This coworker told me that according to one source, if he wants his average-sized bathroom window to look elegant, he’s going to have to spend about $500. I told him that while there is no problem with that estimate, there are many other sources online which can easily guide him into how he can make his own window treatments, most of them coming in at or under $100. I reminded him that I am not a seamstress and I’m not too keen on taking a chance on trying to be one, yet my cost on a bathroom window treatment project like his would easily be much less than the “official source” says. So, over lunch one day we talked and got a little bit more specific, and I tried to get this guy to try and narrow down his potential design choices.

The valance look is meant to hide the pull cord and mechanism behind it but my coworker didn’t really like that look. He had considered using blinds but was not sure if they should be wood-toned or painted. Although wood-tones create a feeling of home and naturalness, he thought they may be too dark in his bathroom. And forget the mini blinds, he said; those have too little personality from his point of view.

Another type of bathroom treatment he’d been considering is paper. I told him that although paper is not the best choice because of the moisture, I personally love the look of Asian textured papers and colors and could definitely see him to incorporating that into the bathroom. This thought also led me back to the idea of using fabrics that have bamboo patterns and weaves. Fabrics, besides being offered in an almost endless variety, provide many duties; two of which are to keep light out and allow light in. Another suggestion I gave him was pleated shades. Pleated shades can offer solutions for natural lighting concerns as they allow total privacy while also bringing in the light, much like Roman shades. This brought to his mind the image of stuffiness, but I told him to look into it a little bit further and he may change his viewpoint on that. There are beautiful fabrics that can be made into roman shades, and for the more ambitious it’s fairly easy to find instructions showing  how to do-it-yourself.  Both of these bathroom treatments are similar but I tend to feel that I someone wouldn’t get as much light in the room as they would using, say, shutters for example.

All in all, I told my coworker that it’s important to set the tone in a room, or change the light as he sees fit, and creating a beautiful, inclusive environment should be his goal. Finding the right bathroom window treatments may take a little time, but it will be time well spent when it all comes together and he (and his guests) like being in his bathroom.

Although you can also buy thermal curtains, I find these to be very heavy and dark whereas blinds keep the cold out while still letting the light in. These blinds are usually the “Roman” style, made up of folds of material that stack at the top of the window when not in use and which create a pleasant, uniform appearance when they are down. They look exactly the same as regular blinds on the outside; it is on the inside that you will notice the difference.
I find the most efficient of this kind of blinds are the ones which have a normal and attractive material on the exterior, but inside have layers of a special type of aluminum sheeting (actually developed for the space program) surrounding a thin core of insulating fleece material. Of course, thermal blinds with all these hi-tech parts are not cheap, and if you have several windows to buy for then the bill can soon rise out of control.

One alternative I have found probably does not quite qualify as belonging to the thermal type of blinds as they do not contain any insulating material. However, several companies are now manufacturing blinds with two or even three layers of material where only one would have been used before. While perhaps not as effective as the real thing, there is no doubt that blinds made this way would have helped to keep my mom’s home warmer over the years – and they are still thin enough to let in some of that precious winter light, especially if you make sure the blinds are made out of a light colored material. These blinds need not be a simply functional addition to the family home. Make sure you choose fabric colors that match each room’s style of décor for a touch of style, and there are even special blind designs just for children’s rooms too.

Thermal blinds can help make your home feel extra cozy all year round, and mom says that she has definitely noticed a difference in how long the heating needs to be switched on before the room warms up since she had hers fitted. And since the heating does not have to be running so much now, she should definitely be seeing her power bills starting to fall which should offset the cost of the blinds in short order.

If you are looking for cheap blinds, it’s important to buy from a reputable dealer. You might be able to save a few bucks by going with some poorly made, off-brand blinds, but the quality is going to be very low and you’ll probably end up regretting it. Besides, it’s entirely possible to find cheap window blinds that are well made, and that will look great and last you for years. Let’s take a look at some of the different options available when you’re looking for window blinds.

Venetian Blinds

The most common style of window blinds are the full-length, horizontal slat blinds that are usually made out of plastic or metal. These blinds are called venetian blinds, and can also be made out of wood, or a faux wood substance (generally metal that has been finished to look like wood). An example of a venetian blind is to the right.

