So what will it be? Drapes or blinds? Or maybe curtains or shades? While there are so many different styles and types of window treatments available, the deciding factor should be whether the room requires privacy or light. Today, we are going to show you how you can find the right style of window covering for your space with some popular window treatment options. Let’s get started!

Drapes

Drapes can make a bold style statement. Plus, you will find that there are endless design possibilities. From simple cotton gauze to intricate patterns, you can easily find something that complements your room’s decor. Additionally, drapes are perfect for areas of the home that require more privacy, such as the bedroom. Drapes provide a good level of privacy while allowing natural light to flow into the room.

Roller Shades

Roller shades are easy to install and best suited for small windows. Roller shades provide a clean, stylish look. Plus, they are available in a wide range of colors and fabrics. You can select from many different light filtering options, including blackout shades. For increased functionality, you can purchase roller shades that have a motorized lift, cordless lift, or a continuous cord loop that is attached to the wall. Roller shades are great for bathrooms.

Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains allow you to completely control the amount of light that streams into a room. This type of window covering blocks sunlight from the room. Blackout curtains are made with an inside lining that light cannot penetrate. Blackout curtains are great to install in areas of the home, such as the bedroom or the nursery.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are an energy-efficient window treatment option. They aid in preventing air from seeping into the room. Install cellular shades in rooms that require maximum privacy. In rooms with cellular shades, you can walk around without having to worry about being seen. This type of window covering also allows a lot of natural light.

Semi-Sheer Curtains

Semi-sheer curtains provide very little privacy, but they allow you to enjoy the beauty of natural light. Such window coverings are common in areas of the home, such as the living room or the family room. When purchasing semi-sheer curtains, choose a density based on the amount of privacy and light that you desire.

Did you know that Carpets N More offers window coverings? For more information on our selection, visit us here.

If you are ready to bring some style to a space with a stylish window treatment, then you are probably either considering purchasing curtains or drapes. Curtains and drapes are popular window treatment options. For many shoppers, both options are considered the same. Although, according to home decor experts, drapes and curtains are quite different from each other.

The Difference

Both curtains and drapes will instantly add a sense of style to a room and make your window more appealing. However, here are some of the key aspects of each form of window covering:

Curtains

Curtains are generally made from a thin and lightweight fabric that is simply designed to add a decorative flair to the window. While window coverings like blinds and shades are installed inside the window, curtains are mounted outside the window. Curtains can partially or completely cover a window depending on what type you purchase and how you install them. Plus, some curtains run to the windowsill while others are floor length.

Curtains are often used in combination with other window coverings such as blinds or shades. Curtains can help extend the life of your existing window treatments by preventing them from continually getting dirty so that you do not have to clean them as often. In addition, you can protect your blinds or shades from damage with curtains.

Since curtains are made from a translucent material and are not usually produced with lining, you cannot expect high levels of privacy and insulation. When used without blinds or shades, you will not be able to block out the light during the daytime.

Drapes

Unlike curtains, drapes are made from thick and heavy materials that can effectively block out the sunlight. Drapes are typically floor length. Compared to curtains, drapes are much more expensive since they are usually of higher quality.

Drapes have excellent insulating and soundproofing properties. Thick thermal drapes will keep the heat inside the room and hold cold air at bay during the winter months. They also provide a dampening effect to loud noises.

While curtains are more informal, drapes are formal and add a sophisticated flair to a room. Therefore, drapes are ideal for a room, such as the dining room or the living room, where you will be entertaining guests.

Now that you have all the facts, what are your thoughts? Do you prefer curtains or drapes? Let us know below in the comment section.

Curtains bring a sense of privacy and security to a room. They allow you to block out the sun and allow you that coveted, extra hour of sleep on the weekends. Curtains keep your television free of glare so that you can have everyone over to watch the early game despite it being a sunny afternoon. They provide you with a bit of privacy, even if you live so close to your neighbor that you could practically borrow sugar without leaving the house. Plus, curtains can also be that pop of color or touch of refinement that a room needs to feel complete. With the right knowledge, you want to choose curtains that are both purposeful and aesthetically-pleasing to your home. To help, we have four things you will want to consider.

What Type of Fabric?

