Specialty Window Coverings

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a room is to change the curtains and window coverings. Instead of using the same old curtain rod and drapes, try putting your imagination to work to see what you can come up after being inspired by the following ideas for curtains and window coverings.

One of the most popular ways of making your own window coverings is to buy a designer curtain rod and pinch clips. These pinch clips grip the edge of the fabric and allow you to hang any kind of material, hemmed or unhemmed from your window. A popular look is to buy wrought iron gothic style rods and clips and attach hemmed or unhemmed sheers or a swath of plain fabric.

This is a very romantic look that can also be achieved by simply attaching long white sheets, which are much cheaper than fabric from a store. You still get that billowy romantic look without the expense. Whether you use sheers or fabric this look is also very much improved by tying ribbons or ties as pullbacks to enhance the appearance of the window coverings.

Window Coverings Design

f you are currently in the process of decorating your home’s interior, you already know that it can be an overwhelming and expensive task. In fact, most items for your new home will have to be pre-manufactured and installed by professionals. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were certain things you could cut corners on? Well, you’ll be happy to know that if you are handy with a sewing machine, you can save big money by making your own window coverings. In this article, we’ll give you the information you need in order to design and make your own window coverings.

The wonderful thing about making your own window coverings is that you control all aspects of the project, from patterns to lengths and everything in between. The first determination you will have to make is the pattern and color of fabric you intend to use. For starters, you will probably want to go with two coordinating colors that will provide a layered look. You can certainly go as bold as you like, but it is usually recommended that you keep your window coverings as plain as possible. Soft colors such as white and light blue match perfectly with nearly any valance you plan on using, and these colors also allow for sunlight to enter the room for a soothing glow. In comparison, dark colors such as forest green or black create an uninviting atmosphere

Ideas Window Blinds

Window blinds have been in usage for long time now covering windows preventing entry of light. The historic evolution of blinds are not very clear, but there are theories that blinds were first designed and used in Venice if one were to go by the popular blind type.

People have been using window blinds for privacy also in addition to light preventing Sun light and eventually heat in summer. Although there are many types of window blinds, one which is a hit with every one is the Venetian blinds.

Varieties of Window Blinds

When we distinguish blinds according to their making, we can differentiate door and window blinds just by their respective sizes. The different kinds of blinds are as follows.

At the top are Venetian blinds because of their popularity. The slats of the blinds are made of plastic or metal. Wooden slats and bamboo slats are not unusual and they are known by their respective names only. For example wooden blinds and bamboo blinds. The usual width of slats is 50 mm but you can occasionally find someone using blinds of upto 120 mm width too. One window on a wide wall having 120 mm slats add to the aesthetics of the room. Venetian blinds have a couple of equally popular variants too.

1. Mini blinds; here the slats are pretty narrow and you can’t expect it to be wider than 19 mm.

2. Vertical blinds; slats are vertical here thus giving it the name. Additionally, you can find the slats made of stiffen fabric. It is possible to turn the slats by 90 degrees when they hang from their ends from a guide rail.

Slat type window blinds open by turning in place which is facilitated by turning rotator attachments connected to strings.

There are special types in window blinds, such as solid blinds referring to those which can be opened by pulling up or by pushing up only. These can’t be opened in place as they are made of one solid sheet material. Examples of these are here.

Holland Blinds: One most common Holland blind type is woven wood blind, woven by simple strings so that they can just roll up or fold up to open. These are preferred in tropical conditions because of their higher efficiency in Sun control. The natural appearance gives an exquisite feel and gels totally with the ambience.

Pleated Blinds: Stiffened fabric made blinds just pull-up to open and when pulled up they fit the recess at the top.

Honeycomb Blinds: You can call these as cellular shades also because of their two or more layered cellular construction. These provide better insulation thanks to their cellular design.

Draperies Window Coverings

When redesigning a room you should always take into account the effect that the window coverings can have on your overall look. A careful choice of color and material in curtains can completely change the style and feel of your windows. The way curtains hang is another factor that can change your home design. Curtain tie backs can be a great detail, and you will probably be surprised how many different positions of tieback there are to be used in giving your curtains a completely unique look.

