Your windows are a vital part of your mobile home. Living in a home without windows could be like living in a world without a sky. We love the light that the windows let in — and the corresponding cheeriness. But not all windows are created equal. Some look dirty and bare and could surely use a pick-me-up. Today’s article exists to help you create windows that not only let in light and beauty but also look great and blend with your room’s design.
Why DIY?
Naturally, when it comes to home decor, hiring a designer is one option. That way, you can walk into your beautifully furnished home, breathe a sigh of delight, and start settling in right away. However, hiring a designer isn’t the right option for everyone.
For one thing, when you hire a designer, you have to pay her. And that’s out of budget for some of us. Second, you might have more fun and feel more invested in the redesign project if you take it on yourself as opposed to hiring it out.
1 – Valances
Valances are a great choice when you don’t want to limit your window treatment to the top of the window. Since they consist of a strip of cloth running across the upper area of the window, they don’t cover up too much of your gorgeous view.
Valances for every room and occasion
Let’s explore a few scenarios where you might opt for a valance. First, there’s the kitchen—a heartwarming space where people gather and are fed. Kitchens vary tremendously in their overall aesthetic.
Some are meant to be warm and cozy with a vintage country vibe. Others are open, full of white from cabinets to ceiling to subway-tiled backsplash. Still others might embrace a French country look or even a punchy retro appearance.
Valances in the kitchen
If you prefer for your curtains to be confined to the upper part of your window, try fitting a valance to any of the above styles.
- For a country kitchen, try small gingham checks—or even larger buffalo checks for greater visual impact.
- For an easygoing, light kitchen, try a simple white valance with a few ruffles, perhaps.
- For a kitchen filled with white, a white valance may be a natural option. However, you might be well served by highlighting another neutral or color. For instance, if you have a slate blue color elsewhere in the kitchen, try incorporating it into your valance. Or use a patterned valance with that color in it.
Valances in the living room or bedroom
Valances could also be a great choice in other areas of your home. And if you thought that valances were limited to the simple, straightforward kind, be prepared to think again. Actually, there are plenty of valance options with a little extra kick.
For a touch of whimsy, try an outside-the-box valance. When you need a valance that offers a little more coverage, try a swag valance. Or go with a series of scoops for a sophisticated twist on your usual valance.
Get started with valances
Your valance is as close as your nearest home furnishings store—or even your local hypermarket. Plus, you’ll be able to find a wide variety by shopping online. You can even craft your own. Check out Home Decor Sewing School | How to Make a Window Valance.
Shop around a bit for ideas and inspiration. You could even try taking a photo of your room and keeping it with you as you look at your options. Next, you’ll need to decide what kind of valance you want. Will it be simple and understated? Or does your room call for something upscale and even glamorous?
Make or buy?
You’ll also need to decide if you’re going to make or buy. Once you’ve nailed down the general style of the valance and whether to make or buy, move on to selecting the actual valance you’ll shoot for. If you’re buying, simply return to the favorites you saw in your search for inspiration. Maybe a top pick with jump out at you. If you’re making it, it’s time to select a pattern and choose the fabric.
Now, you have one other key task—choose the curtain rod. Exactly what you do here will depend on the look you’re going for and the style of the valance you’ve chosen. Some valances will completely enclose the curtain rod.
And if that’s the case, you don’t have to be too choosy about your rod. Simply ensure that you find a rod that can be attached properly to the type of window frame you have. Or, if you’ll need to attach it to the wall outside the window frame, shop with that in mind.
However, some valances will be perfectly suited to a visible curtain rod. And if that’s the case, then you definitely want to put thought into your rod. Rods themselves can range from sophisticated, metallic-looking ones to rustic wood ones to unique ones.
Hang the rod
Depending on your current setup, you may need to start from scratch to hang a rod for your valances. Your curtain setup may be secured to the wall around your window or to the window frame itself. Either way, you’ll need to secure the items that the rod will hang on. Take a look at Home Depot’s How to Hang Curtain Rods to get you started.
2 – Roman shades
Sometimes, however, you’ll need more window coverage than what a valance will provide. While you can pair a valance with a simple drop-down or pull down window shades or even plastic blinds, you can also use a more sophisticated option—Roman shades.
They sound exotic, but they’re actually pretty simple. In fact, you may have seen them before but simply not known them by that name. Remember the shades you’ve seen (perhaps fabric, but not necessarily) that form folds at the top of the window when retracted, but are flat in front of the window face when fully extended?
Roman shades could be your window treatment of choice if you need the option to cover the window’s entire face but don’t want drapes hanging at the window sides. Roman blinds can give you great sunlight-blocking power while leaving the space at the window edges clean and unadorned.
