ShareThisTreat your windows to some new treatmentsSome people say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I say windows are the eyes into a house's soul. And this seems like the perfect time to uplift our souls - or at least upgrade them. If you make the right choices, new window treatments can provide a nice, affordable and easy way to make a big difference at your home. Understatement: With cold weather fading, it's the perfect time to summarize your treatments. So take off the heavy velvet drapes and trade them in for some sheer sheers. The barely-there fabric filters light beautifully and carolwrightgifts.com has them from an unbelievably low price of $4.99 a panel. Grand Statement: Floor-length draperies continue to be a hot trend this year, with people dressing their windows in lavish treatments. This is a particularly good look if you've got smaller windows that you wish were larger. Designerlinensoutlet.com has nice options at good prices.Green Statement: Another popular trend is to go green, which can mean making both economically and environmentally sound choices. There are options that use non-toxic dyes and even high-performance fabrics with anti-fungal traits woven right in. Wood is also big when it comes to blinds and shades, and you can choose from bamboo, maple, birch and matchstick. Manufacturers like Smith + Noble are offering some beautiful designs. Save-Some-Green Statement: Keep your windows from being wallflowers with bold prints, big stripes, and textures of all types. If you've got a simple decor going on and want a pop of color without a big commitment, consider a budget-friendly and do-it-yourself treatment. One simple, no-sew option is to use an existing curtain rod and hang a funky shower curtain from it. Showercurtainsgalore.com has something for every taste. There are a lot of makeup options for your windows out there. So have a little fun, change your rooms for the better and let the sun shine in on your new style this summer. Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps Co., and the largest comparison shopping search engine on the Web. E-mail Helen at askhelen(at)shopzilla.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.net.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Window treatments can enliven any home
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