room darkening
  • Home
  • room darkening

room darkening

General

Much Ado About Bamboo

By Gina G.

Bamboo shades are great options to add texture and a natural vibe to any room.  If you are considering a bamboo shade but unfamiliar with them, here’s a brief snapshot:

Bamboo or woven wood shades are typical comprised of natural woods, bamboo chutes, and grasses. Because of their wooden composition, they provide some insulation, although they are not the best insulation option. These materials are generally held together by color coordinated thin threads (to allow the bamboo to really shine). Most bamboo shades will be sheer due to their composition unless the chutes are layered partially atop each other which would then give privacy. And, they are also usually the same color on the front and back of the shade.

There are a plethora of styles and colors to choose from that range from white to black but the majority of bamboo shades are offered in solid wood colors (usually popular wood tones like oak, mahogany, etc) or multi colored (to coordinate with a variety of wood colors).  The features available for bamboo shades are plentiful too.  You can choose a more formal look by choosing a bamboo style that has folds and bubbles out like a roman shade.  Or, for a more relaxed look, you can choose a more modern flat style resembling a roller shade. Most often, because of the more relaxed nature of bamboo shades, they are presented with a flat panel stlye. 

Although the headrails, brackets, and depth required for bamboo shades are varied, most come with a matching valance that is usually pre-attached to the headrail. The valance covers any hardware and gives the shade a finished look. For the bottom of your bamboo shade, you can choose whether to have it fold up (like a roman shade) or just roll up (these will usually have visible cords at the front of the shade).

Liners are another, more functional, option for bamboo shades that don’t have overlapping sticks or tight weaves. Most woven wood shades are sheer products without a liner. If you’re placing the shade in a room where privacy is necessary, you will need to add a liner to it. Some bamboo shades are offered with a blackout liner option making them viable products for bedrooms.

Finally, some bamboo shades are offered with fabric edges on the sides of the shade. These have dual purpose when utilized: to add pops of color and print and to protect the edges of the shade from damage.

Continue Reading
0
General

No Money? No Problem! Here’s How to Decorate on a Budget!

Need new blinds but you’re on a budget? Don’t worry everything that looks nice does not mean you have to spend a lot of money. They’re some options that will make your home look like you just spent a million bucks. Whether you’re looking to purchase blinds and shades to simply eliminate outside light or your looking for window treatment that will complement your home décor, there’s a good chance you have a strict budget for this purchase. While most blinds and shades are relatively inexpensive, the cost of outfitting an entire home or several rooms with new window coverings can add up.  No matter what room you install them wood blinds always convey elegance and classic charm. They’re also highly versatile from a décor standpoint as they effortlessly complement almost any type of furniture, decorative color scheme, and window type. Wood blinds are among the best-selling window coverings due to their affordable price and their natural wood grain beauty.  In addition to the wood blinds they are highly effective at insulating your home during winter and summer.

Aluminum blinds are among the most commonly used window coverings in the world and for good reasons. They’re efficient at blocking out light and very affordable. 1-inch aluminum blinds feature a low profile, and available in many colors. Cellular shades would be a little step up in price, but it would make up for the cost in your energy bill. For insulation and energy efficiency cellular shades with their little pockets of cells keep your temperature serene. All those little pockets trap air and keep the summer and the warmth in during the winter. They are available in every color, they are ideal fit for most rooms and have many options that make them great for families with children.  If you have large windows or sliding doors you can’t beat vertical blinds. Vertical blinds are a much better fit as they are easily to open and closed and can cover even the widest window or doors. They are one of most inexpensive blinds to replace even if one slat brakes. The good news is that you don’t have to buy everything all over; just only the one or two slats that are broken.

The great thing about buying the simplest blinds or shades is that they can go with any décor that you decide to do.  Once you make this one-time investment in buying your blinds they are going to last for years just if you take good care of them. Remember you may have a beer budget but a champagne taste you are the only one who knows what you spent on blinds or shades. It is no need to go that expensive, just keep it simple.

Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Tips and Advice

Back To School

Summer has ended and school is in full swing again. We’ve come up with some ideas that you can use to decorate dorm rooms, or any student’s room, to make them feel more at home, comfortable, and to make their space more inductive to learning.
1.  Add potted plants around to make the room less sterile and to add some life into the room.  It also help students to relax from schoolwork by seeing green and to be in touch with nature.
2. You can add floor cushions to add extra seating and color without making any major modifications in the room.
3. There are places where you can buy removable wallpaper sheets, you can use it to have an accent wall which help create character in your “new” room.
4. You can also add blinds that are functional, without breaking the bank. If you are the type of student who stays up late finishing reports or projects, you can have the Blackout shades so you can sleep in a little bit more the next day.  Just make sure that you always have your alarm on, we don’t want you missing out on your classes. Other types are the Horizontal blinds that are only room darkening so it only darkens enough and you will still see a glimpse of light when the sun is up. You can also turn the slats on any angle depends on how much light you will need to wake yourself up.
5. We all know that dorm rooms are also not too spacious so if you want to make the room feel a little bigger, the smartest thing you can of course do is to decorate the room with multifunctional furnitures. Storage ottomans and futons are just a few examples.
And finally, to give a cozy feel to the room, you can also add rugs, and of course your favorite photos; and don’t  forget your favorite blanket to snuggle up with on those cool Autumn nights!

Continue Reading
0
Products Shades Tips and Advice

End of Summer Cellular

 Is summer really over? Because we just can’t tell with the temperatures we are having lately. Luckily we have just the shades you need to be able to help with odd temperature fluctuations; Cellular Shades!
These shades will help you in more ways than one. They can be light filtering, room darkening or even blackout. The cellular shades are known for their “cell-shaped” fabric which can hold air in between 2 layers of fabric, making it a great insulator for your windows. Room darkening shades also help in keeping the temperature neutral, keeping out sunlight and reducing glare which can be both harmful to carpets and furniture or a nuisance  while reading or watching television.
The honey comb shades help in protection against ultraviolet radiation as well as help retain the warmth in homes during winter. And they come in motorized and remote controlling features to lend comfort and convenience to you. However due to budget constraints not all people are able to afford expensive shades in motorized have the cord or cordless options to fit in your budget. And cordless make them great for families with kids, the top down bottom up features are a must maintaining privacy while still letting some light in the home. Adjusting to longer, lighten days is always a challenge. Find the perfect balance for your home with black out shades solutions in your home. If you want to balance the light with my favorite feature the black shade , the natural sunlight can be a refreshing start to your day, but sometimes you need those extra few minutes of sleep. Don’t let the bright light disturb you the black out shades you can enjoy the sunshine on your own time, it’s difficult to maintain a comfortable environment with uncontrolled light, especially with east or west facing windows.
Continue Reading
0
Cascade Sheer Shade in a dining room setting. Shades Tips and Advice

Lighten Up Your Summer Decor

With summer here, I usually like to plan on making some changes to my decor to go along with the warmer weather. I’ve compiled some decorating ideas that can lighten your look and your mood for the summer months.
Take down those heavy drapes and let the light brighten up your room. Instead use a delicate sheer shade or sheer panels, they can still give some privacy while letting light filter through. It’s a great feeling both mentally and visually when you see sheer fabric blow in the breeze on a warm summer day. Sheer shades are ideal with gentle, filtering light through transparent panels to create a soft glow that lends itself well to soften a bedroom and creates an even more inviting space.
Personally, I am drawn to spa like bedrooms; fluffy white bed linens, a myriad of textures, multiple pillows and throws and a downy carpet underfoot. White or soft grey sheer shades, which you could purchase in either light filtering or room darkening, are just the treatment to flawlessly finish a getaway bedroom. It would be easy to eliminate these as an option based on the name alone, but don’t be misled. The functionality of these shades makes them an ideal candidate for living, dining and bedrooms.
Their ability to function as both a blind and a shade is useful for allowing just the perfect amount of light for varied environments and situations. Drop the shades and close the fabric to ensure a darkened room for movie night or bask in the distilled rays as the sun filters through the open sheer fabric. These shades are also lighter in weight and more pliable making them easier to tilt, raise, and lower. This also allows them to share the functionality of a roller shade, increasing ease of use of a roll up feature and decreasing the bulky stack that occurs with horizontal blinds.
Sheer shades are near perfection in their design which makes them an ideal choice for almost any room in the home. Whether you’re prone to home function or fashion (or maybe even both) sheer shades are designed to impress and are truly a show stopping, unique window treatment. Surely but sheerly wonderful.
Continue Reading
0
Cascade Sheer Shade in a dining room setting. General Inspiration Interior Designers Products Shades Tips and Advice

Sheer Shades You Will Love

Sheer shades are those resplendent blinds that are also a shade. They gently filter light through transparent panels to create a natural glow. Once considered a designers’ secret, sheer shades are now available to the modern design enthusiast in an array of neutral colors and textures.  It’s easy, when you’re immersed in the world of design, to forget that the majority of consumers don’t have access to the pulse of the market the way those in the industry do. So what are sheer shades? How do you use them and where can you find them?

