Help your windows stand out with curtains and window treatments

There are many times at home when it's ideal to have your windows open and let the sunshine and the breezes come in freely. However, there are times, when the weather is stormy, when you're trying to get some sleep or just times when you want some privacy, that those windows need to be both closed and covered. That's when curtains, draperies and other window treatments, such as blinds, shades and window film, can provide the light-blocking protection you need. With Walmart's low prices, every day, on everything, you can add curtains or treatments to every window in your home and not break the bank doing so.

Curtains and drapes

No one knows your home like you do, so you know best which window treatments can meet your specific needs. However, knowing a few things about each type can help guide you to the right decision about what treatments to install on your window.

• Curtains Although curtains and drapes are seemingly the same thing, and the words are usually used interchangeably, they're slightly different. Unlike their drapery cousin, curtains are lighter window coverings and usually come without a liner. Some curtains are quite sheer and only block a small amount of outside light. These are ideal for locations like kitchens or upstairs rooms that are away from prying eyes. Curtains are sold by both width and length and can run from floor to ceiling, although most curtains usually only run a couple of inches longer and wider than the window where you're using them.
• Draperies Draperies, or drapes, have more weight than curtains do and often have an interior liner. They also tend to be more ornate than curtains are, available in fine fabrics like satin and silk. Drapes also do an excellent job at keeping the areas around windows warmer during the colder seasons of the year due to their added weight. Drapes can be about the size of the window they're covering, but many of these also run from ceiling to floor. Due to their thickness, drapes are ideal for rooms where privacy is desired or where the colorful material can stand out. Like curtains, drapes are available by length and width. For both, it's necessary to have the right hardware for hanging them, including curtain or drapery rods.

Blinds and shades

Most blinds available are horizontal blinds you open, close, raise and lower with a series of pulley cords and tilt wands. Some are vertical blinds, but most of these are available for doors, not windows. Blinds hang from hardware that mounts inside the window frame at the top of the window and the blinds hang down to either the window sill or slightly below, especially if there's no sill for the window. Although white is the most common color, it really depends on the material to determine what color the blinds will be. Metal, unpainted wood and bamboo blinds tend to be darker. Many blinds are made from wood and painted white or off-white, but you also have the option of vinyl, aluminum and even paper blinds, which often have designs painted onto them. The slat size varies between 1 inch and 2 1/2 inches for blinds, although some bamboo vertical blinds are very thin.

When you think of shades, you may think of the old-time roller style that hang from a roll at the top of the window, and you pull down or up depending on whether you want light to filter through or not. Now, there are several types of window shades, including those that resemble blinds and operate by simply lifting or lowering the bottom of the shade. Unlike blinds, shades come in more colors, although white and off-white are still the most common. These also allow less light in when closed than shades. Some of the other options you have include honeycomb shades, which are slightly thicker and are better at keeping the cold from the window from entering the home; roman shades are fabric shades that offer distinctive style options to the homeowner; and bamboo shades are woven shades that have a natural wood look to them and are another style option available.

Valances

If you have decided to go with a plain looking shade or set of blinds, but still want to add some design elements to your windows, valances are an ideal selection to make. These hang from the top of a window and can be used alone or in conjunction with another window treatment. One of the major benefits of a valance is that they cover the hardware needed for hanging curtains, blinds and shades. These are available in assorted colors and designs, so you'll want to go with something that matches your decor.

Window films

If you just want to add some privacy or are looking for a low-cost window treatment, window film can solve your problem. Window film can be a simple opaque with nothing else, or it can have designs and colors added to it. Window film is peel and stick, and sold in sheets that range from 24 inches wide to 48 inches wide. You want to make sure you buy film that's wider than the window you're covering, or you can apply two or more pieces side by side if your windows are wider than 48 inches. Any excess can be trimmed with a utility knife, and the window film is removable, if necessary.