Your windows are an essential part of your home, and you want them to look beautiful.  While you want your privacy, there are also times when you want the sunshine to come in with all its glory!  You want the coverings or treatments you use to blend with your décor, so that your rooms all look appealing and pulled together.  This article will explain some of the window treatments available, and what you can expect from them.

Of course, if you live far from the road where there are no prying eyes, you can get away with practically anything you like – even no window coverings at all!  Most of us, however, live where there is an element of privacy required.  Here are a few tips:

Shade Options
There are a variety of shades that provide privacy or light.  Fabric or roller shades usually provide complete coverage, so that anyone on the outside cannot see in, particularly at night when you may have lights on inside your home.  Pleated and cellular shades, when purchased in non-sheer materials, provide security with full glass coverage.  Some come with a feature that allows you to pull the top section down, so that you can have light or view the outdoors when you choose.  You can also purchase cellular shades that have an insulating effect, helping you save money on energy costs.

Sheer and Non-Sheer Curtains and Draperies
Curtains and draperies have been popular favorites for decades.  While sheer curtains are beautiful, they are easily seen through in the evening hours.  If you prefer sheers but need privacy, consider using shades underneath.

You will also find curtains and draperies that are opaque or lined.  When pulled together in the center, these varieties offer complete privacy at night.  During the daytime hours, simply pull them back to allow the light to come in.

Shutters, Vinyl Blinds and Wood Blinds
Shutters, vinyl blinds, vertical and horizontal blinds and wood blinds all offer a good amount of privacy.  Mini-blinds are extremely popular and affordable as well, so that replacement isn’t costly.  Keep in mind that nearly all shutters and blinds have “slats” that may offer a view inside from certain angles.  Overall though, they offer a good deal of privacy.

No matter what option you choose, there are colors and patterns to complement your home and provide a beautiful accent for your windows.  Curtains and draperies come in solid colors, as well as every type of design you can imagine.  Floral, striped, abstract – anything you like is possible.  Wood shutters offer the perfect accent in a country style home, and can be opened or closed to the degree you desire.  Blinds can be used in conjunction with curtains or drapes, alone, or even with a valance or topper.

When it comes to decorating your windows while keeping the degree of privacy you like, there are plenty of choices!  Just because you want your home to be safe from the peering eyes of the outside world at night doesn’t mean you want to sacrifice beauty and style.  Make your home your own, and throw in a little creativity.

Unfortunately, most people don’t think much about the way the windows in their home look. Truth be told, the window treatments you choose can transform the look from dull to dazzling! Mini blinds and curtains are not the only choices available.

Of course, you want to keep other things in mind when choosing window treatments. Privacy and the level of sunlight that comes in are two things you want to consider as well. You want to choose something that flows with your décor and doesn’t clash.

Some Reasonable Choices

Your choice in window treatments will depend largely on what room you want them for. In a bedroom, you may want a shade or blind that is made of wood, or darker colored so that a minimal amount of light comes in.

For a kitchen, many people prefer sunshine and brightness; so you may want a lightweight shade or mini blind for this room. Whether you choose vertical or horizontal blinds is personal preference. You may want to use a light colored wood shutter instead, one that you can open up so that you get full benefit of the natural sunlight.

In the living area, window treatments with more color are a good choice. You cannot imagine just how much adding color around your windows updates the look of your home! Choose colored shades made of luxurious fabrics or vinyl – it is really up to you. Consider your lighting needs, privacy and price when purchasing treatments for your windows.

Privacy Counts as Well

Many people feel more secure at night when they know that no one can see inside their home. For this reason, some choose to hang a shade that is usually available at specialty stores. A one-way-view custom roller shade is made of a material that is perforated. When pulled down over the window, light still penetrates and you can see out, but any would-be intruder cannot see in.

If you love the look of sheer curtains but still want some privacy in the evenings, you can have the best of both worlds! Simply use sheer curtains that are about three times as wide as the window; the gathers will be so dense that anyone outside would have a hard time seeing in. Voile and batiste are great fabrics for this use.

Size Plays a Role

Have an extremely large window? If you have a window that is 6 or 7 feet wide, you may want to consider using blinds and draperies. Install panels of blinds across the width of the window, and then hang richly textured drapes to add style and color. The blinds offer light control and privacy, while the draperies dress up the room.

If the window in question takes up nearly an entire wall, you may want to consider installing a track across the entire width. Once the drapes or preferred curtains are hung, you can close them partially around the window, or open them up completely to expose the entire wall and window. This is a truly unique look that is certain to attract attention.

No matter what your privacy, lighting and style needs, today’s window treatments let you have the best of both worlds – the amount of light you want, and the extra punch of style you need; all while still allowing you privacy in the wee hours.

