How to Create a Cozy Sleep Environment
bwsit • February 24, 2017

The main thing about a bedroom is sleep. Although most people think decorating is all about color, the truth of the matter is that light, scent, texture as well as color contribute to a good night’s sleep. Custom window treatments ensure it looks cozy and inviting as well.

Light

It is now common knowledge that the blue in the light spectrum disrupts efforts to sleep. Removing the TV from the bedroom, closing down the computer for the night and shutting down the cell phone all play a part in removing this blue light from a room ready for bed. However, are you aware that simply  reducing the strength of your light bulbs helps the body prepare for sleep ? Putting a dimmer on the light switch is also beneficial to a body that yawns when the sun goes down. If you’re the kind who needs absolute blackness in which to sleep, might we suggest custom blinds, plantation shutters or blackout curtains? For a pretty and attractive look, match the color of your blinds, plantation shutters or blackout curtains to your bedding.

Comfort

Here are some things you can do to make your bedroom more comfortable:

  • Adjustable blinds and shades allow star gazing before falling asleep.
  • Most people sleep better in cooler climates, and they make it so with ceiling fans.
  • De-cluttering a bedroom gives it space, so its inhabitants can relax. To that end, you can buy bedroom furniture with storage included, such as drawers in the bed frame and storage devices beneath the eaves combining shelves, drawers and open spaces for knickknacks.
  • Noise is jarring. It disrupts sleep patterns, causing fatigue and mental disorder to the body the next day. Soothing sounds like water trickling in a stream, the sound of the surf against the shore or the trees moving with the breeze on a mountainside can be obtained through CDs playing softly in the background.

Scent

The aroma of certain foods brings back memories. Perfumes instantly take us back to a time when the ladies who wore it taught us or took care of us. It’s not too difficult to make potpourri. Slip it between the pillow and its case, put it in a bowl on the dresser or a shelf, or place it close to a vent. Sachets can be pinned to custom shades and curtains; the scent will waft through the room with each breeze. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind a pot of flowers in your loft or attic bedroom. Some scents, like vanilla and lavender, induce relaxation and reduce stress. Here are some more scents that will make your loft or attic bedroom stand out:

  • Valerian is well known as a sleep aid. Its flowers might not smell as sweet as daisies, for instance, but if you can handle the smell, the sleeper enjoys deeper more restful sleep with greater efficiency the next day.
  • Jasmine is a sweet-smelling flower with pretty blooms. Sniffing this scent will not only put you to sleep, but give you more restful, better quality sleep.
  • Chamomile is a very small daisy-like flower, whose calming effects are very well known. Stress is a goner, and chamomile’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral effects promises a body well-rested and able to take on the world the next day.
  • Lilac is a delicate little flower, but its scent induces sleep, relaxes and kicks insomnia to the curb.

You can also experiment with essential oils to make your own scent that makes your loft or attic bedroom smell nice as well as inducing a restful night’s sleep.

Plants

Nothing says home as much as plants, animals and kids.  Plants double as décor throughout the house, but their main function is to condition the air.   Removal of detrimental things from the air contributes not only to a healthier body and good sleep, but also to indoor air quality. If homeowners are selling their homes, then make sure you have plenty of plants on hand!

  • Aloe plants produce oxygen at night, making sleep more natural and restful.
  • Gardenias are good for those suffering anxiety and insomnia.
  • English Ivy not only purifies the air, but asthmatics and allergy sufferers benefit from its presence in their bedrooms
  • Gerbera daisies also produce oxygen at night as well as helping asthmatics and sleep apnea sufferers

Plants need plenty of light in order to live. Make sure your custom blinds, shades and curtains are open where the plants are placed for the necessary light. The other parts of the blinds and shades can remain closed or adjusted as you see fit.

While the purpose of a bedroom is to sleep, it should wrap you in cozy comfort to invite that sleep. It should also make people who see it want to stay in it. Homeowners redecorating their homes want to use their available space to best advantage as well as making it look nice. We can help with custom window treatments when you  contact us   to learn more about it.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

Performing Routine Maintenance On Your Exterior Shades: Everything You Need to Know

