Renovating
Expert Advice on How to Save Money on Window Treatments
Whether you're shopping for blinds, curtains or shutters, there are ways to bring the budget down
There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to window dressings, and being on a budget needn’t constrain your options. We asked a panel of professionals to share their top tips on where you can save and what’s worth paying for.
Professional advice from
Debbie Blott of DecorBuddy; Kim Haddon of Village Blinds; Gina Moore of Gina Moore; Daniel Savva of London Interior Shutters
Professional advice from
Debbie Blott of DecorBuddy; Kim Haddon of Village Blinds; Gina Moore of Gina Moore; Daniel Savva of London Interior Shutters
Trim ready-made blinds to fit
If you have what it takes to cut down ready-made blinds, soft-furnishing expert Gina Moore suggests investing in a sharp, retractable knife and a spirit level to keep your line straight.
“Put the brackets up first and measure very precisely between them before cutting down the actual blind tube and fabric,” she advises. “If possible, work at table height rather than on the floor. Line up the bottom of the blind with the edge of the table to make sure the cutting line you draw is square. Use a flattened-out cardboard box as a cutting board to protect your work surface.”
How to Dress Odd-Shaped Windows
If you have what it takes to cut down ready-made blinds, soft-furnishing expert Gina Moore suggests investing in a sharp, retractable knife and a spirit level to keep your line straight.
“Put the brackets up first and measure very precisely between them before cutting down the actual blind tube and fabric,” she advises. “If possible, work at table height rather than on the floor. Line up the bottom of the blind with the edge of the table to make sure the cutting line you draw is square. Use a flattened-out cardboard box as a cutting board to protect your work surface.”
How to Dress Odd-Shaped Windows
Be canny about the fabric you choose
If you’re happy to pay for someone to measure up, make and fit your blinds, save money by starting with low-cost materials. “Fabrics – even for roller blinds – come in several price bands,” Moore explains. “Always ask to look at the most economical ones first.”
If you’re happy to pay for someone to measure up, make and fit your blinds, save money by starting with low-cost materials. “Fabrics – even for roller blinds – come in several price bands,” Moore explains. “Always ask to look at the most economical ones first.”
You don’t have to worry so much about condensation in the bedroom and living room, but there are still practicalities to consider.
“It’s best to avoid very thick and textured fabrics, such as deep-pile velvet, because they make a blind heavy to pull up,” says Moore. “On the other hand, very flimsy fabrics, particularly synthetics, can end up looking anything but tailored. So, as a rough rule of thumb, choose a mid-weight, crisp fabric, such as a cotton or linen.”
“It’s best to avoid very thick and textured fabrics, such as deep-pile velvet, because they make a blind heavy to pull up,” says Moore. “On the other hand, very flimsy fabrics, particularly synthetics, can end up looking anything but tailored. So, as a rough rule of thumb, choose a mid-weight, crisp fabric, such as a cotton or linen.”
Seek out a made-to-measure service
If you can’t find ready-made curtains to suit – or you want a wider choice of fabrics – seek out a made-to-measure service. Alternatively, save money (and your feet) by taking your own measurements and submitting them to an online supplier.
Make sure you get a fabric swatch before you complete the order. “If you get a sample of the fabric and measure the curtains carefully, there shouldn’t be too much difficulty,” says Blott. “Problems occur when a sample isn’t requested and the colour or texture of the fabric isn’t as it appears online.”
Once your new curtains arrive, you can fit them yourself: just follow the advice from one of the many online ‘how to’ guides.
If you can’t find ready-made curtains to suit – or you want a wider choice of fabrics – seek out a made-to-measure service. Alternatively, save money (and your feet) by taking your own measurements and submitting them to an online supplier.
Make sure you get a fabric swatch before you complete the order. “If you get a sample of the fabric and measure the curtains carefully, there shouldn’t be too much difficulty,” says Blott. “Problems occur when a sample isn’t requested and the colour or texture of the fabric isn’t as it appears online.”
Once your new curtains arrive, you can fit them yourself: just follow the advice from one of the many online ‘how to’ guides.