Fabric choice is an excellent place to start when choosing your curtains. It is crucial to consider the purpose that your curtains will serve in any given room. Do you want privacy from the neighbors? Do you work the night shift and need to keep your room dark enough during the day to sleep? Blackout curtains may be the way to go. Possibly, you want to still let some natural light into the room, or you may just want to add dimension and another texture to the room. Velvet curtains are a great choice if you want a blackout curtain. Cotton and linen curtains range quite a bit in opacity, making them a great option if you still wish to add natural light. If you love the look of cotton or linen but need them to block out the light completely, you can always double them with a blackout lining.

Length and Width

Choosing the aesthetically-correct curtain for your windows can be difficult. For this project, let us move from the ground up to the ceiling. A good rule of thumb is to allow your curtains just to touch the ground – they should never hang higher than the floor. If you are trying for a more intimate look, you can let the curtains pool on the ground; this is only suggested for lighter cotton or linen curtains.

Once you have determined where you want the curtains to land, you must decide how high you would like them to hang. Typically, curtains are hung directly above the window frame, but you can create the illusion of taller windows by hanging the curtains just below the ceiling. In a similar fashion, you can create the illusion of wider windows by hanging the curtains outside of the window frame.

Color and Pattern Choice

Here is your chance to set the tone for your room with your curtains. Neutral and solid color curtains are timeless and can add elegance and refinement to a space. If your walls are a neutral color, you can add bold colored and dynamically-patterned curtains to change the look and feel of a room dramatically.

Hardware

The choice of hardware is another opportunity to either help your curtains blend in or stand out against the rest of the room. Curtain rods come in a variety of styles, so you can use them to add an extra touch of victorian refinement, rustic charm, industrial flair, or whatever style you may wish to accentuate in your home. Tiebacks and hooks are great opportunities to add flair or elegance to your curtains’ look.

The right type of curtains can bring something new and exciting to a room. They keep the light out when needed and can help solidify the style and feeling you wish to create in your home. Take these simple tips into account when shopping for your next set of curtains at Carpets N More.

This room, although clearly constructed of today’s materials, strongly echoes days of yore when a person’s home was his castle – literally.

Would you like to insert a medieval flavor to your décor? Take a few tips from this room to get started. Only a few of these touches will take your space back more than a few centuries.

To begin with, the slate floor helps to create the character of a castle while avoiding the problems associated with the reed floors popular at the time. Slate’s rich variety of color and texture adds a crafted mood to the floor that suits the Gothic mood of this room.

The window, doorway and fireplace surround echo a gothic mood with the classic arch shape. Although it is rarely seen, several window companies offer windows with this Gothic arch, and a number of companies offer window coverings that will work for this shape. The style certainly maintains the feel of another time.

Stone carvings and tapestries suit the space and keep to the medieval framework. Choosing tapestry throws to cover the upholstery and adding candles and greenery also complement the look. The balcony almost begs to see Shakespeare’s youngest heroine waiting for her Romeo.

While you may not want a room as strongly set in time as this one is, there are inviting elements for anyone who wants to echo another age while creating a unique space to suit their own tastes.

Reign of England’s Queen Victoria is where the decorating style “Victorian” evolved. During the 19^th Century, this type of architecture and interior styling was most popular. Victorian style of decorating is not done half-heartedly. It is true to interior furnishings and architectural details specific to this time period. Below are some truly Victorian decorating tips.

1. Wall coverings: Wall coverings during this time period were dark hues of red, purple, green and blue. Patterns, if any, were stenciled on. These patterns tend to be smaller, motif type details.

2. Area rugs: Victorian style homes tend to look incomplete without an area rug or a carpet. When shopping for a rug, look for the deeper colors and smaller, tighter patterns.

3. Window coverings:  Draperies of this time period were most likely embroidered, or lacey, transparent fabrics. Heavier velvet type fabrics were used to overlap the embroidered or lacey sheer layer. The heavier fabrics were also used on simple cornice boards.

4. Vintage accessories: Old framed photographs and dark oil paintings were popular décor of this era. Beautifully carved clocks atop mantels were one of the most popular accessories of that time. Antiques and replicas of this time period are still around today. Finding them may require a little more effort, but they are out there for the finding!

