Show All ItemsI have my man cave set up in the basement of our apartment. It has a window which is nice when I am just relaxing down there, but sometimes I just want to watch a movie, play some video games, or goof around on my computer without the light intruding on me or casting glares. Since it is such a small window and I am not much of a seamstress, I wanted to make a no-sew option to solve this problem while still giving me the option to enjoy the light when I wanted it. So without further ado, I present for your consideration, the 3 minute no-sew curtain.Step 1: SuppliesShow All ItemsThis is an easy one folks. All you will need is an adjustable curtain rod (it can even be a tiny one) and a standard pillow case. If you have a basement, you might be looking for a way to use basement window treatments to make the windows look much bigger. Basement windows often appear small and make the whole room look both unappealing and dingy. These special window treatments can improve the look of your basement windows significantly.

Basement windows are often much wider than they are high, looking more like something out of a prison than a dream home. This article explains the 6 most common basement window treatments. Mirrors are very useful at making your room look much bigger. They also bounce light around the room, which makes it much easier to create a friendly and welcoming space. Mirrors can be strategically placed opposite windows to reflect light all around the room and create interest in certain features. Although using mirrors isn't technically a window treatment, it is an effective way of improving the look of your windows and making the best of the light you have available. Mirrors can also be applied directly below or above windows to make the window look much bigger than it actually is. It is much more effective if the mirror panels are cut to the same size as the window panes. Window film makes your basement much more private. Using this film will reduce the amount of light available in the room, which could be an issue if you have a small window.

Blinds can also be used in a basement for privacy. Using light color blinds so as not to look intimidating. You can also spray the blinds with paint for a custom look. Curtains are a fantastic way to provide warmth to your room. If your basement feels cold and damp, it can often be remedied with heavy fabric curtains, such as velvet.Wood Paver Flooring Consider the length of the curtains. Patio Furniture Faux WoodMost basements have very small windows, making it tempting to use small curtains; Western Bedding Sets Canadahowever, using a longer curtain can create the illusion of bigger windows. When choosing curtains, stick to light and airy colors to make your house look more appealing. A heavy pattern could be overwhelming. Valances or swags add extra appeal to curtains.

They are made from the same fabric that you used for the curtain, but they are designed to cover the top of the curtain. It is a purely decorative window covering. Valances are ideal for adding extra height to a short window. Another great way to create the illusion of large windows is to install fake shutters just below the real window. These doors will remain shut, although the space could be use for storage if desired. If installed properly, these shutters will make it appear as if the window is much bigger than it really is. 31.75 in. x 15.75 in. Hopper Vinyl Window with Screen 23.25 in. x 7.75 in. Hopper Vent Screen Window 31.75 in. x 13.75 in. Hopper Vinyl Screen WindowWhat is an Egress Window? The International Building Code (IRC) requires basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story of a home to have at least one “emergency escape and rescue opening.” This might be a skylight, patio door or window, but it must be big enough for you to escape through and for emergency workers to enter through.

To meet IRC standards, egress openings must have:A minimum net clear opening of 5.7 feet (the actual free space that exists when the window is open, or the size people can crawl through)Opening width of at least 20 inchesOpening height of at least 24 inchesBottom of the clear opening must be within 44 inches of the floorThe opening must be operational from the inside, not blocked with bars or grilles, nor requiring keys or tools to open How Does an Egress Window Differ From a Basement Window? Not all basement windows are egress windows. For instance, if you have an unfinished basement, it may have ventilation windows. These probably wouldn’t meet the code for egress windows. However, if your basement has habitable, finished rooms, building codes require it to have egress windows, or other means of egress (patio door, etc.). And every basement bedroom, whether existing or added, is required by code to have an egress window. Basement egress openings have stricter standards than egress areas in the rest of the house.

Be able to be fully openedHave 9 sq. ft. of open areaHave a minimum height and width of 36 inchesContain a permanently attached ladder or steps if the window is more than 44 inches off the floorThe ladder must be at least 12 inches wide, and no less than three inches from the window well, nor can the open window obstruct it or encroach on the required open window dimensions by more than six inches.If it’s under a porch or deck, there must be at least 36 inches between the top of the window and the bottom of the structure joists. While these requirements satisfy IRC, each state and city code varies on the size of window required, so before you build, work with your contractor to make sure the windows meet standards. And though this sounds like a nearly impossible-to-meet list of requirements, especially if you’re remodeling a basement, ask a family who’s used egress windows to escape a basement fire, and they’ll tell you they were very glad they had them. Basement windows can be a challenge to decorate, because they’re usually small and located high on the wall.