DON’T BE BLINDED!

I’ve seen it time and time again, and each time I can’t help but flinch.

Mini-blinds, PVC blinds and vertical blinds scream of the 90’s to me and not in some trendy “retro” way. Your area might be different but in these parts of frosty old Canada, they are so “yesterday”.

They were a popular and affordable option in many homes, and I’ll confess I have had them in my home too. But that was a long time ago.

Esthetically, this type of window treatment is not pleasing in a room because they quickly date the décor. They also tend to block out too much natural light, which is a major mistake.

Another huge problem is that once they have been hung, they rarely come down to be cleaned, collecting years of dust, mold and odors.

Say it ain’t so…

The worst offenders are the fabric vertical blinds that often flank patio doors in kitchens and family rooms. When used in the kitchen they pick up years of “Spicy Chili Night” and “Fish on Fridays” creating an unknown flavor that is lingers in the area, obvious to everyone but you.

They can also be a nightmare if pets are in the home, picking up pet hair that can be impossible to get out.

The cleaner, the better?

I know that there are services to have your blinds cleaned or if you are handy, then can be cleaned in your bathtub, but if you are going to the trouble to take them down, why not just keep them down and choose a simpler, more modern approach.

Besides, a homebuyer is not likely to want to keep the blinds and the prospect of taking them down, repairing the walls/window frames and dispose of them – can turn a buyer off.

Simple solutions need not be expensive.

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to dress a window for sale. Opt for simple tab paneled curtains for a family room or kitchen, many stores carry these for as little as $20 per set with a simple curtain rod, again you can get great ones for $20.

In a living room, go for a slightly more formal curtain but again keep it simple. If you are really budget conscious white sheers can give the illusion of privacy while allowing all the natural light in.

Changing the window coverings by replacing out dated blinds with a more modern and simple look is an easy and cost effective step in home staging.


Wood I?

Don’t get me wrong, the wood blinds or faux wood blinds, with their large slats and sleek finishing are a great and modern look. Just be sure to clean them on a regular basis to keep them looking that way!