Wooden blinds

Wooden blinds can come in a number of woods and finishes. As far as size, there are three frequently used widths—25mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Venetian blinds are also available as vertical blinds. These are usually made with wider slats, but they operate in pretty much the same way as their horizontal counterparts. They draw to one side and gather in a vertical bunch rather than being drawn upwards.

Another type of wooden blinds are Pinoleum blinds. These are made from small wooden twigs which have been laid horizontally and are joined together by vertical threading. Because of the weave of these blinds, they are only flexible vertically, and are drawn upwards, either as a roller blind or in a similar way to how Venetian blinds are drawn.

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In recent years, faux wooden blinds have become a better option than they used to be. While in their early days, that had a rather cheap look to them, materials have improved greatly, allowing them to be more interchangeable than they previously were. They have become more warp-resistant and look more natural. Some faux wood blinds have a UV rating of as high as 500. As far as aesthetics, they can be found in a range of colors hard to find in natural wood. Their resistance to warping them makes them a wise choice in areas with a wide temperature range or a lot of excess moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

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While it’s fairly common to see patterned fabrics in home décor, the use of patterns is often thought of as being limited to upholstered furniture, blankets, pillows, and the like, but drapes also come in patterns. These patterned drapes and curtains are making a comeback, style-wise.

Of course, it’s true that the wrong pattern drape can be be a major style “don’t”, but the right one can add something great to your home or apartment. Patterned drapes are a fairly large commitment, as you don’t want to choose something that you’ll tire of within a couple of months. We all know that window treatments are not the most inexpensive of décor items to replace, especially if they’re custom built.

Perhaps you live in a small older apartment that could be considered a bit dingy by some standards. Ascetically pleasing  patterned drapes on great material can really be an asset to your home and help pop the nice qualities while hiding the fact that there might be some blemishes in the room. Patterns can also break up long expanses of sameness. A room with only one color can instantly have some brightness and charm added to it with patterned window treatments.

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When picking out a pattern, just remember that you’re going to be stuck with it for a while, so choose wisely. Be sure to decide on a fabric that you won’t find to be passe, obnoxious, or boring within a few months. You’ll also want something that you feel matches the rest of the room. Patterned drapes can add a playful or serious tone to a room, depending on what you pick. Keep this in mind when making your purchase.

With the right pattern, your new window treatments can be a great addition to your home, and can add personal flare.

If you live near a highway or above a busy street, you probably know what it’s like to have too much noise coming in at all hours, disrupting your sleep or quiet time at home. Hanging soundproof curtains or drapes could be exactly what you need to improve the noise pollution situation in your home.

A soundproof curtain is a window treatment that serves as a barrier between your home and the outside world, preventing noise from penetrating it. These curtains also prevent sound from exiting the room, which can come in handy if you enjoy being able to play music or watch TV loudly without bothering neighbors or people in other rooms of your home. Soundproof curtains are especially useful in recording studios or music rooms. They also add a sense of privacy and sound reduction in office spaces.

What They’re Made Of

One of many different types of window treatments, soundproof curtains look like any other ordinary curtains you might have in your home, but they are made of a thicker material. They contain Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV), a sound barrier, and they can be used to cover not just windows, but also an entire wall or door. The weight per square foot of the curtain, in addition to the high mass helps absorb a wide range of sound frequencies. The MLV material may also have a backing of material such as foam cushion that absorb vibrations as well as noise.

It is important for soundproof curtains to cover the entire area where sound would otherwise be coming in. You don’t want there to be areas where noise can escape or come in because there isn’t enough coverage. If you’re not hiring a trained drapery professional to hang them for you, be sure that all of your measurements and hanging techniques are correct.

Soundproof curtains and drapes come in all the normal colors and even patterns of regular window treatments, but with the added assurance of having a less noise-polluted home.

One fairly easy method of cleaning window treatments is to use a steam cleaner. You might already own a a steam cleaner and use it for other cleaning needs, or you could consider purchasing or renting one.

