Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Cheap Cellular Shades

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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.Cheap Cellular Shades

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!

Choosing Cordless Wood Blinds

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Today Alice writes:

Recently my husband and I have accepted that we are in dire need of an update on our window blinds. Unfortunately however, we’re stuck on choosing cordless wood blinds over wood blinds with a cord. We’re just not sure which choice of blind makes the most sense? Please help us Diva, we are lost on this one!

Alice, you are not alone in dealing trying to figure this out. Choosing cordless wood blinds or not is one of the most common questions I have had recently. Sadly, there is never an easy answer. Basically it comes down to this – do you have children or pets needing to be safe from blind cords? I ask this as choosing this type of blind largely depends on whether there’s a need for them or not. If you have kids or pets potentially getting caught up in the blind cords, then clearly going with cordless blinds is the best option. If however, you do not have kids or pets, then you will have more flexibility when thinking of new blinds. Odds are a corded wood blind would more than meet your needs. The only deciding factor left in this case is really appearance.

Now not to add to your indecision here, but have you also considered what kind of light control you are shooting for? TV rooms, bedrooms and so forth you will generally want to make sure you are buying wood blinds that will give you maximum light control so you can use your window treatments to block out the sun.

Levolor for instance, has wood blinds available at most big box stores, that offer something called Lightmaster ™ . Basically this is a wood blind feature that will give you the best in light control for your blinds. Hence, when they’re shut – they’re shut. As for the corner styles, etc. Well, that is more something that you have to browse around and see what appeals most to you personally. Most people go with the standard corners, but there is something to be said about the aesthetic value of a rounded corner in a blind as well. And as you can see, installing these blinds is very easy to do. Just watch the video for a quick how-to.

That’s all there really is to choosing a great set of wood blinds. Deciding on going cordless or not, really just comes down to what your lifestyle requires. In most cases, using coded blinds is just fine and even better, they are cheaper in most cases as well. With any luck, my thoughts above helped you in selecting the right blinds for your needs. Good luck!

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