Pulling together a room can be easily accomplished by adding window treatments such as balloon shade curtains as part of your home decorating. There are a wide variety of window treatments to compliment all types of windows and doors in a home. There are curtains, shades and blinds just to name a few. These window treatments are made in different colors and styles so that you create the look that you want.

A balloon shade is one curtain style that is used by many people to accent a window. This shade is available in different lengths and widths to fit different sized windows. The main characteristic of these types of shades is the billowing effect at the very bottom of the curtain. These shades are operated like many of other shades with a pull string. The user can raise and lower the shades without affecting the pretty billowing effect at the end of the shade. These curtains are usually made with pleats or some other form of shirring which emphasizes the billowing effect at the bottom of the curtain.

Anyone looking for a shade that will bring out the beauty of a nicely shaped window should invest in balloon shades. These shades can be used fully raised to accent the top portion of a window so that the remainder of the window is not obstructed by the curtain but still nicely decorated. Some people use balloon shade valances alone and find that they offer enough coverage and style for their décor particularly during the warmer months when more natural light is preferred. Other people like to combine these types of shades with traditional drapes for additional coverage or to create a more formal looking window treatment.

Balloon window shades are easy to install and can be used with nearly any type of window hardware depending on the type of window that is being covered. Most windows can be accented with these shades using a traditional curtain rod which are fairly simple to install. For those that want a more elegant look decorative rods can be installed. Individuals that combine both balloon and traditional shades will find that tiebacks are very useful.

There are some cases where window treatments need to be custom made for a window. This occurs with windows that are very large or those that have special shapes. Many companies that sell blinds, shades and curtains do offer a service that will provide custom made shades. The individual must measure the windows accurately and then provide the measurements to the company that will make the custom shades or curtains. This service will usually cost the individual a little more money when compared to purchasing blinds.

Those looking for an alternative to traditional shades and curtains should consider balloon shade curtains.

Interior decorating is a very personal thing, and with the difficulty in finding just the right unique form of presentation that isn’t old hat, many people are turning to the picturesque qualities of balloon roman shades. Besides being distinctively more visually interesting than flat shades, utilizing balloon shades in the roman style offers certain conveniences for the living space that most would appreciate. The superiority of these designs doesn’t necessarily mean that the products will cost more, either, as in many cases it’s possible to acquire them on heavy sales that mark the shades down over fifty percent of the base price.

Perhaps you’re not aware what these terms even mean? They’re really very simple, albeit specialized. A balloon shade is simply a shade that uses scalloping, which is a series of repeated rounded projections. This creates a wave-like look, and the use of multiple dimensions instead of having a simple flat shade serves to catch the eye. Shades being ‘roman’ is a separate design trait, one that infers the shades being drawn upwards towards the ceiling, instead of drawn to the side. This allows windows to be displayed in a more natural manner, and keeps the shades out of the way when not in use.

The price ranges on balloon window shades generally begin high, but are prone to rapid decline over time. A set of shades that costs over a hundred dollars may be thirty next month, if you’re willing to wait. The base materials used, including the dyes for intricate patterns, are inherently inexpensive, with most of the cost being justified in the labor of assembly. While initial markups are generally quite high on new designs, one need only wait a little while for prices to go down to something more reasonable. And if you can afford to wait long enough for a particular style you like to go completely out of popular fashion, you’ll be able to pick up your shades for next to nothing.

Shades also come in valance form, which is a smaller form of drape used to hide the tops of the shades. Balloon shade valances function essentially just like the normal shade versions, save for not usually being able to be drawn up or to one side. Very often, matching valances will come with shades, making it unnecessary to buy both separately. It is generally desirable to get valances with your shades when possible. This is because the base prices for valances are somewhat inflated, even after settling down through the prerequisite sensible waiting period. You may pay thirty dollars for your shades, and then pay twenty dollars for valances that are less than a third of the size and strictly ornamental in nature. However, valances do add a very elegant and beautiful touch to shades if one wishes to prize perfect decorating over pinching pennies.

