Moving house - need window treatments on a budget

lovethymini

We're moving house next month and our new house hasn't got the biggest bedrooms plus the rads are under the window so I'm looking at getting roman blinds;- only thing is, DH can't sleep if there's too much light coming through, so I can't buy an off the shelf size (would need to get 190cm width) as the blind needs to sit outside the window recess. So first question, has anyone tried making their own and how difficult would you rate it?

Alternatively, has anyone bought custom made romans? I've looked at Dunelm Mill, Next and John Lewis. Trouble is, I've worked in the industry and have a very blase view of the cost of window treatments, unlike DH (aka finance department).

Lastly, (long shot, this one) - has anyone found cheaper suppliers of bottom up blinds?

Ideally I'd like blackout Roman blinds, with voile bottom up blinds.

Can't have curtains because there's not much space between the window wall and the foot of the bed. We're currently renting an identical house three doors down so have a good feel for the space we'll have.

Oh, and the cheaper roller blinds that have cardboard inserts rather than metal - are they much less durable?

TIA

Rockyboo

I made my first ever set of roman blinds last week, and I'm really proud of them, they look great! My windows, like yours, are not standard sizes and I couldn't find ready made blinds to fit, so I thought I'd have a go at making my own, and I'm amazed how easy I found it.

There are loads of websites out there that give you step-by-step instructions, so have a look at a few first, then have a go - you'll be glad you did!

pimento

Don't byuy the cardboard roller blinds. With windows your size they will sag in the middle (the voice of experience here).

I bought a John Lewis blackout blind for my son's room a few months ago and I think it was about £50 (180cm width). A doddle to install and blocks out most of the light while still being cream coloured.

lovethymini

Rockyboo wrote: »

I made my first ever set of roman blinds last week, and I'm really proud of them, they look great! My windows, like yours, are not standard sizes and I couldn't find ready made blinds to fit, so I thought I'd have a go at making my own, and I'm amazed how easy I found it.

There are loads of websites out there that give you step-by-step instructions, so have a look at a few first, then have a go - you'll be glad you did!

Thanks Rockyboo, I've found a few places that sell the kit which would help me. The windows are 180 wide, so standard, but to make them keep more light out it's recommended that the blind sits outside the window recess and has a 5cm overlap each side.

Did you make completely from scratch or buy a kit, and how did you get the eyelets into the fabric in the back for the pull cords?

lovethymini

pimento wrote: »

Don't byuy the cardboard roller blinds. With windows your size they will sag in the middle (the voice of experience here).

I bought a John Lewis blackout blind for my son's room a few months ago and I think it was about £50 (180cm width). A doddle to install and blocks out most of the light while still being cream coloured.

Thanks - I need a blackout roller for my son's room too, but his window is 120 wide. I've looked at John Lewis and they're a little more expensive, but I'd rather not make more landfill and buy something that doesn't fall apart after 2 years!

lovethymini

I've found a couple of great sites since my first post if this helps anyone...

tuiss.co.uk make all types of blinds, eco blinds (heat retaining) and reasonable prices, great website and received some beautiful swatches quickly.

beyond-fabrics.co.uk sell fabric from £3/m!

Have decided against bottom up blinds for now (much to DH relief) and hoping to put some sort of privacy thing up using what the seller leaves behind (I hope!). They've got a thin pole halfway up the window with a net curtain, I'm thinking a plain voile taut and not gathered would look the same as a voile roller but just be static for a fraction of the price. Been to Ikea on Saturday and their voile rollers don't come in 180cm, and I don't want 3 x 60cm blinds (been there done that).

downshifted

it's tuiss.co.uk (no e) - I am moving this month and will need window treatments - they do look interesting - thanks

lovethymini

ops sorry for typo

pimento

John Lewis blackout roller blinds in 122cm width (they're easy-peasy to trim down) are only £33.00

http://www.johnlewis.com/4489/Product.aspx

tuiss

lovethymini and downshifted thank you for the kind comments about tuiss.

If you decide to go with our wonderful blinds please drop me an email, I will be able to sort out a 10% special discount for you.

mark@tuiss.co.uk

lovethymini

tuiss wrote: »

lovethymini and downshifted thank you for the kind comments about tuiss.

If you decide to go with our wonderful blinds please drop me an email, I will be able to sort out a 10% special discount for you.

mark@tuiss.co.uk

Thanks! :beer: