With the economy in a slump, buying a new home seems to be out of the question. However, there are ways you can brighten up your home and give it a new feeling without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Buy new curtains or roman blinds.
You can control the amount of light you want in the room with blinds and curtains. The right color and size curtains will make any room pleasant and brighter. Too heavy of curtains will not allow much light to pass through.

Buy a new sofa from sofa.com.
Sofa.com allows you to build your own furniture so that it is right for your space. The furniture that you choose should have lighter fabrics so that vistors will feel welcome to sit down.

Build an extension.
If you can’t afford a new house, why not just add on to the one you have now? Building extensions not only add more square footage to your living space, they also add more value to your home.

Re-paint the house - interior and exterior.
Psychologists often say that color influences our emotions. Dark colors makes a room dismal and too bright a color can make a room not tranquil. Light blues and greens are generally most suitable. Light colors, like white and off-white, reflect light. Regardless of the color you prefer, a different coat of paint will certainly freshen any room up.

Bring the garden inside.
If you enjoy planting and the beauty it can bring to a home, bring the garden inside! Flowers can adorn any home if the colors match and accentuate the space.

Use different lighting fixtures.
Often, people have no idea what kind of lighting works best for certain rooms. Install new lights or replace old lighting fixtures to brighten up a space. Light fixtures that sit upon the wall or ceiling are more long-lasting. They have the convenience of functioning from wall switches, and they supply light from overhead and don’t take up table or floor elbowroom. Flourescent bulbs are great and environmentally friendly because they provide ample amount of lighting yet require less electricity.

Install a skylight.
Skylights bring in natural light - and a lot of it. Some skylights can be accessable for ventilation. Of course, they’re not an option for a building you don’t own or a first-floor room in a multi-story residence.

Use more mirrors.
Mirrors open up space and bring in light. Correctly adorning mirrors will make the room seem copious and they’ll reproduce the light you already have with no further electricity.

Spring cleaning more often than just in the Spring.
In case you haven’t noticed, cob webs make a room seem unapproachable and dirty. Clutter and dust make any space dark and undersized. Light cleaning once a week will make a world of a difference in making any home brighter and inviting. Also, clean your windows frequently. Clean windows will let more light in!

Use bright colors when decorating.
Bright colors are great for gloomy times. Dark spaces are very uninviting. In such bleak times, why not surround yourself and your loved ones with bright and cheery colors?

You don’t have to milk your bank dry or buy a new house in order to have a place that you love. Don’t allow the slump in the economy to darken your home; brighten it up inexpensively with new colors and new furniture.

Buying curtains made with high quality fabrics gives any interior the elegant look you demand. So caring for these curtains must be done with their specific requirements in mind, or your curtains will be irreparably ruined, and thus no longer suitable for your living space.

The first question is, what material are the curtains made of? While the first rule of thumb is to follow the cleaning instructions provided, there may be additional issues. For instance, while cotton can be machine washed, it can still require frequent ironing. However, if you had your curtains treated with a wrinkle resistant finish, they will not only require less ironing, but will be much more resilient overall. If your curtains are made from linen, they might be machine washable, but if the company that made them recommends dry cleaning instead, you would be better advised to have them cleaned that way.

Wool curtains can be washed, but should still be dry cleaned once a season. If soiled, they need to be washed immediately, but can still be hung dry at room temperature, which will also bring out the wrinkles. Your professional curtain cleaners will know this. They will also know that, when ironing wool curtains, not to iron them totally dry. Additionally, they will be aware that it is better to iron on the back of the material, or to use a “press cloth” if they must iron on the right side. Otherwise, the fabric will get a distasteful shine. While ironing, they will place brown paper or even tissue under the folds to prevent imprinting any inside detail.

It would seem obvious that such care should be taken of your curtains; however, you may want to speak with your professional curtain cleaners to see how they will actually do the cleaning, just to be sure. For instance, curtains are often not preshrunk. So if the company is reputable, they will ask you whether your curtains have been preshrunk, if they are to be washed, or if this is their first washing.

