Walls

Plain is always a good idea for boy’s rooms. But plain doesn’t mean boring, there’s some fabulous wall decals available with a boy orientated theme – if that’s not your son’s style he can liven the walls up using posters and wall art.

Flooring

As we discussed in the last post wooden flooring remains on-trend and is perfect for a boy’s room. Adding an area rug can help ground the colour scheme and bring another tactile texture into the room.

Lighting

Spot lights, floor and table lamps can all be used. Boys aren’t typically akin to using the main central light and they certainly won’t want a fancy light shade. So, keep things simple, yet stylish for maximum effect.

Windows

Fussy curtains aren’t a good idea. A plain window dressing which is functional and easy to operate is key. Blinds are always a good idea and can be used without interfering with the room’s theme. Blackout roller blinds are ideal and can be used as the sole window dressing. If the room’s window overlook the street or neighbours Venetian blinds will provide privacy and style. Wooden blinds will also look stylish, particularly if they match the colour of the floor. Just remember to use the blinds which have wand controls rather than pull cords to reduce the risk of accidents.

Soft Furnishings

Mention these two words to most boys and they’ll look at you as if you’ve uttered words from another world! Explain to them what they are and them give them the opportunity to choose the room’s soft furnishings for themselves. A little guidance may be appreciated, but try not to be too bossy.

Accessories

Anything goes it the best attitude to adopt, you may not agree but as long as the choices don’t include having to make huge holes in the walls go with what they want; after all their bedroom is their domain and although you may not like their choice of accessories it does allow for individuality and provides a great way of allowing them to be in charge of the end result.

Walls

Painting walls plain gives more scope to add pattern via wall art or on-trend wall decals. If you do want pattern try wallpapering just one wall to make a focal point in the room. Small repeat patterns can be too fussy, while large patterns can make the room feel claustrophobic, play safe and use a medium pattern which will add style without compromising on the proportions of the room.

Flooring

The trend for wooden flooring remains prevalent; it’s easy to clean and maintain and blends well with virtually any colour scheme. Add texture and comfort by way of area rugs in a colour to compliment the walls.

Lighting

Modern chandelier style pendant lights can make a huge difference to the look of a room and offer an instant up-date which requires no effort at all. A matching bedside table lamp will give continuity to the room.

Windows

Swapping a window dress is an affordable and effective way of bringing a new look to a bedroom. There’s plenty of choices available from stylish curtains, to Roman blinds to co-ordinate with bedding or plain blackout roller blinds which can be used in conjunction with lightweight voiles. Adding trimmings can also be an inexpensive way to bring individualism to the room. Pretty fairy lights strung across a curtain pole can provide a girlie look which isn’t at all difficult to remove should or when the need arises.

Soft Furnishings

This is the area where massive changes can be made to the look of the room without having to entirely redecorate. This is also an area which can be handed to your daughter to make the choices; give her a budget if she’s old enough, and give her free a rein to add her own choices for rugs, bean bags, bedding etc.

Accessories

Another area where it best to let your daughter do her own thing. Choosing the room’s accessories is a great way to build confidence and bring out her imaginative flair. You may not like her choices but at the end of the day learning to make choices is a fundamental, and necessary, part of growing up – it will also save an awful lot of arguments in the long run!

Material Choices

From natural hard-woods to lightweight woven wood, fabrics, aluminium and vinyl all of these materials are used to make window blinds. Each have their own distinctive qualities, pros and cons. Some materials are best used in specific situations, such as having bathroom or kitchen blinds which can tolerate humid atmospheres.

Aesthetically pleasing to the eye

The window dressing you chose has to relate and enhance the style and décor of your room and whilst this may not be blatantly obvious a window dressing can make or break the look of a room, so it’s essential to chose the most appropriate to suit. The blinds also have to compliment the room’s colour scheme and decorating motif.

