Have you ever run out of ideas while designing or revamping the interior of your home? If you have, then there is nothing to be ashamed of, as you are now part of a group comprising of almost every other individual who has taken up the ordeal of home designing.

Interior designing or home designing is something which looks seemingly easy at the start, but takes a sharp turn down the alley leading to difficulty, when you delve into it. Luckily, there are many resources available to assist you in these difficult times. The resources not only reduce the mental stress of the task, but also give you plenty of ideas to experiment as much as you can.

Most of the resources that we currently have for home designing are based on the online world. But having considered the ease of holding a rolled up magazine in your hands during the task, we have decided to add a few tangible resources as well.

Blogs

Blogs are a latest trend in the world of resources for home design, and have garnered every one’s attention with a storm. The best thing about blogs is that they are run by everyday individuals like you, there is no artificiality and there are ideas which you can implement, without having to empty your pockets.

With the availability of many ideas present for achieving the perfect home design, blogs are updated regularly and bring forth the latest fancy trends.

While there are many blogs present on the online world, you can go for any of the following to get the best ideas:

• Rooi Blog: Famous for the interesting tips offered, Rooi blog is a big hit amongst home designers. The blog helps you in getting rid of every doubt you have regarding the design of your home. From the right place to hang your vertical blinds, to the best design for your roller blinds, everything is covered in detail on the blog.
• Elle décor’s sourcebook: The website cum blog presents an interesting amalgamation of all that you want to know about the perfect design for your home.
• Décor8 blog: Including some of the best tips, the décor8 blog contains everything that you want to know before setting out to design and decorate your home to perfection.

Magazines

Like mentioned before, the fun of having a rolled up magazine in your hand, during a home designing excursion is unparalleled. You can glance down at the magazine regularly, incorporating the ideas mentioned on the glittery pages, into your home designing routine. There are a lot of quality magazines present, which offer a lot of tips and guidance for you to follow on your next home design task. A few of these exemplary magazines are:

• Habitus-living in design
• Green Source
• Veranda
• House Beautiful
• Garden Design
• Coastal Living

Inspiration from other houses

Every house that you visit, must act as an inspiration or a resource for you to implement in the design of your own home. How often do you visit friends and family in a week? Interpret every visit as an inspiration and a resource. Recognize the beauty that you see on a daily basis around you, and inculcate it into the design for your home. Nature can also assist you in your ordeal, as there is no better perfection than that, which is portrayed by nature.

Once you have found the perfect resource, you can start complementing it with action, to perfect your home design.

When it comes to choosing bathroom blinds, you need to keep in mind the practicality of your decision. Bathrooms generally tend to have a lot of steam, humidity, as well as condensation, which means that a delicate fabric or material will not be a good choice. Here are some of the tips that will help you in choosing the perfect blinds for your bathroom:

Blinds or Curtains?

There is a reason why you don’t see curtains in the bathroom anywhere and that is they are impractical. It is such a hassle to clean the curtains as you will have to take them down and clean them, as opposed to blinds that simply need to be wiped with a damp cloth.

Don’t Use Real Wood

It is recommended that you avoid using real wood in humid conditions as that can result in problems like staining and warping. If you want to opt for a similar style, you can go for faux wood.

Pick the Fabric Carefully

Just like wood, there are some fabrics that are not suitable for the bathroom like silk, linen, and cotton. If you want a fabric based blind, you can opt for polyester fabric as that won’t retain moisture. The issue with heavy fabrics is that they can make the surface damp that can result in the growth if mold and mildew. A lot of people opt for roller blinds as they have a design that keeps away issues like waterlogging.

Opt for Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are a popular choice for the bathroom because they can be pulled up that can prevent water stains, while offering you maximum privacy. The best part? They are available in a variety of different colors and patterns.

Blinds for Direct Sunlight

If you want to avoid direct sunlight, Venetian blinds might be a good idea as it has adjustable slats that can keep the sunlight away.

Considering Waterproof Options

If you want waterproof options for your bathroom, you can get an advanced polymer as it won’t crack or shrink because of the humidity.

Consider Your Privacy

If you seek privacy, it is recommended that you opt for Venetian blinds or the roller blinds, as they are suitable for bathrooms. All you would need to do is raise the blind if you want more sunlight.

Opt for Something Retractable

If your window is located near a water source, like a shower or a sink, it is recommended that you opt for something retractable like a Roman blind or a pleated blind.

Things to Consider When Getting Bathroom Blinds

Here are the things that you need to consider when you get bathroom blinds:

• Check and see if they are mold and moisture resistant.
• See if they are according to the theme of the bathroom.
• See if they are easy to operate.
• See if they are easy to clean.

In conclusion, these were some of the tips that will help you in picking the right blinds for your bathroom.

Choosing the right blinds for your home is something that a lot of people delay because there are so many things that you have to take into account, like privacy, size of the window, and of course the style. Furthermore, people don’t know where to buy high quality blinds and keep asking questions like, ‘where will I get the best blinds?’ ‘Should I buy it online or go to a blind store’? It is understandable that you have questions when going blind shopping, and this article will help you with that. Before we get started, it is important that you know windows are the focal point of the room, so you need to get something that is functional as well as decorative. Here is what you need to consider when buying blinds:

Things to Consider Before Buying the Blinds

Privacy and Light

You need to ask how much light and privacy you need. So you want your room to be bright? Or do you want it to be cozy? Are you covering a well-lit area near the front door or are you covering the back windows? It is important to consider all these things when picking a style and fabric.

Budget

Your budget will depend on how many windows you want to cover and the kind of fabric that you are opting for.

Cleaning

If you clean your house yourself, make sure that you opt for a fabric or material that is easy to clean.

Decorating Style

Do you want something that is formal or casual? There are so many styles that you can choose from. If you want a formal décor, go for something that has an earthly hue, but if you want a casual décor, go for bright colors.

Safety

If you have kids in the house, it is recommended that you opt for cordless blinds.

Types of Blinds

Here are the different kinds of blinds that you can choose from:

Wooden Blinds

They come in light and dark colors and are perfect for offices, and the study. It is recommended that you avoid these when decorating your kitchen and the bathroom because the moisture can damage the wood.

Insulating Blinds 

Insulating blinds filters the light that helps in saving energy. People generally opt for these to decorate their living room.

Horizontal Blinds

These blinds give the illusion that your windows are bigger than they are which is ideal for dorms and studio apartments.

Vertical Blinds 

This works great for windows that are wide. People opt for vertical blinds for windows that offer a sweeping view.

Advantages of Blinds

Blinds come in handy for every room of the house. You can easily adjust the settings of the blinds to get more privacy and to control the amount of light entering the room.

Disadvantage of Blinds

The only disadvantage is that they can be a little tricky to clean, but with the right cleaning materials, you can keep the dust and grime away.

Conservatory – An Important Room in Your House

It’s summer season, which means that it is that time of the year when you can spend lazy Sunday afternoons in your conservatory. Conservatories are considered as summer living rooms, which is the reason why most of the people opt for bright colours and florals to decorate the room and try to keep the furniture as light as possible. It is the perfect place to drink coffee, sit and read, or simply meditate, so make sure that you give it the attention it deserves.

Conservatory Furniture

In the Victorian era, conservatory furniture was made with wicker, but over the course of time, metal and wood have also gained popularity. Today, most of the people go by the eclectic approach and incorporate home as well as garden furniture there. If you want a modern look, you don’t have to stick by metal furniture, as that tends to be a good conductor of heat.

Today, there are so many options available in the market from womb wicker chairs, to sleek sofas to trendy hanging chair. In order to give the room a classy look, you can have wood work in the room in different colours that can include light wood, dark wood, as well as chalk white paint.

If you have children in the house that will be using the room, you need to opt for something comfortable as well as durable. You can add overstuffed sofas and chairs and can even go for floor cushions, where the children can sit and play. If you want the place to look more inviting, you can add house plants as they will make the space look aesthetically pleasing.

Must Have Furniture Items in the Conservatory

Here are some of the furniture items that you need to add in the room:

• An overstuffed and cushioned arm chair where you can sit back and relax while listening to music or reading your favorite book.
• Having a great rug that you can use to create a focal point in the room. If you have a table in the room, you can add the rug under that.
• Wireless speakers, if you wish to sit in the room and relax after a hard day at work.
• Most importantly, you need to add blinds in the room. Conservatory is all about having daylight flood in the room but sometimes if it is too sunny, you want a break from that. It is recommended that you opt for Roman blinds as they look very chic and will allow you to control the amount of light that enters the room.

Tips for Styling the Conservatory

Here are some tips that will help you out for sure:

• Make sure that you use a neutral colour palette so that the room looks inviting when it is filled up with sunlight.
• Add your personal touch in the room by adding a shelf of your favourite books or by having accent walls with your family’s pictures.

So, these are some of the ways in which you can style your conservatory. Good luck!

