Tag Archives: home design

How to Choose and Install the Perfect Blinds for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide

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Selecting the right blinds for your home can be a game-changer, adding style, privacy, and functionality to any room. With countless styles, materials, and customization options available, finding the perfect blinds may seem overwhelming.

But don’t fret; this comprehensive guide will walk you through choosing and installing the ideal blinds for your space and offer valuable insights on different types, materials, and maintenance tips. After reading this article, you should be well-equipped to create the perfect window treatment for your home.

Explore 4 Different Types of Blinds

Various types of blinds are available on the market, each offering unique characteristics and benefits. Some of the most popular options include:

1.     Roller blinds

These simple and elegant blinds consist of a single fabric that rolls up and down using a spring or chain mechanism. Roller blinds are incredibly versatile and come in various colors, patterns, and materials, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.

Roller blinds in Dubai are sought after for their ability to withstand the region’s intense sunlight and heat. Some interior designers also use two rollers with an added voile layer or zebra or duo blinds to adjust the amount of light that enters the room according to the time of day.

2.     Roman shades

Known for their elegant folds, Roman shades (a.k.a. Roman blinds) add a touch of sophistication to any room. They’re made from a single thick fabric that folds neatly into horizontal pleats when raised.

Roman shades don’t wrap around a roller, so they have different textures on top of the variety of patterns and colors available. This dramatically enhances customization to suit your home’s décor.

3.     Venetian blinds

Composed of horizontal slats that can be tilted, raised, or lowered, Venetian blinds offer excellent control over light and privacy. Typically made from wood, faux wood, or aluminum, these blinds are functional and visually appealing.

Venetian blinds can be a stylish addition to any room. They’re particularly suitable for rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

However, those that use tapes made from fabric may not be great for damp spaces like the ones mentioned above.

4.     Vertical blinds

Featuring long vertical slats that can be tilted, rotated, or drawn to one side, vertical blinds follow the same concept as Venetian blinds. They are ideal for large windows and patio doors and provide excellent light control due to thinner slats that overlap better than Venetian blinds.

Vertical blinds are commonly used in residential and commercial spaces because they make a room appear taller. They also perfectly fit French and sliding doors and come in various colors to match the interior design.

The Complete Guide to Blinds Selection and Care

Different factors come into play during the window treatment selection process. From finding the suitable material to following proper maintenance, here’s a complete guide you can use for better blinds selection and care:

1.     Find the Right Material and Finish

The materials and finishes of your blinds can affect the overall look and feel of your space significantly. When choosing materials, consider the room’s function, style, and humidity levels.

If you’re going for a classic look, opt for wood or faux wood blinds. Aluminum blinds add a modern touch to the space, while fabric window treatments give it a soft appearance.

Looking for budget-friendly durability? Vinyl blinds are an excellent option for long-lasting wear without breaking the bank. They are also easy to maintain and come in various styles and colors to match your interior design.

When it comes to finishes, think about the visual impact and desired level of privacy. Matte finishes are great for a subtle look and can help diffuse light, while glossy finishes add a touch of glamor and can be easily wiped clean. Textured blinds offer an interesting visual element and can enhance the character of a room.

Additionally, consider the specific requirements of each room when choosing your blinds. For example, moisture-resistant materials like faux wood or aluminum are best for high-humidity areas like kitchens and bathrooms, as they can withstand the environment and are easy to clean. On the other hand, bedrooms or media rooms can benefit from blinds that offer effective light control and privacy, such as blackout roller blinds or cellular shades.

2.     Add Personal Touches to Your Blinds

Did you know you can customize blinds? Using decorative tapes, valances, or cornices, you can give your blinds a facelift so that they complement your home décor.

Decorative tapes can add color or pattern to your blinds. These come in various designs and can be applied to the slats or edges to create a stunning visual effect. Valances and cornices can contrast or match existing textures and patterns in your interior design.