Sheer shades were designed to function as both a blind and a shade and were diversely different than anything else on the market. Although the basic components of other window treatments were in place, their design and function set them a world apart. Constructed of fabric vanes that float between two sheer panels, they closely resemble a horizontal blind but are uniquely different. Due to their fabric component, they are lighter in weight and more pliable making them easier to tilt, raise, and lower. This allows them to share the functionality of a roller shade, increasing ease of use with a roll up feature and decreasing the bulky stack that occurs with horizontal blinds. Near perfection is their design, making them an ideal choice for almost any room in the home.

Sheer shades provide a clean and chic, modern touch to almost any room, but personally, I recommend them for bedrooms, living/sitting rooms, and sunrooms. The gentle way sun filters through the layered sheer fabric creates a soft glow that lends itself well to softening a bedroom and creates an even more inviting space. I am drawn to spa-like bedrooms, with fluffy white bed linens, a myriad of textures from pillows and throws, and downy carpet underfoot. White or soft grey sheer shades, both light filtering and blackout, are the just the treatment to flawlessly finish a bedroom oasis.

Much can be assumed by a name and sheer shades are no exception. It would be easy to eliminate these beauties as an option based on the name alone, but don’t be misled. The functionality of these shades makes them an ideal candidate for living, dining, and sitting rooms. Their unique ability to function as both a blind and a shade is useful for allowing just the perfect amount of light for varied environments and situations. Drop the shades and close the vanes to ensure a darkened room for movie night, bask in the distilled rays as the sun filters through the open, sheer panels while enjoying a lazy afternoon, or take in an unobstructed date night view by simply closing the vanes and rolling up the shade.

Whether your home is function or fashion, or a bit of both, sheer shades are designed to impress. These shades are truly a show stopping, unique window treatment. Surely, but sheerly wonderful.

Continue Reading
0
Products Shades Tips and Advice Window Basics

Pleated Shades

The pleated shade is a versatile and simply  window shade, very similar in appearance to a honeycomb or cellular shade. The difference between them is that while a honeycomb shade has cells, the pleated window shade consists of a single lighter layer of material. Pleated shades work well by themselves for a minimalistic decorating approach or with other window treatments such as curtains and valances.

These versatile shades come in a variety of sizes. Some can reach lengths up to 120” wide and 120” high depending on the fabric/material. In general, pleated shade come with numerous options as well, giving you plenty of ways to make these shades work for what you need in your space.

Pleated Shade Options

Light Filtering – Light filtering shades are the perfect option for those looking for privacy without blocking out a lot of natural light.

Room Darkening – You should choose room darkening shades if you want to block out a majority of light from outside, this is an ideal option for bedrooms and media rooms.

Blackout – You can also get a backing on the shade to help make it so that no light comes through the shade at all!

Cordless – This is an ideal option for those who want a clean, cord-free look. It is the safest option for those with children and pets too.

Top Down / Bottom Up – This option is great for light and privacy control since you can raise and lower your pleated shades from the bottom OR top of the shade. This option is ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms so you can get a lot of light in but still maintain privacy.

Lift Cord – This is the traditional blind which operates with the pull of a cord and an automatic locking mechanism to keep the shade from crashing down.

Motorized – This option will give you the choice to lift and lower your shade with the touch of a button! This option is great for larger windows or higher and harder to reach windows.

As you can see, you have plenty of options to choose from.. so what will it be??

Continue Reading
0
Cellular Shades in a bedroom General Products Shades Tips and Advice

Day and Night Shades

Did you know you can get two shades in one? It’s true! With Blinds To Go’s light-filtering/blackout shades, you can get both a light-filtering shade and a blackout shade, all in one install!
How It Works
The Day/Night cellular shade consists of a very long shade, half being light-filtering and half
being blackout. This allows you to switch between the two. When the shade is completely
raised, the light filtering section is stacked on top of the blackout shade. If you want light filtering, simply pull down on the light filtering handle. It will condense the blackout shade at the very bottom. If you want the blackout shade pull up the handle and push the light filtering section to the top of the shade. You don’t have to choose from light filtering and blackout, however. You can use both at the same time. Customize your light blockage by adjusting the sections of the shade however you want.
Best Places to Use Them
You can use the day/night shade in every room of your house, but they are particularly
beneficial in these spaces:
Bedrooms: Just because you like to sleep in complete darkness doesn’t mean you want it that way when you’re not sleeping. With this cell shade, you can use the blackout section at night and the light filtering in the day that way, your room is still bathed with beneficial natural light when it counts the most.
Media Room: No one likes a glare on the television when trying to enjoy a movie. While the
light filtering shade does help reduce the glare, just having light in the room can make it just as annoying. So, why not lower the blackout shade while you’re enjoying your favorite movie? Then when you want to have a family get-together, just use the light-filtering shade to retain your privacy but also give your home that beautiful light.