It’s very easy to find cheap venetian blinds if you’re looking to save money. Generally, metal and plastic (PVC) are good options to look for when you’re decorating on a budget. Wood blinds tend to cost a bit more, but you may be able to find some inexpensive faux wood blinds.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are another popular choice for decorating windows, and are often used in larger applications, such as bay windows and sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds are exactly what they sound like, and have slats that go up and down instead of horizontally.

If you’re looking for cheap blinds, and like the look of the vertical style, you’ll probably want to look for plastic and metal blinds. There are some examples of wooden vertical blinds, but they are much less common and generally more expensive.

A wonderful selection at great pricing can usually be found at Amazon.

In our next section, we’ll take a good look at some more options for cheap blinds.

by: krzakptak

1. The Kitchen: Even the best housekeeper is going to have to deal with the grime that can build up in a kitchen just from normal cooking. That grime tends to settle on your blinds and it is nearly impossible to get off. Scrubbing and washing blinds is tedious work involving lots of bending over a large bathtub full of water. Since that’s not my idea of a fun time, I’d rather use cheap blinds in the kitchen and then throw them away when they get nasty.

2. The Play Room: Kids can be really rough on blinds. Since the cords on blinds can be a choking hazard the pull cord should always be out of the child’s reach. That means that when the kids want to look out of the window, they’re going to pull the blinds slats open and look out. Before long this rough treatment is going to result in broken blinds slats. Instead of yelling at the kids every time they do this, just use cheap blinds and throw them away when they break. Since replacements can be purchased for under twenty dollars, it’s really nothing to get worked up over.

3. The Bathroom: If you think that you’re the only living thing that occupies your bathroom, you’d be wrong. Mold, mildew, and humidity can wreak havoc on fabric window treatments. However, you still need privacy for bathroom windows so roller blinds are a great option. If you have windows near the shower, roller blinds
will offer better water protection than venetian blinds, and they will also be easier to clean. The mildew is bound to make inroads on them at some point though, so throw them away when that happens.

4. The Living Room: Roller Blinds are also a great option for living rooms. The most expensive furniture, fabrics, and carpet are probably in your living room and you don’t want those items to fade. A roller blind can provide protection from the sunlight that causes fading, but can be quickly hidden from sight as needed. Window treatments for living rooms tend to be expensive, so a cheap roller blind will give you the protection that you need, without the added dusting and cleaning that comes with venetian blinds.

by: Alexander Baxevanis

1. Scour your favorite magazine. The first step is all about inspiration. Visit the mega-bookstore or your local library and grab a bunch of home decorating and lifestyle magazines. Look for pictures of window treatments that you really love. Pick treatments that reflect your style and the way you live. If you’re home is very formal, stay away from plain venetian blinds. If your style is casual, don’t pick anything with silk. You get the idea! Buy the magazines or make copies of all the window treatments that you like and take them home with you.

2. Choose a window treatment. Once you get home, take all of the pictures into the room that you want to start in. Find pictures of window treatments that you think will work well in the room, and then hold them up towards a window. Try to visualize what the window will look like with that treatment. Question how it will work for your family. If you have young children or dogs then you’ll probably want to stay away from drapes that are hard to wash and anything that can entangle young heads.

3. Make a list of materials. After choosing a window treatment, make a list of the materials that you will need in order to copy the magazine picture. If you’ll be using blinds, note what type and finish you want them to have. If you’re using drapes, jot down the style and color that you want. Many window treatments, like roman blinds and drapes, can be handmade if you’re crafty. If you want to do all the sewing yourself, then jot down the lengths of fabric and other materials that you’ll need. Don’t forget curtain rods, nails, screws, a hammer and screwdrivers.

4. Go on a scavenger hunt. This is where the cheap aspect of the decorating comes in. Now that you know what you need, start hitting yard sales and thrift stores to gather it. Take you time and find the cheap blinds, cheap fabrics, and cheap hardware that you need to make the perfect window treatment. Be creative and flexible. I bet that once you’re done, your window treatment will look 10x better than anything that you could have purchased!

