Tips for Window Coverings DIY Projects

A Few Useful Tips on Window Treatments

The visual appeal of the interiors of a house can be greatly enhanced by providing creative and imaginative window treatments. Since windows are visible from inside and outside of a house, an attractive window treatment can affect both interior and exterior appearance of a house.

Selecting a suitable Window treatment would depend on various factors. While large arched windows of traditional mansions would need a certain type of window covering, wall-to-floor windows of a modern apartment may need a different type.  Widow covering would also depend on the purpose such as controlling natural light coming in the room or providing privacy to those inside.

 Choosing Window treatments would depend on the interior design theme of the house.  You may opt for minimal and transparent window treatments if you have a good outdoor scenery and want to display it. Small windows with a good view may require only a valance on the top.  On the other hand, you may require heavy curtains for large windows to protect those inside, if you have surroundings with harsh sunlight, heat, dust or noise.

There is a wide range of window treatments available with a large variation in costs. You may have to select a window covering depending on the budget you have allocated for interior decoration.  If you want to avoid cleaning them periodically, then you can opt for such window treatments which require little cleaning or maintenance.

Selection of Window treatment would also depend on the type of people going to stay inside the building.  In case you have small children it would be better to avoid those with dangling cords or ropes. Also, when you have elderly or disabled people who have difficulty in manually adjusting the window coverings, you can opt for motorized or remote controlled ones.

Choice of window treatment would also depend on whether you are planning to mount it yourself or avail services of experts.  Treating a window can be as simple as mounting a curtain rod on top of the window and hanging few fabric pieces. Do it yourself window treatment kits are also available.  On the other hand, you can opt for elaborately designed window treatments and mount those taking professional help.

Kitchen Window Blind Styles

Making Your Kitchen look Brand new With Window Treatments

    Creating the image of a brand new contemporary kitchen is as simple as sprucing up with the best window treatment selections available. Getting started begins with developing the budget of how much to spend.  Once this is decided, be sure to add a little room for play in your budget in case there is a window treatment that you have to have. If you do not spend the expected amount then you will not only have extra money left you will be happy to of made the budget.

   Following the making of the budget there are steps that can help you for creating the window treatment just for you. A good way to know what will work best for you to know the amount of traffic you have in your kitchen, as most kitchens are very busy. Knowing this and if you have children it is a good idea to look for durable and washable window treatments.

   The next step is deciding if you want to keep the kitchen dark or prefer more sunlight to come through. Especially if you have a beautiful view out of your kitchen windows, you do not want to cover that up. Now you are three steps ahead and all with simple answers to three questions,

•          How much to spend
•         The amount of traffic and
•          How much of the view and sunlight you want

It is now the time to go and get those window treatments you have been wanting. Following the basic guidelines may become much help at this point. The guidelines suggested; light control window treatments. The best window treatments for this is using blinds, or shutters as an option as you can tilt the slats allowing the option to decide how much sunlight you want. If blinds is what is chosen for the kitchen windows and you live within a state that has cold winters you would do good to look at the honeycomb blinds, as they trap hot and  cold air in cells.

   Additionally, for those whom want to rid their kitchen from heavy window coverings you can use upholstered cornice, flap valance, or a three-piece set of swags. Having natural light in the kitchen is essential as many expert decorators recommend. Even if you were to decide on pleated shades, they also offer the privacy window treatments yet allow light in the kitchen.

      There are so many ways to change the entire look of your kitchen when changing window treatments. using contemporary tones while using fabric as a window treatment will keep the kitchen bright, with privacy when needed and by using colors white to slate blue and you may want to use subtle stripes pattern are great especially for skylights and arched windows. 

   Making your kitchen look as it completely renovated is simple to do just by using new window treatments that brighten up and opens up your kitchen no matter how small the kitchen is. Window treatments will definitely open up the smallest of kitchens.

