You folks know I love you, right? But you also worry about little ol’ me quite a bit. Don’t take this the wrong way – I’m happy you care. But getting pregnant has put many of you on high alert.
For example – if I share a recipe, you want to make sure I’m eating organic for the baby. If I write about nursery bedding, you want to make sure I don’t smother my child with a bumper. Don’t even get me started on what you all think about paint fumes and mattress chemicals.
It’s a good thing you don’t know about all the alcoholic beverages I’m drinking.
(I kid, friends. I kid.)
So, when I posted photos of the curtains yesterday, I nearly mentioned that I was still needing to deal with the cords on the bamboo roman shades. I know you folks. And I knew you’d be worried about Baby Dub and those cords. And you were. (I love you all – thanks for the emails and comments reminding me about those little hazards.)
And, I’ve honestly been a little worried about them, too. Especially since I really like the crib in front of the window.
So, I’m turning the tables on you worry warts.
What my best option for a safe (and good-looking) nursery window shade?
CHEAPEST: Use the existing shades.
How can I make the current bamboo shades safer?
MORE EXPENSIVE: Buy roller shades.
MOST EXPENSIVE: Buy cordless shades.
Should I buy a pair of cordless roman shades like these navy versions from Pottery Barn Kids? (And where I can find similar ones that won’t put me in the poor house? $169 apiece? REALLY?)
A few reminders:
- Any shades have to be exterior mounted, due to the window trim.
- This is a nursery on a budget. While I’m drawn to the cordless navy shades, that’s more money than all the “designer” fabric I purchased for the room. (A lot of money.)
- We aren’t planning to be in the house for that long, so it’s hard to purchase expensive shades that may not work in a future home.ย
- The shades aren’t the main way we’ll darken the room, so they very well may be up a lot of the time. (But I do want shades – I prefer the look.)
- And did I mention that my husband would rather take on any project over hanging new shades? So, it really should be a simple swap-a-roo, if we go that direction.
What would you choose?
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Stephanie Soebbing says
I found this cordless Roman shade kit for $30. With the fabric and lining you could probably create them for $50 per window if you get the fabric on sale. That’s way less expensive than the Pottery Barn option, but would achieve the same look and be safe. http://www.draperysewingsupplies.com/product-p/ss4872-fslash-z.htm
If you want to go with this option. I’ll help you make the Roman shades.
Stephanie @ A Steph-Made Life says
If it were me, I would go with the cheapest option and keep the shades you have because they already look great. I’m sure there is a way you can tie the cords up high where there is no way he can get to them. However, I’m not a mom so I don’t have experience with this type of thing!
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
I have learned something in all my months of being a mom….you can’t plan for everything. I tried to think of every scenario in the nursery that could get him in trouble and there is just no way to think of everything and you will go crazy if you try.
Screwing the mirror over the changing table into the studs? Excellent decision. Worrying about having drapes that he will pull up on? Waste of time.
So since I am so wise and everything with all my experience:), I would say leave the shades and just find a way to tie up the cords. It looks fab and I am sure Ryan will appreciate it. If you like the crib there, great. When he gets big enough to start climbing the drapes, move it or slide it away. I am a planner just like you and that little guy has forced me to be more “go with the flow” because they will always be keeping you on your toes. You will be a great mom and will keep him safe…and have a stylish room to boot!
Caroline says
Your life, your baby. Do what you you want and what seems right for you and your family. Personally, i think those bamboo shades are fabulous and just fine right where they are. No need to spend extra money and add to your already long pre baby to do list.. i have corded blinds all through my house and i just wrap them up out of josephs reach. Never been an issue. After reading some of the comments though, I am going to shorten the cords so i dont have to do as much wrapping.
Brooke says
I love the shades you have so gather up your peeps and think people, think!! Can you hook the cords somewhere out of reach for a squirmy bambino?
CT mom says
Kim, I considered responding yesterday but know how many opinions pregnant/new parent bloggers receive. But today I can’t help myself. I have been a pediatric nurse for 36 years and my opinion is…move the crib away from the window!!!! Cribs should NEVER be anywhere windows or window treatments. Cords can get wrapped around necks(hanging) and fingers(amputation). Curtains are great for pulling on and pulling down(head trauma/lacerations/eyes!!)Windows glass is more easily broken than you may think. Screens are VERY easy to lean against and little bodies fall out of windows all the time. SO unless you plan on moving from this house before Baby Dub can sit or crawl, move the crib!
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Just tack up the cords for now. Babies don’t come out with any coordinated movements, so you’ve got a few months before he’s wiping his nose on your curtains and swinging from your bamboo shades! If it seems unsafe or like he’d get into it later you can always rearrange furniture or temporarily remove the blinds.
