blackout shades | Home Makeover Diva

Cheap Cellular Shades

09.09.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Kathy writes:

Can you find cheap cellular shades? I saw your article on hunter douglas but I don’t want to spend that much. I’m purchasing them for a vacation home and don’t want to spend that much money on somewhere we only spend a couple of months out of the year. What do you suggest?

Kathy, I don’t blame you for not wanting to spend as much money in your vacation home. If you’re just looking for cheap cellular shades there are many options out there. First of all, you can dramatically reduce the price by purchasing something off the shelf instead of something special ordered. This can be done by shopping online to more locally at home improvement stores. With just a little research I’m sure you’ll find something that is right for your vacation home! Here are a few places you could go to check out prices and available selections.

1) Lowes – Lowes Improvement stores have a couple different styles in stock that are ready to go. Most stores carry at least two brands; Levolor and allen + roth. At the store near my house, they carry Levolor Cellulars that can be cut down to size, happen to be cordless and offer the blackout option. The color is a neutral off white called “sand” and I remember the price being pretty reasonable considering they’re cordless and blackout options included. The allen + roth cellulars were also cordless but they didn’t offer the blackout option. That said, they did come in a nice tan/brown color that was very reasonably priced at under $50 for a 47″ wide by 58″ high cellular shade.

2) Super Centers – Also check out local super centers. I know that places like Target, Fred Meyer and even Walmart are starting to carry select colors and sizes in stock and online. I was surprised to find that top down/ bottom up cellular shades were available at Target here recently. The color is neutral and the price is $39.99 for a 23″ W x 64″ H shade. Sizes are limited but depending on your window size, you may be able to make it work out.

3) On the Web – Don’t forget to look online. There are a ton of virtual storefronts offering cheap cellular shades. Just grab a list of your sizes and start your search from there. If you know what size you are looking for, it’s easier to compare prices from site to site. There are places like Blinds Galore which is a great site that has a lot of choices. Perhaps instead you can look at discount sites and department stores such as JCPenny or Sears. You’ll find a plethora of choices once you start searching.

No matter where you look, whether it be locally or online, I’m confident you’ll be able to find some cheap cellular shades that fit the bill for your vacation home. Just grab your window sizes and start searching!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Budget Sun Blocking Shades

02.13.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Marissa writes:

Dear Diva, the heat is finally getting to me. My house is so hot I can’t stand to stay home during the day. I’m miserable! I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend, so can you suggest some budget sun blocking shades?

Marissa, I applaud you for making it this long into the summer before cracking down and seeking out sun blocking shade options. However, I’m sure you’ll wish you had acted sooner when you see how budget friendly your options really are!

One of the best options for sun blocking shades are old fashioned roller shades. These shades are still like the ones your grandmother or grade school used and they are still just as effective at blocking the sun. Since we are seeking out the budget friendly version you’ll want to look for in stock rather than the custom version. You’ll find the best prices either online or in home improvement stores. At the budget friendly price, expect to find these shades available in either white or cream. And if you have a large window, you may need to double up with two or more shades because they are only available up to 72″ wide. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $50 or less depending on the amount of sun you are expecting to block. On the plus side, these types of shades are also usually cordless so they are a great choice if you have kids or pets in your home. However the spring roller mechanism is not the most hearty so you will want to treat them like fine china if you expect them to last longer than a year.

Another option for sun blocking shades are the ones you install on the outside of your home. You can find these as inexpensive as $15 at home improvement and big box stores in a standard size of 6 feet. This variety often will come in a pvc/vinyl composite in white or tan, and will block some of the sun before it hits your windows. For a much more effective way to block sun you will might want to check out Coolaroo shades. While they are more expensive than the previously mentioned outdoor shades, they will also block considerably more of the sun’s heat from coming in your window. Plus they are better at preserving your view. These shades will cost up to a $100 but will last much longer as well.

The last option to mention is more temporary. But if you don’t intend on using these shades for months on end, consider going with a temporary pleated shaded. While these shades are better suited as temporary blinds they will help to cut down on the some of the heat you are experiencing right now. The blackout kind will provide the most amount of heat reduction. And will cost less than $10 depending on the window size and shape. These blinds are usually made out of paper or vinyl and stick to the window sill using a double stick tape. You won’t have a lot of control as far as when you want to let light in, but you will be providing another layer of protection to block out some of the heat.

Depending on which option you choose, you could be spending as little as $10 per window and will be providing almost instant relief from the sun. With choices as expensive as these you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to invest in budget sun blocking shades!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Vignette Traditional Shades

10.23.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Amelia writes:

I need some help with the upcoming winter. Here fairly soon, we are going to be seeing snow. And this means I will have to tolerate the usual East Coast cold winters and dark, gloomy days. Even when the sun is sort of shining, I want window coverings that give the interior of my home a bright, summer-like feeling. Is there anything out there in the window covering world that might be able to provide me with any of this?

