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.

She was actually prepared to let me purchase blinds sight unseen, but I said “no way” and pointed out that by using the internet I could just email her some links so that she could have some input after I had narrowed down the choices a bit. I found roller blinds, for example, at one online retailer, and just suggested some colors to her which would match the color of her walls. Since she chose to go with Mediterranean hues during her recent renovation, I highlighted a variety of orange and terracotta shades. Just in case she was tempted to go with a scalloped edge, I suggested that that cute edging would spoil the “hip look” in her case, though scalloped edges could look totally awesome in one of her bedrooms. We stuck with single colors rather than a textured look because the counter tops have a textured look to them.

My friend was curious to know what there was besides synthetic roller blinds, so I looked into real wood, faux wood and aluminum. The great thing about these is that they are easy to clean, and she loves to clean. With slatted blinds, she could also control how much light comes into the kitchen rather than just blocking it out entirely. The only downside of these is that real wood tends to be more expensive than some synthetic materials. Still, she had just renovated her kitchen and wanted to have things just right.

PVC blinds come in lots of colors and patterns and are easy to wipe clean, but they cost lots more too. (I think the reason she loves to clean her kitchen is that she makes such a mess when she cooks!) She was pleasantly surprised to find that aluminum was not so expensive, and also that something metal could come in the exact color palette that she was looking for to carry out her Mediterranean theme. Plus, aluminum is so durable, never warping from the sun or flaking, and the warranties looked good too.

Regardless of her choice, she could definitely have any item made to measure which would give her that total custom look. Doing it this way costs a bit more, but in an area that gets a lot of use and sees a lot of guests I think is a prime place to splurge a bit. You can always  trim your budget from some less noticeable areas. In the end, she opted for two-inch wide faux wood blinds in a chestnut color that really picked up the tones in her counter tops and tile floor. They look fantastic, are easy to keep clean and didn’t cost a bundle.

This was great since she also has a pair of skylights above her kitchen sink. She suddenly realized she had not thought how she would open and close blinds up there, but I pointed out that there are versions which can be operated by remote control. Another project!

I had a few ideas about what she had to consider before making a purchase. For example, her bathroom will be the most humid part of her house, so obviously this means that her blinds will have to be able to cope with moisture, or else they will get moldy and rot away. A lot of products I looked at for her were waterproof and easy to wipe down, like PVC blinds for example. The faux wood ones are really beautiful too. Her bathroom is fairly colorful but lacks texture, so I am drawn to the textured patterns of certain roller blinds. Then again, if she redecorates later, these might not be neutral enough. I really liked the mocha and cappuccino hues which set off the aquamarine of her walls rather than competing with them. They also made her think of coffee, so she was drawn to those colors too.

Like a lot of people these days, she also loves to turn her bathroom into a kind of ‘spa retreat’. She often put fresh flowers by the tub and enjoys lighting scented candles so that their exotic Asian aromas fill the room while she preens or bathes. With this in mind, I was tempted to opt for bamboo, or some other slatted wooden or faux wood blind just to complete the image of a natural, healing environment. With the lights out and candles glowing, she could pretend she was in some far-away vacation spa.

Another thing that is important, she told me, was that she likes to have natural light in her bathroom when she is putting on makeup; so because of this, I had to consider whether she should maybe just opt for a simple roller blind or something more adjustable, like a Venetian style window covering. This would give her greater control over how much light will come into her bathroom without causing her to sacrifice her privacy. Slatted blinds work in the same way too, but some of these have a much more are ‘bulky’ feel.

Which would give her greater satisfaction?

Ultimately, the price point would help her decide. Her window is of typical size, meaning she can buy something straight off the shelf. This saves money, but there is a big difference between aluminum, say, and PVC. Aluminum is cheaper, really durable and my friend likes the color choices available; but in the end will they give her that exotic feel she is looking for?

We searched online and found that many of the choices are even cheaper if she opted to buy over the internet. This might give her too many options, but that is why I am here: to help her choose the best bathroom blinds!

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.

This is why I looked at a selection of skylight covers and chose one that was right for me. I went for one that enables me to enjoy the sunlight I crave with the protection I need. During the hottest times of the year, when the sun is high and very strong, the skylight is fully covered. I still get sun, but most of the UV radiation is gone. A fixed cover, made of fiberglass, is very light and durable, even if I want to leave it up all year to face the elements. Shapes include flat, pyramid, and angled. Your skylight could be peaked or raised with a flat top, even a bubble. All of these can be covered.

When the weather cools down a bit, that extra bit of heat is welcome. I just take down the skylight cover, clean it and put it away. Designs are custom made to fit any skylight. There are fixed frame designs and also woven cloth ones. Cloth items just roll away when they are not being used.

What I like about these products is their variety. For example, on solariums and enclosed decks, the rounded skylight lets in a lot of light all day, every day of the year. A room like this was made to collect sunshine, but sometimes enough is enough. A skylight shade works like an indoor blind and can be adjusted by hand, by remote control, or by a switch wired into your household electrical system. Just set the shade to let in a bit more or less light as the sun’s arc progresses through the day.

I feel confident about leaving my skylight on the roof all spring, summer, and autumn. Even if I forgot to take it down in November, it is probably going to last for more than a decade. Some products will last beyond fifteen years if they are looked after carefully and put away each winter. Not only will my air conditioning bills go down, but I will not have to buy a new cover for my skylight for a long time.

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!