I need some cheap, easy, alternatives to mini-blinds for my home. Something that doesn't require sewing or much skill, or much money.
By lasamons
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Quickest and cheapest might be to buy inexpensive tension rods and cheap twin size bed-sheets; slip the sheets over the rods and then set the rods inside the window framing.
Easy-peasy, bunch to the side to 'open' the curtains, and simply toss in the wash once or twice a month to remove dust.
LOL, I hate mini-blinds and wish I could talk my husband into letting me do the above to every window in the house!
DH and I just bought a 1950s rancher and we bought pull down shades at Home depot. They are not expensive and are coming back into style. I am in the process of making valances for all the windows. I hate mini blinds and the wider slat horizontal blinds. They are the worst dust harbingers in the world.
I bought roll-up matchstick blinds at Big Lots for less than $5 per window. I like the look and texture they add to the room. However, I find plastic mini blinds to be about the cheapest way to cover your windows. They are around the same price.
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I live in an apartment and would like to replace the mini blinds on the back door. Would it be hard to put up something like sheers with a tension rod? Or do you have any other ideas?
By Onesummer
I would think the object of having any covering on windows of any type is for privacy. Sheers don't offer much in the line of privacy.
I have a door with a window in it, and put a roll up type blind, I purchased at home depot. It is very nice, easy to use, and you have complete privacy if you want, or a nice view.
What is wrong with the mini blinds? Is it that they get so dirty and move around too much when you open and shut the door? You can buy some that are encased in glass for certain door windows. They give privacy when closed, you can tilt the blinds open to any angle wanted, or put them all the way up for a full view.
We got ours at Lowes. They are more expensive, but your landlord may pay for it if they would fit your door. Is there enough room to put a tension rod? Most doors don't have enough of a frame around the window to hold a tension rod. If the door isn't wood, you may not want or be allowed to make screw holes in it to hang another type of window treatment.
A magnetic rod would work on a metal door and would be strong enough to hold most fabric treatments. If you decide on sheers, I'd get two rods, one for the top and one for the bottom (casement rods). Have you considered putting up a window film. They now come in patterns, colors, or opaques that allow light through and give privacy. They are relatively cheap and can be taken off when you move.
Whatever you decide be sure to get it in writing from your landlord that it's okay to do. Where I live it's not allowed to remove the blinds but I was allowed to put up my own valances and/or curtains as long as the backing (the side that shows to outdoor viewers) was plain white or cream.
If the door is a steel one you don't want to put holes in it or you will be charged. They make magnetic curtain rods, I bought mine at Target. You can then have a curtain over the window. I have a blind and put the curtains over it.
PS - Window blinds are also a wonderful way to save money on heat and air conditioning bills when the days and nights are extremely cold or hot.
Perhaps you would be interested in using the mini blind hardware to create your own sheer shade? Here's a fun tutorial on that:
littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/
Without knowing your specific set-up, it's hard to say. However, I have sucessfully used tension rods in lots of places and love them as I can take them with me when I move and they've very inexpensive. The key is to make sure you have enough flat surface for the rod to go between.