July 24, 2025
Outdoor shades are wonderful additions to your home. Not only do they allow you to enjoy mornings and evenings on your porch or patio in comfort, but they also protect you from some of the harshest side effects of the sun, including excessive UV exposure , which can lead to serious health consequences over time. If you have exterior shades installed, one of the best ways to protect your investment and ensure that your outdoor shades stand the test of time, protecting you and your family over the long haul, is to institute a routine cleaning and maintenance plan. How Often Should You Clean And Maintain Your Exterior Shades? Because needs will always vary by season and climate, it's best to visually inspect your exterior shades once a month. If you see any buildup of dust or pollen, or any obvious maintenance issues, address them immediately. At least once per quarter, you should also schedule a thorough cleaning and maintenance check. Every three months, around the time the seasons change, schedule a day to clean and thoroughly check your blinds for any routine maintenance. Particularly if you live in the Southeast, we recommend scheduling thorough cleaning and maintenance in January, April, July, and October. 3 Steps to Cleaning Your Home's Exterior Shades First, start by thoroughly cleaning your exterior shades. Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need the following: A bucket and a mild cleaning agent A hose and water supply A soft brush or broom A soft cloth When it comes to your cleaning agent, be sure to avoid any solutions with harsh chemicals. If you haven't received information on any manufacturer-specific suggestions, we recommend using a mild dish soap diluted in water. Step 2: Dust away dirt and debris. Using your soft brush or broom, gently remove all excess buildup of dust, dirt, and debris. Make note of any trouble spots that will need more extensive cleaning. Step 3: Thoroughly clean your exterior shades. Begin by testing your cleaning solution in a small, hidden area. If you see any strong reaction, including erosion or discoloration, stop immediately and seek more information. Only if your shades respond well should you proceed with a full cleaning. Start by using your hose to gently rinse your exterior shades from top to bottom. Next, using your soft cloth, clean the shades, removing all accumulations of dirt and grime. After a final rinse with the hose, allow the shades to air dry in the sun. If necessary, repeat this step until your shades are fully clean. What Routine Maintenance Issues Should You Check For As You Clean? As you clean your exterior shades, keep your eyes peeled for any routine maintenance issues that may need to be addressed. Trouble spots to watch out for include the following: Fading color. Though color fading in itself is not an emergency, it can show that your exterior shades are beginning to show wear and tear. Assess the extent of the damage and consult with Just Blinds to evaluate the projected longevity of your current shades. Sagging shades. Sagging shades don't necessarily need to be replaced, but they may need to be re-tensioned. Check the external hardware and see if anything needs to be tightened up or replaced. Rips, tears, gaps, or holes. No matter how small, these issues need to be addressed immediately. Addressing these issues early can prevent the damage from growing, preventing more costly repairs down the line. Buy a patch kit and follow the instructions for sealing up any trouble spots. Just Blinds Is Here to Help  To hear more about how to maintain your exterior shades, or to learn more about how outdoor shades can add value to your home and help you better enjoy your outdoor living areas by reducing heat, offering increased privacy, and lowering your UV exposure, feel free to contact us . We look forward to serving you.

5 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat With Eye-Catching Window Treatments

June 18, 2025
When the mercury soars, never underestimate the power of blinds, shades, and other window treatments to keep your living space cool. With the techniques that follow, you can limit demand on your air conditioner, lower your energy bill, and maintain stunning aesthetics both inside and out. 1. Go For the Layered Look If you don't want blackout blinds that completely block out light and heat, consider layering your window treatments for the summer months. This is a great way to add depth and texture to your rooms while still maintaining a tight home envelope and limiting solar heat gains. Use wood or faux wood blinds to create a solid base layer. Then, add sheers and custom curtains to finish the look. Layering creates levels of flexibility and adaptability that single window treatments cannot match. You can close all three layers for maximum heat blocking, slant your blinds and close your sheers to let limited sunlight in, or open your drapes and your blinds and use your sheers for light filtering. 2. Beat the Heat With Outdoor Window Treatments Some of the best window treatments for blocking heat and light during the summer months belong on the outside of your home. If you haven't done so already, consider investing in shutters. Shutters can vastly improve the efficiency of your home while providing excellent UV ray protection. This will keep your flooring and furnishings from fading while offering a fair amount of skin protection. In addition to tightening home envelopes, shutters provide excellent noise reduction and offer added protection against the natural elements. With your shutters standing guard as your home's first defense, you'll still have one or more window treatments at the interior of the building during the next big heat wave. Outdoor Shades Work, Too If shutters aren't the right look for you, opt for lightweight, retractable shades. Installing outdoor shades gives you yet another way to safeguard your home from solar heat gains whenever temperatures spike. You can use outdoor shades with layered indoor window treatments to create an airtight space and reduce stress on your AC during the hottest portion of the day. Once the sun sets, you can easily draw them open. 3. Optimize Airflow According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five time more contaminated than outdoor air. Even though air conditioners and heat pumps filter the indoor air during operation, they don't extract volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other gaseous chemical contaminants. When the sun's out and you're running your air conditioner non-stop, all the contaminants introduced into your home by off-gassing building materials, cooking, room freshening sprays, and chemical-laden self-care products and cleaners remain trapped indoors. Blinds are great for optimizing airflow. When the sun sets, the mercury dives, and a cool breeze rolls in, you can turn your blind slats upwards to reflect light from the setting sun and slightly crack your windows. This technique works well for giving ACs an early evening break. It's also an excellent strategy for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). As natural light decreases, you can open your blind slats wider and let more fresh, outdoor air flow in. This easy air exchange will get your home and your IAQ ready for the challenges of the next sweltering day. 4. Keep Indoor Moisture in Check With Shades With a high-functioning air conditioner or heat pump, you'll get reliable humidity regulation whenever your cooling system is on. The right shades can support this by keeping outdoor moisture outside and preventing the buildup of condensation on your windows. Cellular shades are made for high-moisture areas, and they're the perfect addition to any other southern home. You can get similar benefits from faux wood blinds, vinyl blinds, and aluminum blinds. Moisture-resistant blinds or shades are an essential upgrade if you currently have heavy fabric drapes or multiple layers of sheers. Some materials capture and retain moisture. They're also prone to problems like mold and mildew and can lower IAQ as a result. 5. Go Motorized Don't worry about dragging your ladder out to draw your outdoor shades or running through your home to manually adjust your blinds. Shop for motorized window treatments that you can open, close, and adjust with just the touch of a button. This way, as lighting and temperatures change, you can quickly adapt your window treatments to reflect your most current needs. At Just Blinds, we're all about comfort. We want your window treatments to look amazing, but believe that you should feel amazing too. We offer a fantastic selection of blinds, shutters, shades, and custom draperies to help our clients beat the heat in the summer months . Let us help you stay cool in style. To speak with our design consultants, contact Just Blinds today!