6 Tips for Choosing Cat-Proof Window Treatments | House Of Drapery
- By Admin
- •
- 21 Nov, 2018
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Cats are curious and need a lot of stimulation. Part of that stimulation comes in the form of playtime, such as pulling dangling objects. They likewise need to sharpen their claws, which also provides exercise.
You know these facts to be true, but that means little when you discover cat-scratched curtains or broken blinds. Stave off the disappointment in your cat by choosing cat-proof window treatments ahead of time.
Consider Roman Shades
Roman shades are fitted to the window at both the top and bottom, so they don't present any dangling fabric for cats to try climbing. What's more, it's easy to adjust the shades to a specific height. So, if you have a cat who likes lounging in the window — as most do — you can adjust the shades for cat access and light control.
The key to choosing cat-proof Roman shades comes in the pulling mechanism. You don't want the cords that end in a fob — they already look like cat toys. Instead, you want the shades that utilize the continuous chain. While the chain still dangles, there's no fob to attract cats. You can easily tuck the chain behind the shade. You can also choose shades with wand openers, which don't appeal to cats.
Invest in Interior Shutters
Interior shutters are the sturdiest of window treatments, which makes them ideal for withstanding curious cats. Indeed, cats tend not to be any more interested in interior shutters than they are in the window frame. Since cats love sitting in windows, consider accordion-style shades. You can open up one panel to accommodate your feline charge.
Think about Panel Blinds
Another fitted option is the panel blind. These blinds consist of tracks that are attached to the window frame at the top and the bottom. The panels move along the track. Since the blinds don't present any hanging bits, cats aren't particularly attracted to them. Just look for cat-proof materials, such as tightly-woven fabrics or smooth surfaces.
Avoid Venetian Blinds
Some of the funniest cat images on the Internet features cats tangled up in horizontal window blinds. In fact, such a situation can present a danger to your cat if they get injured from the cords holding the louvers together or even the louvers themselves.
Vinyl or aluminum Venetian blinds that have narrow louvers are especially hazardous. The material bends, which encourages cats to intertwine between them in the quest to reach the window. As a result, they can become stuck. Sharp edges can even scratch them, especially if they start struggling. Look for wide, sturdy horizontal louvers instead.
Look into Sturdy Vertical Blinds
Why not avoid horizontal blinds altogether? Blinds are convenient for light control because you can close them for total light elimination or angle the louvers to allow some light while still maintaining privacy. That said, you can choose vertical blinds over horizontal. You still get the light control without the tempting horizontal construction.
Your cats will still want to get to the window. So, you want to choose sturdy blinds that can withstand being pushed out of the way by an eager cat. Stiff PVC or even faux wood or wood are ideal. Just stay away from fabric-covered or otherwise embossed louvers. Not only will the texture attract cat hair, it could inspire your cat to use them like a scratch post.
Stay Away from Bamboo and Matchstick Blinds
Speaking of cat scratchers, look closely at a cat tower. Many are covered in carpeting, but you also see corded scratching posts. Guess what — bamboo or matchstick blinds look exactly like scratching posts to your feline. If you love the organic, appealing appearance of bamboo and matchstick blinds, you can get a similar look with wooden or wood-look blinds.
Cat companions are a great advantage to your life. Just make sure they're not a detriment to your window treatments by choosing appropriate styles and materials. Consult with House of Drapery for more advice in cat-proofing your window treatments.
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When you're about to become a new parent, the décor of your nursery often becomes a big focus. Many new parents choose themes, such as circus or nature, while others employ a color scheme. As with any other room in the home, the window treatments help finish the look. However, you also need certain functionality in the nursery.
Keep reading for tips to help you choose window treatments for your baby's nursery.
Keep Safety in Mind
Your first priority when choosing anything for the nursery is safety. Granted, newborns don't interact much with their surroundings, but you'll probably keep your nursery décor even once your baby reaches the crawling stage. With that in mind, you want to choose window treatments that are safe for your baby.
For one, avoid drapes that reach to the floor — you don't want your baby to become entangled in them or to pull them down. For the same reason, consider cordless blinds. You can even choose motorized blinds, which operate with a switch or an app. Finally, avoid any trim or accessories small enough to become a choking hazard.
Look for Ease of Operation
Your next focus should be window treatments that are easy to operate. Once you become a parent, ease of operation will become paramount. You will often have a baby cradled in one arm, so you want items that are easy to operate with the other hand.
So, when looking at window treatments, avoid any that require both hands to operate, such as corded shades or heavy drapes. Pay attention to the overall function, too. For instance, if you choose shutters, make sure they operate smoothly.
