8 Unconventional Window Decorating Ideas For Summer

Window protection or window treatment methods such as blinds, shades, valances, and curtains are used for a variety of purposes. They not only add color and design to your living space but also protect it against disruptive weather conditions that may have a negative impact on your home. If your windows are not protected, your house will heat up during summers, become extremely cold during winters and might also have water seep in through cracks and holes in the walls during rains.

In the market, there are many windows decorating ideas for summer such as curtains, roller blinds, Roman blinds, shutters, cellular shades, draperies and so on. Room darkening shades help in keeping the temperature inside neutral to enjoy a comfortable and cozy home. They also help in keeping out sunlight and thus help in reducing glare which can be harmful while reading or watching television. Then there are shades which help in protection against ultraviolet radiation as well as those which help retain the warmth in homes during winters.

Window Decorating Ideas For Summer – Energy Efficient Options

There are some which are good energy efficient options and then those which come in motorized and remote controlling features to lend comfort and convenience to you. However, due to budget constraints, not all people are able to afford expensive blinds and shades and the maintenance costs which they must bear with. For them, we have a few unconventional window treatments ideas which are just as effective as curtains or shutters.

#1. Shelves

The option of setting up shelves will provide a rather unique and unconventional look to your room when you decide to have them right in front of the window. You can have them built but need to have certain considerations in mind before you start executing your plan. You must think about the length and breadth of the windows and the extent to which they will provide protection against the sun.

You might think of having glass shelves lined with a series of plants in more than one rows. This will lend your room a natural look while not compromising on the style factor. You can also go for ceramic or hard stones as shelves to avoid the passage of light. Beyond plants, you may also ponder keeping small and solid decorative items which you were not sure of where to keep. However, to ensure that you don’t overstuff shelves with unnecessary objects as it will lend them a clunky look.

#2. Valances

Valances have been a traditional form of covering windows. They come in both age-old and contemporary designs and are often one of the cheaper and more affordable ways for adding an artistic and exuberant touch to your windows than the tried and tested curtains. They offer something unique in that they can be custom designed and can also go well with curtains, draperies or honeycomb shades when you want to mix two different window treatments in the same room.

Available in innumerable designs, valances can take the shape of classic ruffles and sheers. You can even go for printed designs to contrast with bold, dark walls to make your windows the center of attention in the room, or go for subtle and lighter fabrics if you want to divert attention away from them.

#3. Awnings

Awnings are a classic form of outdoor treatment methods that are as universal in their application as the variety they offer for varied homes and their styles. They can take the shape of a sheet of canvas applied on the porch to filter the level of heat and sunlight that enters the home, or can be mounted outside a window on the top floor. The materials they are made of can be as diverse as cotton and aluminum to sheets of iron. They are also used in cafes and restaurants to cover outdoor areas to accommodate parties and get-togethers in an open location.

They are used to provide protection against the sun, rains, strong winds and hurricanes, and are known to mitigate the effects of temperature by at least 15%.

#4. Frosted Glass

Frosted glass was earlier used in offices, restaurants and big buildings. However, its use has transcended to windows used in dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Its purpose is simple: to obscure visibility to allow only diffused light to pass through. You can go for the readymade frosted glass to cover windows or follow a few simple steps to frost regular glass in your home.

There are two ways you can follow to produce frosted or etched glass: through sandblasting or acid etching. The process of acid etching is carried out by using a mask to create intricate patterns, designs, paints, and lettering. Sandblasting can be done by hand or through a machine. This procedure involves blasting sand particles on to the glass. This results in erosion on the surface which removes small particles from it. This further results in the development of the rough, translucent surface which is called frosted glass.

#5. Window Sealing Methods

There are various window sealing methods to prevent dust particles from entering the home and to prevent the escape of heat during winters. Window caulking is a tried and tested method of scrapping old paint using a screwdriver or a knife and then applying enough caulk to all joints in a window frame. This also stops moisture and droplets of water during the rainy season to enter your home and damage walls and furniture which is close to the windows.

Sealing the openings in doors and windows can also be done through weatherstripping. The materials that are used in weatherstripping are usually a mix of rubber and plastic. The materials used in the coating can be easily obtained from any shop. This method is commonly followed by homes across the world that do not have the luxury of purchasing expensive window blinds.

#6. Flowers

You can also think about adorning the ledge area of your windows with small shrubs and flowers if they do not have shutters or roller blinds already there. This can be done especially when the windows are small or medium-sized. This way they can be covered to a substantial extent by nature while also beautifying the look of your windows.

Another option is to grow vines on the exterior walls of the house, although enough care must be taken before going for this idea. Vines can find their ways into the house through small cracks which can result in damage to walls.

#7. Window Ledges

They are great exterior window treatment options as they provide a solid finishing touch to the house apart from being excellent protectors against rain. You can add a bird feeder on the ledge or layer it with flowers and plants. Also called window sills, window ledges are constructed at the bottom of the windows, making them more energy efficient and structurally sound.

#8. Window Quilts

Like insulated cellular honeycomb shades, window quilts are often manually attached across the dimensions of the window to trap heat or prevent it from entering in diverse climates. Coming in a layer of polyester or polyester blends, window quilts are often great substitutes for expensive window coverings that might otherwise require high maintenance costs.

To sum up, the methods to set up your windows do not merely end at having curtains or blinds. You can customize your windows the way you want, be it through window quilts, ledges, flowers, window frosting or weatherstripping. These are practical methods that do not require much investment.