subject: How To Restyle Vertical Blinds [print this page] Nowadays, vertical blinds are thought of as unfashionable with the current preference and resurgence of new Venetian blinds style. No matter how much the average homemaker may want to take down and replace her blinds, this is not an easy nor inexpensive task. However, don't lose all hope, ladies, as fabric blinds in particular can be restyled in a way that boring vertical blinds can soon be looking like the blinds du jour. Here are a few 'neat tricks' that can help you update and restyle those blinds and make something otherwise out-of-style look like the next big thing in interior design.
There are several tricks to update fabric blinds, and the most foolproof is the use of starched fabric. Look for a type or style of fabric that you either prefer or is a perfect fit for the theme. Measure the vertical blinds' slats and determine the width and the length. Divide the fabric based on these measurements and apply starch on them. Starching fabrics make them more dirt-resistant. Insert these on the slats when they are dried, and you got yourself a cheaper alternative to branded fabric replacements. Bonus tip; if you are planning to use this method in the future, then you'll want to soak the fabric in water and dry it for a pre-shrunk effect. Your fabric could shrink during the starching and ruin your measurements. Using a sheer cloth or curtain to drape your blinds would be a simple technique that can save you a lot of time and effort. It'll still allow the light in, while giving your blinds an ethereal and fresh look.
If there is too much dirt on your blinds, inserting fabric or adding sheers won't work. Make sure your vertical blinds are as clean and tidy as possible, and after cleaning, have them dry off completely. This is a neat trick in altering the overall look and feel of your blinds, so always opt for a classic, somewhat understated wallpaper design that would mesh with most themes. After choosing a wallpaper, measure the width and length of the vertical blinds' slats and divide the paper accordingly. Use that neat little substance called "Wonder Under" or even everyday paste and glue to stick the paper onto the blinds. Use a brush so that you are sure the glue is applied perfectly even, and use a rolling pin to avoid the formation of air bubbles. Dyes make use of water, which could warp your blinds, so exercise discretion when using them. But they do give a nice tint effect to the color. Implement this by dye-brushing the slats instead of dipping them in a dye pool. This way, the amount of water is reduced considerably.
For those who want a productive way to exercise their creative way, vertical blinds just might be what the doctor ordered. Spray painting and airbrushing blinds create a different texture and feel from ordinary paint jobs. There is a wider range of paint textures available nowadays, thus giving you more leeway to use your creativity. And for one final neat trick to share, you might want to create your own unique patterns with stamps and/or sponges. Instead of buying designer blinds and spending a fortune, you can have great-looking blinds that do not look unfashionable nor drab; indeed, this is a classic example of giving yourself more for less.
