There are many ways to decorate the windows in your home, and some of them can be quite costly. But in order to stay within the budget, and also save money on your utilities, you need to avail yourself of a well planned, efficient set of window treatments throughout your home.
Yes, you want your windows to be attractive and compatible with your furniture and color schemes. But you also need to consider whether you need to block off noise, cold or hot weather, and light , as well. If there are any allergies in the family, the choice of fabric versus wood, metal, or synthetics should also be considered. And if you are conscientious about going green, you also want to attempt to recycle or use easily replenished natural materials, such as bamboo, cork, or cotton.
Here are a number of suggestions for different window treatments:
Curtains or draperies- Can be made from recycling sheets, tablecloths, or other fabrics. Curtains are shirred or gathered, have pockets and are meant to remain stationary on a round or flat rod. Draperies are pleated and hung with hooks on a traverse rod, which will draw the draperies.
Blinds-So many choices there! They can be horizontal wood or faux wood blinds, mini blinds, vertical blinds, simple shades, Roman shades, solar shades, pleated shades.
Sheers-Free hanging or tied back
Shutters- Traditional or plantation
Valances- Draped, rodded, or swagged
Cornices- A box-like structure at the top of the window; can be painted, wallpapered, or upholstered.
Any combination of these items can be used as part of your treatment. If privacy is not required, a simple sheer is inexpensive and easily hung. If you need room darkening or privacy, you can add a mini blind or a plain shade under the sheers and tie them back for a layered look.
Just a cornice or valance above a shade or blind can dress up the room nicely. Sliding doors look wonderful with a cornice box above the door, and vertical blinds, though this is a bit more pricey, than a traverse rod and a draw drapery.
Shutters can be beautiful, and are very good for keeping out light and the elements. They can be hung in two layers to cover a whole large window, or as cover- alls on a smaller one. If you dont have extreme weather, you might choose to hang only a bottom row of shutters, leaving the top of the window clear.
Shutters need to be fitted into a frame, and installation is more involved and more costly. You can make it a little easier on your budget if you are able to shop online, do your own measuring, and install them yourself. The price range is wide because of the number of choices in material, style, finish, size, and difficulty of installation. However, they are well worth it, as a wood shutter can last a lifetime!
As you can see, there are lots of choices, and one of them is sure to fit your budget and your taste!
Yes, you want your windows to be attractive and compatible with your furniture and color schemes. But you also need to consider whether you need to block off noise, cold or hot weather, and light , as well. If there are any allergies in the family, the choice of fabric versus wood, metal, or synthetics should also be considered. And if you are conscientious about going green, you also want to attempt to recycle or use easily replenished natural materials, such as bamboo, cork, or cotton.
Here are a number of suggestions for different window treatments:
Curtains or draperies- Can be made from recycling sheets, tablecloths, or other fabrics. Curtains are shirred or gathered, have pockets and are meant to remain stationary on a round or flat rod. Draperies are pleated and hung with hooks on a traverse rod, which will draw the draperies.
Blinds-So many choices there! They can be horizontal wood or faux wood blinds, mini blinds, vertical blinds, simple shades, Roman shades, solar shades, pleated shades.
Sheers-Free hanging or tied back
Shutters- Traditional or plantation
Valances- Draped, rodded, or swagged
Cornices- A box-like structure at the top of the window; can be painted, wallpapered, or upholstered.
Any combination of these items can be used as part of your treatment. If privacy is not required, a simple sheer is inexpensive and easily hung. If you need room darkening or privacy, you can add a mini blind or a plain shade under the sheers and tie them back for a layered look.
Just a cornice or valance above a shade or blind can dress up the room nicely. Sliding doors look wonderful with a cornice box above the door, and vertical blinds, though this is a bit more pricey, than a traverse rod and a draw drapery.
Shutters can be beautiful, and are very good for keeping out light and the elements. They can be hung in two layers to cover a whole large window, or as cover- alls on a smaller one. If you dont have extreme weather, you might choose to hang only a bottom row of shutters, leaving the top of the window clear.
Shutters need to be fitted into a frame, and installation is more involved and more costly. You can make it a little easier on your budget if you are able to shop online, do your own measuring, and install them yourself. The price range is wide because of the number of choices in material, style, finish, size, and difficulty of installation. However, they are well worth it, as a wood shutter can last a lifetime!
As you can see, there are lots of choices, and one of them is sure to fit your budget and your taste!