Custom Draperies: What Style Works For You?
bwsit • July 25, 2017

Dressing your windows with store-bought, ready-made draperies can be a guessing game. In the opinion of many designers, you’re better off leaving them bare or making due with a shade for privacy until you can afford the “real deal” — custom draperies, which will fit your window the way they’re supposed to, hang correctly and look like no store-bought version ever could. But before you open up your checkbook, it pays to know what your options are, so we’ve put together a little primer on custom draperies to help you decide on the best style for your tastes, your window type, and your budget.

Before you decide on a style, you’ll need to consider a few basics …

Stationary or Moving?

If you use shades or blinds to provide privacy when needed, a  stationery drapery  may be perfect for a layered look. However, if you’re using draperies alone, you’ll probably want a pair that moves, either manually or via a motor and a remote control, in order to open and close them at will.

Where Do You Want Them to Break?

This is custom-drapery lingo for “How long do you want them to be?” You may want them to stop at the point where the floor meets the wall, or you may prefer a  “puddled”  look, which is decidedly elegant, but probably not practical if you have a shedding pet!

Full or Tailored?

One of the advantages of ordering custom draperies is that you can opt for a fuller, more luxurious look. (Store-bought draperies are typically only twice the width of a window, whereas a custom drapery can be three or even four times wider for a richer, more voluminous appearance. Or, if you prefer a more modern or minimalist approach to decorating, you can have a more tailored drapery made in the fabric of your choice.

Once you’ve narrowed down your functional and general preferences, you can decide what type of draperies will best fit your design style …

Inverted Box Pleats

This is a great style for a couple, since inverted box pleats are neither too feminine nor too masculine. They have a nice,  tailored look when closed , and stack nicely when opened, allowing beautiful hardware to take center stage!

Tie-Backs

Tie-Back draperies are a traditional style, so if you’re a lover of modern spaces, you probably won’t love them. If, on the other hand, you love all things classic and elegant, a nice pair of custom tie-backs may be just the thing for  elegantly dressing a beautiful window  while allowing you to take in a great view at the same time.

Romantic

Do you love a romantic, ethereal look? Opt for flowing gauzy draperies that  puddle  on the floor or  billow with the breeze  through an open window.

Casual

Is your home more casual than formal? There’s no law that says your custom draperies must be long. Options such as  roman shades  offer the pattern and lining choices of custom-made draperies, but impart a decidedly relaxed look to a room. Another casual option is  tab-top  or tie-top draperies.

Benefits of Custom Draperies

Not only will custom draperies fit your windows perfectly, but you’ll have your choice of fabrics, colors, patterns and hardware. You’ll also be able to customize the lining, adding a blackout or thermal lining in lieu of a standard cotton or synthetic lining. You can even opt to forgo manually operated cords and have your custom draperies motorized, an option that’s not only more convenient, particularly with tall or expansive windows, but also safer in households with children or pets.

You’ll also have the benefit of professional installation by a drapery expert who knows all of the little “tricks” to make your new custom draperies look and function the way they should! (For example, did you know that it’s a good idea to leave one ring outside the bracket when installing ringed draperies? That little trick helps hold your draperies in place as you open and close them!)

If you’re looking for the best custom draperies for your Central Alabama home, you won’t find a better place to get them than  Just Blinds . We’ve been serving the region for more than 30 years, offering the finest fabrics, the best selection, and a team of professionals with a desire to meet your every need!

Contact us  today to learn more about how  Just Blinds  can help you choose a style that fits your taste and your budget!

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.