To inject an element of luxury or whimsy into your window treatments, experiment with fabric trims, tassels, or beads. When placed at the bottom or along the sides of the blinds, these decorative embellishments can offer a touch of opulence or playfulness to your space.

3.     Measure and Install Blinds Accurately

You must follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when measuring and installing your blinds. These can provide you with the best advice for your specific product.

Think about whether you want an inside or outside mount, as this will affect your measurements. And don’t worry; it’s always a good idea to double-check your measurements to ensure everything is just right. Using a level during installation will also help guarantee a flawless and even appearance.

4.     Keep Your Blinds Looking Beautiful with Proper Maintenance

To keep your blinds looking their best, you clean them regularly. You can use a duster or vacuum to remove dust and debris gently.

If you come across any stubborn dirt, a damp cloth is usually enough to take care of it.

When it comes to fabric blinds, spot cleaning works well for minor stains, but don’t hesitate to have them professionally cleaned if needed.

Again, it’s always wise to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific cleaning instructions, as this will ensure your blinds are cared for in the best possible way.

Create Your Perfect Window Treatment

Embrace the variety of styles, materials, and customization options available to elevate your space and enjoy stylish, functional, and durable blinds for years. This comprehensive guide to selecting, installing, and maintaining blinds enables you to create the perfect window treatment for your home.

Kitchen Trends to Watch For In 2017

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The kitchen usually turns into the most used room in every home. Family life revolves around it because that’s where we prepare our food. That’s why it’s important to design it with special care. It should be both functional and pleasant to be in. Functionality, when it comes to the kitchen, means the ability to move around safely and easily. It’s also important to design a kitchen in a way that makes it (or at least parts of it) accessible to all generations.

Here are a couple of kitchen trends to look out for in a year to come:

image-14Open floor plans

Open floor plans are a trend for a while now and that’s going to continue, because of the practicality of the whole concept. As the name suggests homes with this layout have one or more large open rooms, which functions as multiple rooms within a living space. It changes the living conditions in several significant ways. First of all, it allows for more social interactions during the day, it’s better for entertaining and having house parties. Open floor plans are also safer because it allows parents to keep an eye on the kids, while they’re busy in the kitchen. These houses also tend to have more natural lighting. The downside is that you have fewer walls to put artwork on.

Transitional design

Transitional style is sometimes called updated classic and it’s very well suited to modern kitchens. It looks simple and clean, which is important because kitchen should serve a purpose. On the other hand, it goes well with all the modern appliances, which sometimes look like something out of sci-fi movie. It usually means that working surfaces are made out of natural materials (like granite and wood) and the appliances make a nice contrast with gleaming stainless steel.

image-12Smaller appliances

Micro-living has started as a hipster trend and now it’s a widely accepted design choice. With state of the art bosch appliances smaller size doesn’t mean less quality. If you choose the right appliances you’ll be able to use your kitchen like a professional chef and still have the luxury of free space. Cooktop with two burners, 18 -inch dishwasher, 60-inch fridge and microwave combined with a convection oven are all you really need. Naturally, you might want to add juicers or soda makers if you’re a health junkie, but it’s optional.

image-9Go all black

For a long time, kitchens were white from the floor to the ceiling. No one really knows why that was the case or who made the rule, but that was the rule. As it often happens with trends, someone decided to do just the opposite and it stuck. If you’re redoing your kitchen in 2017 make it all black – floors, walls, countertops, and the appliances all come in clean and sleek black. It takes a bit more cleaning that way, but faucets, glasses and everything made out of steel, really pops that way.

Touch-activated faucets

Touch- activated faucets were something that only exists in restaurants, where they’re basically a necessity. Then they became a bit of a trend and now every cool kitchen has them. The most important advantage is that you can get the water running even when you’re hands are all sticky from cooking, but there’s more to them. It’s a way to waste less water and that’s something that is going to be increasingly important as the environmental issues become more pressing.

image-12

In the end, kitchen (and basically your entire home) is a personal space. When you design it – think beyond the trends and imagine yourself living there and using it every day. That’s what really counts.