Decorating Rental Homes with Window Coverings

Rental properties have unique considerations when it comes to decorating. If you are an owner, you want something attractive that will bring in renters. But you also want decorations that are tough, that will last through several tenants, and don't cost more than the potential increase in rent they signal. Some owners opt to split the difference, and put the good custom shades in the "show" rooms (kitchen, bedroom, living room) and the standard cheap blinds in the laundry room, basement, second bathroom etc.

Renters have a completely different set of circumstances. They want to decorate their home, but since they do not own it, they are not about to invest a whole lot. Imagine if you spent thousands on window blinds then moved away in 6 months. Sometimes it can be hard for the renter and owner to agree on who should pay for blinds. Unless the renter is planning on packing up those shades when they move, having the renter pay is really not an option. However, buying custom window coverings can be positive for both parties.

It makes the home more attractive and allows it to be rented for more in the future. Any happy loyal tenants reduces turnover. Every week that a space is unrented is lost money. For custom shades, the big box hardware stores are out. All their blinds are prefabricated for pennies in poor conditions in foreign countries. Trying to fit a premade blind into a window frame can be a trying experience. Despite what you may think, there are no standard dimensions for windows, even replacement windows. Builders just follow the designs given to them by the architect, and even then all the frames might not have the exact same dimensions. Cellular shades can save money.

If you are buying a prefabricated blind, your only options would be to cut it down or use a smaller size. If you use a smaller size that is bound to leave gaps along the side, defeating the purpose of blind use for privacy, light control and insulation. If you cut the blind, well you have just created a custom blind, again defeating the purpose of having it be mass produced.

So if you are hanging window coverings in a whole house consider the custom approach. Buying custom blinds online is actually not that expensive. The cheapest option are vinyl blinds. These will not look good unless you get the right style to match your interior. Even then, these shades are fragile and may not be the best for rental properties. Faux wood blinds are a good alternative.

Wood Blinds Choices

Faux wood and wood blinds are consistently the most popular products from blinds manufacturers. The custom blinds stores, most of which are online, allow you to mix and match options. They also give you the ability to custom order to almost any dimension. At the big box hardware stores, the blinds are already assembled, so for you to get a custom design they will have to cut it or charge fees for that service. Even non slatted shades, like cellular blinds or roller blinds can be custom made by some companies. As building dimensions are not standard, this can be really handy.

A popular feature on wood blinds now is routless technology. Along with motorized blinds, these are the most safe blinds because they do not have any hanging strings that infants can get tangled in. Instead of having a hole in the wood slats for a controlling line, These blinds have the line integrated into the leading edge or wrapped around the slats. Notches in the back of the slat hold the lines and are invisible from the front. This eliminates light leaks from route holes. The shades sit closer which gives a cleaner, tighter look loved by interior designers.

Instead of routless, you can have cloth tapes on the faux wood blinds. These work the same but have the strip on the inside of the blind. If you pick a color or type of cloth you like then they can be very attractive in matching interior decoration. The motorized option is great for two different things. Impressing your neighbors and controlling blinds when you have trouble doing it yourself. Some are just motorized in the raising and lowering which fits cellular shades and all types of window covering, and some have motorized tilt, which means it will tilt the slats open or closed. If you are already spending a crazy amount of money on motorized blinds, you might as well get all the options.

The frame that holds the blinds, either on an inside out outside mount, is a simple device. Many blinds companies add decorative valances over the frames to spruce them up. These are usually wood or faux wood  coverings matched to your interior architecture. For large windows, the company may not have slats big enough to cover the whole window. In situations like these, you can install several blinds on the same railing. Each blind is adjusted separately. This looks much better than trying to install multiple frames in the same window.

Dorm Blinds

Walking into that first dorm room can be a little intimidating when you see just how bare it is. Most dorm rooms do not come with any furnishing beyond a bed and maybe a refrigerator. The first step to give you a little privacy inside a building holding hundred or thousands of people can be to install blinds. As this is the only room you have to change clothes and sleep in, you will want at least that area to be protected from the outside world.

