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Interior Decorating How-To Guides, DIY, Tips and Ideas for Decorating
After 50+ years of decorating homes — and 25+ years answering the phone — we've written down what we know. These free how-to guides cover measuring for blinds and curtains, choosing the right fabric, hanging curtain rods, estimating upholstery yardage, and decorating rooms you'll actually love living in. No fluff and no guesswork: it's the same advice we give customers on the phone every day.
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Upholstery Yardage Estimator
How much fabric does your project need? Charts by furniture type.
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Real decorating pros answer the phone. Y'all call, we'll help.
Windows
Blinds
Measuring, mounting & choosing blinds
Shades
Measuring & choosing shades that fit
Drapery
Measuring, pleats, lengths & hanging drapery
Curtain Rods
Hanging heights, sizing & hardware how-tos
Fabric & Upholstery
Fabric
Choosing fabric by use, durability & fiber
Upholstery
Yardage charts & reupholstery basics
Bedding
Buying guides for comforters, duvets & custom bedding
Rooms & Style
Area Rugs
Sizing, placement & care for every room
Colors
Color schemes, moods & what works together
Decorating
Room-by-room decorating ideas & principles
Furniture
Arranging, buying & caring for furniture
Wallpaper
How much to buy & how to hang it
Decorating How-To Questions
How do I measure a window for blinds?
Decide inside or outside mount first. For inside mount, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the window and use the narrowest, then measure the height at the left, center, and right and use the longest. Give the factory exact opening sizes and they make the deductions. For outside mount, add about 3 inches of overlap on each side.
How high should I hang my curtain rod?
Hang the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, or halfway between the frame and the ceiling to make windows look taller. Extend the rod 3 to 6 inches past the frame on each side so curtains can clear the glass when open.
How much fabric do I need to reupholster a chair or sofa?
A typical armchair takes about 7 yards and a sofa 14 to 18 yards, but furniture size, pattern repeats, and pleats change the math. Use our free upholstery yardage estimator for a chart by furniture type, or call us with your measurements.
How wide should curtains be compared to the window?
Curtain panels should total 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window for proper fullness. Sheers look best even fuller, at 2.5 to 3 times the window width.
