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Gearing up to buy a set of faux wood blinds or any other type of window treatment for one of your rooms? Nice choice! Now you'll just need to figure out where you want the blinds to be mounted and how big you'll need them to be. If you want a fitted look, an inside mount might be your best option. Here's how to get an accurate measurement.

Before you get to work with that measuring tape, keep in mind that you need to be as precise as possible. Keep your measurements to the nearest eighth of an inch - don't round up. Also, be sure that when you're recording the numbers, you note which is length and which is width. It's easy to get them mixed up!

Now, measure the width by taking measurements at the top, middle and bottom of the window frame - not all windows are perfectly square. Record the smallest measurement. Now, do the same with the height, measuring from the left, right

While your house or apartment may be stylish, it might not be very spacious. If the rooms in your home are smaller than you'd like them to be, you might want to consider ways to give the illusion of openness. One easy way to do this is by taking advantage of mirrors.

Mirrors can create depth in a room, and they're also great for reflecting light, making a space look brighter, airier and more open. Once you set up your mirrors and open up those faux blinds, you'll have a larger-looking room in no time. But where do you put them?

In a place like the kitchen, where there are many cabinets, mirror-fronted doors are ideal for fooling the eye. A mirror can also work in an unused fireplace, where it can make the floor space seem bigger and provide an unexpected focal point. If you're looking for a dynamic wall display, group several different types of mirrors together for an eclectic

It's no secret that the UV rays from the sun are damaging - not just to your skin, but to your window treatments! While wood blinds or cellular shades are meant to offer your home's interiors protection, there are a few steps you should take to return the favor. Constant light could fade your window coverings.

1. Treat your windows with a protective coating. Solar tinting film is easy to apply and it can reduce the amount of UV rays that are penetrating your windows. If you're concerned that the brightness of the room will be impacted, rest assured - there are clear films available.

2. Consider awnings or roof overhangs. If you don't have these on your house already, it might be worthwhile to have them installed on your home's exterior. Not only will they limit the amount of sun damage that

Now that summer is in full swing, chances are you're spending plenty of time outside on your front porch enjoying the warm weather and sunshine with a good book or cool glass of lemonade. While these exterior areas of the home don't need to be over furnished or decorated, a few design touch ups can take the basic wood design to the next level. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to create a warm and welcoming front porch.

Outdoor seating
Whether you use your porch to watch your children play outside during summer vacation, as a quiet reading spot or a place to catch up with neighborhood friends, seating is an important part of the aesthetic. Consider arranging a few wicker sofas or rocking chairs in the corner so your porch will become the go-to social area of your home.

Details
By introducing a few decorative details around your porch, you'll create just the right amount of visual interest without going overboard. For instance,

Houseplants are one of the best indoor accessories - not only do they add decoration to a room, but they improve the air quality and pump out oxygen for us to breathe. They come in all sorts of varieties and colors as well, so you can usually find plants that match your decor. There are even some types that are practically kill-proof for those of us who don't have green thumbs.

But how can you make sure that your houseplants are getting the right amount of light? First, you should research the plants you already have to find out what amount of light is required. If you're still looking for plants, choose ones that would thrive in the areas where you're thinking of placing them.

Plants that need a lot of light should be placed right next to a window that receives a lot of sun throughout the day. Plants that require moderate amounts can go near windows, but you may need blinds and shades to control the amount of light

After you've chosen the perfect discount blinds and curtains for your windows, you'll need to figure out if you want to tie back your curtains. Doing so can ensure that those stylish bamboo blinds are shown off and that the view outdoors is always visible, so why wouldn't you want to? Here are a few creative ideas that'll help spruce up your ties.

1. Customize regular hardware. Martha Stewart Living suggests buying plain curtain tie hardware, then dressing it up however you see fit by hot-gluing on items you may already have, like coasters, buttons, artificial flower rosettes or whatever else you think would look nice with your theme.

2. Use creative fabrics. Anything that can be tied or buckled would work to hold back your

Effectively illuminating a space requires a bit more finesse than just a lamp here and an overhead light there - especially in the kitchen. Without the proper light fixtures and placement, you'll have a harder time accomplishing everything that needs to get done, from prepping meals to cleaning to chatting with friends. Here's how you can master lighting design in your kitchen.

You'll need a mix of task, accent and general lighting, according to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Natural illumination falls under the general category, and the right kitchen blinds can ensure that plenty of light is let in during the day. Sheer fabrics or bamboo blinds are your best bet for achieving the most light.

In addition,

If you're a cat owner, you may know all too well how destructive those critters can get when it comes to your window treatments. Not only can they leave behind fur that's tough to get out of fabrics, but they might even shred your blinds and curtains with their claws. What's a feline lover to do?

For starters, consider buying cordless shades. Without a string to attract your cat's attention, these varieties won't tempt kitty to come closer, which could end up saving trailing window treatments as well. It may also help to make sure that your cat has other options nearby, like a tower or a scratching post.

If nothing seems to keep your furry friend away from the window coverings, you may need to take preventative measures. One option is to use double-sided tape on the areas of the curtains that your cat tends to favor. The sticky surface should be enough to repel him

While you can't exactly make your own kitchen blinds or cellular shades, there's no reason why you can't create a fabulous set of curtains for your kitchen. Making your own window treatments to decorate the room with is an inexpensive and easy way to transform the look of your space in as little as an hour or two. Here are a few ideas for curtains that you can whip up in no time - from materials you may already have!

Cafe curtains from napkins
Believe it or not, you can make pretty cafe curtains using table linens. Better Homes and Gardens Magazine suggests joining the edges with jean rivets for a no-sew approach, then get a rivet and grommet kit at a local craft

An all-white room may sound strange at first - no color at all might seem like a recipe for a boring design scheme. But if you're a fan of contemporary interior design, you've probably seen a number of modern rooms that relied solely on this clean, crisp color. Using white can be a lot more exciting than you think, but there are a few rules that should serve as guidelines. Here are the top four rules for designing with white.

1. Use more than one shade. If you've ever been to a paint store, you know how many variations of white there are. To keep your room from looking flat, you may want to choose a few different shades in the same warm or cool family. More than two tones will ensure that the variation looks intentional, not like a matching mistake.

2. Rely heavily on texture. Texture is important in any room, but it's absolutely crucial when you're using one color. Try out a mix of shiny, fuzzy, sleek, rough, lumpy and smooth surfaces to keep the eye engaged. For example,