Roller shades, cellular shades and blackout blinds are the best choice for dorm privacy, because when they are lowered there are no cracks to look through. The next most important consideration for dorm blinds is toughness. You want a blind that is durable and that wont fall apart when some drunk falls on it. Buying a window shade made from vinyl, plastic, faux wood or a similar material will give you a nice slick surface that is easy to clean. I do not recommend curtains or fabric blinds in the dorm. Because this is the place where you eat, sleep and play, there are bound to be messes, and you will not have the cleaning equipment to take stains of fabric cellular shades.

Light control is the third interior design factor. If you want to sleep in, on weekends or whatever, you need a solid opaque blind to shut out the sun. Sleeping all day is one of the great experiences of college life, so don't miss out. You will also want to block out and crazy occurrences or ultimate frisbee competitions right outside your door. Cellular blinds do a good job at muffling sound because they have insulating air pockets. Variable light control is obtained from mini blinds. These aluminum or vinyl blinds have slats to change the pitch of incoming light.

Some students have a different problem. The previous resident tore up the room or left their spider man posters everywhere. Blinds need to be replaced if they get tore up so you might want to get the cheapest blinds you can find. Often online blinds stores have the cheapest prices, if they do not sneak in additional shipping fees.

Of course you want your dorm room to look good to, so the beauty is just as important as utilitarian design right? You can try designer blinds that have prints on roller shades. You could get your college team or try out your favorite MLB blinds.

Using Light To Decorate With Window Shades

Windows are your portal to view and also the way natural light illuminates your home. There can be no color or sight without light. Artificial light is certainly going to be used, but you should not neglect the significant effects natural light can have. Some sculptures are made out of light only. This means that standard curtains and window coverings can be used to create all kinds of space and light illusions.

From a cultural as opposed to an artistic standpoint, draperies are heavy and look more formal. Short curtains are lighter and casual. If you are trying to use your window coverings or cellular blinds for illusion, you can do things like extending the curtain rod or valance beyond the window frames on smaller windows. People will see the coverings instead of the window frame and assume the windows are larger.

Fore larger windows, you want to conceal as little of the window as possible. Try tying the curtains back on the sides. To make illusions to make the windows look like they are different heights, this is a different problem. Draperies and higher curtain rods conceal the length of a window and soften the view. If you are in the unfortunate position that your view is a dirty factory or brick wall, you can make window coverings that match your wall. Consider tan cellular shades to mask the view.

When it comes to actual window blind design you have almost unlimited options. Vertical blinds are drastically different from venetian blinds in terms of the forms they inspire. Long vertical lines can make the room seem more spacious if you have vaulted ceilings. Mini blinds are popular because they are light and work anywhere. For those looking for a more artistic expression with their window coverings, try an art project like buying wood blinds and painting the slats. You can make patterns or if you are really ambitious, a picture you can see when the slats are closed.

For interiors, other than vertical blinds, there are also panel blinds. These track blinds can be made from paper, fabric or other materials and roll on a track to act as room dividers. They even have vertical cellular blinds now to divide the room and maintain energy efficiency. The idea is that you can divide of parts of your house that you are not using and you will not have to spend energy heating or cooling those areas.

Cellular blinds are different from venetian blinds because they are all connected. Instead of having movable louvers that can let light in or shut it out, honeycomb blinds have air pockets when lowered and fold upon themselves when raised. With panel track window coverings, even when closed they will still take up some of your room. So you have to decide if the trade off in space is worth the room separating abilities.

Some Plantation shutter advice

 I found this article on plantation shutters on ezine. I hope to give my own interior decorating tips soon!

Window treatments don't have to be formal. Get the right look for your decor with elegant and laid-back looks from custom draperies to mini blinds.