The type of tie back depends on the way the curtains are hanging. The following types are for standard curtains where one or more panels hang straight down from a rail or pole. The high tie style is when the curtain panels are pulled back to the edge of the window by a tie back positioned above the horizontal centerline of the window. Similarly, the middle tie gathers the curtain panel at around the center point. This can look oddly symmetrical if located right at the centre so should preferably be slightly higher or lower to achieve a good effect.

A low tie pulls the curtain to the window edge about three quarters of the way down to the curtain base. A center tie gathers the curtain panels together in the vertical centre of the window space roughly a quarter or a third from the bottom of the curtain.

If two curtain panels are hung one on top of the other, a crisscrossed tie can be used. To achieve this look the top panel is pulled to the left and secured with a tie, while the inside panel is pulled to the right and fastened in the same way.

The angled tie works best with just one curtain panel covering the window space. The panel is tied loosely in the high tie position, and is then tied more firmly to the edge of the window in the low tie position. This creates a pleasing silhouette against the light coming on through the window.

Curtains are available in both formal and informal styles and choosing the right style for your room can really make your final design come to life. Formal curtains can also be known as draperies and have a number of layers. The layers include a sheer base, often made from very thin lined or lace, heavy, floor length drapes, and a valance that runs across the top of the window and can vary greatly in its complexity. Formal curtains are usually made from a rich material, are heavily lined, and can be found in sitting rooms or dining areas. Informal curtains tend to be just one layer, are often unlined and are used mainly for privacy. They tend to be available in more contemporary colors and designs and are generally less expensive than formal drapes. They are also easier to clean and can often be washed and ironed with your other household linen.

Window Coverings Curtains

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a room is to change the curtains and window coverings. Instead of using the same old curtain rod and drapes, try putting your imagination to work to see what you can come up after being inspired by the following ideas for curtains and window coverings.

One of the most popular ways of making your own window coverings is to buy a designer curtain rod and pinch clips. These pinch clips grip the edge of the fabric and allow you to hang any kind of material, hemmed or unhemmed from your window. A popular look is to buy wrought iron gothic style rods and clips and attach hemmed or unhemmed sheers or a swath of plain fabric.

This is a very romantic look that can also be achieved by simply attaching long white sheets, which are much cheaper than fabric from a store. You still get that billowy romantic look without the expense. Whether you use sheers or fabric this look is also very much improved by tying ribbons or ties as pullbacks to enhance the appearance of the window coverings.

You can also buy curtains and window coverings that don't require any type of clip that slides along the rod. These curtains, which come in a variety of designs and fabrics, simply boast loops at their edge that allows you to thread the curtain through the rod. It would also be very simple to make your own curtain like this by attaching ribbons or fabric strips with buttons to a length of fabric.

Curtains and window coverings made from specialty papers are also very popular right now. Hand made papers and rice papers make pleasing semi-transparent blinds that compliment many modern decors. These are quite expensive in most stores but it is easier than you think to make your own. All you need to do is find a store that specializes in selling handmade or specialty papers.

Some of these papers are gorgeous and feature details such as glitter, leaves or threads pressed right into mesh of the paper fibers. Once you buy the paper you simply cut it into the right dimensions that will cover your window. You then string the paper on wire and attach the paper with binder clips. Keep in mind that this type of window covering is best for rooms that still need light but need privacy such as a bathroom.

Another way to liven up your décor is to hang hand painted Venetian window blinds. These types of window coverings can be very expensive but you can achieve a similar look by creating a collage or painting your own. The best way to do this is simply take a stencil and spray-paint one solid design on the Venetian blinds. A stencil and a can of spray-paint can also be used to personalize simple roll down blinds with your favorite symbol as well

Bay Window Coverings

You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little to add life to your home. It is time for a change. But, where do you start? How do you keep from making an expensive or embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what you really want?

1.Start with one room at a time.
There may be the temptation, especially when moving into a new home, to decorate all of the rooms at once. This takes far too much energy and can sap your creative juices, leaving the decorating flat and less interesting. It can also make decorating your home an overwhelming task. Go slow. Do one room at a time and then move on to the next one.