Choose a simple style for custom-made
For window dressings that are truly tailored to your taste and home, you’ll need to contact a curtain-maker. As with all design projects, think through your needs carefully and look at samples of the maker’s work before placing an order.
Save money by going for a simple style, such as pencil pleats. “From the perspective of price, they take less time to make and need less fabric than pinch pleats and other, more complex designs,” Blott explains.
The drawback of bespoke curtains is that, as soon as the fabric is cut, it can’t be returned, so order a sample first. Also remember to ask how long the curtains will take to make – it’s likely to be several weeks.
Creative ways to dress tall windows
For window dressings that are truly tailored to your taste and home, you’ll need to contact a curtain-maker. As with all design projects, think through your needs carefully and look at samples of the maker’s work before placing an order.
Save money by going for a simple style, such as pencil pleats. “From the perspective of price, they take less time to make and need less fabric than pinch pleats and other, more complex designs,” Blott explains.
The drawback of bespoke curtains is that, as soon as the fabric is cut, it can’t be returned, so order a sample first. Also remember to ask how long the curtains will take to make – it’s likely to be several weeks.
Creative ways to dress tall windows
Research materials
Many fabrics work well for curtains, so the choice will come down to personal preference and the look you want to achieve. For example, some people love the style of natural linen, while others hate the creases. Cotton/linen mixes are popular and hang beautifully.
One fabric many people avoid is natural silk. It disintegrates quickly, can fall apart in the sunlight and the colours will fade. You’ll find man-made alternatives look great, are more durable and tend to be less costly.
In fact, man-made is often a good choice overall, whatever look you’re aiming for. “Don’t rule out man-made fabrics,” says Blott. “They’re extremely durable and can look gorgeous. Consider choosing a natural/synthetic mix to balance aesthetic and functional characteristics. A fabric with a high cotton content combined with a proportion of synthetic material – say 75 per cent/25 per cent – is a good-value option that should last.”
Linings will also boost the quality of your curtains: a good weight of lining fabric will make a cheaper, man-made fabric look more expensive. Just be wary of the weight. “If you’re hanging a large curtain, it can be extremely heavy, particularly if it’s lined, so avoid anything that’s too weighty and could pull a pole off the wall,” says Blott.
Many fabrics work well for curtains, so the choice will come down to personal preference and the look you want to achieve. For example, some people love the style of natural linen, while others hate the creases. Cotton/linen mixes are popular and hang beautifully.
One fabric many people avoid is natural silk. It disintegrates quickly, can fall apart in the sunlight and the colours will fade. You’ll find man-made alternatives look great, are more durable and tend to be less costly.
In fact, man-made is often a good choice overall, whatever look you’re aiming for. “Don’t rule out man-made fabrics,” says Blott. “They’re extremely durable and can look gorgeous. Consider choosing a natural/synthetic mix to balance aesthetic and functional characteristics. A fabric with a high cotton content combined with a proportion of synthetic material – say 75 per cent/25 per cent – is a good-value option that should last.”
Linings will also boost the quality of your curtains: a good weight of lining fabric will make a cheaper, man-made fabric look more expensive. Just be wary of the weight. “If you’re hanging a large curtain, it can be extremely heavy, particularly if it’s lined, so avoid anything that’s too weighty and could pull a pole off the wall,” says Blott.
TELL US
What have you learned about window treatments from buying them for your own home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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10 Modern Ideas for Curtains
Find curtain, blinds and shutters professionals
What have you learned about window treatments from buying them for your own home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Modern Ideas for Curtains
Find curtain, blinds and shutters professionals
Ready-made blinds tend to be your cheapest option, whether you buy online or in-store. Look out for Roman blinds (pictured), roller blinds (generally made of stiffened material and raised and lowered by a sidewinder chain) or Venetian blinds (made of fabric, aluminium, wood or wood-effect horizontal slats that can be raised, lowered and tilted to let in just the right amount of light).
You’ll find ready-made blinds in a range of sizes, but if these are a little too large for your window, you can cut roller blinds to size yourself (see below) or find a professional to help.