Versatility & Practicality

Your choice of window dressing has to be both practical and versatile. It’s pointless having a window blind which can’t be opened or closed properly – for example a blind placed at high windows which are hard to reach (although motorised blinds have somewhat dispelled this potential problem). The blinds also have to be sufficiently versatile to provide you with the light control and privacy you need in any given room of your home. For instance your bathroom window dressing will need to provide more privacy than in your home study.

Value for money

We’re all very aware of the pound in our pocket, as such you’ll also need to consider the cost of your window blinds. Cheap blinds which also offer a high quality are perfect for many homes, on the other hand if you need a bespoke size or style then as we discussed in our last post made to measure blinds may be the best route to follow. You’ll need to watch out blinds which are cheap but also not of a high quality and while the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ may ring true to some extent, however, with selective online shopping you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds – high quality blinds at an affordable price.

When choosing ready made blinds for your home give these four points consideration, combined they’ll give you a fabulous window blind to suit your home and your pocket.

As ready made are just that – ready made, they aren’t bespoke, you could walk into any home and you might find the exactly the same and while this isn’t as drastic as walking into a room full of people with an identical dress as someone else, it can make you and your home feel a little run-of-the-mill. If this doesn’t bother you then ready made are ideal window dressing choices and to be honest with some many gorgeous colours, design and patterns to choose from you can pass a comment on someone’s good taste should you find they have chose the same curtains or blinds.

Size may be the next issue. Ready made curtains and blinds are made to fit standard sized windows. If you have an unusual shape, exceptionally tall or wide windows you many struggle to find, or be limited in the choices you have from the ready-made rack. Cur made to measure blinds and curtains. These do exactly what it says, they are made to fit your windows irrespective of their size.

Made to measure also means you can have a fancy heading, such as goblet or inverted box pleats, which aren’t available from the standard ready made ranges. You’ll also have a choice of whatever curtain fabric you like, so there’s no restrictions on colour or patterns.

Most companies offering a made to measure service will come to your home, take accurate measurements of your windows and discuss the options open to you. Once the curtains or blinds have been made the company will also return to your home and fit the curtains or blinds, showing you how to open and close them with pull cords, wands or remote controls.

If you want a professional look at your windows the made to measure route is the right direction to take. For a more relaxed and informal look ready made options can look equally as stunning just as long as you get the correct measurements.

Let’s start by looking at the different types of wooden blinds available.

Wood Blinds:
When you see the term ‘wood blinds’ this typically refers to blinds which are made from real wood. They can be brought ready made or can be part of a made to measure blinds service. Wood blinds are available in a number of different slat sizes and widths.

As this type of blind is made from real wood you’ll find they have their own distinctive grain depending on the type of wood used. Each will be unique, just as nature intended. Wood blinds can be quite expensive, so look for clearance blinds if you want to use real wood. You should also ensure that wood blinds have been given a protective coating to help prevent them from warping, fading and twisting from harsh sunlight an humidity.

Faux Wooden Blinds:
this type of blind may look like real wood but is in fact made from vinyl or composite wood to make them look like the genuine article. They are very durable and versatile, they’re easy to maintain and clean making them perfect for modern lifestyles. Faux wooden blinds can also be used in rooms which have excessive heat and humidity, for example kitchens and bathrooms because they are less likely to twist or warp. These blinds are also very affordable and while not the genuine article often it’s hard to tell the difference.

Wood Weave Blinds:
Wood weave blinds can be made from a variety of different woods, including bamboo. They can also be made from hard woods by liking the slats together or woven from softer woods. The woven types are typically lightweight and can be made into Roman or roller blinds, while the heavier woods are typically made into Venetian blinds. Due to them being made from real woods they have a beauty and charm of their own. You do need to think carefully about using the woven styles as they can rot when used in humid atmospheres.

As you can see there are plenty of different types and style of wooden blinds, so you should choose them for your home due to their natural beauty, durability and versatility.

You’ll need:
Tape measure
Fabric
Scissors
Lining fabric, plus enough to make dowel pockets
Needles & pins
Sewing machine
Sewing thread, the same colour as your fabric
Wooden dowels
Blind rings, (available as a binding tape with the rings already sewn on at regular intervals)
Roman blind cord

Making the blind:
Step 1:
Measure the width and length of your window accurately

Step 2:
Cut the fabric and lining adding approximately 5cm for width and length hems.

