The kids have just left home, and we are redecorating their rooms. I'm finally going to get the home office that I've always wanted, and my husband is going to get a sewing room. It's an amazing feeling to be entering into this new stage of our life. We need to redecorate the rooms a fair bit - as I don't think that anyone is going to take me seriously on work video conferencing calls in a black walled room with rock posters behind me! This blog is all about redecorating your empty nest so that you can make the most of your extra space.
Choosing a new colour scheme
3 Mistakes You May Make When Merging Curtains and Blinds
Tony Ward
Your choice of window treatment can dramatically improve the décor of your space. While many people think that you have to choose between curtains and blinds, the truth is that you can pair them together to improve privacy and ensure adequate insulation and light-blocking. However, pairing curtains and blinds should be done carefully to ensure that the effect comes out right without overwhelming the space. Read on to learn what not to do.
1. Choosing your curtains before blinds
When pairing curtains and blinds, consider that curtains are more versatile – there are countless choices in fabric, style, colours and prints. However, depending on the blinds you choose, you have fewer, more basic options. Therefore, choose your blinds first – venetian blinds and roller blinds are popular choices – and then find curtains that can match those blinds.
For instance, timber blinds are ideal for a more natural feel, and you can choose curtains with the same feel. You can also choose curtains to introduce a burst of colour depending on your decorative theme.
2. Choosing print for both
The first rule in design is that often less is more. If you're going for printed/patterned curtains, solid coloured blinds and best and vice versa. Having a print on both curtains and blinds will overpower the room, rather than creating a complementary focal point for the rest of the theme. If you're working with a small room with a lot of eye-catching elements, it may be best to skip prints altogether in favour of plain/lightly-patterned curtains and blinds.
Prints/patterns in both are only ideal in minimalistic decorative themes, where a print or patterned window dressing can balance out the space. If you have textured timber blinds for instance, solid-coloured curtains in a muted shade work well to bring out the texture. You can also create contrast with carefully selected patterns
3. Going extra-plain on the windows
Some people may feel that having curtains and blinds is overpowering enough for a space, and therefore decide to go plain and muted with both treatments. This is only ideal if you're in a formal setting such as an office. In your home, feel free to accessorise your window treatments to improve their look and feel.
Fancy decorative tiebacks, such as metallic tiebacks with tassels, can be used to drape curtains during the day. You can also add decorative pieces to be seen only when the curtains are drawn back. Pelmets are another great way to finish up your window treatments, and you have a host of design styles to choose from e.g. recessed pelmets to conceal the curtain box and/or tracks. Pelmets can also improve the insulation and light-blocking in the space. Roman blinds look especially sophisticated when paired with pelmets.
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