Bathroom Window Curtains » Bathroom Window Curtains

Bathroom Curtains Or Blinds – Too Hard To Decide?

Stacey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:08:40 +0000

Are you currently facing a situation where you are trying to decide whether or not to use just bathroom curtains or a fancy blind in your special little room? Worried about whether or not you’ll be giving up some privacy if you choose one over the other? Or maybe you’ve just always heard that curtains are for the home and blinds are for the office and you just never understood why someone would say that and if it’s true? Well, I plan to tackle this little issue head-on right here and hopefully it’ll help give you a little different perspective on whether or not you should use either blinds or curtains for your bathroom.

First off, let’s tackle the myth that blinds are for the office and curtains are for the home. This is strictly an old wives tale. Many homes these days have blinds in every room in the house. The only reason that I can think of as to why somebody would ever say that is that the corporate, office lifestyle is not one that should take on the pleasures and comforts of home. They want you there for a reason, to work. They don’t want you totally uncomfortable and for other various reasons, like safety and privacy, so they put blinds up. If they started putting up nice window curtains all around the office and you started slacking off and getting comfortable, then that just wouldn’t be good for the bottom line now would it. On the other hand, there are offices that do employ the use of curtains. Now these aren’t going to be of the same vernacular that you would install in your home, in fact, most of the ones that I’ve seen are plain and boring. But they do hold for the same purpose.

Just the opposite of an office setting, take for instance a home setting like one in your bathroom, you are going to want that peace and comfort that you can get from a nice bathroom window curtain. You can really get into the whole design scheme and color coordination of the bathroom when you select the perfect curtains. Plus they afford you the same type of privacy and security that one would take in a bathroom blind installation provided on the type of curtain you employ. All the same, I’ve seen plenty of homes that have just window blinds installed as well in the bathroom.

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, having just a blind or a bathroom curtain installed in your bathroom. Either one is very well suitable as long as it pertains to the overall theme you are trying to accomplish. In fact, I see no issue in having both if it fits the decorum of the place as it tends to lend a hand to adding an additional level of privacy to the bathroom, especially if your bathroom window is on a wall that has a bit more of a public or roadside view where innocent passer-by’s can catch a glimpse instead of one that’s a bit more secluded from the public view like in a backyard behind a fence.

Blinds will look very good, provided you select the right ones, as they do in most peoples homes. If you do decide to go with just blinds, make sure you choose some vinyl or faux wood blinds. Because most bathrooms are inherently humid from time to time, you want something that can take that humidity. These will do just fine. In fact, these days you can get them custom fit to your window and most good ones are adjustable to where you can makes the slats line up perfectly to the bottom of your window without any overhang. You will still be able to let in some light when you’d like to and close out in privacy when the time is right. One thing to note about blinds in a bathroom is that since they are in an environment that’s rather humid, all the dust and dirt that’s floating around in the air can tend to settle on them making for a bit more difficult cleaning. Also, if you are trying to create a more luxurious feel in your bathroom, sometimes having just blinds won’t pull off that dramatic effect you are searching to gain. Instead, it can almost leave the room looking a bit unfinished.

Curtains also look just fab in peoples homes again provided you get the ones that match. If you decide to go with just bathroom window curtains, again make sure that they can stand up to the humidity and are easily maintained with simple washings and cleanings. Because of that humidity the bathroom curtains can also catch all the dust and dirt in the air so make sure to clean them regularly.

To get the best of both worlds, why not use both blinds and bathroom curtains in combination with one another. You can really let your inner designer go wild when you do combine blinds with bathroom window curtains. You can play with colors and shades to mix and match and give a little contrast between the curtain and the blind. You may even decide to use a curtain that just covers the top half of the window where the blind will mysteriously slide out of the bottom half of the curtain to cover the window for privacy. There may be times where you want more sunlight in the bathroom than a blind would allow and still maintain an act of privacy. Pulling the blind open and closing a lighter curtain over the top would allow for more light to enter the bathroom and maintain your privacy.

