instead of causing contrast. Contrast causes your eye to stop and therefore makes a small space seem even smaller.

* Blinds are a great option to make a room look larger, as they can be pulled totally clear of the window, almost disappearing. This allows more light to enter the room when open as well, also making any room look larger and brighter. If you hang curtains, make sure that when they are open, they draw totally clear of the window for the same reason.

* If your goal in your small room is to make it cozy, you still will want to keep the window treatments simple in order to keep them from becoming the focal point and overpowering a small room. However, consider adding texture, color, or pattern to wrap the room in comfort. Woven blinds, simple curtain panels, or roller shades fused with a fabric from the room are great choices.
Decorating a small space can seem like a challenge, but with a few easy tips, you can create a beautiful room, no matter what its limitations are.

Source: Window Treatment Tips for Small Spaces

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Blinds Chalet Touts Eco-Friendly Bamboo Shades

(Vocus) August 16, 2009 -- Green technologies are getting a push this year and as a result environmentally conscious consumers will start to see more window blind products touting eco-friendly production and materials.

"Bamboo blinds are a great option. Made from a sustainable material, our Tavarua woven wood shades blinds are made from bamboo that is actually grown on site, so right there you have a reduced carbon footprint." Ron Manwaring of Blinds Chalet. "Not to mention the other benefits of bamboo."

Bamboo Shades

• Type of material: Bamboo has been around for centuries, however only recently has it been employed in home decoration. Bamboo is a renewable resource and the fastest growing plant on the planet. It helps reduce soil erosion through the complex maze of its root system, as well as generating more oxygen than trees. As a weed, bamboo is resistant to pests and insects so doesn't require spraying with pesticides or insecticides. As well, bamboo is a rain-fed crop which means it grows off rainfall and doesn't use up additional water resources like cotton.

• Benefits: Bamboo is anti-bacterial and microbial which means it won't retain odors and is resistant to molds. The varying textures and colors in bamboo make each shade unique. Made with a roman fold style lift when raised each bamboo shade creates a waterfall look. When lowered they provide a smooth, flat bamboo face. Bamboo gently filters light but can completely block light with a fabric liner. One of the most environmentally friendly materials offered.

• Energy Savings: Bamboo is a natural insulator, add a privacy or blackout liner to further manage indoor temperatures.

Source: Blinds Chalet Touts Eco-Friendly Bamboo Shades

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Make your windows look more graceful with window blinds

A house without windows will just look like a box and moreover no ventilation, no sunlight will come inside which will lead to suffocation and moistening. Therefore, windows are an essential part of the overall architecture of the house. To decorate the windows and cover them beautifully window blinds are the best choice. Window blinds serve two purposes –they enhance the appearance of your interiors and control the amount of light, moisture and noise. Window blinds not only beautify your premises but also provide security and privacy.

Vinyl Window Blinds: The most recent trend in the window blind world is the vinyl window blinds. The vinyl window blinds are very effective in controlling light, moisture, and noise. Moreover, they are easy to clean and maintain. The vinyl window blinds are also cost effective and does not affect your budget. The vinyl window blinds are far better than the metal window blinds which use to cut the fingers and rust. They come in wide variety like mini blinds and vertical blinds.

Fabric Window Blinds: Fabric window blinds are contemporary window blinds which go well with home and office premises. Fabric window blinds look very stylish and trendy. They complement every kind of furniture, flooring, and wall colors. The fabric window blinds are easy to operate without any hassle and provides elegance, sophistication to premises. Spending few extra pennies on fabric window blinds will not pinch you as they worth it.

Wooden Window Blinds: The wooden window blinds are very classy and elegant. They give a royal touch to your interiors. The wooden window blinds give the feel of luxury and opulence. The wooden window blinds provide exceptional insulation in all types climates. The wooden window blinds provide you with the added security and safety. The automatic wooden window blinds are very much famous due to their easy functionality. They are controlled by the remote control.

Window blinds are available in variety of types and styles; therefore, you should evaluate your needs before making the purchase. Buy window blinds that complement the interiors of your house and make it look more appealing, beautiful, and stylish. Browse through www.decoratingdepot.com for high quality window blinds.