Unfiltered ultraviolet rays are not only bad for our health, they are also bad for our furniture. Regular exposure to sunlight may cause your furniture to become faded and discoloured. Sun glare also affects your productivity at work. The summer heat is also one of the major causes of the skyrocketing energy bills. Therefore, it is important that necessary precautions are taken to protect our valuables from the summer heat through optimum window dressing option.

Why Choose Roller Blinds for Sun Glare?

Roller blinds are an ideal option when sun glare is a problem and you are concerned about the harmful effects of the sun. Apart from providing great window solutions by mitigating the effects of glare, they are very easy to operate and are a cost-effective alternative to curtains.

Categories of Roller Blinds

In particular, there are four different categories of roller blinds that can be used for sun glare. Translucent roller blinds are placed in areas where the users want both light and privacy. However, while these may reduce heat and sun glare, they will not prevent furnishings from fading. Screen and sheer roller blinds offer both anti-glare properties while maintaining a proper view. Blackout roller blinds prevent fading as well as give complete privacy. Transparent roller blinds have solar films that add on to the anti-glare and anti-fading characteristics.

Best Roller Blinds for Sun Glare

Here are some of the roller blind options for sun glare:

• UV Protective Roller Blinds

Anti-glare roller blind material generally prevents UV damages. However, if you want one-hundred percent UV protection, you should consider buying roller blinds that are marketed as UV light protective.

• Sun-Reflective and Protective Roller Blinds

There are sun-reflective fabrics available in the market that can be used to manufacture blackout roller blinds. These blinds offer many benefits to the users because of the blackout properties. If you are a light sleeper, blackout roller blinds will darken the room adequately. They provide thermal isolation and prevent sun glare. They also stop UV light from entering the room. In addition to these sun-reflective properties, the blinds also provide noise insulation. If you live in a busy part of town, the blackout roller blinds will keep the noises at bay. Darker coloured fabric absorbs more radiation while lighter coloured fabric is typically more reflective.

• Anti-glare Roller Blinds

Anti-glare roller blinds are coated with a clear or dyed solar film. The colour of the dye and its darkness can contribute towards increased anti-glare effectiveness, prohibiting the unnecessary straining of the eyes. Solar films have the tendency to absorb over 97 percent of the ultraviolet light. This will prevent fading as well as UV damage to the skin. There are different types of anti-glare materials that can be coated on the roller blinds. Dark-hued anti-glare roller blinds offer greater anti-glare properties. For instance, gold and grey coloured films are more reflective as opposed to other colours. Clear films do not exhibit reflective properties and just provide protection against fading.

Summer season is upon us, which means that you need to start cleaning the house. For most of us summers mean redecorating the house, in order to make sure that we are ready for the hot season but most importantly, for some of us, it means doing DIY projects to add a personal touch to our homes. Since you are cleaning your whole house, make sure that you don’t forget the windows. For the summer season, it is recommended that you get rid of the curtains and install wooden blinds. Let’s learn how you should measure the wooden blinds in order to get them installed.

Get Hold of the Right Tools

In order to get started, you need to have the right tools with you. Here are some of the things that you will be needing to get the perfect measurements:

• A steel tape to get the perfect measurement.
• A measuring guide if you are doing this for the first time.
• A paper and pencil to note down all the measurements.

Once you have these tools, you can get started. Make sure that you measure each window separately because even a small difference can mess up the measurements. Once you have measured, make sure that you write it down. Make sure that you write everything down with a pencil so that you can change the measurements, in case they are incorrect. It is recommended that you round your measurements to the nearest 1/8″.

Measuring the Inside Mount Wood Blinds

Width: You need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the inside surfaces of the window frame from all corners and then use the narrowest width.

Height: In order to measure the height, you need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the inside surface from the top of the window to the bottom and then take into account the longest height. If you don’t want your blind to reach the sill, you can make the deductions as per your need.

Measuring the Outside Mount Wood Blinds

Width: Make sure that you measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” of the points where the blinds will be placed. If you want light control, you can extend the measurement by 3/4” beyond the opening of the window.

Height: In order to measure the height, you need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the top and the sill of the window.

Get All the Information You Need

Before you finalize anything, make sure that you know the kind of blinds that you will be ordering. If you want to order wooden blinds, it is recommended that you watch measuring videos or have a guide to know how to go about.

Measure the Windows and Order the Product

When it comes to measuring windows, remember the rule: measure twice to install once. Make sure that you recheck all the measurements, so that you can avoid any mistakes.