How to steam clean your drapes:

1. Remove the steam cleaner’s water holding tank and fill it. Be careful not to overfill the tank. Most tanks have a line marker that shows how much water to add. After filling the tank, replace it in the cleaner. Next, plug in/turn on the steam and allow it time to heat up enough to produce steam. The majority of steam cleaners will heat up within a few minutes.

2. The next step is to add any attachments that are made for use with cleaning draperies and upholstery. Be careful to choose the correct one for the job. Different materials can require different attachments, so be sure to look over the manufacturer’s directions before use.

3. Holding the nozzle up the draperies, smoothly move it up and down the length of the window treatments. It is best to go from top to bottom. This will help make sure you are able to remove all of the dust and dirt from the draperies. For a thorough cleaning, you can also steam clean the back of the drapes. An additional use of steam cleaners is to remove wrinkles from fabric. You can generally use this as an indicator of the fabric being clean. When there are no more wrinkles, you can be sure the job is done.

4. Once you are done steam cleaning your window treatments, turn the steamer off and empty the container. Your final step will be to open windows in the room or turn on fans in order to allow the circulation of fresh air. This will help dry and refresh the drapes.

Remember, periodically thoroughly steam cleaning your drapes can really help lengthen their life.

For many years, curtains of one type or another have been used to define spaces and create a sense of privacy. The first curtains that people made were made from animal hides.
These hides were placed over doorways and fastened with hooks. As you can imagine, hides are rather stiff and do not drape in a flattering way. Slowly, with the advancement of textile production, including weaving and dying, these household textiles evolved to something more similar to the curtains we are now familiar with. Other textiles that were created at the same time were other items designed for warmth, such as hangings, blankets, and bed hangings.

These early textiles, first spun in ancient Egypt, were comprised of linen and flax. After this, wool, cotton, and silk were also used for textile manufacturing.

Even though there is little documentation or evidence existing from the Early and Middle Ages regarding curtains and other hangings, it is reasonable to believe that occupants of early homes, particularly people residing in castles, used woven textiles over doors and windows. These tapestries and other heavy cloths were used to keep out the cold, especially if the castles were located in frequently chilly areas, such as Northern Europe and England. If you’ve ever taken a tour of a castle, you’ve probably noticed that they tend to be damp and cold. Even with fireplaces in most rooms, it takes quite a bit to keep them warm. Before glass was manufactured, wooden slats were used over windows, which made for a lot of draftiness. Curtains helped to keep warmth (and unfortunately, smoke) in rooms.

During the Renaissance, homes began to look more similar to present day homes, complete with glass windows. Without being covered, these windows allowed light in and passersby to see in. For privacy and warmth, hangings were used over them. It took many years for curtains to evolve into what they are now. Textile manufacturing machinery in the 1800s allowed for textiles to be more mass-produced. This is what helped curtains become what they are today.

The more light cleaning you do with your curtains, just as with other cleaning, the less time you will need to spend on more intensive cleaning measures. By adding your curtains to your regular housecleaning schedule, you will immediately see results by way of brighter, nicer looking curtains.

Before reading on, keep in mind that different curtain and drapery materials require different care, so it’s best take that into consideration before washing or cleaning them.

Weekly Cleaning

While you most likely not want to take your curtains down and wash them every week, a bit of dusting and vacuuming can go a long way for regular upkeep of your window treatments. The options for cleaning implements range from feather dusters, damp cloths, vacuum attachments and static dusters (among other things), here are a few general tips:

• By starting at the top of your curtains and working your way down, you’ll avoid dust falling on parts of the curtains which you have already cleaned.
• Spend time concentrating on dusting the hems and folds of the curtains because most of the dust accumulates in these areas.
• When using a damp cloth to clean curtains, be sure to vacuum the curtains first. This will prevent smearing the dust and dirt around while attempting to remove it. For this reason, using a damp cloth might not be best for lighter colored curtains.
• Leaving your curtains hanging while dusting them is much easier and less time-consuming than removing them. If your curtain rod is weak and cannot support the weight of cleaning them, consider purchasing a more secure curtain rod.
• When dusting and vacuuming, remember to clean both sides of the curtains. Debris and dust accumulate on both the window-facing and room-facing sides of the curtains.
• If you don’t remove it, this debris can cause odor or fall to the floor, leaving you with more cleaning to do. Also, dust causes allergens, so removing it can be very helpful to members of your household who are sensitive to allergens.
• Start at the top of your curtains and work your way down so the dust falls onto parts you haven’t dusted yet.
• Concentrate on dusting hems and folds as most of the dust accumulates in those areas.
• If you use a damp cloth, make sure you dust or vacuum the curtains first to avoid smearing in dirt. It’s best not to use a damp cloth on lightly colored curtains.
• It’s easier to leave your curtains hanging when you dust them. Consider getting a more secure curtain rod if you aren’t able to hold the curtains taught to vacuum or dust them.

Of course, it is still a good idea to actually wash your curtains sometimes, but with regular cleaning, you will have to do this less often while keeping your curtains looking fresh and clean.

The graphic below gives informative and easy to follow instructions on how you can install and hang your curtains. This image will walk you through just about every step you’ll need so that you can make sure that you get things done right the first time. From installing the rod, ironing your curtains, making sure they’re the correct length, and eventually hanging, we’ve got you covered on curtain installation.

If you’re searching for curtains, you might be thinking, “There’s curtains in all sorts of lengths. Which length is right for me?” When choosing curtains for your home or apartment, length plays a big role. This article will help you figure out how to choose curtain lengths are appropriate for your windows.

Curtains come (or can be made) in a variety of sizes, ranging from just above the windowsill to long flowing curtains resting on the floor. Understanding what these differences in size and how they relate to different types of windows and rooms can help you translate what kind of mood do they set.

• Long curtains often set a formal and dignified tone. A formal or dressy room should have curtains that brush the floor.
• In a room with a romantic feel, extra long curtains forming puddles on the floor are appropriate.
• Shorter curtains are perfect for a casual, relaxed and informal feel. Short curtains often look great in kitchens.

You might be searching for curtains to hide some uncouth looking windows. After all, not every window is pretty and some of them really need to be covered up.

• If your window is too short, attaching rods just below the ceiling molding and hanging long, to-the-floor curtains will make the window appear to be longer and more elegant.
• When windows feel awkwardly long, adding a deep cornice or valance above draperies with a bold horizontal pattern can really help. To create further distraction, you can add a horizontal line in the form of a contrasting louvered shutter.
• If a window is too wide, you can break up the overwhelming space with several large panels. They can be tied off in pairs or hung straight.
• If windows are too narrow, you can extend the curtain rods beyond the window and hang the draperies so that they barely cover the frame, while leaving as much glass exposed as possible. This will give the illusion of wider windows.

Now that some things have been cleared up in regards to choosing curtain lengths, you will be able to better understand the kinds of decorating decisions you need to make.

3.  No matter what color curtains you choose, a solid-colored curtain a few shades darker than your wall paint will help unify your space.  The curtains will help create a neutral backdrop, allowing items in the room to pop, whether the items are pieces of furniture or artwork hanging on the wall.  For a modern and fun treatment, paint your trim to match this darker color.

4.  Extra-long puddling curtains can be romantic and elegant looking, but be sure to reserve this type of curtain only for rooms without carpet.

5.  In rooms where practicality rules, such as your bathroom and kitchen, avoid excessive length.  Allow curtains to graze the top of the windowsills.

6.  The way you hang your curtains can cause illusions of size.  By installing a curtain rod several inches above the window, you can cause an elongating illusion.  An extra-long curtain rod that pushes to the edges of the window frame can cause a window to look wider.  This is useful in windows which appear too narrow.

Remember, you can always call in the assistance of your favorite local curtain and drapery specialist!  He or she can help you decide on the perfect curtains and window treatments.