Kristen says
gotta love how people are quick to tell you what is right and wrong! Do whatever makes you happy! Seriously, when your baby is born there is no way that he can just reach over and grab the cord to wrap around his neck. Lets just be real! When he is old enough to do that, move the crib out from the window a little. Or like other readers have said, put some hooks up high to where the cords can be wrapped around those….. good luck!
Anonymous says
I would move the crib away from the window. Get roll shade–cheap from a local hardware store! ๐
Lyndsay @ that 70s house says
i am probably not one to give advice since i don’t have any children…but from a design standpoint, i love your current blinds :). i would definitely try some of the suggestions and rig them out of the way!
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
I have cords on my blinds, too…I’m not worried about it, I’m just going to make sure they are tied up. It’s more a concern for toddlers anyway – lots of time to work it out!
Nicole @My Thrafty Life says
This post is great. People need to learn to not interject themselves so much in people’s lives. It kills me when people take the time to right things that are negative on people’s blogs. Why not just move on to another blog that more suits your liking? AAAHHH. Ok enough of my soapbox.
My recommendation- cord cleat up high out of reach. Cheap, gets the job done and doesn’t mess with all the prettiness of the windows.
Also, maybe don’t hook a tiny ladder from the crib to the window. Just some advice. LOL.
hlberg says
First off I must say that I absolutly love the curtains and the shades. They look amazing!!
So my suggestion is two fold, and similar to some of the suggestions above.
Shades – For now leave them as is. Once the little one starts moving around and is able to roll/crawl then I would attach the cords to something on the wall out of the way.
Crib – Not long after the little one starts pulling himself up I would suggest moving the crib away from the window. I would never try using the window sill to assist in getting me out of a crib, but my son would go straight for it. He has tried pulling his changing table over to the crib so that he can use it to try to get out (changing table is now moved futher from his crib). If the crib was away from the windows you would not have to worry about the pulls as much and could still hook them on the wall.
That’s my two sense…take it or leave it.
Erin @ DomesticAdventure.com says
Oh, Kim. I feel for you. I found it difficult to accept so much advice when I was pregnant! I haven’t read any of the comments, but I have two thoughts:
First, you have quite some time before your little guy is big enough for you to even worry about the cords. I say stick with what you have until you actually need to worry about it.
Second, you might look at the back of your shades and see if they are already safe. The shades I have bought recently have a built-in child-safe feature (and they were cheap-o shades from JCPenny).
The room is looking beautiful! Hope you’re feeling great!
Anonymous says
Ditto on what that the pp’s said. I would definitely move the crib away from the wall as much as possible. Once baby gets big enough, he will start grabbing on the curtains and such and will be a hazard. As for the cords they sell things that mount to the wall and you wrap the cords around, out of reach. I would say keep the current blinds, I would!!
Brandi @ His Shabby Her Chic says
You could keep the shades you have and get a drapery cord cleat and fasten it to the outside edge of the window trim out of the reach of cutie little hands. I found this link to show you want I’m talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/Levolor-kirsch-14760-Drapery-Cord-Cleat/dp/B000FKBR34/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331648036&sr=8-1
That way you can keep the shades you have and the curtains will hide the cord and the cleat.
Chelsea @ {twotwentyone} says
I think you should add a bar cart full of booze and put the crib as close to it as possible.
In my professional opinion, a newborn will not have the motor skills to grab a cord and wrap it around himself or put it in his mouth.
I ditto everyone that said keep the shades and secure the cords.
Leah says
i just clip the cords on Nora’s shades up with a clothespin. It works for us, but her bed isn’t right by the window.
I think boys will be boys and once the tot is standing he will be ripping all that stuff down! I would consider a new place for that crib. How sturdy are those windows? I have heard of several kids falling through windows, two specifically that I know of. And I think those curtains are coming down on him someday. Boys like to scale things.
~L
2littlehooligans says
hee hee, your funny.
honestly, i wouldnt invest too much money on it, because once the baby can start standing you wont want the crib near a window or near the shades. he is going to play with the shades if they are within reach. and honestly little hands can do some damage. and as cute as the crib looks in front of the window i would hate to think of that little one trying to climb out of his crib with it being that close to a window, because some day he will try climbing out, and it will scare the crap out of you, at least it does to me every time they have tried it.
so really you only have a few short months or so until he is pulling himself up, so go cheap now and what you like. sytle the room exactly how you want now, and see how it works before you spend too much $$ because those shades are an investment, yikes!
The Atwoods says
I agree with a few of the others – I’m cheap too, and I love the mix and match of the wood bamboo shades and the white and navy fabric. I would just attach the cords to something so that they’re out of baby’s reach.
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
I’m sure many others have already covered this, but I would leave the existing shades and just hang the cords up really high on a hook – especially if you don’t plan to use them much. ๐
Lindsey says
I like the bamboo shades!