While blinds have lots of benefits to their name, when it comes to cleaning them, lots of people wonder if they should have gone with curtains instead. Cleaning the blinds is definitely a chore which would make even the tardiest of the lot roll their eyes in frustration.

Still, you have to do what you have to do. We have compiled a list of DIY tips which can make the task of cleaning blinds seem less annoying than it actually is.

1: Invest In A Good Microfiber Mini Blind Duster

We can’t stress on this enough. You can use a microfiber cloth for cleaning the blinds too, but a blind duster will lessen your job by half.

2: Use Vinegar

This DIY tip is especially for those people who have wood blinds installed in their place. Vinegar cuts through grease and dust, has antimicrobial properties, and the best part is that it will not discolor or warp the wood!

3: Vacuum Fabric Blinds

The dust brush of your vacuum cleaner will be of immense help when cleaning fabric blinds. Make sure that your vacuum is on low setting because otherwise it might damage the blinds. Alternatively, if you do not have a vacuum or the one you have is not functioning properly, you can use your hair dryer/ blow dryer for the same purpose!

4: Fabric Detergent For Stains In Fabric Blinds

Are you noticing stains in your fabric blinds which seem pretty set in already? Do not worry! A good fabric detergent will help you get rid of those stains like it’s nobody’s problem.

5: Wash The Blinds

If you have Venetian blinds installed in your house, the best way to clean them yourself is to simply give them a wash. Let them soak in warm water for a little while and then get busy scrubbing them. Using a sponge mop is recommended for this purpose.

6: Dry Them Out Properly

If you are washing Venetian blinds, make sure that you give them enough time to completely dry up. The best way to go about this is to just simply hang them out on a clothesline and let the wind outside do its job.

If you do not have the time (or the patience) for hanging them outside and letting them air-dry, you can towel-dry them too.

7: Invest In A Good Wood Conditioner

Once you are done wiping the dust and the stains off of wood blinds, apply some wood conditioner on them. This tip will keep them safe from being damaged by all the sunlight they receive.

8: Move From Dry To Wet

A general tip while cleaning vertical blinds or any other type for that matter is to always use a dry cloth first to wipe off the dust. Using a wet cloth, sponge or mop to wipe off the dust will only create more mess. So start with a dry cloth, sponge or mop, and then, if there are still some stains or dust on the blinds, scrub them off using a wet material instead.

It goes without saying that the more you take care of your blinds, the longer they would last you. This is one rule which applies to the maintenance of all things and blinds are no exception to this.

Blinds have several advantages to their name. From being a relatively cheaper option as compared to curtains to being so much easier to install as well, blinds can just be the thing your house needs.

The fact that you have so much more control on how much light you want to enter your living space is also a hard to ignore advantage which comes with blinds. Having said all of this, shopping for the right blinds can be a little intimidating since there are so many different types of blinds available out there.

The best thing for you here would be to do a little homework on your own to see which type of blind would be most suitable for your needs and then shop accordingly. Let’s have a more detailed look at the 3 common types of blinds.

1: Blackout Blinds:

As the name suggests blackout blinds are the ones which prevent the light from passing through them, giving you a darker environment. These are the blinds that will darken any room. Controlling light levels is not the only advantage they have to their name; they are also equipped for absorbing the heat which is coming from the outside, giving you a much cooler environment inside.

So if you are looking for creative ways to save up energy and cut costs on your electricity bills, installing blackout blinds could be one.

2: Vertical Blinds:

Vertical blinds are those that help you control the levels of light and your levels of privacy by standing up vertically against your wall. Most people tend to opt for vertical blinds when they are looking for something they can put on their sliding doors and windows. If you are on the lookout for low-maintenance blinds then vertical blinds may be the perfect option for you; the fact that they stand vertically prevents them from collecting a lot of dust!

3: Roller Blinds:

Ever seen the blinds which are attached to a roller and you have to adjust them using a chain that is attached to their side? That’s a roller blind for you. If you are looking for the type of blinds which have the most variety to offer then roller blinds are the one you need to consider.

From bonded roller blinds, blockout blinds, light filter roller blinds and sunscreen roller blinds—all are its different types. Bonded roller blinds have their fabric attached or “bonded” to their surface. Blockout blinds are the basic types which block the light, their advantage lies in the variety of styles and colors they come in. Light filter roller blinds are good for filtering the light (or the amount of it) which enters the room. Sunscreen roller blinds control the harsh UV rays by filtering them out; their light filtering properties are better than light filter roller blinds.

These were the 3 most common types of blinds and their functions. You can opt for whichever suits your needs and of course, your budget and have them installed.