A balloon shade is similar in concept to a roman shade, although the mechanics are carried out a little differently.  Both provide an intermediate step between a shade and a drapery.

Shades function to block out the light.  They basically have two positions – up, which allows the light in, or down, which keeps the light out.  The most common kind of shade is the standard roller shade, where material is wound around a spring-loaded spool at the top of the window and is unwound to cover the window.  Draperies, or curtains, are designed to filter light.  They can be partly opened, completely opened, or completely closed, and each position filters out a varying degree of light.  They are also designed to dress up the window.

Balloon shade curtains contain an upper inverted pleat that opens into graceful, flowing scallops at the bottom.  When raised, the inverted pleats gather the fabric into a series of puffy festoons and the balloon shade is highly decorative.  When lowered, the shade effectively blocks the light while maintaining its scalloped base, so it is still decorative.   Roman shades are similar, except that they are pleated horizontally instead of vertically.  When they are raised, to allow in the light, they simply fold up upon themselves in a concertina-like fashion.  This is much more attractive than a raised roller-shade. Balloon window shades are frequently used as balloon shade valences to cover the head rail of other window treatments.

Both roman and balloon shades can be made with a white backing that provides a uniform appearance from the exterior of the window as they are lowered..  They can also be constructed from fabrics with varying degrees of weight, to either block light completely or to let in a specified amount, even when down.

As with any other style of window treatment, the pricing of balloon shade curtains is extremely varied.  There are so many variables to consider and so many fabrics and designs available that it is difficult to select a median value.  There are, however, several tips you can heed to be sure you get the best possible price on whatever shade you decide to purchase.

The best price is, of course, free.  How can you get these shades for free?  Make them yourself!  If you have a moderate amount of skill with a sewing machine, there are several very good websites which give very clear and easy-to-follow instructions for planning, measuring and making your own shades.  The nest option is to find a sale.  Many websites make this easier by offering a lowest price guarantee.  Find what you want on several websites and then do a cost comparison – but be sure to factor in shipping charges so that you are comparing apples to apples.

If you have a custom made living and dining room you may want to consider using balloon window shades. A window treatment can greatly enhance or detract from the overall atmosphere of a room. Choosing to use balloon shades in a formal setting such as a dining room will help enhance the room’s elegance. The shades are designed to create a balloon or scalloped effect on the edge when they are drawn. This effect gives a very dramatic look to the shade.

If you really want a custom look you can choose to use balloon roman shades. The nice part about choosing a pair of dramatic shades for your dining area is that they can be used in combination with any type of drapery. You could choose to use a lighter more transparent shade with a heavy lined drapery to allow more light into the room by day. You could go the other way and use a heavier light filtering shade with a lighter sheer drapery treatment. This would make the drapery treatment more of a decorative look than a functional one.

You can also use balloon window shades in combination with the balloon shade valances. This creates a designer effect when the two are matched from the same style and pattern of fabric. This is a good look for a living room as well as for a dining room. Choosing to use softer colors in a living room will create a more informal and comfortable atmosphere. The balloon shade curtains can be used in bedrooms as well. They actually go very nicely in rooms that have a period styling to them.

Many older Victorian era homes use the balloon shade as their shade of choice. The old fashioned ones have a fringe on the bottom edge that fits right in with the Victorian style. The shades definitely create a different type of effect than a standard shade does. The fact that it has the scalloped edging makes it more decorative in appearance then the standard style of window shade.

Most people try to create an elegant atmosphere to their dining area and these shades help create that setting. Because the shades are available in a wide assortment of colors and styles you can easily create the dining room of your dreams. You can choose to create a softer muted style by using shades in beiges and creams. With a lightly flowered pattern and a cream fringe edge it would be the perfect complement to an old fashioned dining area.

When used in an antique or old fashioned living room, you can coordinate the shades to blend with a nice patterned Victorian style area rug. You can further enhance the look of the room by adding matching lamps that have fringe styles shades to them. Choosing to use the shades with the balloon styling will greatly enhance the overall atmosphere of your living and dining room areas.