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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Things to Consider When Purchasing Window Coverings

    Consider: Your Personal Style
    Personal style is key to selecting window coverings. Take a look around your home. What do you like and dislike about the décor? Take note of the style of furniture and art. By doing this, you may find that your personal style is easy to categorize (i.e. Shabby Chic, Traditional, Modern, etc.). More often than not, you may discover your home to be a mix of styles. What is great about window coverings is that most products and styles are versatile, requiring little customization on your part to fit your décor. Wood blinds, for example, with an antique finish will look great in cottage-style décor. Take that same wood blind and finish it with a rich, ebony stain, and the blinds could easily live amongst modern, loft-style décor.
    Consider: Your Space
    Understanding the architecture of your space can help in selecting your window coverings. Is your room large and narrow? Is it small with high ceilings? Window coverings can alter the visual perception of a space. One trick to make a small window appear larger is to use drapery treatments. We can install the rod and finials just below your ceiling and allow the panels to puddle on the floor. This will create the illusion of height, making your entire space feel more open and inviting.
    Consider: Color
    Nothing affects the mood of a room more than color. Even the absence of color says volumes about your home, life and style. The color of your window coverings is very important as it adds to the overall mood of the room. Dark colors tend to anchor larger spaces and create a cozier environment. Pastel and/or neutral window coverings allow other elements in the room, like furniture and art, to take more prominence. If you are having trouble deciding what color to paint your wall, stick with neutral tones and bring color into the room via your window coverings. This allows you to change the colors in your room as your tastes change without having to repaint your walls.
    Consider: Light & Privacy
    Even though light control and privacy are related, they require different considerations. As light affects the overall mood of a room, privacy is about creating a sense of security within your personal spaces.
    When considering your light control needs, sheers, for example, can allow light to enter your home, even when completely covering your windows. Depending on the fabrics you choose, you can either reduce the amount of light or block it completely when they are fully closed. Shutters, on the other hand, give you a higher degree of coverage with a greater light control. Light enters the home through a specific amount of space between the louvers. Both are great options. It simply depends on how much light control you want.
    When thinking of your privacy needs, consider your environment. Do you live in the city? Do you live in a wooded area where your nearest neighbor is an acre away? You may require less privacy if you live in a high-rise in the city or in more rural areas.
    Whatever your needs are, Budget Blinds can help you find window coverings that give you a balance of both light control and privacy.
    Consider: Energy Efficiency
    Did you know that over 40% of the heat that escapes from your home does so through your windows? Even more shocking is that 50% of exterior solar heat enters your home through windows in a year. Needless to say, your windows have a great impact on your home’s energy usage and bills. Budget Blinds has a number of smart window coverings that give you plenty of style while adding a layer of insulating protection to your windows. Cellular shades are available in materials that absorb the heat and cold that make it past your windowpanes. Shutters provide excellent insulation, keeping rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Adding these window treatments to your home can translate into lower utility bills year-round and provide a more comfortable home environment.
    Consider: Safety
    According to a recent study conducted by the Window Covering Safety Council, 83% of Americans surveyed are aware that pull cords on certain window coverings can pose a strangulation hazard to young children. Over the past decade, the window covering industry has made great advances with products that give you greater control over potentially harmful dangling cords. Dangling cords can injure people of all ages, even your pets. Thankfully, there are a number of products available that eliminate dangling cords. Cordless lift systems allow you to raise and lower window coverings with a touch of your hand. Their construction keeps the cords out of reach. Cordless loop control systems wrangle cords as well, while motorizing your window coverings allows you to raise and lower with the touch of a remote.
    Consider: Window Size & Shape
    There are a lot of “standard” window sizes out there, but the majority of windows in homes are actually custom, which may be the reason why so many premade window coverings rarely fit your windows properly. This is why investing in custom window coverings is so important. Take a moment to study the windows in your home. Are they tall and narrow? Are they short and wide? Do they have a unique shape? Does one of your windows include a sliding door or skylight? No matter what shape and size your windows are, there is bound to be a window covering out there to fit it. Take for instance wide windows and sliding glass doors. Vertical window treatments are best for these types of windows as they provide total coverage and clean lines. If you have a uniquely shaped window, such as, an arch, cellular shades and shutters can be custom fit for this application.
    Consider: Functionality
    Whether your windows are high and out of reach or right in front of you, functionality is key to controlling light and privacy. Budget Blinds has a variety of products that can be upgraded with motorization systems. These systems not only eliminate the use of dangling cords, (which is an excellent safety advantage if you have children and pets), they also make it easy for you to adjust your blinds. Using a hand-held remote control, you can raise and lower, open and close, tilt or traverse your window coverings easily. Cordless lift systems also give your window coverings enhanced functionality and safety.
    Consider: Care & Cleaning
    Window coverings have the potential to last a very long time, with some products lasting more than a decade. With proper maintenance and cleaning, your window coverings can stay just as beautiful and functional as the day they were installed. The majority of window coverings require very minimal cleaning. Aside from the occasional dusting, vacuuming and/or spot cleaning, a lot of products are now being manufactured to be dust, soil and stain resistant. Many Budget Blinds Style Consultants offer maintenance plans and warranties that ensure your window coverings are in excellent condition.

1 comment:

  1. I really like this blog, It's always nice when you can not only be informed, but also get knowledge, from these type of blog, nice entry. Thanks!
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