Create a Sensation with Fabric Shades

Whether you buy off-the-rack shades or go for custom window treatments, fabric shades can serve as one of the best alternatives in place of draperies for practical, stylish window treatments. Fabric window shades can be used to enhance home décor as well as for various functions.

When shopping for window shades you need to understand your needs. What do you need shades for? Privacy and light control? Do you just want to dress up your windows? You need to explore these options to help you find the right window shades for your home.

Roman Shades

Simple, yet versatile, Roman shades work well for almost any window. These shades are most ideal for windows where full-length drapes or curtains can’t be placed, such as window seats, windows above a kitchen sink, and in bathrooms. You can accessorize window shades with trims or ribbons

Balloon Shades

If you are looking for softness and finish but no complete coverage, fixed balloon shades can introduce just the right touch of a favored fabric. A fixed balloon can also conceal a shade or blind that can be lowered when light control or privacy is needed.

London Shades

If you wish to add a hint of volume, try a London shade. These middle-ground models only have two gatherings, which add to volume.

Roller Shades

For a complete unobstructed view out of the window, use roller shades that have the advantage of rolling discreetly out of the way.

Roll Up Window Shades

Not much fabric is required in these budget-friendly options for windows.

Honeycomb Shades

These shades are believed to provide additional insulation and increased protection from ultraviolet rays. Featuring two layers of fabric that fold in opposite directions, they come in light-filtering or light-blocking versions. Honeycomb shades can also be installed to rise from the bottom of the windowsill, providing privacy for the lower portion of the window and a partial view above the shade.

Magnetic, movable, and easy no-sew styled window shades are available in shades store in NYC. Affordable home improvement shades offered by these stores can add visual appeal to any room in your house.

Window Treatment Trends

Window treatments play an important role in increasing a home’s energy efficiency, and adding to home decor. Window drapery trends are seeing a continued shift towards more streamlined design styles. New age fabric blends that are more durable and long-lasting are gaining attention. Are you planning to revamp your windows? These latest window treatment trends can be helpful.

• These days custom drapery is all about bold and vibrant prints with geometric shapes and ethnic patterns as favorites. Florals fibers are back. For the more neutral design scheme, natural fibers like linen and bamboo add a wonderfully rich texture to windows treatments.
• You can create an instant drama by placing cornice boards above the windows. Cornice boards pair perfectly with drapery and give the illusion of height to your space by catching the eye and then pulling it up. Choose styles with clean lines and simple shapes or upholster the cornice with the same fabric as the drapes for a streamlined look.
• These days drapery rods in warm metal finishes, like gold, bronze, copper and rose are in vogue. Add instant richness to your window treatments with these metallics and coordinate them well with a wide range of fabrics.
• In a custom curtain an embellishment is just like a great handbag or statement necklace for an outfit. Custom curtains available in New York enhances the wow factor of your window treatments by adding attractive embellishments.
• Layering helps gaining increased privacy and light filtering, while at the same time adding more visual interest to your windows and overall. Customized window treatments should complement, rather than competing with each other.

Easy Blinds Cleaning Tips

Window blinds is an important part of window treatment. They are easily exposed to a lot of dust and debris. Cleaning window blinds is not an easy task. Let’s have a look at some basic tips that will help you maintain and clean all types of blinds easily.

• Vacuum blinds across the slats often with the brush attachment. Vacuuming blinds up and down should be avoided.
• Use a lamb's-wool duster instead of plastic dusters, again working across the slats and starting at the top.
• Brush downward only while dusting or vacuuming vertical blinds, as the slats often become unhooked if you brush upward.
• Fabric and vinyl blinds can be best cleaned using a rubber sponge, also known as a dry sponge (found at hardware and paint stores). Simply wipe the dry sponge firmly across the blinds to remove dust and residue
• For spot cleaning, spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a clean dry cloth and wipe the soiled area of the blind. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the blind.
• Don’t soak wooden blinds. You can wet wooden blinds when cleaning. Wooden blinds should be cleaned in place instead of removing them.

Though there are many reputed companies which clean Metal blinds in NYC, but you can clean metal blinds and vinyl blinds outside in your patio or driveway by laying them on a small rug or piece of carpet. Put a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bucket of water. Wet a car-washing brush and brush the blinds from side to side, and then turn them over and brush the other side. Rinse the blinds gently with a garden hose while tilting them so that the water runs off. To prevent water spots from forming, quickly run your finger down the slats a couple of times to remove excess water. When done, drape the blinds over a fence or a couch to dry.

