Large windows cannot be treated the same way as normal sized windows. This is because large windows occupy much more space. If you were to hang curtains that you would for normal windows on them, they would look very bland.

Having large windows is a good idea, especially in the north where winters tend to get very cold, and any sunlight is good. Yet summers are very hot, and you may not want your home converted into a greenhouse.

Getting good curtain designs for large windows is the best thing here. For example, the swag curtain is one of the most popular designs for large windows, especially the long, French window type ones. They give your window a frame, but also give it a design on the top that reduces their visual height.

You can go with window coverings for large windows like panel blinds. They may be more expensive, but they are also easy to manage, and don’t need as much maintenance as do curtains.

You can opt for valences for your window. These valences can be of any shape that you like, a plain horizontal strip on the top or an inverted V shape. You can have them in a different color to the curtains or can just be differentiated by a differently colored border.

You can also put in a number of short length curtains splitting up your window into smaller frames. Going with different colored curtains is a risk, but if you are able to do a good job matching the colors it will look even better than having the same color throughout.

If you are a little brave, you could go with both blinds as well as curtains. You install mini blinds that come half way down the window so that you restrict the amount of light that comes in during the day. The curtains are to be left drawn back. They will frame the window, while the blinds provide the sunlight reduction. You can always just draw closed the curtains if you want to, or you could actually just leave them as they are, and use the blinds to provide the privacy that you need.

What you do does not depend on what has already been done. If you are able to close your eyes and visualize how you want your room to look, just follow your intuition. You’ll find that the end result is much closer to what you wanted than if you had followed other people’s advice.

That depends on the kind of curtains you have and the kind of window you have. For example if you have a plain window with a single pane of glass, just installing thermal curtains can give you as much as a 25 to 30% increase in thermal efficiency. If on the other hand you have a double glazed window, the thermal efficiency will not improve all that much because the window is already doing most of the work for you.

This is best explained by two values that are commonly used when talking about thermal efficiency, the R value and the U value. The R value denotes the resistance to heat that the material has, while the U value denotes how much heat is absorbed by a material. This means that a higher R value is better than a lower one. The U value is not of much concern to us because if a material is going to absorb heat, it will also radiate it back into the room which is something that you do not want.

If you have an ordinary window, putting in a simple, cheap thermal curtain will increase the R value by 1.2 or 1.3. This may not seem like a big increase to you, but a 30% increase in thermal efficiency means a big difference in the amount of sunlight and heat entering through the window.

If you want more efficiency, you can go with better quality thermal curtains. These have a thermal lining for curtains at the back and insulated fronts. They will give you a much better R value.

Everything depends on the cost factor. Obviously if you had the money you will be going in for the double glazed glass for your windows. Why, you could even put in solar windows that have solar cells integrated within the windows so that you get both sunlight as well as being able to generate electricity for your use.

Thermal draperies are a much cheaper option, and the best part is that they work. Of course you need to ensure that the curtains are kept as tight against the windows as possible, because for every little bit of sunlight that escapes through, your thermal efficiency will reduce. This is however easily done using magnetic strips, or decorative lower bars for the curtains.

Strictly speaking most people do not go for swags for windows in their homes. More often than not it is because of the cost. Window swags cost quite a bit more than normal curtains, and unless you are really into these sort of things, most people can find quite nice curtains for their homes without going in for swag curtains.

This however does not mean that they do not look nice. Most hotels use swag curtains simply because they do. In fact even in your home, in certain cases, the best kind of curtain would be swag window treatments.

For example, if your home has a bigger than usual curtain, framing it and making it look nice will be a tough ask. By using window swags, you will give it a frame on top and on the sides which will look much better than even valences or having a double curtain.

Just go online and look up a few pictures of swag curtains and you will understand. In fact, you do not even have to spend a lot of money to purchase expensive swag curtains as they can be made at home with a little bit of effort and some ingenuity.

For example, you could get nice velvet cloth, and strap it to the curtain pole giving it a swag in the middle and letting the ends fall down. If you do this, you will have a curtain that you can use, plus a really good looking swag that is so unique that no one else would probably have them.

Of course if you have the cash, you could go in for the swag curtains itself. They are truly amazing, if you get them in the shape and color to suit your room. This is very important because the swag design does not apply itself well to all interior designs. While for some designs the window swags will give a classy look and add to the tone appreciably, for others, it will just clash horribly.

Check them out online, and if you’re interested, you can even purchase them online, saving yourself some money in the bargain. Most online stores stock them, and as long as you go with a highly rated supplier, there’s nothing to be worried about.

Lace and sheer curtains are probably one of the best embellishments for any window. These treatments almost instantaneously make the windows and rooms in your home look sophisticated. Sheer curtains definitely offer a classy look that is incomparable with any other type of curtains. Nonetheless most people are afraid to use sheer valances for windows as they are afraid that they are too delicate and can become very high maintenance. But with a little effort these graceful curtains can no doubt add to the loveliness of your home.

Valances

Valances are curtains that are used as a decorative curtain on the top half of the window. When used without additional curtains, they can provide a lot of light into a room such as kitchen and work areas. However, most often than not valences are used in combination with either one row of curtains below or with two layers of curtains.