  

Window Coverings for Arched Windows

Covering Arched Windows is not As Difficult As it Seems

Even from earlier times architects have been using the arched doors and windows to provide an elegant aesthetic appeal to the interiors and exteriors of a building.  Though these windows are different from normal ones, it is not difficult to find appropriate window treatments to cover them. The selection would depend on the decoration needs of the interiors. 

Cover it partially

Most of the arched windows are large as well as tall.  To provide privacy for people inside, it is not necessary to cover them fully.  Many designers choose to cover only the rectangular portion below the arch of such large windows.  This is done by attaching a rod at the points on both sides where the arch starts.  The arch is then left open to bring in light and air. Different types of curtains can be hung on this rod.  The preference is usually to use sheer window curtain panels to render it a classic look, check out these images

Cover it fully

For this you may need to use curtain rods which can be bent to match the arch shape of the window.  Such bendable type of rods made with poly carbonate plastic is available in the market.  These types or rods are suitable for even oval and round windows.  These rods are attached using mounting clips and different types of curtain materials can be used to hand on these rods.  It would be ideal to use light weight and transparent fabrics on such windows.  In this method, you need not leave any part of the window uncovered.

Mount shutters and shades.

Mounting shutters and shades also can be done to cover the arched window partially or fully. Usually movable shutters and shades are fixed on the portion below the arch.  These can be controlled to adjust the lighting and privacy.  The arched portion of the window is then covered using shutters or shades which are fixed permanently. Semi transparent Window shades can be used to prevent harsh sunlight and UV radiation from bothering people inside the room and damaging furniture and carpets.

Using Lengthy Drapes

To provide a traditional and classic look to your interiors, you can use long drapes to cover the arched windows. These drapes are hung on long window curtain rods fixed inside the upper portion of the arched window.  These drapes, when drawn, can cover the window fully from inside.  Such long drapes can be seen in dining rooms of traditional houses. 

There are several ways to cover the arched windows, without diminishing their grandeur.  You can choose the one which suits your requirements.

Dressing Oversized Window Blinds with Roller Shades

Tips for Covering Oversized Windows

Tall, broad and expansive windows are attractive and visually appealing in any home or office.  In addition to providing more lighting inside the room, these windows can offer great views of the outside scenery.  However, as compared to normal windows, providing appropriate window treatments to such large windows is sometimes a challenge.  While covering these windows, you need to ensure that ambient lighting and privacy is maintained while retaining the beauty of the windows.  Here are some tips for selecting the window treatments for such large windows.

Before deciding on the Window treatment you need to find out exact measurements of the window.  Some of these windows may not be perfectly square or symmetrical and hence it would be ideal to take measurements at several places and average them if necessary.  Selection of window covering would depend on the size of the window.  You can mount blinds and shades inside the frame of the window. However, for curtains and valances you may have to fix a curtain rod which extends beyond the sides of the windows.

The type of window treatment would also depend on the type of rooms.  While for dining room or family room where privacy is not very important, you may select shades which bring in lot of light with more visibility. However for bedrooms and other areas you may have to select window coverings which controls or blocks light and provide you more privacy.

You have a choice of different types of window treatments.  Drapes and curtains would be ideal to provide a classical appeal.  These are made with variety of fabrics including lightweight ones to heavy brocades.  It is possible to create traditional and modern look using curtains as the fabric are available in many colors, shades and designs.  Curtains can be hung on curtain rods using rings and clips and controlled with ropes and pulleys.   Top of the curtains can be dressed up with valances and swags.

Blinds too are available in variety of colors and shades.  You can use horizontal or vertical blinds.  These are made with different materials including metal, wood or polyester.  Blinds can be adjusted in variety of ways to control lighting and privacy.  Shades are also ideal for oversized roller shades can be easily drawn or opened manually or using a remote control.  In addition to the traditional shades made of cloth or other fabrics, there are modern solar shades which control lighting while allowing clear outdoor visibility for those inside the room. 

It is not difficult to find a suitable covering for oversized windows.  However the selection would depend on your individual taste and specific requirements of lighting and privacy.