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Replace ugly slat blinds with ... what?

We are finally ready to deal with the ugly slat blinds that came with our house, but I have no idea how to go about it. Do I measure the windows and go buy curtains (at Target? where?) that fit? Is the hardware separate? Is it better to just go with a company like 3-Day Blinds? Is there one around here that people like? I am not sewing-enabled so can't make anything myself. My husband is handy and could install something. Although, we don't even really know what we want. Would appreciate any advice regarding a starting point to tackle this project! thanks!

P.S. I went to 3-Day Blinds before discovering blinds.com, and they could not have less helpful, and it really should be called 3-Week Blinds, based on waht they told me. Buyer beware for them. I love my blinds!

For windows with curtains, yes, the hardware is separate. In fact, you can go ahead and buy and install it now while you shop around for the exact curtain you want. Installation is mostly a matter of getting the curtain rod level, and the rest is simple drilling and screws. Then find the curtain. Measuring is pretty easy, because it's mostly the length measurement that will vary. Just decide how long you want it and go from there. There are just a few standard sizes. Yes, Target (and Target.com) does have a good number of curtains - we bought a couple of ours there. And many other online and brick-and-mortar stores will have them too.

Shades have the advantages of increased energy efficiency, greater privacy (you can make sure it covers every inch of the window), and permanence. We ended up going with Home Depot and used their installation services, which worked out well, but there are other companies where you can just buy them online and do the installation yourself if you feel confident. We did our ''main'' window in wooden shutters (expensive) and the rest in honeycomb shades, which provide a decent amount of insulation. We got the ''cordless'' and ''up-down'' options which mean that you can raise it from below (like a traditional blind) OR lower it from above if you just want to let in some light but still have privacy. And there are no dangling cords. We have been quite happy with the way they turned out.

I found this to be a somewhat overwhelming process given that window coverings weren't something I thought I cared much about (par for the course in homeownership I guess!) but if you take it one step or one window at a time it will be ok! good luck

Bedroom - top down bottom up Roman Shades from the Shade Store - http://www.theshadestore.com/ They have a showroom on Fillmore so you can look and feel the materials. Somehow I gt at 25% coupon from them

Living Room - top down bottom up honeycomb blinds from Smith + Noble - http://www.smithandnoble.com/shades/honeycomb-shades/ We wanted extra insulation in that room, and while I don't love the look, Honeycomb does provide that. For how much these were, I am disappointed in how they are holding up. They are already really stretched out, and we've only had them a few months.

A less expensive option is American Blinds - http://www.americanblinds.com/ We got a bunch of woven wood shades from them which are very good looking. The finish on the top leave a bit to be desired, but who, other than me, notices?

All of these folks will send you free samples. privacy intact

However, our living room is curved and has six windows, so we went with honeycomb shades for a more tailored, unfussy look. We got the top-down option so that we could retain privacy but still get the sunlight we wanted.

I love the look of the top-down shades in our living room... however, we bought ours from 3 Day Blinds 5 years ago, and 1 blind broke a year ago, while 2 others just recently kicked it. So I DO NOT recommend using 3 Day Blinds. They are very expensive and if you do a Yelp search, you'll see that they have very poor ratings from other customers, as well.

We just ordered new top-down honeycomb shades from Blinds.com, and while we have not received them yet, their website is easy to use and gives clear instructions on how to measure your windows to get the right fit. Also, the cost was way cheaper than 3 Day Blinds, and reviews on the company seem to be excellent. So maybe check them out, if you want to do shades.

As for our curtains, we bought simple, colorful curtains for our sons' room at Target - they were very cheap and have lasted for years, so we're happy. We have IKEA curtains in the remaining 2 bedrooms, and they're very nice, as well (though I wish the ones in the master bedroom were a bit heavier - they let in too much light in the morning - something to consider, as well).