What are sheer valances? 

Sheer valances are valances that are delicate, transparent and supremely elegant. These can be used on any window in the home, in the living room, the bedroom and even the kitchen. The best thing about sheer valances and curtains is that they blend well with almost any type of home furnishing. However, if you want sheer valances and curtains to match your decor, you can get them in light shades which will enhance your existing home furnishings.

The advantage of using sheer valances for windows 

The advantage of using these types of valances is that they look stunning and elegant. They go with any type of home decor and best of all they are unique and will make your home look great.

The disadvantages of any form of sheer curtains 

The biggest disadvantage of using sheer curtains and valances is that they are delicate and need to be washed separately. They are also not a good idea in homes with pets and children as they will get dirty as well as damaged easily.

Sheer valances are terrific options for your windows. If you have not tried them out, then it is time you did. These are curtains and valances that you will get hooked on to. Once you use them, you will always want the simple elegance they add to your home.

Most people do not go in for room darkening shades because it is an anathema to a happy home. A home is supposed to be well lit, be it with sunlight during the day, or by artificial light during the night.

While this is very true, there are a number of reasons why you would like to have room darkening blinds in your home. For example you may not want to install them in your living room, but if you have a den where you would like to work uninterrupted, having a room darkening shade or blind is a good idea, because it will allow you to work with just a reading lamp or a table lamp helping you to concentrate better at your job.

You may also want to install them in your bedroom. Granted that most times when you sleep, it will be dark outside so these room darkening blinds will be of no consequence, but if you are the sort who sleeps late and wakes up late, you may want to draw them before you go to sleep, so that the early morning sunrise does not wake you up.

You get a number of different designs when it comes to blinds starting with Vinetian blinds, room darkening roman shades, to even heavy curtains that accomplish the same purpose. It all depends on what you like and what design is the most suitable for your room’s décor.

In fact, if you live in a very sunny locality, it may be a good idea to install these room darkening mini blinds in all your rooms. You do not need to pull them down completely, but having them gives you the option of pulling them part way down so that you have the exact amount of sunlight that you need. Although curtains are meant for the same purpose, they don’t quite work in the same way.

Lastly, if you have centralized air conditioning in your home, you may want to install them because they give you better HVAC performance and efficiency. The more sunlight you allow inside your home, the more your HVAC system will have to work to keep things cool. This will lead to very high energy costs, and window darkening shades will solve matters brilliantly.

Most of us like all our dirty work covered. We like our pipes to be concealed, our wiring to be concealed and even the accumulation of dust over the years in nooks and crevices, concealed. Which is why open window curtain fixtures such as curtain rods and poles are a constant eye sore for most of us? Did you know that you can actually cover those window curtain fixtures quite easily? Pelmets are the easiest and most effective means of covering those ugly curtain fixtures.

What are pelmets for windows? 

In the olden days pelmets were used to decrease the amount of draft that enters a window. This is why most old buildings will have a framework outside the widow which is sometimes very highly decorative as well.

Today, pelmets are usually made out of wood or ply to cover curtain rods and other fixtures. These are usually highly ornamental in their value as they help both cover as well as enhance the window dressing. Pelmets are usually painted in lovely patterns, in shades that will blend well with the existing curtains. You will even find some pelmets which are stretched with fabric to suit your window curtains.

Do you get curtains with pelmets?

If you are looking to hide those curtain fixtures and poles, you can get ready made curtains which come with pelmets as well. The good thing about these pelmets is that they will be an exact match for your curtains, enhancing the elegance of your window.

How much do pelmets for windows cost? 

Window pelmets are available for every budget. However, anything that looks good is also more expensive. While you do get window pelmets starting at around $50, the ones that look nice usually cost more, with the more expensive ones costing you well over $250. Nonetheless the average price range of between $70 and $150 do give you a lot of options to choose from.

Do window pelmets make a difference? 

Yes curtains with pelmets look so much more elegant and charming when compared with those that don’t. However curtain designs are the owner’s choice. While some love window pelmets, others may consider it too old fashioned or unnecessary. But there is one thing for sure; you will never really know how you feel about these elegant window embellishments until you try them out.

Everyone knows what blinds are. Panel blinds for sliding doors are slightly different in that they are meant for larger windows or panels. They are not very common in most households, although many commercial establishments very commonly have them.

They are most useful to cover a large glass area. Most commercial establishments like offices by default have glass facing on the outside. Although this glass will be double glazed which means that their thermal efficiency will be very high, there is still not much privacy because of the glass. Even if this is not too much of a problem as you go higher up, people still like to have panel blinds because it gives them more control over the amount of light that enters into their room.

Tinted glass, although they may be more efficient from a thermodynamic point of view, are not very controllable when it comes to increasing and decreasing the amount of light.

Even luxury houses that have large glass areas tend to have panel blinds for the same reason. The early mornings are very nice, especially if you have clear glass, but this same glass will prove to be your bane when the sun is high in the sky. Installing panel blinds will allow you to draw them back in the mornings, meaning you can enjoy your morning sunrise, but draw them closed because you don’t want the midday sun streaming in.

