Pages

Patio Door Window Treatments to Consider


Expert Author Cookie Maxwell


Sliding glass doors on to a patio are a wonderful way to maximize your view. Whether you are looking out onto the water, trees, or watching your kids play in back, there is a lot of benefit to those glass doors. However, you will find times when you need more privacy. At night, when glass doors are not covered with blinds or drapes, it is easy to see directly into your home. If you are searching for window treatments for your patio doors, you can learn more about your options here.

Curtains or Drapes
Within the curtain and drape category, you will find a variety. A sheer curtain that slides easily to the side is a nice option for someone who wants to diffuse the bright light from the sun, but not eliminate it entirely. If your home requires the room to have a black out effect, choose a more solid drape. Side mounted panels are hung purely for decorative purposes. They do not move and are there enhance the look of the room. Make sure that you match your rods to the curtain. If you choose a thick drape that will block out all of the light, you can use a heavier rod. A lighter curtain requires thing rings and a thin rod that continues the theme of light and airy.
Hunter Douglas

Blinds
Blinds are a nice option for patio door window treatments because of their versatility. You can shut them all the way for privacy and room darkening. You can also open them in a way to allow some light to filter in. Drapery and curtains do not have an in between option. Vertical blinds are the most popular choice for sliding glass doors. If you have French Doors, you can either go with thin vertical blinds, or cellular shades. Roman shades are a warm and luxurious look for both sliding glass doors and French Doors. Vertical blinds for patio doors come in as many styles as the blinds you can use for your windows. Choose the material or fabric that complements your interior decor and meets your requirements for functionality. You can choose wood or faux wood panels that cover the door from top to bottom. When they are fully closed, they will deliver total privacy. A sheer fabric panel will allow more light to filter into a room, and will give the room more of a soft glow.

No matter which option you prefer, it is always a good idea to request samples from a manufacturer. It will be easier to picture the final product if you can hold a small piece of it up against the doors you are working with.

MyReviewsNow.net offers information regarding patio blinds. For more on patio door window treatments, please shop online with us at MyReviewsNow.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cookie_Maxwell


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

Make Your Home More Spacious With Venetian Blinds


Expert Author Mark Row
Having troubles with space?
Living in small apartments or houses with tiny rooms requires careful choice of multifunctional furniture and intelligent use of space. The way we use colors, exploit natural light and combine the elements affects our living area in such a way that it causes the rooms to appear more or less spacious. Venetian window blinds are, believe it or not, a top choice of window treatments in houses or apartments with limited space.
Color themes
Dark colors in small spaces are definitely not an option. Instead of opening up the home space, they tend to be burdening especially when dark shades are a predominant choice for both walls and furniture. Light colors can help creating an illusion of wide, open space while grouping decorations in similar tones creates a harmonious atmosphere. In light colors, any white hue or soft, natural colors of wood, in combination with the similar, light color of your walls will do wonders for your home. Not only will the rooms appear wider and more elongated, but it will also seem more neat and elegant.
Windows and lighting
Large windows are an essential part, especially in small living rooms. Apart from taking care of your privacy, the possibility of adjusting the light exposure according to your needs is what makes Venetian window blinds a unique and irreplaceable choice of window treatment for both large and small windows. In rooms with sufficient amount of light, only this type of window treatment will do the trick. However, those parts of your home with insufficient light exposure will need additional lighting, so consider placing lamps or any other source of light in each corner and hang mirrors on your walls (they reflect light nicely).
Choice of furniture
It may be hard but try to get rid of any piece of furniture or decoration that you do not use or need (or the ones you are not sentimentally attached to). Make the best of what you decide to keep, try to find a way of incorporating it into your design and give it some purpose. A piece of advice is that when you buy new furniture, you opt for the multifunctional pieces. What does this mean? It means that instead of large, space consuming pieces you decide to buy smaller ones with storage possibility. Coffee tables with drawers, beds with additional parts for storing the bedding when it is not used, wall units or shelves which cover the wall from top to bottom are examples of what you should keep in mind when choosing the right, purposeful furniture. Again, try to match the colors either with the color of your floors or the furniture theme.