Many people prefer to roll-up blinds for French doors. This is due to the fact that they are easy to install. This type of shade is also very affordable. In order to increase the aesthetic appeal of these blinds, many people purchase a valance to use on the window treatment. However, this product does not come without its flaws. Roll-up blinds can make it very difficult to vary the amount of light that will come into the room.

Another popular choice for homeowners is using shutters. The downside to using this type of window treatment is that they are more expensive than other options. French doors with blinds made of wood do look very good. These shutters can come in a wide variety of materials. Some of these materials are wood, vinyl and faux wood. In some cases, these shades may not be appropriate, as some makes are far too heavy for French doors.

Another option that homeowners have is to use patio door blinds for their French doors. These shades are made in both horizontal and vertical styles out of a range of different materials, styles and colors. Those that prefer the look of curtains can install curtain panels. However, they should remember that curtains require a lot more maintenance than blinds. Curtains will need to be washed on a regular basis while blinds only need to be wiped down every now and then.

Homeowners that are looking to buy shades should first go to their local home store to get an idea of what they like. Once they have done this, they can come home and look online for similar styles and models. Online stores will be able to provide the same products sold at offline stores for a much cheaper price.

Choosing aluminum mini blinds over vinyl ones does have a few advantages. Not only are they fire retardant, they will coordinate perfectly with an all stainless steel kitchen, which will add a little pizazz to your room. Although they are little more expensive than vinyl, they will finish off your room with a quality look. When choosing aluminum, remember that it would probably look much better in a kitchen than any other room of the house.

Wood mini blinds will enhance the look of any room regardless of what type of furniture or wall covering you have. Slats for the wooden ones come in different sizes, such as 1 inch, 2 inches, or two and a half inches. Wooden blinds are made of a basswood that is a very lightweight material, and depending on the particular brand you choose to buy, there are many different colors available. Most colors are some variation of a natural wood and will have a wood grain incorporated in the slats. Basic black and white are often available in certain brands of mini blinds. Choosing wood for a room will give it a look of elegance that you will not have if you go with a cheaper vinyl.

Many homeowners decide to go with blinds instead of shears and formal curtains because they are more economical, especially if you are on a budget. Of course, you can always have them underneath and still have the elegance of fabric curtains on your windows. Another advantage of using this style is that they will eliminate a great deal of glare on your furniture, especially your television set. Regardless of what type you choose, it will be sure to fit in with your décor.

Many homeowners prefer to use roman shades because they are available in a wide variety of colors, and If you do not want plain materials you can also choose from various patterns and designs. The best thing about this type of window treatment is that you can find matching materials according to your home or office decor. You will want to explore all the different types of materials that are used for making these treatments, like the fabrics and the wood tones so that you can meld the the sheds in with the style of your room. For example, if you need to have a natural look and feel you could use the wooden varieties such as bamboo, and a fabric pattern in a tropical design.

Apart from being beautiful the shades are very functional too. They are very useful to increase the privacy of the rooms. The amount of privacy you need depends on the kind of material you choose for the shades. You can choose from translucent materials if you want minimum privacy and use wood, bamboo and thick materials for more privacy. In the same way, you can control the amount of light you want inside the rooms. They also serve the purpose of blocking the heat coming inside during the summer. They are good insulators as well.

Another benefit is that all your home accessories and furniture are protected well from the harmful UV rays. If they are exposed for a long time they are subject to fading. So this can be prevented by using appropriate kinds of roman shades. In some ways the shades are similar to curtains. By using matching materials you can enhance the appearance of the rooms in a simple way. They provide a warm and welcoming feel too.

Maintaining the roman shades is very easy. You have to detach the fabric and then wash them well. Since they are not made of excessive amount of fabric they are easy to wash too. The best thing to do is inquire about the maintenance part from the manufacturer and follow his suggestions properly. When you take care of them well, they last long.

There are different places from where you can buy excellent roman shades. You can look for them in your local home improvement stores, home supply stores, specialty stores and online. When you shop for them in the home supply stores and home improvement stores etc you can get them for affordable prices. However, you may not have a huge selection. If you are ready to spend some more money you can choose the specialty stores where you will be able to select from a wide variety. You will be able to find the exact match for any kind of interior decor. The best place to buy them is the internet. You can find a number of retailers who sell the shades for competitive prices.