Home Style Decorating

Blinds and shades have dual purpose. First is to block sunlight and second as a decorative tool to dress-up an otherwise dull window. There are different types of blinds and shades. The following will help you in determining what type will suit your needs.

Roller shades

This is one of the less expensive options available. It is easy to mount inside or outside the window frame. They come in a variety of materials like vinyl, canvas and bonded fabrics. This type of shade also comes with trims or appliqués. This type of window covering offers consistency along with a moderate to total light filtering capacity. Typically, roller shades are used underneath curtains or drapes for a consistent exterior view.

Roman shades

Roman shades are available in a variety of materials that actually influence the look of the shades. Typically, this type of window treatment offers a casual look. When the Roman shade is raised up, the panels become almost invisible. Pulleys and cords are the typical method in which the Roman shade is controlled.

Cellular shades

This type of shade offers a wide variety of options for covering windows thus making cellullar shade popular. Crafted from a honeycomb- pleated fabric, these shades provide a delightful look along with privacy and light filtering capabilities. The fabric varies in density or thickness from sheer to dense or opaque, to provide a range of light filtering options from allowing the light into the room to blocking it completely out.

One of the nicest features about cellular shades is their coloring availability, specifically, their dual coloring providing one color for the inside of the home and another for the outside of the home. This way, homeowners are able to provide uniformity to their windows on the outside of the home, while allowing for room coordinating colors on the interior of the home.

Cellular shades also offer excellent insulating qualities. They blend well with other decors in the room and can be custom fit for any window and even unusual openings including the motorized version. In fact, the motorized versions are excellent choices for skylights. They can also be easily mounted inside or outside the existing window frame.

Horizontal and Vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are typically made from aluminum, vinyl or reinforced fabric so that they will coordinate well with the other room decors. The color of the fabric can match the wallpaper, painted walls, carpeting, or upholstery of the furniture. In bedrooms, vertical blinds can be custom made to match the bedspread and shams. In living rooms, the fabric can match the slipcovers or upholstery of the furniture.

Vertical blinds are excellent if you are using sliding glass doors. They sufficiently cover the doors when they are not open and they move back easily to allow access to the doorway entrance. Vertical blinds are an excellent choice for elongated windows as well, providing an elegant look along with the functionality of the blinds. Moreover, the vertical blind slats rotate to provide light controlling options.

Horizontal blinds are made from aluminum, vinyl, plastic, wood, or simulated wood. They offer a wide variety of colors in addition to a wide variety of slat sizes. Horizontal blinds also offer light controlling possibilities with a simple tilt or turn of the slats. They are easy to clean and easy to use. Moreover, they blend well on walls that have limited spatial features.

Blindsgalore® Hardwood Blinds 2 3/8 Inch Slats: Blindsgalore’s natural hardwood blinds are made from quality, kiln-dried American basswood and are custom built to our exacting standards and your window size. Available in a variety of stains and painted finishes with matching wooden safety tassels and a standard valance, these blinds offer an exceptional value. The 2 3/8″ slat size provides greater view-through and especially suits larger windows.

Levolor® Premium Woods 2 Inch Paints, Stains & Washes: Discover exciting design solutions for any decorating need or budget with the extensive range of 2″ Levolor wood blinds. The blinds are made from North American select hardwood, which brings the luxurious beauty of wood to your home. They provide a smooth and quiet operation, and come with color coordinated wood tilt and tassels.

Premium Sheerweave Solar Shades: Sheerweave solar shades are “sunglasses for your windows” offering an exciting new alternative to ordinary roller shades. Made of a unique PVC-coated fiberglass yarn, Sheerweave filters out ultra violet rays and glare while allowing natural light to enter. Unlike most fabrics, Sheerweave allows outward visibility even when fully closed. The superior light-filtering qualities help reduce the fading of drapes, carpets, and other interior furnishings, while maintaining a sun-filtered view to the outside. Our premium series has an approximate openness of 5%, UV blockage of 95%, and comes with a spring roller lift mechanism. A continuous loop lift chain is also available at no extra charge. Note the Bronze and Charcoal colors provide greater visibilty through the fabric as darker colors absorb more light. Lighter colors reflect more light which reduces the visibilty through the fabric.