Continue Reading
0
Cascade Sheer Shade in a dining room setting. General Interior Designers Products Shades Tips and Advice

What Are Sheer Shades?

Simply put, sheer shades are an elegant combination of a blind and a shade. The soft inner slats behave as a blind by tilting opened and closed as they are encased on the front and back by a soft, delicate layer of sheer fabric. To lift the shade, a continuous chain  closes the slats, just as a blind would operate, laying the two outer layers of sheer fabric flat against the slats. Then the shade rolls up, similar to a roller shade, into the top rail to clear the window. With the shade drawn and the slats closed, privacy and light control are achieved. If the shade is down with the slats in the open position, light filters in gently through the outer layers of sheer fabric.

Sheer shades are those resplendent blinds that are also a shade, gently filtering light through transparent panels to create an ethereal glow. Once considered a designers secret, sheer shades are now available to the modern design enthusiast in an array of neutral colors and textures. It’s easy, when you’re immersed in the world of design, to forget that the majority of consumers don’t have access to the pulse of the market the way those in the industry do. So what are sheer shades? How do you use them and where can you find them?

Sheer shades were designed to function as both a blind and a shade and were diversely different than anything else on the market. Although the basic components of other window treatments were in place, their design and function set them a world apart. Constructed of fabric vanes that float between two sheer panels, they closely resemble a horizontal blind but are uniquely different. Due to their fabric component, they are lighter in weight and more pliable making them easier to tilt, raise, and lower. This allows them to share the functionality of a roller shade, increasing ease of use with a roll up feature and decreasing the bulky stack that occurs with horizontal blinds. Near perfection is their design, making them an ideal choice for almost any room in the home.

Blinds To Go has a wide selection of our Sheer Shades. They come in mostly neutral colors. There are a few darker gray’s and browns now also! The Sheer Shades now are available in ROOM DARKENING! How could they be sheer shades AND room-darkening? Well, the material is made thicker than the light-filtering material, when they are closed it will be room darkening. Giving the customer the elegant look of sheer shades and the darkening feature, made best for bedrooms!

Continue Reading
0
Interior Designers Products Shades Tips and Advice

Calling all Woven Wood Shades: The Secret to Incorporating Today’s Popular Trend Without Going Overboard

Distressed wood, organic materials, bamboo, barnyard chic, rustic elegance — the list goes on and on when describing the trend that is pushing towards earthy and natural elements in the world of window treatment.  But how does one achieve this look?  Is it time to bring our products outside and go to town distressing some of the fabric?  Or maybe let the material bask in the sun allowing it to get a natural fade in color?  What about considering another option…WOVEN WOOD.

Woven wood is not just for kitchens and beach-themed spaces anymore.  Now you can find selections which offer a wide array of colors and textures that can accommodate any room looking for that warmth and rustic vibe.  The most appealing part is that the materials inherently come with the natural imperfections that are in demand as seen throughout so many home decor magazines.  What may seem as a menacing twig, inconsistent coloring, or even a frayed knot, are actually specifically chosen to add to this products’ natural, organic beauty.

Along with giving that cozy flair to your room, there are some other handcrafted options to make these woven wood shades functional as well.  For example, there are two backings that can be added– a light filtering liner or a blackout liner.  Consider the light filtering liner when it comes to rooms that require both privacy and some natural light.  In contrast, choose a blackout liner for the most sensitive of sleepers in order to block out as much light as possible.  A third option is also to not put a liner at all! Perhaps you have a wonderful view of the coast– an unlined woven wood is just the ticket to retain that view without sacrificing the decor of your windows.

Have a huge window? You can also do a 2 or 3 on 1 shade.  This set up includes one continuous headrail with multiple shades hanging.  2 or 3 on 1s are perfect for double or triple windows because they maintain the divisions of the window, while still keeping a cohesive look. Plus, your arm will thank you later for disbursing the weight instead of lifting up one giant, heavy shade.

Woven wood are truly a versatile choice when decorating your home.  Many argue that these shades are the cousins of the beloved roman shades.  And why not, woven wood shades do in fact lay flat or bubble out like a classic roman, but they also add earth tones and that tropical feel to any room.

Continue Reading
0
Older Posts