Did you know that Venetian blinds actually originate from Persia and not Venice in Italy? Or the fact that their history can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt? No matter what their birthplace has been, one thing is for sure and that is, venetian blinds have made a special place in our hearts, which is the reason why we have been using it as our window treatments for the past three centuries.

In recent years, the design has undergone a lot of changes, but the adjustable horizontal slats have remained unchanged throughout. Let’s have a look at the history of these Venetian blinds.

History of Origin

The origin of the Venetian blinds date all the way back to ancient Egypt, who were known to tie reeds together and then use it as a window covering. Experts claim that the first Venetian blinds were seen in 1760, and at that time, they were made from wooden slates that were hung with the help of cloth ribbons.

Early History

It is said that the Venetian blinds were brought to Europe via Persia through trade. The blinds were appreciated by the masses and made their way into France, with the help of freed Venetian slaves because they wanted to earn a livelihood for themselves. The French referred to these blinds as “Les Persienes”. These blinds then made their way into the US, as a result of the efforts of John Webster of London in 1787.

Popularity

The Venetian blinds had become extremely popular in the US in the 1930s. Venetian blinds quickly gained popularity in homes as well as public buildings. St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia, Independence Hall, and the RCA Building (the GE Building of today) in New York City started using these blinds as their window treatments. It is said that the venetian blinds became popular because of the following reasons:

• They were durable
• They were easy to operate
• They were cheaper than the rest of the options

In 1936, it was estimated that people bought $210 million worth of shades, made of different materials like wood and metal. The figure stated the fact loudly – Venetian blinds were all the rage in institutional and commercial markets.

Innovation

The credit for innovation of the blinds goes to John Hampson from New Orleans who made a device that changed the angle of the slates on the Venetian blinds and is used even today. The device was a rod that was placed at the top of the blinds.

Development

The first company that developed a light Venetian blind for sale was Hunter Douglas in 1946. Their designs included a one-inch slat that was introduced in the market in the 1960s.The designed was further modified in the 1990s and the size of the micro blind was reduced by half an inch.

Today, wider slats are preferred by the people and we see two inch blinds in the market. The blind design that we see today was patented back in 1841. However, it is the style and ease of use that has helped it in maintaining its popularity decades later since then.

A wooden venetian blind is different from other types of blinds and window coverings available today because it consists of a set of slats that are suspended on a wall as a form of covering for (amongst others) windows, ventilation points, and patio doors.

A Venetian wooden blind typically works by tilting the slats. They may be made of wood or plastic or any other flexible material that could prove imperious to the sun’s UV radiation, so as to be able to control the amount of light and air that passes though the blinds into the room in which they are located.

Most blinds are manufactured of the following materials

• Wood
• Aluminium
• PVC
• Fauxwood

Each construction material has its own advantages and disadvantages. In terms of sheer aesthetic beauty and that (often) unfathomable touch of class, wood is the classiest looking of the lot.

There is something positively quaint about Venetian wood and it carries with it an aura of ‘genteel old world charm’ that enhances the elegance of any room in which such blinds are installed.

However, it is not all just ‘window dressing’ because Venetian wood is more than simple ‘form over substance’. Since wood (and its derivatives such as different types of wood laminates and Formicas) are tough they do not break easily even when the slats are opened and closed multiple times in a day.

Like their aluminium and PVC counterparts Venetian wood is also available in a medley of different colours and styles. However, the look of well-polished grain is as timeless as it is beautiful. The rich warmth of a well preserved and lacquered wood can easily give a facelift to the most ordinary looking room, which is why many people prefer to keep their venetian wood in the natural stage rather than painting it over so that it would be able to resemble its aluminium counterparts more closely.

An issue that many PVC and aluminium slats face is that they tend to lose their structural integrity after constant usage and many slats bend or fold over or otherwise break easily, thereby marring the overall look and finish of the window blind.

This is not the case with wooden blinds since they are both sturdier and usually thicker so that they could easily be able to handle even excessive strain, resulting from daily wear and tear.

Thanks to technological advancements, now many different types of venetian blinds are available with electrical controllers that are operated via remote control. However, such units are generally found with non-wooden blinds because of the comparatively heavier weight of the wood.

Nevertheless, there do exist many different types of heavy duty ‘electric venetian blind controls’ built specifically for venetian wood so that you would not have to get out of bed on a lazy day to open the blinds and let in some light and air in your room.

Venetian wood is available in a variety of different shapes and sizes to suit different tastes. Install an all wooden vertical blind in your home and you will not be disappointed.