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Tips for Cleaning Your Blinds

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If you haven’t completed your spring cleaning yet, you aren’t the only one. There are still some of us out there that are putting it off until we absolutely have to get it done. While the list is probably plenty for you to handle, there’s a chance that you’ve caught glances of your window treatments and realized that they could really use a good cleaning. If you can’t remember the last time that they were cleaned, then it’s definitely time to prioritize them this spring. Below are a few of the tips that we’ve found helpful if you have no idea where to start.

Cleaning Slats

There are a few different window treatments that you might have with slats. These are often the ones that become a little daunting with the dust that they collect. The slats really give you the perfect glimpse of how much dust is on them as the sun shines through, and they also make it look incredibly terrifying when you consider what type of work you’ll have to do to remove all of that dust. Luckily there are a few things that you can do to make the process a little bit easier on yourself.

One Direction

This is an incredible tip that you can make the most of that will provide you with a little easier of a cleanup. Whether you use a duster, a paper towel or a rag, sweeping in one direction will make it so that all of your slats are cleaned off. The primary benefit of this is that you don’t see any dust clusters that are randomly left throughout the blinds or shutters.

This also allows for you to collect dust in one place. If you’re cleaning shutters, then you can use the end of the panel as a place to collect the dust that you’ve just wiped over. If you have blinds that you’re cleaning you can easily wipe them off and collect them onto whichever cleaning tool that you’re using. This leads us to our next point.

A Splash of Water

Dust can be a frustrating substance to clean up, mostly because it’s pretty difficult to get to stick to anything, which makes it float around and feel like all the cleaning you’re doing is pointless. After you watch this, you inevitably feel like it’s going to settle and wind up right back where it started. What can make this whole process easier is dampening the towel or duster that you use can get the dust on your window treatment to stick to the cloth, rather than kick back up. Once you’ve collected all of the dust, it’s really easy to shake it into the trash bag or throw it into the washer, and then you’re left with a clean rag and clean window treatments.

Be Gentle

Your blinds might provide you with quite a bit of protection from the sun, and an added efficiency to your home, but the truth is that they’re still fragile and require care. When you are rough as you clean your window treatments, you open up the chance of damaging them. This can lead to needing to replace them, which is much more expensive than simply cleaning them.

Pull Down Coverings

If you don’t have window coverings with slats, chances are that they are pull down coverings that are going to be a little more sensitive to cleaning techniques. With those, the best way to clean off dust is going to be dampening a duster and softly collecting the dust as you make your way down the blinds. The same way that you focus from one side to the other with your blinds, you’re going to want to start from the top and make your way down the blinds. This helps you evenly clean the dust off your blinds, but also makes it easy to collect all of the dust at the bottom of the blinds.

Arjays Window Furnishings provides you with the wide selection that you need to find the perfect fit for your home. Make sure to stay caught up with our blog post so that you can learn more tips and tricks for taking care of your window coverings.

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When to Consider Replacing Your Coverings

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Home improvement, in itself, is a project that doesn’t ever really seem to end. There are so many things that constantly need to be done, and even when it feels like you’re getting a grip on the list, there is that one project that lingers in the back of your head that you know you should be working on. At Arjay’s Window Furnishings, window treatments are our specialties and we know that while they may not seem like a huge project because they’re never going to entirely stop serving their purpose, they do need to be replaced at some point in time.

These are some of the signs that you might recognize when it’s time for you to finally switch out the window treatments in your home.

Rule of Thumb

On average, most people will replace their window treatments every 7 or 8 years. This is usually about the time that progression has been made in regards to the styling and techniques of window finishings, and at this point in time any upgrade that you make with your window coverings will be an upgrade in aesthetics and energy efficiency. If you’re not entirely sure whether or not your window coverings have made it to this point, then the following things are worth taking into consideration before you commit to updating them.

Warped or Bent

One of the clearest signs that it’s time to replace your blinds will be physical signs of bent or warped parts. This is primarily the case with mini blinds, but can also be a huge part of other window coverings that you install in your home. If you have any creases in your window coverings, whether they be mini blinds or any of the shades that you pull down, you should consider getting them replaced. This can make it difficult to take advantage of energy efficiency, but can also completely take away the purpose of having window coverings at all.

They Don’t Work

When you install window fashions in your home, you invest in them so that they can provide coverage and control with natural light, but also so that they can increase the efficiency of your home. If you have blinds or window coverings that aren’t doing that, then it is beyond time to switch them out. Something that all creators of window coverings work to complete, at the very least, is have a fashion that will be efficient and get the job done.

At times this could be as easy as switching them out for a new set of blinds, but it could also serve as an opportunity to see what other types of fashions are available. There may be a new style that better suits your needs or one that better suits your aesthetic preferences. Regardless, being able to see what other options are out there and how they can provide you with more coverage, more control or higher levels of efficiency is always worth looking into.