Step 3:
With the patterned sides of the fabrics and edges matched, pin the sides and bottom together evenly. Sew in a 2.5cm seam. Sew a 5cm hem at the top and bottom, large enough to snugly hold the dowels. Leave one end open at each side so that you can slide the dowel in.

Step 4:
Turn the Roman blind in the right way and lightly press.

Step 5:
Place the ring tape evenly across the width of the blind, ensuring that you have a ring at the top and bottom of the blind and sew into place.

Step 6:
Slide the top and bottom dowels in place.

Step 7:
Thread the cord through the rings making sure that you fasten the cord securely at the bottom of the blind. Work systematically starting with the outside edge (the opposite side to where you want the cords to be pulled.)

Your Roam blind is now made.

Fix eyelet rings onto the top dowel (through the fabric) and place corresponding hooks onto your wall. Simply place the eyelets over the hooks and pull the blind up using the pull cords.

Tips:

If you want to have distinctive pleats on your blind you can add dowel rods at regular intervals up the length of the fabric; these will give definition to the pleats.

Sheer fabrics, such as voile, will show the ring tape through the fabric – use a medium weight fabric if you want to avoid this.

Roman blind kits are readily available and contain everything you need to make a blind, except the fabric.

Ready made Roman blinds are a great alternative if you want the look but don’t have the time or the equipment needed to make your own.

There are other ways to make and hang Roman blinds – here we’ve given you the basic steps to creating your own bespoke window dressing.

By placing Venetian blinds inside the window casing you’ll also be able to use curtains as well without disturbing the ability to control the blinds. So how do you install Venetian blinds? The process is easy if you take a step-by-step approach and allow yourself plenty of time, an couple of hours should be sufficient.

Step 1.
Measure accurately the width of the inner or outer casing depending where you’re going to hang the blind. Also measure the length accurately so that you buy the correct size or the nearest size to fit your window.

Step 2.
Make the decision as where you want to install the blinds. Close to the window itself so that you can also hang curtains, or on the outside of the window casing so that the blind is the sole window dressing.

Step 3.
Have the tools you need close at hand. A tape measure, spirit level and screwdriver, an electric screwdriver will make the job easier.

Step 4.
Remove the mounting brackets and screws from the kit. Use your screwdriver to mount the brackets snugly into the corner of the window casing (for blinds that will sit next to the glass). If you’re hanging the blinds on the outside of the casing place them on the frame above the window frame making sure they are equal distances apart and level (use the spirit level).

Step 5.
Place the top of the Venetian blind into the brackets then add the end caps to prevent the blind from sliding out.

Step 6.
Lower the blind all the way day so that you can attach the operating wand. Set the required level.

That’s all there is to it! Once in place let your Venetian blind provide you privacy by altering the angle of the slats using the operating wand. You’ll also be able to place the entire blind at the top of the window to fully expose the window’s glass if you so wish.

Let’s take a look at the choices of blinds you have so that you choose the right ones for the style of your conservatory, as well as being the designs which will help to keep your conservatory cooler in the Summer and warmer during the Winter.

Vertical Blinds:
These are ideal for conservatories which have ceiling to floor glass and conservatories which have large sliding doors. The ability of this style of blind to be stacked back to leave the door area free enables easy access and egress from your patio or garden. Vertical blinds will also provide you with plenty of privacy should you need it and when the louvres are closed it will help to reduce heat build-up. Nowadays you’re no longer restricted to white or cream vertical blinds, there are many colour and pattern choices available.

Venetian Blinds:
Venetian blinds continue to be amongst the most popular window blinds for conservatories. They will provide the same privacy and heat control as vertical blinds, the only downside is that they’re not really suitable for use over door opening. They do however look stunning in conservatories which have a semi-brick built wall.