Using a professional curtain cleaning company will ensure that your curtains get the best treatment possible when they are cleaned. However, if you choose to clean them yourself, keep in mind that, in addition to usually not being preshrunk, they are often not color-guarded. They may also lose their shape, which means no more pleats. Additionally, water can damage some fabrics, like silk, or change their texture, thus ruining the way they hang.

Professional curtain cleaners can either take down the curtains and clean them at their facility, or clean them on-site. First they pre-vacuum dry dirt off. If cleaned on-site, they then either use drycleaning solvents, which are flammable and should not be inhaled, or steam clean the curtains, which is safer, but not an option for water-sensitive fabrics. Thus, it may be better to have them taken to the curtain cleaner’s facility. Taking them to your dry cleaners may be fine if you trust them, but solvents used on clothes are never guaranteed on curtains.

As with other home furnishings, curtains gather dust and dirt, even if not immediately visible. They also collect odors, and oil-based soils released into the air when cooking. Therefore, regular cleaning is advisable once a season, or at least once a year. Not only will this maintain their beauty, it will maintain a healthier interior environment, as well.

Thus, properly cleaning your fine curtains, with the specific needs of the fabric in mind, will ensure you can continue to proudly display them in your interior environment for years to come.

Linen is a very common fabric for curtains to be manufactured from, but not many people understand it’s origins or how it is manufactued.

Linen has been around for centuries, and it can be traced as far back into history. Not only was it used to make fabrics but it was also used as a form of currency. Linen was seen as an attribute of wealth and purity so it was used in the burial process in ancient Egypt. Linen was also used often by artists to create works of art like the Mona Lisa. Today, linen is still viewed as a higher quality cloth and is usually made in small lots. As well as for curtains we use linen for clothing, home furnishings, decorations and industrial products.

Linen is actually made from vegetable fibers. Fibers are slender elongated substances capable of being spun into yarn. Fibers can come from one of four different origins, animals, vegetables, minerals and synthetic. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers. Made from the flax plant, linen is two to three times stronger than cotton. Flax fibers can come in two different varieties, shorter tow fibers and longer tow fibers, which is why linen can be made in coarse and finer fabrics.The fabrics natural colors tend to run between cream, tan and gray. Linen is highly absorbent and very sturdy. It has the ability to take in and lose water quickly and is one of a handful of fabrics that are stronger wet than dry and it gets softer the more you wash it.

Linen customarily comes in bulk commonly called a Lea. A lea’s average size is 300 yard per pound. It can be expensive because of the time involved and the difficult manufacturing procedures. The method for producing linen is an extensive process. Flax is hand harvested. This process requires up rooting the entire plant. Once the seeds are removed through a process called winnowing, the next step is retting. Retting is to soak the flax in water to remove the fibers from the woody tissue by partially rotting it. After retting there’s scutching, which takes place from August to December. Scutching also separated the fibers from the woody part but by beating it. Then the short fibers are combed away leaving the longer, softer fibers. Upon completion of the separation process the substance is spun into yarn and then knit or woven into linen. When the fabric is made then it can be bleached, dyed or printed on. The finished products are the beautiful table cloths, bedspread and draperies we see today.

In all likelihood, somewhere in a Neanderthal cave, the lady of house figured out that the elements posed a problem and used animal hide to cover open portals of light. Animal hide, fur and membrane are the ancestors of today’s curtains used in numerous window treatments.

Over time, curtains on windows, doors and showers areas became a necessity. Curtains have been used on old sailing ships, covered wagons and log cabins. Colorfully painted wooden Gypsy wagons were adorned with small windows covered in dainty curtains.

North American native Indians stretched hide for tents. Doors of these tents were fashioned into a curtain flap for entering and exiting. But, the flap also served the purpose of keeping out dust, insects and bad weather elements.

With the advancement of cultures and elevation of societies, curtains evolved into an ornamental window treatment. Long cross pane windows in castles and homes of lesser royalty were adorned with exquisite drapery in elegant fabric like velvet, organdy or finest lace. Belgium and Ireland produced the finest handcrafted lace for curtains.