Ways to use Roman shades
Minimalists rejoice. Maybe you’ve been trying desperately to avoid window treatments because you don’t like the look of curtains draping either side of your window. Plus, you’re not a fan of the unfinished look that comes from installing a plastic shade in your window frame. Still, you’ve realized that you do need something to cover up those windows before the sun leaves fade marks on your furniture.
Well, your worries are over because Roman shades can keep the sun out while preserving an understated appearance in your room. For instance, you’ll love the simplicity of this ivory Roman blind.
Naturally, understated is not always the look your going for. But, never fear, Roman shades have your back there, too. You can actually amp up the sophistication by choosing a more appropriate Roman shade design.
For instance, if you have a Bohemian style in your living room, you might need an outside-the-box blind. For a home with a southwestern flair, maybe you need something along the lines of this colorful and unique Roman shade.
Looking for simple country warmth or even beach-inspired breeziness? Check out this striped shade for inspiration. Colorful punchiness isn’t off the table either with Roman shades like the first one pictured here.
3 – Drapes and curtains
While we could dig into the difference between curtains and drapes, we won’t. And for the purposes of today’s discussion, we’re going to lump them both together. They’re your perfect option when you need plenty of coverage and want to lean into the power of fabric as it hangs. Still, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from—drapes that will make your room look cozy or posh or simple or elegant.
Drapes and curtains for your dining room
If you have tall glass doors that open from your dining area to your back porch, then drapes might be just the thing for you. In fact, some drapes could actually help you decrease your energy consumption. With gorgeous sunlight streaming through those sliding glass doors all hour of the day, you may be looking for an option to shade you from the sunlight when necessary.
The great news is that while you may think of them as the long tapestry-like fabric that hung from windows in Victorian homes of old, that is not the only option out there. In fact, just like we’ve illustrated with your other window treatment options, you should be able to shape these for whatever situation you happen to have.
When you need a deep, dark look
Some rooms are just made to be warm and cozy. Whether because of the furniture you have or the carpeting you’ve chosen, you may be looking for curtains and drapes that will fill out your deep, sophisticated look. What are some options for you?
Imagine a home library or office, filled already with shelves of books and a mahogany desk. For that environment, could you get more classic than deep red tapestry-inspired drapes? We think not. Take it to the next level by using gold tassel tiebacks for extra sophistication.
While red may promote a classic look, other options could be just as beautiful depending on your style. Blue drapes could serve you well—adding elegance and stateliness. Perhaps something like these velvet blue curtains for your living room or bedroom.
When you need a fresh, light look
Not all rooms need dark curtains, however. And if you’re already cultivating a fresh, breezy ambiance with as much natural light as you can get, you might just need to take a different route. A gentle white could be just the medicine your room needs—whether it’s a dining room or even a sunroom. If you need something with a touch more elegance, try these neutral streaming drapes.
Still, your space may need curtains with a little more character. And for the nautical among us, what could be more perfect than these beautiful wide stripes.
Get those windows looking perfect
Of course, the window treatment you choose isn’t the only part of the equation. Other window elements could affect your overall look. For one thing, the quality of the window and the shape it’s in might come into play.
If you have a visibly cheap window or one that’s had to handle too much wear and tear over time, you might consider replacing the window (or windows) before you get started with window treatments. To learn more about windows, check out our FAQ: Can You Put Regular House Windows In A Mobile Home?
Another thing to keep in mind is that a clean window is always going to look better than a dirty one. After all, whether you choose valances, drapes, Roman shades, or some other option, there will be times when the window treatment isn’t obscuring the view through the glass—like when your shade is up or your curtains are tied back.
Clean those windows
And when that time comes, you’ll want the view to the outside world pure and clean—without streaks or spatters. Put in whatever work is necessary to make this happen. Some windows can be cleaned completely from inside the house. Others…well, let’s just say they might require a little extra hard work and even ingenuity. But, grab that ladder or stepstool, drag it outside the house, and get to work!
And don’t forget the plastic or metal casing that surrounds the window. That can get dirty, too. In fact, it can get more than dirty. It can get downright disgusting thanks to exposure to the elements or to mold and mildew born of condensation build-up.
Warm, soapy water should help you fix this. If necessary grab a cleaning toothbrush and get its small head to work cleaning hard-to-reach spots. You’ll be surprised at what an impact this can have.
DIY your favorite type of window treatment
Why hire someone else to create beautiful windows in your home if you can do it yourself? Not only can you have fun dreaming up what the design should look like, but you can also shop around for the best deals or make the treatment yourself. Then, you can tune up your windows and fix any window problems you may have. Finally, hang curtain rods or otherwise prep the space and get those beautiful window treatments hanging at last! Of course, the very last step is to spend time in the space and enjoy its new look.
About EZ Homes Design Team
