Doorsweeps

Drafts can sneak in all over your house, but one of the most common places is around the doors. You can improve your heating and cooling costs by simply adding door sweeps!

1. Pick up a door sweep at your local hardware store.

2. Measure the door, then cut the sweep down to size with some tin snips if necessary.

3. Hold the sweep against the door and test it's position. A good sweep should cover any gap but not scrape the floor. An easy way to test this is to attach the sweep to the door with some fun tack.

4. Once you have the sweep in position use a sharp pencil to mark the holes where the screws will go.

5. Remove the sweep pre-drill the holes for the screws, use the brush attachment on your vacuum to clear away any dust and dirt.

6. Put the sweep back into position and put the screws into place.

Alternative Drapery Hardware

If you want something a little different in drapery hardware, I have what you're looking for. Get a pegged coat rack that is the same width as your window, and paint it out to match the decor. Then, screw the board into place across the top of the window. Then, you can hang tab top draperies over the pegs for a fun new look. For a more classic look, try attaching pretty, old doorknobs to the pegboard. You could also attach doorknobs at the sides of the window and use them as bases for tiebacks. If you would just like a draping effect, get some plant hanging brackets. Hang the brackets on either side of the window and simply drape some sheer fabrics across them. For a fancier look, tie loose knots around the bracket with the fabric. This will give a kind of rosebud effect. If the curtains will hide the rod all together, try an adjustable shower rod; it is less expensive than curtain rods and it will fit a variety of window sizes.