Many homeowners tend to think of formal plantation shutters or custom draperies when they're considering window treatments, but the simple truth is that window coverings of all kinds are available both to dress up or dress down your decor. Depending on whether you're going for an elegant look, a down-home style, or a rustic retreat, your local dealer has the ideal window shades and blinds to help you create the right aesthetic for your home or office.

Plantation shutters, custom draperies, and cellular shades are generally considered more formal options for elegant window treatments. But with the right fabrics and finishes Roman shades, sheer window draperies, and other window shades can all create a luxurious ambiance.

Vertical and horizontal window blinds as well as mini blinds, roll up shades, and woven wood shades, are the most common of the "informal" window covering styles. However, many other window shades can also be quite laid-back if designed in casual fabrics and styles, even traditionally refined options like draperies. In fact, when finished in simple wood tones, some plantation shutters can even be quite informal!

Remember, most window treatment stores also offer uber cleaning services to get old, dusty window blinds and shades looking new again fast. A safe, affordable, effective solution for revitalizing older, tired-looking blinds, professional cleaning services help your window treatments--and your home--look their best.

With all of the options on the market today, you're sure to be able to find a great shade or blind no matter what your style. Whether you want a sophisticated custom valance or a natural-looking woven wooden shade, your local window treatment store can help you get a great window dressing at a great price. So what are you waiting for? Get started on the plantation shutters or mini blinds of your dreams today!

 From

http://ezinearticles.com/?Window-Treatments-From-Plantation-Shutters-to-Roman-Shades-Help-Create-the-Right-Look-For-Your-Home&id=4871028

by Rebecca Paul

Window Covering Discussion

Given that the structure of bay windows make it the most prominent element in the room, take care not to emphasise them that they overpower the complete room. Stick to the basic lines of vertical blinds or venetian blinds. They will give you the privacy that you need to have particularly if your bay windows are facing high-traffic areas.

Window blinds are not generally seen as the curtains, so having them in your house will give it a more exclusive look. A ray of sunlight, a glimpse of the stars at night and a view of the outdoors from the blinds' slits just have an irresistible charm that is universal in country houses.

You can soften the lines of window blinds by hanging curtains. Avoid pelmets that have elaborate designs and ones with tie-backs are these are out of fashion, rather stick to curtain rods.

An additional way to soften the window blinds appear is to location a table and decorate it with your vase collection, picture frames, or a floral arrangement. Venetian blinds provide a creative touch to libraries or house offices and window shades can be bought to compliment nearly any decor or just to identify a certain hobby or passion. Now all window blinds come at affordable costs.

You can opt for window blinds, wooden slats in particular to have a classic seem. Window blinds are also practical in that they are really easy to thoroughly clean - just wipe off the dirt, dust with a damp cloth, and finish off with a duster for a much more polished appear. No heavy washing, no drives to the dry cleaners, no tough placing down and placing up and no meticulous checks for tear and holes.

You can even create a window seat and soften the place up with comfy cushions in accentuating colours.

Wooden is 1 of the issues that truly can make a conventional residence what it is. Modern houses tend to function a lot of metal and glass furniture, styled in extremely sharp and thoroughly clean fashion. If you would like your furniture to reflect a a lot more solid really feel, then you ought to turn to wood instead. Tables and chairs produced of hardwood such as oak, teak or mahogany are beautiful, giving your household an earthy feel that creates it seem extremely cozy.

You can also look at changing your window accessories from the usual curtains to window blinds. Aside from being simpler to clean and change, window blinds made of bamboo or wooden slats add a a lot more conventional search to your house.

In the present time, there is truly no reason to not to dress your window covering. Window blinds can be identified in any quantity of styles and designs that are suitable for nearly any decor. You can even obtain them in nursery colors if you are so inclined.

To purchase window blinds, no other location can be better than on the internet blinds shops. On these retailers, you can find large selection of blinds which are obtainable at reasonably priced prices. Thus, acquire window blinds for your window and give your window fantastic deal of flexibility and creativity.