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Many homes built both today and in the past contains at least one odd or awkwardly shaped window. These are usually common in houses that are custom built or bespoke architecturally designed. They are part of what gives a house its unique personality. Because they add a lot of character and unique style to your home their appearance should be emphasized and not covered up. Many bay and bow windows range from the simple alcove sized windows to large windows that cover an entire wall. Standard window treatment may no be the best option for these kind of windows.
The most common form of window treatment is using window blinds. These have gained a lot of popularity over the years because of their many different looks and uses compared to drapes or curtains. Window blinds consist of a number of slats which are either horizontal or vertical pieces of wood, metal or plastic that can be raised and lowered with slats or louvers can be rotated to let in more or less light.
Blinds have a practical as well as esthetical use. When you cover your windows with blinds, you get the added benefit of insulation, as the blinds will trap air in the space between them and the windows. So on a cold night this extra layer of air will act to keep cold outside air from coming into your room. In the summertime you can uses them as well to only allow varying amounts of light and heat into your room and so, save money on air conditioning
For your awkward sized and shaped windows, you don't always have the same choices in window blinds. Sometimes if the window is very narrow it is best to use curtains to make the window appear larger in size. In most other cases you can usually find some kind of window blinds to fit your window.
Window blinds come in all different shapes and sizes. Horizontal blinds are the most common and consists of slants stacked on top of each other and can be lowered or raised, as you wish too. Vertical blinds are better suited for very large windows, such as panorama style windows, where you frequently would like to not have anything covering your view. They will then be attached by a roller on the top of the window.
Venetian blinds are the most normal and popular choice, for just about all windows. The name refers to the type of blind that was patented by Edward Beran in 1769, but the use of them actually go back much longer, as far as the Japanese middle ages. Of course they were typically made of bamboo.
Today, Venetian blinds are usually made from metal or different types of natural wood. The slants are thin and long and stack perfectly on top of each other. They are raised or lowered by pull cords and can be rotated perfectly trough 180 degrees to either block out light completely or let it in. They are a perfect choice for just about any window where you are unsure of what type of window dressing to choose. latest concepts in window blinds include Swish Sheer Elegance with have the versatility of a Venetian blinds and the ease of operating similar to a roller blinds. These wide louver designs are available in the very latest interior design colours.
With such a wide choice of window dressings and treatments available selecting the right style can pose a problem!
Traditional styles of home can be enhanced beautifully with authentic wood blinds used as the sole window treatment. Colonial styles can be brought together effortlessly with the use of hard wood blinds. If the window expanse is large one of the newest design concepts is to have a number of blinds rather than one large one, which can be pulled up at different levels during the day. This wonderful chic look also has practical advantages, especially for south facing windows, as each blind can be adjusted independently to prevent strong sunlight entering the room.
Wood blinds are the perfect choice if you are unsure of what colour of window dressing to use as they blend with all colour tones and hues beautifully. The trend of having stripped floor boards in a room also lends its self beautifully to having wood blinds as the two marry together to provide a sense of balance and cohesion.
White blinds remain very popular choices particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. PVC or aluminium Venetian blinds are ideal as they are resistant to moisture and condensation as well as offering complete privacy.
Roller blinds are also ideal for bathrooms and kitchens as well as being the ideal choice for coordinating with traditional style swag and tail curtains. If you have ever wondered how swags and tails remain looking so precise and exacting the simple answer is that they are usually left in place and never closed. Privacy at night is provided by a roller blind which is hidden behind the top pelmet during the day!
The advances in technology has moved blinds into the 21st century with new designs which incorporate solar style panels which help convert sunlight into free energy for lighting rooms as well as remote controlled blinds which are ideal for those who adore techy gadgets as well as making life easier for those who are unable to close traditional style window treatments due to inability or because windows are too high or awkward to reach.
Conservatories and patio doors are best suited to vertical blinds as these can be stacked back fully to allow easy entry and exit to and from the garden or patio. This style of blind is typically made from fabric which is washable as well as fully adjustable to enable exact fitting to different sized windows and doors. The light control is versatile to help keep a conservatory cool and furniture and soft furnishings protected against fading.
Vertical blinds can be used as the sole window treatment when fitted inside the recess of a window and are a great modern alternative to net curtains in providing privacy. The tilt of the louvers enables full light control as well to create wonderful ambient lighting effects during the day.