There are even panel blinds for patio doors for the same reason. Depending on where you live, you may have an open air or a fully closed in patio. While the concept of a patio will be lost if you are going to build walls, having glass means that during the day the room will become a furnace because it will act like a greenhouse. Having panel blinds will allow you to draw them closed during the day and leave them open at night when it is more pleasant.

How you use panel blinds is up to you, and depending on what you want, you can get panel blinds that draw open and close like a curtain, or lift up and down like outdoor blinds. You can have them all electrically powered so that they open and close with just the flick of a switch, or you can use do it yourself. The options are unlimited, and they are in fact much cheaper than using other, more expensive, sun control methods.

Outdoor blinds are not very common. In fact most homes prefer to go with curtains rather than blinds. Only commercial or industrial settings prefer blinds simply because they are easier maintenance.

Yet outdoor blinds have their uses. For example, if you have a covered patio, but want more privacy or you want to ensure that rain does not come in during the rainy season, an outdoor blind is a very simple, yet effective solution for your problem.

Other times you may want to install special outdoor blinds that come with UV protective coverings, if you live in areas where the sun is really hot. You install them on the outside of your windows and can lower them during the day and raise them up during the night.

You may have a pool outside your home, and may not want to spend the money on installing a fence all round your home. A simple outdoor blind will solve the problem. You can install them all round the pool, and when you don’t want to use them you can raise them up so that it does not reduce the sense of spaciousness that you get with a pool.

You can have reflective blinds that reflect light as it falls on it. This also works like a one way mirror where you can look outside, but no one on the outside can see inside.

These outdoor blinds can also be powered in the sense that you can raise and lower them with just the flick of a switch, or can be done manually. In fact there is a system of pulleys that you can install for these blinds so that pulling on a rope will roll them up, while loosening the rope will let them down. Furling them and tying them up by hand may not always be a practical thing all the time, and if your patio is a high one, this option may not be open to you at all.

Of course these outdoor blinds are a little more expensive than a normal one, because they should be hardy enough to stand the highs and lows of the environment. But if you really need some privacy out of doors, this is one of the cheapest options open to you. However expensive the blinds are they are definitely not as expensive as building walls.

As a general rule, decorating a nursery involves a lot of things like buying baby furniture, baby toys and baby clothes. It also means painting a room to suit a baby; however the last but essential thing a baby’s room needs is curtains. Although curtains are usually the last thing on our minds, we soon find that without them the baby’s room would look totally incomplete. The good thing though is with manufacturers catering to our every whim and fancy, getting curtains for a nursery on short notice is easily possible.

Nursery window treatments

Most of us already have a fixed opinion on what kind of curtains we would like for our child’s nursery. And the best part is that you would probably find something very similar to what you are looking for, maybe even better.

Manufacturers of baby room furnishings come up with every possible combination a parent would want for their child’s bedroom. From lovely baby pink curtains for little girls to valances with baby turtles, boats and peter rabbit on them for little boys, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to nursery window curtains.

Choosing nursery curtain fabric

The best fabric for any child’s room is usually cotton, this is because cotton is a natural fabric which helps the room to stay cool and is available in many light shades and prints. While you do get children’s curtains which have a plastic layer on them, they are really not needed in a nursery.

Cost of nursery curtains

You can get some really nice curtains for your baby’s room for prices as low as $20. However, the average price range seems to be between $40 and $70, with the expensive ones costing well over $100. Nonetheless this is one product where more expensive does not particularly mean better, as some inexpensive pieces are more than adequate to brighten up your child’s nursery.

Do baby nursery curtains make a difference?

The difference between a nice looking nursery and an adorable one are window curtains. So, yes window curtains do make a difference and you will not regret the time and effort spent in making your baby’s room more adorable.

People generally do not have metal doors. Not only is it more expensive than normal wooden doors, it does not look as nice. They also have the unpleasant tendency of being very cold or hot depending on the ambient temperature.

Yet they are not without their uses, and some people prefer the added security that a metal door gives to a wooden one. However nicely we paint it, there’s still no getting around the fact that a metal door just does not look as nice as a normal wooden one.

Hanging curtains is a good idea, but then they will tend to flap and anyway, curtains can only be hung on one side of a door, what about the other side.

In such cases using magnetic curtain rods for metal doors is a good idea. Because they are magnetic, they can be stuck in place very easily and the magnets are powerful enough to hold even heavy curtains in place.

The advantage that this gives is that you can have curtains on both sides of the door, you will be hanging the curtains directly on the door, instead of from the wall on top.

Of course this may be different from what you have been used to and may even look odd if you are in the habit of leaving your door open all the time. If however you are going to be keeping it closed most of the time, as is probably the case if you have a metal door in the first place (considering that you put in a metal door for security, there’s nothing of the sort with the door open always) the magnetic curtain rods are a very good idea.

These rods are made so that they stick out a couple of inches either side so that when you hang your curtain you can even cover the entire door with the curtain. You get them in almost any shape you want, although you may not be able to get the double curtain rods. Apart from the fact that nobody is going to hang double curtains for a door, the extra weight of the second curtain will be just too much for the magnet holding the curtain in place.