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Different types of Window Shades for Interior Decoration

Window shades are a best way of decorating a room, shades help to in controlling sunlight and room temperature in the home. Window shades are available in many different styles, textures and fabrics.

Window shades differ from window blinds, and are preferred by many home owners and office owners. Window shades are more attractive in appearance than window blinds, and provide more privacy. Window shades will be costlier than the window blinds, but because they can be used as the only covering on a window, can be more cost effective solution.

There are different types of window shades for the home. Some of shades block light out completely, while others only filter it. Listed below, you will find a list of the some of the more popular types of window shades and the purposes they serve.

There are following types of the window shades
• Roman shades
• Cellular Shades
• Pleated Shades
• Roller Shades:

Roman shades: Roman shades are a wonderful choice and different types of fabrics and colors are available some are available as a blackout shade. Name brands such as Graber, Bali, comforted and the new Blossom specialty Roman Shade that functions as a blind.

Cellular Shades: Cellular shades stand out from other window shades because they have a honey-comb like appearance. Honeycomb blinds are available in many different pleat sizes as well as single cell and double cell shades. Cellular shades are energy efficient and offer complete privacy. Choose the name brands such as graber, Bali, Prestige and many others.

Pleated Shades: Pleated Shades in a large variety of colors, textures and patterns, perfect for any room. Pleated Shades are the perfect choice for creating a soft look on a budget. Add a privacy or blackout liner for extra privacy.

Roller Shades: Roller Shades are very popular and traditional fabric because of their simple design and make a fantastic decorating statement in any room of your home or office. This is the perfect choice for those windows that have intense heat and sunlight coming into the room. They work great blocking the light while still allowing some view to the outside. Roller shades are a great choice when you are on a budget.

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Window Blinds – Beautiful Veil for the Windows

Window blinds are the best window treatments that offer Style, class, quality and performance. They can be broadly classified under two categories Vertical Blinds and Horizontal Blinds. There is an extensive collection of window blinds available in the market in variety of patterns, colours, and materials. Window blinds are very durable and easy to install and maintain in comparison to curtains and draperies. Window blinds are the perfect option that combines both beauty and functionality.


• Faux Wood Blinds: Faux Wood Window Blinds look very similar to the wood blinds but are comparatively economical. They are available in spectrum of colours and look very beautiful and durable. Faux Wood Blinds are made of faux wood slats and are very easy to maintain. They add a luxurious look of real wood blinds to the windows without affecting your budget in any way. Faux Wood Blinds are an excellent option for areas with high heat and humidity as they do not warp, crack or split. You can go in for custom faux wood blinds and embellish the windows of your house beautifully.

• Bamboo Blinds: Bamboo blinds are also referred to as woven wood shades or matchstick shades. Their exotic natural look is the essence of Bamboo blinds and their beautiful texture blends with any kind of decor. Bamboo blinds are very easy to install and maintain and are available in a wide range of patterns. Nowadays you also get natural Roman-style Bamboo blinds that are skilfully constructed and are perfect combination of traditional and contemporary window blinds. The rich textures, exotic colours, and natural style of bamboo blinds make the interiors amazingly beautiful. Bamboo blinds are also environmental friendly and provide insulation against summer's heat and winter's cold.

• Aluminium Blinds: Aluminium blinds lightweight, durable, and looks very classy and stylish. They are very economical and add a very contemporary look to the decor of the interiors. Dazzling colour options and reasonable price is the essence of aluminium blinds. Aluminium blinds are basically more suitable for modern and high-tech decors. If you are looking for durability in window coverings, aluminium blinds are the perfect option. They give a special ambiance to the every room of the home and you can easily colour coordinate the blinds with the decor.

Window blinds are available in variety of types and styles; therefore, you should evaluate your needs before making the purchase. Buy window blinds that complement the interiors of your house and make it look more appealing, beautiful, and stylish. Browse through www.decoratingdepot.com for high quality window blinds.

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Blinded by choice

Curtains and window dressings can add style, insulation and value to a home, LYNDA PAPESCH reports.

Choosing curtains and window coverings is never easy. With an almost endless range of patterns, styles, fabrics and options, window treatments can be as individual as a person dares. From curtains to blinds and even shutters, the number of looks that can be achieved seems endless.