I apologize if I didn’t quite clear up the whole bathroom curtain versus blinds debate, but there really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your personal taste and design. I just wanted to give some more ideas as to what is possible with a bathroom window and let you know that it really just depends on what you like. Either of them could be used quite comfortably and when used in conjunction could really add some pop and maintain the privacy needed in a bathroom setting.

Making Your Own Bathroom Window Curtains

Tab Top Curtains To Complete Your Bathroom

Stacey — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:01:38 +0000

Tab top curtains can make any room in the home look great. This is especially true when implemented as bathroom window curtains as you have some great little alternatives and twists that you could do with them. But first, what are they? These curtains are typically simple straightforward but elegant panel curtains that are hung on curtain poles through their tabs on the top of the curtains. You can find these in your local stores in both the lined and sheer variety, but since we are talking about the bathroom here, you’re probably going to want to stick to the lined tab top curtains for privacy concerns.

You can really create some dramatic and unique looks using a tab top curtain simply by what you use to hang them. Since they hang from poles, you have a lot of choices to choose from. From wooden poles to metal, just pick the style that suits you. Personally I like the designs better of the wooden poles than the metal ones although they are nice as well. Tab top curtains actually let the pole elements come thru. Whether you are using a solid, or twisted and grooved pole, these will show. Just imagine a quality hand crafted solid wood curtain pole that adds that touch of class. Add on the extra addtion of the decorative finials to the end and you can create a dramatic presence protruding from your bathroom window.

Tab Top Curtains

One of the things that I really like about tab top curtains is that they can allow you to really tie in the shower curtain as well to the overall bathroom design. There are a ton of options to choose from when you go looking at shower curtains to match your decor. But what happens if you can’t find that just right look? Being able to use tab top curtains as a shower curtain really helps and solidifies the overall look of your bathroom and you can ensure that it all ties in by being able to use the exact same curtains on your window and your shower, not to mention a little bit more of a formal look depending on what curtains you choose.

This is really easy to do actually. First, you are going to want to hang two shower rods across the top of the shower. Make sure that the second one is a little offset from the first one, on the outside of the first one and a little bit higher. Use your judgement here. For the inside shower curtain rod, hang a very plain, white shower liner. This will keep the tab top curtain from getting wet on the outside. On the outside shower rod, hang a stunning blue tab top curtain. I like the blues, especially in the case of bathrooms. Of course this one will likely be longer than the one hanging on the window, but would be of the exact same material and design. That’s what ties it all in.

Because of their versatility and uniqueness, you can really create a stunning picture in your bathroom using tab top curtains.

Installing Bathroom Window Curtains

Stacey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:42:01 +0000

If you are taking the time to properly decorate and style your bathroom, you should go the extra step of installing proper bathroom window curtains as well. The days of tacking up an old towel as curtains are over. Investing the time and effort in proper curtain installation will pay off in the long run. Following a few tips and tricks to installing your curtains will give you long-lasting beautiful curtains to accent your bathroom.

First, think about your bathroom window for a few minutes. You can’t just drill a hole and place a curtain rod, calling it installation anymore than you can put a piece of plywood on wheels and call it a car. The person who built your room did not simply put a hole in the wall, fill it with glass and that makes it a window. It need support, so they have a very sturdy, small beam that runs along the top of the window. This is called a header and it supports the window from the weight of the building. You are supposed to drill your curtain rod directly into the header to give the bathroom window curtains proper support, but this is not always practical since you’re screwing into wood. If you can mount the curtains in the header you certainly should. It will be the easiest way and the preferred way of installing the curtains. But there can be a few setbacks to this plan.

Installing Bathroom Curtains

If your window has a wide trim, the header may actually be shorter than that trim. But you can’t really destroy the look or your trim to get to the header. But you also can’t drill into the drywall and hope it can support your curtains. So this presents a dilemma in your bathroom window curtains experience. If you can find a stud in the proper place, you can use that to mount your curtains. But often there will not be one in the place you’re hoping for. In this case you absolutely have to use hollow-wall anchors. These will keep the screws from tearing out the drywall.