2.Assess, review your needs.
With pen and paper in hand, jot down some notes about all of the windows in the room. Measure them and note their size and shape. Rough sketches will help. Are the windows too large? Too small? Odd sizes? Mismatched sizes? Is there too much light in the room? Not enough light? Do you want to block an unattractive view? Do you want to enjoy the beautiful view? Do you need privacy? Daytime privacy? Nighttime privacy? Or both? Do you want to liven up a dreary room? How do other family members feel about these needs? What is your budget for the windows?

3.Look for help, tips and ideas.
Seek inspiration. One thing is for certain, no matter what the challenge or situation that you are facing with your windows, someone else has already dealt with the same situation. There is a way, or many ways, to attractively treat the windows in your room. You can find examples of how others have decorated their windows in magazines, window decorating books, window decorating websites and by talking with friends and relatives.

4.Make a plan.
Using your list of needs, rank the needs in order of importance and then make a plan that addresses your needs in that order. There is a way to treat issue.

5.Address your window coverings in stages.
This is especially if you are uncertain about your preferences or if you are working on a budget. Begin with the shades, blinds or shutters. Once these are selected and installed, move to draperies or curtains, including the traverse or curtain rod. Finally, add the finishing touches such as cornices, decorative tie backs and finishing hardware.

6.Combine and contrast colors.
Using color in your window treatment is an excellent way to put life and energy as well as set the tone and mood of a room. Experiment with mixing colors from opposite ends of the color spectrum.

7.Mix fabrics for texture.
Fabric is composed of either natural or synthetic fibers and how they are woven, knitted or felted together. The type fiber and the weave or knitting will determine the texture of the material or fabric. Mixing fabrics and textures can be an excellent way to create interest and set the tone of your window treatments. For example, you may consider using velvet over organdy or silk over linen. Common fabrics for window treatments include brocade, cambric, canvas, chintz, cotton duck, crewel, damask, gingham, lace, linen, muslin, organdy, satin, silk, taffeta and velvet.

Window Curtains Draperies

Window blinds are versatile home design elements. They come in a variety of materials, fabrics and style to suit your tastes. We’ll look at several materials.

1) Metal. These are the original blinds. For many years, aluminum was the predominant metal used in blinds. It’s durable, affordable, cleanable and flexible. The slats come in a variety of lengths and widths to fit any space or taste.

2) Wood. This is a popular choice for window coverings for the warm touch it gives to a room. It’s not a great choice when the room is prone to humidity, such as in a bathroom or a kitchen. They’re not good choices in humid geographic areas either. Wood can warp, crack or swell, rendering them useless when they won’t open or close correctly, or the louvers won’t move. Wood is used in Venetian blinds and woven blinds.

3) Cane. You’ll see this in woven blinds. The slats are very thin, and they’re only adjustable as an entire unit, not by a single slat. Light filters into the room through the thin slats, that are usually tied together with rope. They add a very natural look to a room.

4) Vinyl. This is the most popular material for blinds. It can take on the look of wood, but it’s also very low-maintenance. It won’t crack or warp like wood, and it doesn’t attract dust like wood blinds do. Miniblinds are most often vinyl. They’re among the most popular type of blind, due to their thin slat and their versatility.

5) Fabric. Sometimes you’ll see fabric backed with a stiff material to create slats. These are exceptionally nice when they complement the décor in a room. Fabric can be used to bring a room together.

Blinds can be used by themselves, or layered with other window treatments. The severe lines of blinds can be contrasted with the softness of curtains or a valance, providing a polished, finished look.

Blinds can work in any room with windows. They can be horizontal or vertical, small or large. They can be subtly colored, and offset with a bold curtain or punchy valance.

Blinds are not only functional, as they keep light out and can act to obscure drafts from cracks around windows, but they’re decorative as well.

Blinds can make a great addition to any room. They’ve advanced so much in recent years, that you can get the look of yesterday with the technological advances of today.