Roller Blinds:
This type of blind is becoming increasingly popular, especially in conservatories and sun-rooms which don’t have a south facing elevation. Ideal for creating a contemporary look, you’ll be able to use the blinds at different levels as the sun moves across the sky. When pulled up they provide an unobstructed view to the outside world.

Roman Blinds:
Like roller blinds they are becoming increasingly popular for conservatories which don’t have floor to ceiling glass. The offer a less formal look and can be made in any design and coloured fabric you wish, making them easy to co-ordinate with your furniture and soft furnishings.

Wood Blinds:
These are typically Venetian blinds made from wood. Today special treatments are applied to help reduce the possibility of warping and discolouration due to excessive direct sunlight. Roman and roller blinds are also available in natural wood and are lighter than their Venetian counterparts.

As you can see there are plenty of choices when it comes to choosing blinds for your conservatory. It’s worth giving them all consideration before you make your final choice.

How to get the look:

Colour choices can have a huge impact on the way your bedroom looks, hot pinks and racy reds are fine if you want to create a bedroom which have romantic vibes, but you need to be careful because these colours can keep you mind working on overdrive so the chances of drifting off into a peaceful slumber are somewhat reduced. Mid-tone or pastel greens and creams are ideal colour combinations for bedrooms. Both colours are restful on the eyes which means they’ll help you to unwind and hopefully provide tranquilly to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

Clear the clutter, you may be fed up with interior designers telling you to ‘clear the clutter’ but in bedrooms particularly you need to tackle the problem to give extra space and a clear place for you to relax. Look for storage options if your wardrobe and draw space isn’t sufficient. Large boxes which can be tucked neatly under the bed is one common idea especially if you aren’t prepared to slim down your clothing. If you can’t use the space under the bed thinning down your clothes may be the only solution you have. Use pretty baskets to keep trinkets and jewellery stored neatly, if you make your own curtains or blinds you can use the same fabric to line the baskets.

Another effective way of making more space is to try your furniture in different places; if it’s possible move your bed and dresser – it’s worth thinking logically where items will fit and even worth measuring them before you end up jammed in a corner with no escape!

A tranquil bedroom also means having the right type of window dressing. Roman blinds are a great way to bring pattern into the room and can easily co-ordinate with bedding if you like your soft furnishings to match. To further enhance the look of the window using curtain poles you can drape lightweight fabrics to soften the top edge of the window.

How to get the look:

Plain walls are highlighted with beautiful art work and one or two carefully chosen display object which may include a Buddha statue or a real orchid flower to bring nature inside. Many Asian homes also have small water features – these of course are a matter of personal taste and not obligatory to get the look correct – however, the gentle sound of trickling water can be very soothing and relaxing so it is worth considering including this feature in the quieter rooms of your home.

The traditional colours of red and black are ideal for most sized living areas with the intensity of black lacquer on furniture bringing a reflective surface from which light can bounce around the room is a great way to make the room look and feel light and airy.

There’s no room for clutter in any Asian inspired rooms – keep décor and furnishings simple and show off elaborate and intricately carved wooden rooms dividers, mirror frames etc. If you don’t want to go for black lacquer any of the darker woods will work well in living rooms and dining rooms, while the lighter woods such as beech or ash, are perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Wooden Venetian blinds or bamboo roller blinds make the ideal window dressings for most rooms – again, if you’re not using black then opt for wooden blinds in a colour to match or compliment your furniture and furnishings. Any of the light or dark woods will bring a natural look to the room without any overly fussiness which is in keeping with the Asian theme.

Try not to get bogged down and make things overly complicated. It’s a stress free and relaxing ambiance you’re trying to achieve. Choose colours which are also calming for bedrooms, such as pale or mid-tone blues and greens, or go for off-white and inject a little colour via your bedding and soft furnishings.

In bathrooms add bamboo plants to match bamboo blinds, it’s also a good idea to use white towels to give the room an almost spa like look and feel.

Remember the no-clutter rule reigns supreme throughout the house if you want to get the look comparatively right.