Window treatments have the ability to give any room a finishing touch and practicality. When considering what type of treatment to invest in, consider adding automatic window coverings. This type of treatment is motorized and available in a wide variety of colors and sizes.

Conventional window treatments are operable using a manual cord; which can become annoyingly tangled as well as a safety hazard to children and pets. A window with out cords looks clean and streamlined.  Installing automatic window treatments can add value to your home in more ways than one. These treatments provide everyday advantages such as comfort, safety and energy efficiency. Investing in such an upgrade adds considerable value to a home.

Automatic window treatments allow you to choose the desired amount of sunlight you let in; thus providing visual comfort to you and your family. Most automatic treatments include a timer setting. This feature can allow you to protect your furnishings from fading and increase privacy at any given time. Setting your window treatments to a timer can have the same added safety affect as having your lights set to a timer while away.

A number of brands offer sun-sensing technology; which senses the intensity of sunlight and can adjust accordingly to your needs. Having the option to control the amount of sun light that comes in through your windows is energy efficient because it increases the insulation quality of your home. Windows not only let light in, they also allow temperature gain and loss.

Automatic coverings give you options for saving energy each season. Having better quality and control of your insulation will keep heating and cooling cost down considerably. For example one could set the timer to open during the sun’s strongest hours of the day, in order to heat up the interior during winter. Closed blinds at night keep the warm air in and cold air out (the reversed effect is true for summer).

The many advantages of having motorized window coverings far exceeds manual, conventional window coverings. Automatic coverings will most likely pay for themselves within three to five years based on energy savings and added resale value. From an aesthetic standpoint these coverings are ideal because they do not distract or detract views; while adding a sense of warmth and comfort. The window coverings that have cords are obsolete now and will soon be extinct. Make your life easier and make the switch from manual to automatic.

October is child safety month, and today’s parents have the ability to keep their children safer than yesterday’s, thanks to the many changes in home products.

One major change came from window blinds and shades. When the industry faced concerns about the dangers posed to children and pets by hanging cords, some manufacturers redesigned products to make them much more child-safe.

Hunter Douglas has proved to be an industry leader in this area. They manufacture the only roman shades with no exposed cords, avoiding choking risks. The company also developed a safer tassel on their wooden blinds that breaks open under pressure if a child or pet becomes tangled in the cord loop.

Other Hunter Douglas window products have no cords at all. Their LiteRise^® system eliminates cords completely. Shades or blinds can be raised or lowered to any desired position by pushing up from the top or down from the bottom. When you stop moving the blind or shade, it locks in the final position automatically.

An even easier tool available with Hunter Douglas window treatments is their motorized lifting system with a remote control to raise or lower your shades or blinds by pushing a button. There is one child safety issue with this product, however. Will you be tempted to strangle your children when they first discover this and your shades go up and down and up and down? For your sanity’s sake, just as with your television, put the remote beyond their reach!

When considering the purchase of window coverings, there are several things to keep in mind. Hunter Douglas provides everything you need to make your windows a beautiful expression of the way you live.

Considerations:

• Light Source – different products are designed depending on which direction your windows face
• Privacy – Do you need privacy from people such as neighbors or from objects outside that are not something you want to constantly view?
• Style – Traditional, contemporary, relaxed, formal, country warmth or urban sophistication. No matter what your style, Hunter Douglas has a product for you
• Color – Hunter Douglas stays on top of all of the latest color trends to offer you all of the color choices you could want
• Shapes – Have a difficult shape? From arches to angles, circular to Palladian, there is a Hunter Douglas product to fit your shape
• Special needs – need special assistance operating your window coverings? Hunter Douglas offers a variety of lifting options such as remote controls
• Energy efficiency – Hunter Douglas window coverings are impressively energy efficient
• UV Protection – Built in ultraviolet protection gives you the power to reduce harmful rays that can fade carpet and furniture
• Safety – Kids, pets or loose cords can spell trouble. Hunter Douglas offers operating systems and special features that are designed to keep your home safe

For more information and picture of specific products, visit the Hunter Douglas website or our product catalog here. There’s a variety of tools and a wealth of knowledge to be discovered!