Avoid clutter at any cost, place all the trinkets in a decorative box, neatly organize your decorations instead of spreading them casually all over your room. In the same manner, organize all other small useful tools like scissors, needles and threads etc.

Hopefully, all of the above mentioned suggestions will be of use to you and help you create a more spacious living area with Venetian blinds as both aesthetical and practical window covering.
Visit Slats for more info on our beautiful selection of custom crafted Wood and Wood Effect Venetians, perfect for any interior decoration project. Our mission is to offer quality window blinds at affordable prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Row



Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435


How Much You'd Expect to Pay For a New Set of Blinds


Expert Author Cookie Maxwell


Window blinds can be a beautiful and functional alternative to cloth curtains on your windows. Blinds come in a variety of materials and styles, and they can be functional as well as decorative. They come in a variety of materials that include wood, plastic, vinyl, metal, fabric and even bamboo. There are many different styles of blinds to choose from to customize the design of your windows. Vertical, horizontal, honeycomb, flat, and roller are just a few types of blinds that you will find from retailers. Blinds that are labeled as energy efficient insulate the windows that they cover and help keep the heat and air conditioning bills lower. There is no typical cost for blinds because of the variety of materials and designs. However, there is a range that a homeowner can expect to find when they are pricing window treatments.

Accounting for the large variety in material, quality, quantity and size, people can expect to pay anywhere from $8 to $1000 per blind for their home. That range includes budget blinds from a hardware store that can cost between $15 to $180 per window and the moderately priced energy efficient blinds from a large home store that will run $30 to $130 per window. Designer custom blinds made from the highest quality materials cost from $100 to $1000 per window. The lower end of the price range covers smaller window blinds that are made from wood and fabric. The highest end of the price range encompasses woven silk blinds and tapeless ladder system blinds.

There are additional costs to account for when planning the window treatments budget. Professional installers charge to install the blinds for home windows. The rule of thumb is that the cost increases as the complexity of the job increases. Keep in mind that larger windows cost more to cover. That is also true for windows that are oddly shaped and are not traditional. If you do not want to hire an installer, most blinds can be installed without the help of a professional.

Installation is not usually part of the blind package price, but there are a few more extra parts that a person will need to factor in when purchasing new blinds. A purchased blind includes a blind that is the right size to cover one window, any hardware necessary to install the blind, a rod, a cord, and a system to position the blind. If the blinds are vertical then there is an included head rail or valance from which to hang the blind from. Most custom blind retailers will offer a warranty for the blinds that they sell.

MyReviewsnow.net offers information regarding selecting blinds. For more about window treatments, please shop with us at MyReviewsNow.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cookie_Maxwell