Outdated

We said it at the beginning, but 7 to 8 years is the standard amount of time that people will wait before having their window coverings changed. That may seem like a solid amount of time to wait in regards to making a purchase that big, but it is enough time for there to be some pretty big changes in the interior design world. When you look at your window coverings, do they seem outdated? Do they still hold the room together and allow for there to be a unique feel and style? If your window fashions aren’t contributing anything to your room, then it is at least worth looking into other styles and designs that you can choose from and see if they can provide you with anything more.

If you are thinking that it is time to look into some new window coverings, you can count on Arjay’s Window Fashions to have a wide selection for you to choose from. Are you interested in learning more about the options that are out there? Call our team and we can schedule a time for a consultation where we can show you options and give you a quote on adding these window fashions to your home.

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Go Minimalist with White Window Treatments

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In the past, white window treatments may have been considered “dull” and “basic,” but they have recently seen a new resurgence in popularity. Contrary to what you may have thought about white blinds in the past, we encourage you to reconsider what they can do for your home. Though minimalism first became popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s, recently, it has made a comeback that can be reflected in the uptick in white blinds’ popularity. The minimalist style of home decorating makes your space look clean, open, and welcoming, reducing clutter in favor of simplicity, and is particularly advantageous in small spaces you want to make look larger. If you are interested in transforming your space into the minimalist style, white blinds are a great way to instantly change the appearance and ambiance of a room. Here are some different recommendations for white blinds for your minimalist home.

White Roman Shades

Originally created in ancient Rome, Roman shades provide a classic look to any room, but they often come different colors and patterns. White Roman shades are perfect for adding a clean, simple style to any room. One of the biggest advantages of choosing Roman shades is that they are very simple to clean; just use a damp cloth or vacuum attachment to gently remove any debris. This is ideal for white curtains which can sometimes look more obviously dirty when dust accumulates. Because they are so easy to clean, Roman shades are the perfect white window treatment for you.

White Honeycomb Shades

One concern you may have about using white window treatments is that they would let in more sunlight, increasing your energy consumption. Honeycomb shades are the best window treatment for energy efficiency, even if they are white. With the small air pockets inside this type of shade, insulation is easy, so you don’t have to worry about elevating energy bills with these white shades. One of the goals of the minimalist philosophy is to reduce unnecessary distractions from everyday life. With white honeycomb shades, you don’t need to direct your attention to energy efficiency; your blinds do it for you!

White Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters first became popular in the Southern US pre-civil war; however, they have been around since ancient times, with good reason. These beautiful shutters afford you plenty of privacy when you need them, yet still allow you to bring sunlight in using slats. White plantation shutters are a popular window treatment so if you are looking to install white window treatments that still hold a tradition look, plantation shutters are a great option.

White Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are a great option for white window treatments. First of all, they are exceptionally easy to clean, and are much less likely to collect dust than their horizontal counterparts. Additionally, vertical blinds are great for larger windows and glass sliding doors, making them a good option for your patio entrance. Finally, vertical blinds are relatively inexpensive, so if you are looking for a cost-effective minimalist window treatment, these are ideal.

Are you interested in installing custom blinds in your home? Whether you want white blinds or another color, we can help you create the window treatments of your dreams. Contact Arjay’s to learn more about our custom blind installation services.

What Honeycomb Shades Have to Offer You

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If you are looking for a window treatment that is fashionable, energy efficient, customizable, and safe, honeycomb shades are an excellent option. Honeycomb shades are one of our most popular products here at Arjay’s, and we are happy to offer our customers the ability to customize these window treatments to their specifications. If you are interested in installing honeycomb shades in your windows, give us a call today. In the meantime, read this blog for more information on these unique and beneficial window treatments.

What are Honeycomb Shades?

Honeycomb shades are also known as cellular shades or light-filtering shades. Similar to an accordion, these shades are made of fabric and stack like on top of each other when drawn, but when you look at their sides, they look similar to a honeycomb. These unique shades are best known for their tiny built-in air pockets, which increase their energy efficiency and maximize their light-filtering properties. They come in a variety of types of fabric, sizes, and colors, making them fully customizable; it is even possible to get honeycomb shades that are completely hypoallergenic, blocking out allergens like dust and pollen from your home. There are many reasons to love honeycomb shades; read on for their benefits.

Benefits of Honeycomb Shades

Insulation

Honeycomb shades are great for insulating your home, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer. This is why they are so energy efficient; instead of wasting energy by allowing it to seep through your windows, honeycomb shades ensure that your heat or air conditioning stay indoors. This allows you to both reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills, making honeycomb shades a win-win window treatment.

Light and Sound Control

Another benefit of honeycomb shades is greater control of both light and sound. You can choose from a variety of fabrics for various levels of light-filtering. Some honeycomb shades range from slightly light-filtering to completely light-blocking, depending on which material you choose. This means that honeycomb shades are a good option whether you want to fill your dining room with soft natural sunlight or if you want to create a bedroom of total darkness while you sleep.

