I messed around with cellular shades a while back too—liked them for insulation, but yeah, the custom sizing was a wallet killer. Ended up going DIY-ish: bought slightly oversized shades during a sale and trimmed them myself. Bit nerve-wracking at first, but honestly not as hard as you'd think. Just measure twice (or three times, lol) and use a sharp blade. Turned out pretty decent, saved me a chunk of cash... anyone else brave enough to try trimming their own?
Haha, trimming shades yourself is definitely a bold move—props for pulling it off! I've seen plenty of DIY shade jobs go sideways, but you're right, patience and measuring (and re-measuring...) is key. Honestly, most people underestimate how forgiving cellular shades can be if you're careful. Did you use a straight edge or just eyeball it? Either way, sounds like you nailed it and saved some serious cash. Nice work.
I've gotta admit, cellular shades can be forgiving, but I'm not sure I'd call them the easiest DIY option for huge windows. I remember when I tackled mine—thought I measured everything perfectly, but somehow ended up with a slight gap on one side. Not a disaster, but enough to bug me every time I walk by... Maybe it's just me being picky, though.
Also, while cellular shades are great for insulation (big fan here!), I wonder if anyone's considered double-layered curtains instead? A friend of mine swears by them—she combined blackout curtains with sheer ones underneath. She claims it gives her more flexibility with light control and insulation, plus the curtains add a softer look compared to shades. Might be worth considering if you're still exploring options.
"I remember when I tackled mine—thought I measured everything perfectly, but somehow ended up with a slight gap on one side."
Ha, measuring mishaps are way more common than you'd think. I deal with window treatments daily and even I've made that mistake at home. Double-layered curtains can be awesome—my wife insisted on blackout curtains paired with sheers in our bedroom, and honestly, they're great. Super flexible for lighting and they soften the room nicely. Cellular shades have their perks, but curtains just seem friendlier for DIY, especially on those huge windows...
"Double-layered curtains can be awesome—my wife insisted on blackout curtains paired with sheers in our bedroom, and honestly, they're great."
Gotta agree on the double-layered setup. I went with cellular shades at first because I liked how clean they looked, but honestly, after a year or two, I really missed the softness of curtains. Switched back recently—blackouts plus linen sheers. Huge improvement. Did anyone else find cellular shades kinda harsh-looking after a while, especially on big windows?
Switched back recently—blackouts plus linen sheers. Huge improvement.
I see what you're saying about cellular shades feeling harsh after a while. They're sleek and minimalist, sure, but on really large windows they can start to look a bit clinical or office-like. Curtains just soften the whole vibe of a room, especially if you go for something textured or linen-y. Plus, curtains offer more flexibility—you can open them wide or partially, depending on your mood or the lighting. Cellular shades...not so much. Did you notice any difference in acoustics after switching back? Curtains usually help dampen sound a bit too.
I totally get the appeal of curtains, especially the linen sheers—great choice. We switched from cellular shades to curtains last year, and the room instantly felt cozier. Didn't really notice acoustics at first, but now that you mention it, movie nights do seem quieter...less echoey, maybe?
"Didn't really notice acoustics at first, but now that you mention it, movie nights do seem quieter...less echoey, maybe?"
That's interesting about the acoustics—never really thought about curtains affecting sound, but now it makes sense. We put up heavy velvet curtains in our family room last year mainly to block out the sun (huge west-facing windows...great sunsets, terrible glare), and I've definitely noticed it's quieter when the kids are playing video games or we're watching movies. Maybe it's just psychological, but hey, I'll take any bonus I can get.
Have you had any issues with dust or cleaning the linen sheers? I love how airy they look, but I've always wondered if they're practical for big windows. Ours are pretty tall, and I'm dreading the thought of wrestling curtains off a ladder every few months. Any tips on keeping them manageable without breaking my neck?
"Maybe it's just psychological, but hey, I'll take any bonus I can get."
Actually, it's not just psychological—heavy curtains really do absorb sound waves and reduce echo. But velvet curtains can trap dust too, so linen sheers might actually be easier to maintain. I've found that using a handheld vacuum attachment every few weeks keeps them pretty clean without needing to climb ladders constantly...though admittedly, tall windows are always a bit of a hassle.
Heavy curtains do help with acoustics, true, but honestly I've never noticed a huge difference unless the room itself is already pretty bare. In my experience, heavy velvet-type curtains tend to collect dust like crazy and can even fade unevenly from sunlight if you're not careful. Linen sheers are definitely easier upkeep-wise, but they don't block much light or sound. Personally, I've had better luck with double-layering—sheers behind blackout roller shades. That way you get light control without climbing ladders all the time...