Room Darkening Shades: Classic room darkening roller shades are a simple, effective, and affordable window covering choice. They feature a standard spring roller lift mechanism and a straight bottom hem. An optional continuous loop lift chain is available at no extra charge. They block 100% of natural light which makes them ideal for both residential and commercial applications. Made with a rugged 12 oz. 4-ply construction (3-ply vinyl and 1-ply fiberglass) our roller shades meet the State of California’s strict fire code for flame retardants. These shades come with a white backing, so no matter how many colors you choose, you’ll have a uniform appearance on the streetside. Their slight luster makes them easy to clean and washable with mild detergent.

Kirsch® Select Woods 2 Inch Sandblasted & High Gloss Wood Blinds: Kirsch wood blinds are made from the finest quality, richly grained hardwood. Featuring fine details such as matching wood tassels and a trapezoidal bottom rail, these blinds are both functional and elegant. Sandblasted slats are carefully etched to enhance the natural grain for a soft, textured look. High gloss slats are treated with a high-luster gloss to enhance the natural look of wood with brilliance.

Comfortex® Woodwinds® Composite Wood 2 Inch Reed - Original Whites: Woodwinds Composite Faux Wood Blinds are made from a patented blend of real American hardwood and advanced thermal polymers for blinds of unparalleled beauty and durability. They resist warpage, fading, chiping and cracking, and stand up strong against ultraviolet light and damaging moisture. The durability of Woodwinds faux wood blinds makes them perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and strong sun exposure applications. This collection of painted whites and off-whites are a traditional favorite.

Hunter Douglas® EverWood® 2 Inch Original Whites: EverWood 2″ blinds beautifully blend North American hardwoods and specially selected composite materials to capture all the warmth and richness of classical wood blinds. The combination of real wood and manmade materials provide strength and durability, including resistance against chipping fading and warping, making them perfect for rooms with high heat or humidity.

Graber® Performance Supreme Privacy 1 Inch 8-Gauge Aluminum: The Performance Supreme Privacy 1″ Aluminum Mini Blind by Graber features hidden route holes for maximum light and privacy control when blinds are closed. The thick 8-gauge slat material of the Performance Supreme Privacy blind has been treated with anti-static paint that helps to repel dust and adds durability. With color-coordinating componentry, a sleek integrated valance, and a Lifetime Limited warranty, you will be able to dress any window in your home with style.

Hunter Douglas Somner® Vinyl Vertical Blinds Vinylscapes Curves: Welcome to Somner, the new custom vertical collection from Hunter Douglas. Somner gives you the ability to enhance your decor with window coverings that express your taste, personality and style. Hunter Douglas sets the standard within the industry by offering unmatched features and performance. Vinylscapes comes in modern pastel colors and a smooth texture.

Standard Light Filtering Fabric Roman Shades: JustBlinds.com roman shades are high-quality woven fabrics sculpted into soft, graceful contours. Our roman shades have the custom-tailored look and plush feel of draperies but are much more practical. They are raised and lowered like a blind and are priced at a fraction of the cost of custom draperies. Our standard light filtering collection offers twelve fashionable colors all with a white backing to assure a uniform appearance from the outside. These semi-opaque fabrics create privacy while allowing light in from the outside. Available in both hobbled and flat styles, our roman shades will turn any window into a work of art.

Bali® Casual Classics® Roman Shades Satin: Casual Classics Roman shades offer the softness of a drapery with the practicality of a shade. Choose between classic flat panels for a traditional look or the teardrop looped panels for a bolder, dimensional design. The room darkening (not blackout) Satin fabric collection features basic solid tones that are perfect for creating a layered or coordinating look within your decor. This fabric is also available as a panel track blind.

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