Amelia, today is your lucky day. After doing some thinking, I remembered a particular shade that fits most windows that I believe will foot the bill nicely. Might I suggest, Vignette Traditional Shades. A roman shade to be precise, Vignette Traditional Shades are attractive and very easy to use. Available in 94 combinations, going with Vignette Traditional Shades has a lot going for it. Here is a feature list for you to consider.

– Clean and contemporary. Best suited for contemporary home environments, Vignette Traditional Shades are made with high quality fabrics that put them into a class all their own in contrast to other roman shades available on the market.

– Light control. Because not everyone wants blackout shades or roman shades that let in too much light, Hunter Douglas Vignette Traditional Shades are available in three light control choices to meet your needs.

– Up or down, you’re in control. With a choice of two corded options and one cordless, you can select the design that is best for you. Retractable cord, continuous loop or just plain cordless.

– Let the motor do the work. Wired and wireless motorized shade control options are available. This is perfect when using shades that might otherwise be considered out of reach by hand.

– Better R-value for your windows. Remember asking about a shade that would make the place feel “more summer-like” during the cold winter months? How about a shade that does this by preventing the heat from escaping while allowing in just enough light to make the room feel inviting?

And there you have it. While you will be tasked with finding the right color to match your room decor, the really hard stuff is already done for you. And because of the way this roman shade handles light while maintaining the room’s ambiance, I think you will agree that Hunter Douglas Vignette Traditional Shade are a smart choice when trying to brighten up a cold winter.

Blackout Cellular Blinds

05.08.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Rick writes:

Diva, are blackout cellular blinds really worth the extra money?

Yes Rick, they are. I know a lot of the blackout cellular blinds on the market don’t “feel” very substantial. Many of them have a “papery feel” to them. But in terms of light blocking and energy efficiency, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Blackout cellular blinds (aka blackout cellular shades) are the most room darkening cellular shade you can get. Blackout cellulars will stop virtually all light from permeating through the shade itself. Where light leaks will happen, is along the edge of the shade where it hits the casing, and on the bottom where the blackout cellular blind touches the sill.

Now this is a good time to mention that you need to use a steel tape to measure the inside of your window from casing to casing to the nearest 1/8 of inch. That or have a professional measure your window for you if you’re not comfortable. This way you can keep the light leaking in to a minimum.

On top of being the most room darkening, blackout cellular blinds also are the most energy efficient of the cellular blinds. So if you are also trying to be eco friendly or keep the heat out during the summer and the cold our during the winter blackout cellular blinds will help with that too!

Blackout cellular blinds are made by all manufacturers of special order cellular shades. However the color selection is still lacking from most manufacturers, so you may have to do some shopping around before you find the color or texture that is right for your space! Even with the limitation in color blackout cellular blinds are worth every cent when you consider how much light they block and that they are energy efficient.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Blackout Roller Blinds

05.08.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

This is the time of year where we really start noticing the sunshine and not always in a good way! Naps get cut short and “sleeping in” is interrupted by the sun streaming through the window at the most inopportune times. No matter if you just want your little ones to stay in bed longer or whether you can’t sleep yourself now is a good time to consider blackout roller blinds.

Whether they’re going in your room or a kids room, the blinds don’t have to ruin the decor. Blackout roller blinds can be installed behind other window treatments as long as you’ve got enough depth in your window casing.

You can purchase regular old-fashioned spring roller blackout blinds at home stores or online for cheap. A great feature about the old-fashioned spring roller is that it is cordless so you don’t have to be concerned about safety with kids and pets.

Since this option is cheap, don’t expect a lot of color choices. Most come standard in white or cream, with more color choices few and far between. If you would like to add some personality to your shades don’t forget they can be painted. Check out this link from Martha Stewart’s site on Stenciled Roller Shades.

If you don’t want just plain white and you don’t want to paint blackout roller blinds, then checkout the options available via custom order. Custom order blackout blinds come in many colors and fabric choices, so you’re sure to find something more decor friendly that will match the style of your room. You can also choose what type of valance you want to finish off your window.

Custom shades also are available with more control options. So if the blackout blind is in an area that is hard to reach you can get a continuous cord loop or a remote control to make operating the blind easier. Just keep in mind that many of these options do cost extra.

No matter your style or budget, you don’t have to let the sun keep you or your kids up this time year. There are blackout roller blinds available for every budget and every style!