Additionally, honeycomb shades are excellent at blocking out sound. The air pockets in honeycomb shades absorb any noise from outside, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about any noise pollution in your home. Whether you live on a busy street with a lot of traffic or your neighbors like to throw parties, you can still find tranquility in your home.

Privacy

If you are concerned about your privacy, whether due to large, open windows or nosy neighbors, honeycomb shades can do a lot to ease your mind. Honeycomb shades have long been used by photographers to have greater control over light, and this property can also aid you in ensuring privacy in your home. Your neighbors won’t even be able to see your silhouette through your new honeycomb shades, so you can rest assured that no one is able to peer into your windows and see anything.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Honeycomb shades come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and types of fabric, allowing you to decorate your home to your specifications without worrying about your blinds sticking out like a sore thumb. You can benefit from honeycomb shades’ convenience, light control, and energy efficiency benefits without compromising on the elegance of your home decor. You are also able to install honeycomb shades that are vertical traversing, top-down bottom-up, or top down. Additionally, honeycomb shades are easy to seamlessly hide, as they create a small stack that can be obscured by a decorative valance if necessary.

Affordable

Honeycomb shades are also an affordable window treatment. Not only do these window treatments save you money in your energy bills, they are relatively inexpensive to install. Depending on your customizations, you can save quite a bit of money opting for honeycomb shades instead of other alternatives.

At Arjay’s, we are dedicated to providing you with the window treatments you need for your Ventura home, including honeycomb shades, as well as many others. Regardless of your preferred type of shade or drapery, you can completely customize your choice to your specifications when you choose to work with Arjay’s Window Fashions. If you are interested in benefiting from our services, contact us today!

Tips for Making Your Windows Look Bigger

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When you are decorating your home, you may long for large picture windows with expansive views, but this is not a standard feature on every home. While you could hypothetically install larger windows with a remodel, this isn’t always a realistic option, whether due to the structure of your home or the budget of your family. However, if your home doesn’t have the big, wide windows of your dreams, it isn’t the end of the world; fortunately, there are plenty of ways to trick the eye into thinking a window is much bigger than it truly is. If you are looking for a way to make your small windows appear larger, read on for some simple tricks.

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Add Height

You can make your windows look taller using window treatments. If your windows are short, you can make them look taller by hanging floor-length drapes or curtains near the ceiling, roughly two inches below the molding ideally. If the gap between the top of the window and the curtain rod appears awkwardly large, you can feel that empty space with a cornice board, lambrequin, or valance over the curtain, or by installing a shade underneath the curtain to cover the wall. If you add shades, install the top of them right below the rod, and then do not raise the bottom above the top edge of the window. If you go for cornice boards or lambrequins, avoid ones with straight bottoms.

Add Width

If the issue with your small window is that it is too narrow, the aim of your window treatments is to add width. Choose a curtain rod that is wider than the window and molding by about 60 to 80 percent. Use drawing curtains or drapes across the width of the entire space, or hang separate stationery panels to each side of the window. Each panel should go from the end of the rod to just past the edge of the window. Either way, this tricks the eye because it assumes that the width of the curtain covers more window, not the wall. You can emphasize the width of the window even more by topping the window with a straight-bottomed cornice board or valance.

Add Height and Width

If your window is both short and narrow, there are other ways you can make it look bigger. Start by installing a long rod near the top of the ceiling. From this rod, hang a floor-length drapery panel or curtain so that the leading edges slightly overlap the outer edge of the glass. If necessary, top these panels with a lambrequin, valance, or cornice board with either straight or curved bottoms in order to fill the excess wall space or simply to add some interesting decoration. If the panels do not close over the glass, you can add a fabric or woven shade for privacy.

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Choose the Right Window Treatment Fabric

You can make a window look larger by strategically choosing the pattern and fabric of your window treatment. For example, if the window is short and you would like to make it look taller, opt for curtains that feature a vertical pattern. This does not necessarily mean you have to go for stripes; any pattern that will draw the eye up and down will create the illusion of length. If you have narrow windows you would like to appear wider, a horizontal pattern will have the opposite effect as a vertical pattern, drawing the eye from side to side instead of up and down, distracting from its narrow nature. If the window is both narrow and short, either a vertical pattern, a solid color, or a print with no obvious direction are the way to go.

You can also use placement to make your windows look wider. Make your shades, valances, cornice boards, or lambrequins out of the same fabric as your curtains or drapes, or use a pattern, color, or mini-print to add contrast.

At Arjay’s, we are proud to provide our customers with high-quality, gorgeous window treatments for their homes. Whether you wish to make your windows look taller, wider, or you like them just the way they are, there is a window treatment that is sure to please your eye. Shop our collection of window treatments here today!