One of the first choices is to decide what style of window dressing best suits your needs.

New homes are required by law to have double-glazed windows but many older homes don't, and as glass is a great conductor, it will let both heat and cold in and out. Insulation can be easily achieved by layering window treatments, starting with a blind then adding thick thermal curtains which can be pulled together in winter for added warmth.

If opting for Venetian blinds or shutters, these will have to be bought ready-made or custom-made, whereas curtains and Roman blinds can be ready-made, homemade or custom-made.

Also think about the type of materials you want. Eco-friendly materials such as grasses, bamboo, jute and paper are often used to create fabrics and contemporary blinds, bringing a natural elegance to a home while helping save the planet.

Window treatments can be hard, soft or a combination of both.

Hard window treatments include wood and vinyl shades, blinds and shutters, while soft treatments include nets, voiles and fabrics made into curtains, drapes, swags, valances, Roman blinds and so on.

Roman blinds are a popular contemporary choice, especially day-and-night dual versions which feature a sheer rear blind for privacy and to keep the sun out during the day, and a more solid thermal blind in front to help insulate at night.

Roller blinds are also back in vogue with elegant contemporary options made from long-lasting eco-friendly fibres. Some blinds even have the option of lowering the shades from the top allowing light to come in over the top of the shades, instead of the bottom.This gives more control over light, which is especially useful for windows that are facing south where morning and evening light come through the window.

Or for a complete layered look and to block heat or indeed cold from escaping through the top, add ''window toppers'' such as swags, cornices and valances which can look particularly good in older villa-style homes.
Classy window treatments can add valuable dollars to the worth of a home so if you're building, renovating or revamping it's worth a little extra effort.
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WINDOW TREATMENTS

Wait until one of the local retailers offers free making and hanging. If you can sew then think about DIY. Curtains, even sheers, involve mostly straight sewing with tape available for top gathering. Check the internet for ideas. Wait for sales. Visit furnishing shops and show homes for ideas. Recycle curtains. If lengthening, add a panel in the middle, not on the bottom. Use embellishments such as fringing and tie-backs. Sew a thermal lining or a heavy outer layer to existing thin curtains.

Source: Blinded by choice

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Enhance the Decor of Your Home with Beautiful Window Blinds

Home is the most comfortable place for everyone and we all wish to decorate it in the most beautiful way. Windows are one of the most important parts of the home decor and add immensely to the overall look and feel of the place. Traditionally, we made use of curtains and drapes to decorate the window but nowadays we have the option of window blinds and shades. Window blinds look more stylish and contemporary and are easier to maintain in comparison to the curtains. Window blinds make an excellent window covering and add to the overall grace of the decor. The position of the window blinds can be easily adjusted by rotating.

Nowadays, you can find window blinds of various materials, such as fabric, metal, wood, etc. You can select the one that matches best with your budget and requirement. Window blinds not only accessorize your house but also increase the privacy. There are incredible benefits of using window blinds and today they are widely used in all types of houses such as, apartments, condos, cottages, duplexes, villas, etc. Window blinds can be broadly categorized under two heads on the basis of construction, horizontal window blinds and vertical window blinds.

Horizontal Window Blinds: These window blinds give horizontal uniformity to the window pane. They are constructed of narrow slates which are bounded together with the help of two ropes. The width size and material can be chosen according to the window standards and decor of the house. This woven ladder system is very easy to install and can be easily suspended over the windows. Horizontal window blinds add flair and finesse to the overall interiors of the house.

Vertical Window Blinds: Vertical window blinds look very trendy and stylish and are available in spectrum of colors and materials. They are made of wider slates in comparison to the horizontal window blinds. Vertical blinds are very easy to install and maintain. The slates can be easily staked together by pulling the cord. The slats can be rotated with the help of a rotating shaft in the upper head rail housing which runs through independent geared carriers. Initially vertical window blinds were very popular in offices but nowadays they are being widely used in the houses also.

Window blinds are available in variety of types and styles; therefore, you should evaluate your needs before making the purchase. Buy window blinds that complement the interiors of your house and make it look more appealing, beautiful, and stylish.

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