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435


Select Window Treatments by Asking The Right Questions


Expert Author Valarie Baser


Since each window treatment has its own pros and cons, it's important to answer the following questions first before you begin browsing and shopping. By answering the following questions, you will have a clear understanding of what you need from your treatments. Knowing what you need before browsing and shopping will end confusion while saving you a lot of time and money.
Practical Questions
Does privacy need to be created?
Some apartments in big cities usually lack privacy when it comes to windows with views. Views can sometimes include awkward views of their neighbors or opportunities for neighbors walking by to take a peep at your dinner. So purchasing curtains that provide privacy will make a home feel comfortable, making you feel less exposed.
Does heat gain/loss need to be controlled?
If you live in a older home or apartment, the windows may not be insulated to prevent cold weather from entering the home. This will usually cause you to use more heat in the home which will eat up your electric bill.
Is there a need to get rid of glare from the sun?
Depending on the location in the home, if it's a home office, think about how annoying a glare from the sun would be when trying to focus on a computer screen. This makes working from home less productive which may hurt your earnings.
Does it need to be easy to maintain and clean?
If you're the type of person who is always on the run then I doubt you'd like to spend time cleaning window treatments when you'd rather be outside doing real things.
Does it need to be durable?
If your house has a lot of occupants, that means whatever you select needs to be able to tolerate more wear and tear in high traffic areas such as living rooms or hallways. Treatments that frequently need to be replaced is both a waste of time and money.
Is it within my budget?
The tricky part about this questions is that if the curtain quality is too cheap then it may not last. So in the long run, you'd be spending more money than you thought you would be just to replace them, frequently. Think about which is more worth it to you in the long run. Good Quality + Expensive = Durability or Bad Quality + Cheap = Needs to be replaced frequently.
Once you've answered those set of questions, you can move on to the less serious stuff. The next thing you want to think about is style. Here are a set of questions to ask yourself.
Decorative Questions
Can the treatment add to an architectural detail?
Lets say you have a custom window that's floor to ceiling high. A custom length of the window treatment can add to the architectural detail and help create a beautiful focal point.
Is there a need to bring out color, pattern or texture into the room?
If the room is lacking some kind of pattern, color, or texture; window treatments will dramatically change the space. The right window treatment can also accompany a type of texture used in the room to create a more harmonious space.
Should the style be contemporary, traditional, period etc?
Depending on the style your going for, contemporary window treatments should be surrounded by a contemporary setting. Unless the style is eclectic which has to be cleverly balanced out.
Should the pattern be geometric, naturalistic or stylized?
Depending on the mood of the room, geometric patterns can add a youthful vibe to the space, naturalistic patterns can add a bit of a relaxed vibe and stylized patterns really depends on your personal preference.
Should there even be pattern?
Maybe there's so many different patterns and shapes already being used in the space. Skipping the idea of including patterns for window treatments will keep the room from getting too busy.
Once you answer the following questions, it will be much easier to select the right window treatments. I would recommend taking the time to write each question out and filling in the answers so you don't change your mind once you enter a store. Entering a store with a lot different ideas and selection can easily distract you, so keep a list of your needs and wants to prevent this.

Now that you know how to select the right window treatments, there's still more to learn. Visit http://www.vmdecor.com to discover different styles and learn what's in the interior design market today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valarie_Baser


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435



Lush Window Treatments Add Style To Any Room


Expert Author Cookie Maxwell


Any type of covering used on the windows of commercial or residential buildings is generally referred to as window treatments. They are effective for blocking out sunlight, insulating against the heat that the sun generates, and maintaining your privacy when you don't want people looking into your home. Despite these beneficial characteristics, most homeowners view them as being decorative and use them solely for room décor. Fortunately, the most common types of window coverings (blinds and curtains) are both functional and stylish.

There are a number of places where you can purchase window treatments and install them yourself such as home improvement stores or the larger department store retailers. However, you can also hire professional companies that sell and install them if you have the budget for this. There are several types to consider when you want to change the appearance of your home or spruce up a particular room, including:

• Blinds - although these are the most functional window treatments available, they have little if any decorative value. Most of the styles that you find today are constructed from plastic or wood and can be mounted on the sides or top of a window frame. The slats can be operate horizontally or vertically.
• Curtains - these are one of the more popular forms of window treatments because they are available in a wide range of styles as well as being very decorative and functional. Curtains are manufactured in a variety of materials such as cotton, suede, and even velvet. They are available in different lengths and are oftentimes considered to be an essential component of a home's décor.

• Shades - like curtains, shades are used more for function instead of style and are available win a wide range of materials such as bamboo, canvas, and woven plastic. Additionally, they are also manufactured with several operational features including roll-up sprockets that enable you to retract them or ropes.

• Sheers - these window treatments are used more for decoration rather than function. However, they are typically used as a window covering that allows light to enter the room while maintaining some privacy for anyone occupying the room. Sheers are most commonly hung in art studios, kitchens, and rooms facing east.

• Valances - swathes of fabric that are used to decorate the top of window frames are more commonly referred to as valances. They are most commonly used to compliment and enhance other types of window treatments such as blinds, curtain sets, and shades. They are typically hung in dining rooms, living rooms, music rooms, and parlors.

In addition to selecting your window treatments out of an interior designer's catalog or from home improvement store displays, many styles can be customized to fit odd-shaped windows and tailored to address your exclusive needs. Where store-bought window coverings are made to suit the average homeowner, customized ones are more personal and cater to the particular home they are to be mounted in. Be sure that you select a covering that best reflects your lifestyle when making your decision.
MyReviewsnow.net offers information regarding window treatments. For more on window treatments, please visit our Home Decor portal at MyReviewsNow

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cookie_Maxwell



Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435