Look Into Blackout Blinds
Another practical focus is the level of light control. In many rooms, you may favor a filtered light. Design-wise, you may like this level of light for your nursery, too. However, keep in mind you'll eventually be putting your baby down while it's still light out — you don't want the sunlight to keep your baby awake.
To that end, look into blackout blinds. They affix to the window frame snugly, and they completely block the sunlight from coming in. If you want the option of the filtered light, look into layered window treatments. You could hang semi-transparent curtain panels for when your baby is awake.
Opt for a Neutral Background
You may want window treatments that provide a neutral backdrop. So, you might start with the blackout shades as your base layer and add sheer curtains in a neutral color. White is popular, but you could also opt for a beige or greige neutral.
This approach works for a couple different situations. For one, a current trend is to move toward natural materials and décor. So, you may choose a lot of neutral colors and soft materials anyway. The approach also works in the opposite circumstance. If you already have a lot of bold colors in your décor, you may not want to add to it with your window treatments.
Stick to Your Décor Vision
Your décor vision will help you make most of the design choices. For example, you may choose the material based on a theme or general target ambiance. If you like the idea of an all-natural nursery, you may look into bamboo shades or linen curtains. If you want structure in your treatments, you might look into wood blinds or even shutters.
A décor theme will definitely drive your choice in nursery window treatments. Besides thematic curtain panels, Roman shades are one of the easiest ways to inject pattern into your window treatments. You can also find roller shades with designs on them.
The other design driving force is your color palette. Many parents adhere to the traditional gender-based palettes, but many opt for bright, gender-neutral palettes. Either way, window treatments in your target color palette can serve as the centering force of your entire nursery décor. You could even start with a pattern in your draperies and carry the palette through the rest of the room.
Try some of the above tips to help you choose window treatments for your nursery. When you're ready to explore your options, consult with House of Drapery & Blinds.
Keep reading for tips to help you choose window treatments for your baby's nursery.
Keep Safety in Mind
Your first priority when choosing anything for the nursery is safety. Granted, newborns don't interact much with their surroundings, but you'll probably keep your nursery décor even once your baby reaches the crawling stage. With that in mind, you want to choose window treatments that are safe for your baby.
For one, avoid drapes that reach to the floor — you don't want your baby to become entangled in them or to pull them down. For the same reason, consider cordless blinds. You can even choose motorized blinds, which operate with a switch or an app. Finally, avoid any trim or accessories small enough to become a choking hazard.
Look for Ease of Operation
Your next focus should be window treatments that are easy to operate. Once you become a parent, ease of operation will become paramount. You will often have a baby cradled in one arm, so you want items that are easy to operate with the other hand.
So, when looking at window treatments, avoid any that require both hands to operate, such as corded shades or heavy drapes. Pay attention to the overall function, too. For instance, if you choose shutters, make sure they operate smoothly.
Look Into Blackout Blinds
Another practical focus is the level of light control. In many rooms, you may favor a filtered light. Design-wise, you may like this level of light for your nursery, too. However, keep in mind you'll eventually be putting your baby down while it's still light out — you don't want the sunlight to keep your baby awake.
To that end, look into blackout blinds. They affix to the window frame snugly, and they completely block the sunlight from coming in. If you want the option of the filtered light, look into layered window treatments. You could hang semi-transparent curtain panels for when your baby is awake.
Opt for a Neutral Background
You may want window treatments that provide a neutral backdrop. So, you might start with the blackout shades as your base layer and add sheer curtains in a neutral color. White is popular, but you could also opt for a beige or greige neutral.
This approach works for a couple different situations. For one, a current trend is to move toward natural materials and décor. So, you may choose a lot of neutral colors and soft materials anyway. The approach also works in the opposite circumstance. If you already have a lot of bold colors in your décor, you may not want to add to it with your window treatments.
Stick to Your Décor Vision
Your décor vision will help you make most of the design choices. For example, you may choose the material based on a theme or general target ambiance. If you like the idea of an all-natural nursery, you may look into bamboo shades or linen curtains. If you want structure in your treatments, you might look into wood blinds or even shutters.
A décor theme will definitely drive your choice in nursery window treatments. Besides thematic curtain panels, Roman shades are one of the easiest ways to inject pattern into your window treatments. You can also find roller shades with designs on them.
The other design driving force is your color palette. Many parents adhere to the traditional gender-based palettes, but many opt for bright, gender-neutral palettes. Either way, window treatments in your target color palette can serve as the centering force of your entire nursery décor. You could even start with a pattern in your draperies and carry the palette through the rest of the room.
Try some of the above tips to help you choose window treatments for your nursery. When you're ready to explore your options, consult with House of Drapery & Blinds.
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