| Balloon shades are made of fabric and create | | | | To fit larger or unusual windows, or to have more |
| beautiful, full scallops when the shade is pulled up. | | | | flexibility in choosing fabrics, you can easily have |
| Depending on the fabric you choose, they can | | | | them custom made at a blinds store or get a referral |
| perfectly accentuate either a casual space like a | | | | from your local fabric store. Custom-made balloon |
| bedroom, or add an air of drama to formal spaces | | | | shades will give you more choices not only in fabrics, |
| like living and dining rooms. They have a much more | | | | but also will ensure that the fabric poufs more evenly |
| romantic feel than roman shades, because they have | | | | and has a more sturdy mechanism. If you plan to |
| soft, draping curves at the bottom and airy folds | | | | raise and lower the shades often, custom made |
| that form as they are raised. The simplicity and | | | | versions are likely a better choice. |
| softness of the design will allow you to focus on the | | | | If you want to add energy efficiency or block more |
| fabric choices to create just the look and feel you | | | | light to add privacy with your shades, add an |
| want. | | | | insulating thermal liner or a blackout liner. A liner will |
| When buying balloon shades, you can choose to | | | | also stiffen the fabric and enhance the balloon or |
| purchase ready-made shades from local or internet | | | | pouf effect when the shade is raised. Do you have |
| blinds stores and department stores, but your fabric | | | | pets or children? Shades that operate with traditional |
| and color choices will be more limited this way. If you | | | | cords can be dangerous if the cords are left dangling |
| are on a budget, though, there are ready-made | | | | when the blinds are raised. Be sure to choose a |
| options that are an economical way to add visual | | | | continuous cord loop design if you want to avoid |
| impact to any room. Often made with sheer or lace | | | | dangling cords. |
| fabrics, these shades can also be combined with | | | | To add even more drama to a balloon shade, you |
| draperies for a layered effect. | | | | can add tassels, braids, fringes, and other trim. You |
| If you plan to raise and lower the shades frequently, | | | | can also add a unique valance top with box pleats or |
| make sure that the rings on the back of the shade | | | | more scallops to the top of the shade, or select |
| are securely attached. It's easy to reinforce the rings | | | | different hanging styles to create either a flat or |
| with a few stitches if you think they are too loose. | | | | shirred look at the top of your shade. The choices |
| Inexpensive ready-made models are often kept | | | | are limited only by your creativity when you choose |
| raised and combined with another type of blind to | | | | custom balloon shades. |
| create the look of a valance, while allowing the | | | | Whether you choose ready-made or custom-made |
| flexibility of additional light blocking if the shade is | | | | balloon shades, they are sure to add just the right |
| lowered. | | | | touch of softness to any room. |