Even in the bedroom, curtains had their function. Bed curtains attached by rings to a square or round frame high above the bed were considered a necessity for centuries in Scandinavian and European countries. Most bed curtains were made from more serviceable materials like cotton or dimity. In tropical climates, curtains were used as a protection from sudden dust storms and insects. In the Orient, seductive beaded curtains, made from colored glass and hung vertically, or those made from bamboo cane added to the mystique and allure of a room. In other Oriental countries, gossamer materials in brilliant fuschia, purple or green served as curtains for harems, throne rooms and bedrooms.

Curtains had been designed with a pocket sewn on the inner side through which a rod could then be inserted. Often, a cornice, a decorative wood covering was added to a window above the curtain rod. Europeans preferred a combination of curtain and drape, no doubt as a hedge against the cold and damp weather. Certain styles of curtains were identified with social status as well as by the costly materials brought by traders in the Far East or other exotic areas. Huge bolts of finest materials were brought aboard ships and sent across the seas to be sold.

As time passed, curtains diversified into various styles such as pinch-pleated draperies, tab-pleated, swag and smocked, until the present time that has as many styles in curtains, rods, valances and ornamental cornices and accessories such as curtain tie-backs with tassles and fringe. In primitive times, curtains were simply attached to a window using sticky sap. As curtain sophistication grew, curtain rods were made from hand-hewn wood, usually oak, birch or similar hardwoods. Some rods are still constructed of wood, although most are metal or synthetic material. Beaded curtains are still quite popular for special room accents. Bed curtains have been replaced by four-poster beds with an overhead canopy. Bamboo curtains are another popular window treatment used in many enclosed patios, sun rooms, conservatories and for special effects in bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens.

Down through history, curtains have remained singularly useful for any decor. Though curtain styles change through trends and new innovations in design, curtains still serve the purpose for which they were originally intended: protection from overexposure to sun and drafts. Yet, curtains also give any room a finishing touch. The Neanderthal lady of the cave would certainly be pleased with such a wide range of styles, designs and materials from which to choose.

After a long, dark, cold winter you may be excited for the upcoming spring… a time of warmer climate and sunnier atmosphere. Why should your home be any different?

Spring cleaning can actually begin as early as January or February, and it is an easier task if you spread your spring cleaning out over a period of months… tackling one step at a time on a weekly basis.

The most burdensome task should be attempted first, and that’s out with the old, in with the new .

Cleaning out clutter that has collected (not only throughout winter but over the years as well) is the most rewarding type of cleaning there is. Don’t be hung up as you dig through old boxes. Finding a shell from your trip to the Bahamas several years ago may put a smile on your face… but do you really need to hold on to these tokens?

Anything broken or unusable, regardless of their emotional value, should be discarded of. Why hold on to things that merely collect dust in a closet or back room? The cleaner your home, the warmer the atmosphere. And if you would ever like to bring anything new into your home… you must say out with the old and in with the new!

Since this can be an emotionally tolling process, it is okay to spread it out over the process of a month or more. But getting rid of dust collectors is not the only thing needed to spring clean… it’s just a start.

Rolling up your sleeves and cleaning is another essential portion of spring cleaning your home. The concept of spring cleaning has many levels to it, and cleaning is very important. Scrub away at any blemishes, dust everything that needs to be dusted, and if applicable get rid of those dead flies that have collected in any ceiling lights.

Remember that a clean home is a warming, welcoming home. While keeping it that clean is rather difficult, annual spring cleaning is the time to tackle these burdensome tasks.

Finally, converting your home into a warm, welcoming home is the icing on the cake. This part of spring cleaning is the most pleasurable and you can have a lot of fun with it.

Repainting your walls, redecorating rooms, moving around furniture… it’s all about change and after a long, dull winter it can be a very inspiring action.