Many homeowners like to do their own decorating projects themselves. By doing your own decorating projects, you can ensure that your own style and personality come through your decorating. Here are 5 great DIY decorating projects that you can do for your home.

1. Paint the Walls
The easiest yet most effective way to give room a whole new look is by painting. Remember, the color of the walls is going to influence the entire room’s décor. If you begin a painting project, you want to be sure you do it properly and prepare the walls as needed. You may need to fill in any cracks and then sand them down, as you want the wall to be crack-free and smooth. You will need to first put on a coat of primer, and depending on the color and the saturation of the wall, you may have to put on a few coats of paint.

2. Install Molding on the Walls
With molding, you can instantly add a new touch to the walls. Molding will lend some interest and appeal to an otherwise boring wall. You have many choices of what type of molding you want. You might go with crown molding, which is installed at the top of the wall, or go a different route with a chair rail, which is installed in the middle. Before nailing it to the wall, paint or stain the molding first. The nail holes can then be touched up with paint afterward.

3. Personalize the Lampshades
If you can’t find the exact lampshade you’ve envisioned or just want to create something that shows your style, then consider designing your own lampshade. This is easier than it sounds. Simply take a white or cream-colored lampshade and cut figures or designs out of a dark paper such as black or red. Then tape the paper to the inside of the lampshade and you will have created a designer lampshade that reflects your own personal style. Add items to your lampshade such as embellishments and ribbon to personalize it as well.

4. Make Your Own Artwork for the Walls
Even if you can’t paint or draw very well, that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with your very own artwork to hang on the walls or to place on a shelf in one of your bookcases. You just need to get creative. You can look around and use items you already have. Look around for photographs, postcards, and book images that you can hang on the wall. Another easy idea is to put together a collage of items found in nature. Another simple project is to take a frame or blank canvas and wrap it in a patterned fabric that fits in with the room’s décor. If you choose two or three different patterns and different sized frames, you can hang them together in a cluster on the wall.

5. Make Your Own Window Treatments
If you aren’t handy with a sewing machine or a needle and thread, there are many different non-sewing techniques you can use to make your own curtains. To create instant interest around a window, simply take a long silk scarf and drape it over a window curtain. You might also consider using such things as placemats and tablecloths to create instant window treatments. If you do sew, then find a pattern you like, pick out the fabric, and create the window treatments you’ve always envisioned for your home.

A DIY decorating project doesn’t have to necessarily be difficult. If you’re looking to decorate your house in your own personal style, these are just 5 of the many different projects you can do for your home.

Do you want to be able to change the décor of your home to correspond with the changing seasons? Seasonal decorating doesn’t involve any major changes like painting the walls or getting new furniture. With some smaller decorating changing, you can definitely have your home looking like springtime or winter. Here are some simple ways to change your home’s décor so that it reflects the different seasons throughout the year.

Switch Up the Slipcovers
By switching your slipcovers you can create a décor to go with every season. Dark, rich fabrics such as black velvet or dark green chenille work great for the winter. You want to go with a lighter fabric and color/pattern for the spring and summer. Then you can bring in the colors of the outdoors for fall with a brown or brown-and-orange patterned slipcover.

Change Furniture Accessories
When you change the slipcovers on the furniture, you might also add or remove different seasonal accessories. Heavy throws and blankets slung over the back of couches and chairs are a great addition to any décor in the winter and then can be removed in the warmer months. Decorative pillows can also be switched out according to the seasons. As with the slipcovers, lighter fabrics work best in the warmer months and darker, heavier fabrics fit more with a winter theme.

Change the Window Treatments
Window treatments can be used to either block out the sun or allow more light to come in according to the different seasons, depending on your preferences. In the winter, you might want to consider lightening up the window treatments, which will allow more sunlight to come in and warm the house. Then in the summer, shades or blinds can help block out some of the strongest rays that can make the house too warm.

Rotate Area Rugs
If you have area rugs as part of your home décor, they can also be changed according to the different seasons. A great idea to consider is to remove them altogether in the warmer months, simply leaving a hardwood or tile floor. Then you can bring them out again in the fall and winter. It’s always nice during the colder months to have a warm area rug on the ground to warm up the room.

Change Up the Small Accessories
Small accessories that go with the different seasons are a quick and easy way to create a seasonal décor. For instance, in summer you might want to put out vases of fresh flowers and containers filled with seashells. For the fall, you might change things up with some fake gourds or fall flower arrangements in wicker baskets. While winter is always a time for holiday decorations, you can also choose to decorate for winter in general with things like candles and snowmen. New flower arrangements and some bright knickknacks for the shelves can have your whole house feeling like spring. You might even consider rotating the artwork on the walls according to the different seasons.

With a little research and creativity, you can create an attractive and functional décor for each of the different seasons. With some simple changes here and there, you can transform the look of the room more than you might think.