Blackout roller shades and blackout curtains set the standard for blocking light in the bedroom so you can sleep soundly. Although they each have their pros and cons, roller shades have some aesthetic advantages. They work best for small spaces and have a clean, minimalist look. They're also great for people concerned with dust, allergens and indoor air quality. More

When I came across this public service announcement regarding curtains, I had to smile. Though hanging curtains to the ceiling and wider than the window frame is a surefire way to make the walls look taller and the room airier, the prevalence of curtains hung just over the window is enough for interior designer Erin Gates to issue a statement on behalf of windows everywhere. Do you agree? More

Nothing screams "rental" like ecru, landlord-issue mini blinds. They're hideous, but you're stuck with them, right? Wrong! Here are 7 stylish upgrades that won't cost you your security deposit. More

If you're barred from or afraid to add color to your walls with paint, forget the gallons and find yourself some strongly hued curtains. More

As a renter on a budget, you've got to pick and choose your upgrades, considering both price and permissible changes to your unit. Usually a safe bet is upgrading window treatments, an easy avenue to add personality and the option for color in a room (just check your lease agreement and landlord to be sure). But to be honest, picking out window treatments can feel as confusing and mundane as picking new car tires... More

I made the mistake of buying uninteresting, lackluster curtain hardware for my living room; a decision that I rushed to make after massive renovations and on a limited budget. This is an easy blunder to fix, but since I hate the thought of installing new hardware and making even more holes in the wall, I've been trying to come up with ways to rework what I already have. More

Cheap, off white, vinyl blinds have been part of my life since I rented my first apartment in 1997. Only recently have I questioned why on earth I live with these horrible devices. They break, they get dirty easily and they are rarely installed level and plumb with the window. Here are five ideas for affordable, DIY window treatments for renters. More

Remember the tour of Oliver's Crafty Crib? It was filled with creative DIY touches (no wonder, his mom is Parents Magazine Lifestyle Director Amanda Kingloff) and one of my favorites was the window shade. Window coverings are one of those things I've always wanted to make but never had the guts to attempt, but since Amanda shared her instructions for this one I'm back on the DIY bandwagon.

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I love the little things I come across that are design-oriented and a parenting tip all in one. At a certain age, kids may start to fear the dark. Here is one of the simplest (and cutest) solutions we've seen to help ease those fears. More

This beautiful window treatment used to be a bunch of white bedsheets. It was inspired by a shower curtain and we think it would look incredible in a nursery. More