One of the less obvious changes one can make while changing their home for the spring is to replace your curtains. While having dark curtains are almost necessary for the winter to keep in heat (and for privacy) the spring is a time for new beginnings, brighter skies, and lighter curtains.

For larger windows with a nice view, a sheer white curtain is perfect in the spring time and all throughout summer as well. Just as darker curtains help keep your home warm throughout the winter, a sheer curtain will keep your home warm through warmer, sunnier seasons. Also, with the bright light of the sun shining through you will decrease your electric bill immensely.

If white does not sound appealing, there are other shades of sheer curtains available… even in darker colors… that will achieve the same cost effective results and complement your decor. As a general rule of thumb though, lighter colors create a more inviting home throughout spring and summer.

Other things to change for the spring include carpets, decorative knick knacks and candles, and bedding. Once you have cleaned out old junk, scrubbed away old stains and washed off any collected dust, the decorative part of spring cleaning is nothing but fun!

This wartime advert made me smile. Curtains aren’t just pretty, they have their practical uses too, such as protecting us from A-bomb blasts! The ad text reads - Heavy canvas window curtains, specially treated, are designed to give partial protection from the effects of an A-bomb blast. The curtains are metalized with aluminum and lead. They will help protect persons inside a building from flying glass, radioactive dust and flash burns, according to the manufacturer. They are said to be effective at distances beyond 2600 feet of the explosion. When not in use, the curtain rolls against the upper part of the casement like a window shade.

Using interlined or thermally lined curtains or Roman blinds is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to insulate your home. They cut your energy bills significantly, even during the long, cold winter months. They also reduce your electric bills in the summer by keeping out excessive heat. In addition, they keep out more light, as well as noise, than conventional window coverings with their extra “wadding”. Finally, they do all this, yet still look elegant on your windows.

The interlining is usually an extra padding that lies between the facing material and the inner lining. Thermal lining uses a special thermal layer specifically designed to restrict the flow of cold air into the room through the window, in the winter, and out the window, during the summer.

Roman blinds, by design, create a modern, elegant look to your house or apartment. Curtains create a classic look that brings dignity to your living space. When they are thermally lined, functionality and elegance come together to create a comfortably warm yet sophisticated interior environment. You can proudly entertain even the finickiest guests on the coldest evenings.

As with regular curtains and Roman blinds, you can request any type of fabric for the facing material of your custom sewn thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds. And when made and cared for properly, they can last from ten to twenty years, thus further paying for themselves in addition to reducing your energy bills.

You can buy factory made interlined or thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds for less, while still being assured of the highest quality lined items on the market. However, custom designed Roman blinds assure that any window, regardless of proportion, will be precisely covered, corner to corner, with no embarassing gaps between the window frames and the blinds, or sloppy overlap because they are too wide for a particular window.

Additionally, a professional window attachments company will be aware that if you wish to have both the thermally lined curtains as well as the thermally lined Roman blinds, the latter cannot simply be hung on a rod over the window. Their professionals will know that if the curtain rod is placed above the Roman blinds rod over the window, it will not provide the necessary space between the two that would otherwise further help to trap cold air. And, of course, it will look extremely sloppy, which is not what you want for your interior environment.

Thermal lining for curtains and Roman blinds usually runs anywhere from 60 centimeters to 140 centimeters, but again, you can request whatever thickness suits your particular needs. So if you have windows facing north or northeast, you will probably want the curtains and Roman blinds that will be placed over them to be somewhat thicker than those facing south or southwest. In addition, if you have windows that are not on the first or second floor, but rather on a third, fourth, or higher floor, then again, you will want a thicker lining.

And despite the extra lining, Roman blinds can also still be designed with either narrow or wider pleats, depending on your taste. So, if you prefer wider pleats for the dining or living rooms, and narrower pleats for the bathrooms or kitchen, they work equally as well. You do not have to sacrifice warmth for beauty.

It is impressive that interlined or thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds can be so practical and cost effective, while at the same time be so sophisticated and unique. Speak with your window attachments professional to see what exciting creations they can design for you.