Making Blinds More Attractive Good Questions

Q: We have a small apartment in SF with a nook that we use as our nursery. The only place the crib fits is by the window. We live in a building where removing or changing the blinds would affect the look of the house from the outside and our landlord would prefer us not to do that. I was thinking we could cover the blind from the inside in some way, but cannot seem to find something that would protect the baby from the window, be something she will not pull down, and also be something that would look great. Any advice?

Sent by Amy

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Comments (18)

I have very ugly pinkish blinds in my rental. I've thought about taking them down or replacing them, but then what about storage etc? I've just put up lovely curtains over them, I keep the blinds up to let the light in and draw them at night to keep the heat...it's not very inventive, but it works for me.

What do you mean, "protect the baby from the window"? It seems as though your question is being interpreted as mostly an aesthetics one, when I thought you were really asking about what you could do to protect your baby from a the very dangerous hazard of blind cords, the less likely hazard of falling out the window (assuming you keep that window closed and locked), and possibly drafts from the window. My first reaction was to tell the landlord that one thing that would be less desirable than non-uniform window dressings would be an infant death/injury and major lawsuit on his hands because of the blind cord danger. Assuming that would allow you to get rid of the blinds, I'd probably put in a fabric roller shade to replace it, and maybe some decorative curtains too. I think I'd pass on any long curtains, though, because I'd think they were too inviting for a baby to pull on and either bring the whole thing down on her head, or possibly create a suffocation or climing hazard (depending on the age of the baby).

What about those roll down blinds? you could choose a nice pattern and make it work.
and then make a hook on bottom so that your baby cant pull at it...

My blinds didn't keep out enough light, anyway, so in my baby's room I added a basic curtain rod with a blackout curtain. I'd be really careful to get extra-sturdy hardware, though, since they would likely be within reach from the crib; my curtain rod couldn't withstand much pulling and tugging.

Another thing I've done over my very ugly, cloudy windows: use a double curtain rod, with a white sheer curtain underneath that lets in light (but covers the ugliness beneath), covered by light-reducing curtains.

I'm sure you could find a more aesthetically pleasing cordless blind or roman shade in white, which wouldn't look very different from the outside.

I wouldn't put miniblinds or curtains that close to a crib, but then again, I'm known for my fantastic worrying skills. At any home improvement store you can buy redi-shades, which are inexpensive accordion-style paper shades that are cordless and you hold them up with clips. From the outside I would think they would look pretty similar to white miniblinds. And since they don't provide a whole lot of light blocking, maybe you could cover the inside with pretty wallpaper or scrapbooking paper? Store the miniblind and when you move out put it back up - the landlord will never know the difference! Good luck - and cute nursery (love the sheep)!!

Just tuck the blind cords up out of reach. Any curtains etc are going to be pulled down. And be prepared to have to replace your blinds. My daughter tore mine apart once she could reach them...playing with blinds is much more fun than napping of course.

The only solution I can think of is the blinds that are actually encased in the window...but this is costly solution for renting. Perhaps a roman shade is better....just worry about it coming down on the baby...but so can the blinds.

I would cover the whole window wall with fabric. You could mount a floor-length curtain to the ceiling (I'm lazy...I would staple-gun it up there, but you can find ceiling mount drapery rods or tracks). Swoop it off to one side with a tie-back up high near the picture rail when you wanted to let light in, leave it down when you don't. For extra security, staple the one side of the curtain all the way down along the side wall. It would take a very strong baby to yank down a curtain stapled across the top and down one side. Of course, you'd never be able to throw it in the washer, but a vacuum would keep it looking OK.

Thank you all so much for the responses! You are right - my question was primarily about safety and secondly about looks. I really love avimom's idea of covering the whole wall with fabric! That's a great idea! I wonder if I would use regular fabric-store fabric, or if I would want curtain fabric. The light issue is not really a problem as much since our gal seems to not be affected by the sun. I welcome any other ideas and thanks again!!

ps - thanks to sarahez! The room is a heck of a lot cuter than it looks in this dark photo and the sheep are from Giggle

my comment has very little to do with blinds, just something that seems a bit more logical to me personally.

with such a teeny tiny nursery and window safety/attractiveness issues, why not try a family bed? or some form of co sleeping? then this little room could just house a changing table, clothes, toys, etc. there's no need for a crib.

Great question! We did do the family bed for a while but none of us got any sleep. She is now in her crib sleeping 12 hours and we are getting much needed rest too! The window is actually quite safe and very hard to open. There is no draft issue either. It's more the blinds/ cords that really bother us. She will be sitting up soon and so we want to get this fixed in a jiffy!

How about making a "cap" for the window? Order or make a wood frame that would fit over the window. Cover that with cute fabric like an artist canvas. Hang over the window and discretely nail it on the top and bottom. Very baby safe.

How about having a piece of clear acrylic (even 1/8" thick) cut to fit to the edge of the window casing? only cut to the size you need to keep little hands from grabby-grabbing (i.e. about 1.5' above the crib rail and to just below the mattress) and screw securely into the wood casing. The blinds could stay where they are and the acrylic will let light in. You can then go crazy with decals (on the back, of course) for your little one to enjoy close up, or better yet, get a tinted film to add a bit of color.

Acrylic isn't that difficult to source, but it will take some digging in your area.

OR you can order small off cuts of really sweeeet materials from 3Form
http://www.3-form.com/order-reclaim.php
if you know your size, you may be able to get something really amazing.

good luck!

I second getting a cable turtle, but for the aesthetics I would make a pelmet box (tutorial here http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/09/easy-pelmet-boxes.html ) When you pull up the blinds they will be of sight.

The acrylic is a great idea too!!! I am not sure a cable turtle would be enough because she would still want to pull on the blinds.
Thank you all so much for your help!!!
Amy

My friend's baby died by being tangled up in the blind cords and he was just over 1 year old. Its not good enough to just "tuck them up" you need to cut the excess cord off, so its all the way at the top of the window. I have another friend who's little boy died by falling out of an open window. So please make sure both things are foolproof.