IKEA has a good selection, but be aware that you will probably need to cut the curtains to size, as I believe IKEA only sells one (very long) length. They do provide an iron- on tape so that you can fold the curtains to the size you want, iron on the hemming tape, and then cut the excess away, but I have found that this only works in theory... our daughter's curtains were very thick and the hemming tape did not work on them, so I ended up having to take them to a seamstress. It was not cheap, but still worth it, I think, because the curtains are beautiful and high quality, and would have probably been 2x as expensive at Pottery Barn or wherever. Good luck, and have fun! Window Coverings Can Be Fun

They're local. Really nice people. They know their stuff (wander through their shop and you can find shades from 50 years ago and 5 days ago - it's a real Berkeley treasure)

You can see, touch, try, and understand shade, curtain, and blind variations. They'll tell you how to measure your windows (or they'll measure and install).

They're at Telegraph and Alcatraz. Cliff

Window Treatments for Sliding Glass Door

i'm trying to choose window treatments for our windows and glass doors and had decided on honeycomb cell shades for energy efficiency & appearance. however, now i am not so sure because- 1. i wasn't sold on verticals for sliding glass doors, but didn't know what else to do and 2. will likely be torn up easily by small kids. i still would like cell shades on the windows but would love alternative ideas for the doors. i thought about window panels (like at ikea) but again, my 2 yr old will definitely hang all over those. would it be weird to have cell shades and another type of window treatment in the same room? maybe just waiting till kids are older?

Window Coverings for Rental House

I am a renter in a cute rental house in Oakland. I figure that my family will be here for a while so I want to invest in some home improvements to make it more comfortable and appealing to me. First on the list is wall coverings. Like many rentals this house has the dreaded venetian blinds that are tattered and bent. You know the ones? The formal dining room and living room - where I'd like to start - each have lots of windows (covering 1 full wall each) that are not traditional sizes. I'd like to spend some money for attractive window coverings - but not go overboard since its not likely that I will be able to use them in future homes. I like the blinds that open from the bottom up (versus the pull down) to give some privacy but also sun light (house is a one story bungalow) - but I am open to other suggestions as well. Thanks for any suggestions about types of coverings and places to buy them inexpensively. Kate

If you want to go the custom route, the home depot website is pretty user friendly. Some of the filters are a little weird with the results they generate. But lots of good instructions for how to measure. They have several brands to choose from and you can look at the in store sample books for fabric swatches, then order online free swatches of the ones you like the best. They also offer various promotions. Best of luck! jessica

Quick window treatments for privacy

We have 4 large (85'' x 60'') south and west-facing windows for which we need window treatments. When time and budget allow, we will install drapes, but in the meantime, we need advice on how to get some privacy from the street and light filtration. Energy efficiency would be a big bonus. Needs include 1) we love natural light and would like to get it filtered into the house 2) avoid glare on television 3) provide some privacy from street traffic during day and night 4) allow us to look out and see outdoors, preferably when others cannot see in at the same time. Of course we would also like an eco-friendly and economical solution. It looks like neighbors have sheers or honeycombs or horizontal blinds. Any advice on sheers (types, brands, stores) or honeycombs or a solution we might have missed? Thoughts are appreciated. --The Inept Decorator anon

You did say you wanted to allow light in but provide privacy during the day though and I wouldn't say the honeycombs we have are very good for that. But there is a style of honeycomb shades called Day/Night that basically have 2 parts, a sheer shade for daytime privacy but allows light in, and another part for nighttime that provides more privacy and light filtering.

When we were first considering honeycombs we went to Alcatraz Shade Shop to see the floor models and figure out what the different styles/features/etc were. Then we ordered color samples from blinds.com and made our decision. Good luck. Chris

Someone to install affordable window coverings

I need to replace the window coverings in my family room and kitchen. It is a very high traffic area. I would like recommendations on an individual/company that provides great quality and especially AFFORDABLE window coverings. It is frightening how expensive they can be! anon

Sliding glass door - alternative to vertical blinds

Does anyone have a recommendation for an alternative to vertical blinds (those long, plastic blinds that slide back and forth across the window) for a sliding glass door? We currently have vertical blinds, but only on this one window/door (as we needed privacy, but couldn't think of anything else), and I don't like the look of them, especially when closed. Any ideas? Thanks! Molly

Best window covering for insulation

My son's bedroom gets full southern exposure throughout the day. On warm days it becomes like an oven. We can't open the windows due to his bad allergies so we are looking into the best window coverings to block the heat. We have a regular pleated shade over the window and denim panels on a rod outside of the window. Do the triple cell shades really help or am I better off trying something else? Baking in the Hills