Positioning of your curtains is important. Normally your window height will be about the same as your door height. In that case, mount the curtains even with top of the window. If your window is much lower than the door, the curtain will have a very heavy and depressing look. In that case you will get the best look by raising the height of the curtains to provide more balance to the room. Another bonus to this is that the higher you set the bathroom curtains the farther you can extend the width past the trim without it looking awkward.

Customizing Your Bathroom Window Curtains

Stacey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:35:51 +0000

While your store bought, mass produced curtains are sure to be lovely you would hate to see them all over town. Your bathroom window curtains should be customized to your look, your décor and your style. There are a lot of very inexpensive ways to do so, and you might as well take advantage of it.

One easy way to make your curtains your own is to create a two-sided look. That will make them absolutely stunning when open. All you need to do is sew or otherwise secure two different colors or patterns of fabric together and hang them like normal bathroom curtains. This is especially great with a country themed bathroom. One side can be a nice plaid; the other can be a matching solid color. It will be a very unique and customized look.

Country Bathroom Curtains

Another easy and inventive way of customizing curtains is by altering the trim. For a more formal look, find a tasseled trim and sew that along the bottom edge. Of a braided trim will give a far more simple but elegant look. Another great way to alter the trim is to sew the trim along the inside edge of the curtains. This would be the part of the curtains you will handle to open them. If you are using a solid color curtain, a pattern ribbon used as the trim will give a very contrasting and interesting appearance to your bathroom window curtains. If this curtain is for a children’s bathroom then perhaps a ribbon layered with a beaded trim will delight the little ones. While this layered effect may be a bit too frilly for the boys, try just the beaded trim and forgo the ribbon.

One thing that most people would not think of when they are customizing curtains are using those old men’s ties they have lying around that never get worn. Really, ties are the perfect way to create a unique and one of a kind curtain tieback. All you need is a few ties in coordinating colors. They don’t need to be exact colors, just colors that don’t contrast too heavily. Simply get a simple metal craft ring and slide it down to the wide part of the tie, cutting off the excess. Now braid the ties and secure it with another craft ring on the other side, and you have a perfect curtain tieback. Even if you never intend to open and close the curtains, the tieback will add an elegant element to the room. And using the ties is something you probably have around the house anyway and something that no one else would ever consider.

Alternative Bathroom Window Curtains

Stacey — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:34:36 +0000

Not all bathroom windows need elaborate curtains or window treatments. Many bathrooms have rippled glass or frosted glass that preserves your privacy and lets in natural light. Spending all sorts of money on curtains for these windows would be difficult to justify the expense since they’d really never be closed. But the room still looks bare and not quite done. Using a window scarf could be your best option.

A window scarf is very similar to complete bathroom curtains but instead of having the ability to open and close them, they simply drape around the window. You have probably seen this used in decorating in conjunction with regular curtains but they are just as lovely when used alone. Basically the window scarf is a narrow strip of fabric that runs along the top and side of the window.

Bathroom Window Scarf

As an alternative to bathroom window curtains, window scarves are much simpler to purchase or to make one yourself. A window scarf can be purchased at any discount or department store in any particular length or color. If you look at several stores and can’t find what you want, just run over to your local fabric store. There you can find any color, pattern, or fabric imaginable and simply buy a handful of yards to make your own. If you have a sewing machine you can simply sew a simple hem and you have the perfect window scarf. If you don’t have a sewing machine you can use a hem that requires no sewing, both will be equally attractive.

Once you have your window scarf you will need to find and choose brackets for it. Keep in mind that unlike with traditional bathroom window curtains, the brackets will be exposed so you probably need to find a good decorative bracket to use. The wrought iron bracket is a very distinct look and ideally suited to a bathroom environment. Almost any bracket will do, though wood wouldn’t be suggest since it will likely warp because of the damp conditions.

Now that you have brackets, you have a few options for hanging the window scarf. You can use a curtain rod and gently drape it over it, or you can simply hang it between the two brackets. Another very decorative option is putting a third bracket in the middle of the window and placing the window scarf in between the three for a more draping look. If using an unhemmed fabric, be sure to pin or glue the raw ends so that they do not show. In general, window scarves are not meant to be moved or touched so you can get away with simple measures to secure it.