The four curtain lengths that you should know

Curtains complete the overall appearance of your house. From a dramatic look to a more casual feel, curtain length defines the style of your room. The length that you choose depends upon the look you want in your room. Before you measure your window for curtains, read below to know about four types of curtain lengths that can impact the overall design theme of your home interior:

• Sill length: The curtain falls just above the sill. Being short, café style curtain length, it looks charming and sweet. This type of curtain length is perfect for windows that remain open all the time.
• Apron length: Curtains with apron length look crisp and casual. Such curtains fall 4 inches below the sill. Since apron length curtains create a leaner profile, hang these curtains on windows that are not opened so frequently.
• Floor length: This is probably the most traditional look among all curtain lengths. The floor-length curtains brush the floor and fall precisely between the rod and the floor. Giving a polished look to the room, floor-length curtains are perfect if you want to lengthen your windows.
• Puddle length: This type of curtain length is widely used with luxurious looking fabric. Such curtains fall 6-10 inches extra at the floor. For creating a dramatic, romantic, and bohemian look, hang puddle length curtains in grand entrances, master bedroom, or living room.

The length of the curtains is completely up to you. But the thumb rule says: The longer the curtain, the more dressy and formal the look will be. Similarly, the shorter the curtain length, the more casual and relaxed ambiance you will get.

Curtains or drapes: Selecting the right window treatment

Window treatments often define the mood and style of your room. Window coverings are all about color and fabric, length and lining, and hardware. With so many designs, patterns and styles to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by narrowing down your options while selecting a curtain or drape will help you make a major impact in your home décor. Here are the three things that will make your selection process much easier when picking out curtains or drapes:

• Room theme: The curtain or drape material you select should match the design and the room theme. You should choose heavy drapes for airy rooms where more sunlight enters. To add depth to your room space and make it look more spacious, select curtains that reflect the materials and objects present in the room.
• Length: Curtains are either attached to a rod by tabs or rings or are gathered on it. From café style to floor-length, curtains can be of any length. On the other side, drapes are pleated panels that attach to small slides on a rod. The length of the drapes makes a great impact on the room. You can hang drapes which just touch the floor for a casual look. You can even allow the drapes to puddle on the floor in luxurious folds for a more dramatic look.
• Color and fabric: The color and fabric of the curtain or drape you choose will affect the ambiance of the room. Heavy drape material will provide intimacy and a sense of comfort by filtering the excessive rays of sun. Sheer curtains allow more sunlight to penetrate into the room and enable you to enjoy the outside view at the comfort of your room.

These quick tips will help you find the right window treatment for your home. Depending on your style preference, needs, and priority, you can make the right decision while selecting drapes or curtains.

How to cover different height windows?

Not all windows look beautiful. But you can make them the focal point of your room with beautiful curtains and draperies. You can achieve different looks with different lengths of curtain fabrics for the same window. To help you in hiding the flaws of your windows and giving your room a completely different look, here are a few tips to cover windows of different height:

• For wide windows: No need to hang several panels to cover your wide windows. Hang a roman shade across the wide window for adding scale and creating a lovely look.
• For short windows: There is no rule that the covering has to be of the same length as the window. Attach rods just below the ceiling and go below the sill to give ceiling-to-the floor look to your small window, make it look taller and to improve the proportion.
• For large windows: To cover your large windows, go for shades that come in both light filtering blackout fabrics. It is an inexpensive way to cover large windows and shades also offer insulation in both the heat of summer and cold of winter.
• For narrow windows: Narrow windows can be covered by using draperies. Extend curtain rods beyond the window frame. Then hang open draperies leaving glass exposed to make your narrow window seem wider.

The window treatments you select not only depend on your decorating style but also on the height of the windows. Perk up your drab windows with classic curtains, drapes, shades, and valances while considering the window height to get the maximum effect.

Choosing the right fabric for your window treatment

The right window treatment can transform a dull room into fab. Whether you want a formal or informal feel, tailored or more decorative look, a good quality window treatment can help you enhance your room interior attractively. The most important thing that one must consider while choosing the window treatment for their windows is the fabric. If you’re having trouble deciding which type of fabric will look best with your windows, then read on to know more about curtain fabrics:

• Cotton fabric: This is the most traditional type of curtain fabric used by people for covering their windows. It keeps your room bright and airy and can be cleaned easily.
• Velvet fabric: Velvet fabric is perfect for rooms where you need extra privacy. This type of curtain fabric looks more formal and polished and also block out heat and cold.
• Linen fabric: Why majority of homeowners love linen fabric is because its textured weave gives casual yet tailored look. It filters the right amount of sunlight. Available in different patterns, linen curtains are a focal point in your, thus grabbing attention of your guests towards them.
• Blackout fabric: This is a must-have curtain fabric for kid’s room or master bedroom because you get extra privacy. Use blackout curtains to get a sound sleep as it completely blocks out light.

Silk, wool, and bamboo are some of the other fabric types available in window treatments and custom curtains. The right fabric can help you set the right mood in your room. Use heavy-weight fabrics to block out light and lighter fabric to get a casual feel and filter moderate amount of light.