Estephania says
I would keep the bamboo shades, but, as other readers have said, get one of those little hooks to keep the cords attached to the wall. I would think about other locations for the crib down the line however. One side of my son’s crib is near his curtains and he spends a lot of time trying to reach to rip them down. This has been going on since he was about 10 or 11 months (he’s 16 months now). A lot of times I push his crib over from the window when he’s in it, but it’s sort of annoying to push it around. I didn’t think of that when we configured his nursery. You can always make sure the cords are hooked up around the window lock things. I’d be more worried about baby pulling down the curtains when he gets bigger, stronger, more mobile and more trouble-makin’… as all boys are want to do! ๐
m @ random musings says
The easiest/cheapest solution is to attach cord cleats (<$3 each, home depot or lowes) either next to the window or in the window frame itself. Then you can just wrap the excess cord out of reach of baby Woodward
Amanda C - Sending love from WI says
I can’t help but wonder..do the people that are “concerned” even HAVE children?? People need to relaaax :). I now have the urge to send you the onsie that states “my mom doesn’t want your opinion”. Maybe instead of a nursery you should just place baby dub in a room padded with organic cotton. Ha!
Keep the beautiful shades tie the cord up behind the curtain and leave the crib where it is. It looks lovely there and I see no problem with it, but hey, what do I know I only have three healthy energetic boys that I haven’t managed to kill yet ๐
Deb says
LOL!
My kids ruined everything I put on their windows once they reached the point where they could even get close to the treatments (they liked to look outside so they’d pull everything away from the windows), so my advice would be to go the cheapest route possible, with something that’s firmly attached to the wall/trim no matter how hard you pull on it and has no strings whatsoever. (I didn’t have room darkening shades or anything and my kids could – and still do – sleep anywhere bright or not).
Can’t wait to see what you decide on!!
Rachel says
Looks like my recommendations have already been thoroughly recommended, but I had to laugh at your first couple paragraphs . . . I had never considered before the hazards of blogging while pregnant. Just something for me to look forward to, I guess, whenever we decide to have a baby #2. Good luck, and maybe have a glass or two of wine to help you unwind from the stress of receiving constant, unwanted advice. Maybe enjoy it while roller skating, or jumping on a trampoline?
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I agree with most everyone. Keep the bamboo and just shorten/tie up the cords. Moving it more a way from the window (without it looking weird) is also a good idea in general.
Mrs. Chic says
Kim, I’m pretty sure there are cord keepers you can buy, that you twist the cord onto. They should sell them at the big box Home Improvement stores, so that will ease your mind.
As the baby gets older around 6+ mos consider moving the crib away from the window, only because he might pull on the curtains.
PS. We are making some adjustments to Avery’s nursery artwork above his bed, now that he can touch the the frames!! I’ll share in a blog post soon.
Good luck, don’t stress, adjustments can be made as your baby gets older ๐
Meredith says
I’d go with the clip/cleat route. Or something like this (http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=381) even though it isn’t super attractive.
Lizzy’s crib was by the bed, but we had to move it around 9 months because she was trying to climb out of her crib using the curtains…so I wouldn’t invest a ton of money just in case you have to move the crib anyway for a similar reason!
Heather says
I would just buy some hooks and put them to the side and wind the cord around them.
To be honest it is going to be a while before they even get to the point where they can even reach the cord.
Heather says
I would just buy some hooks and put them to the side and wind the cord around them.
To be honest it is going to be a while before they even get to the point where they can even reach the cord.
Anonymous says
I would say you probably won’t like the crib in front of the window once the baby is actually here. The light/noise/need for fresh air will all be hindered with the crib there. Sometimes function wins over form or how it looks! If you really must leave it there you honestly don’t have to worry too much about it for a while. It will be at least a few months before the baby will be able to get to them anyways.
Shanade says
My first thought is to move the crib away from the window. I’ve always been told it’s unsafe to have a bed under the window, but I grew up in earthquake territory. If you really don’t want to do that then I’d trim the cord as much as possible while still being able to use the shades. Then I’d attach something high for you to wrap the cord around.
Even if you move the crib though I’d still plan on shortening the cord and keeping it high.
Good luck! So many little things to start thinking about. It’s mind boggling! I’m constantly having to change and adapt things with three toddlers, the youngest of which thinks she is a monkey and loves to climb.
Melissa says
My first reaction would be to move the crib away from the window- I worry more about cold weather affecting him.
OR
I would leave it and just find a way to keep the cords out of his reach. I like the idea about drawer knobs and putting them around that.
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Hahaha! What Michelle said. Kim, why would your adorable child not obey instructions? Don’t mess with the shades is pretty simple. ; )
But in all seriousness, I have no ideas for you on making the bamboo baby proof, but if you have to replace them I’d do uber cheap white ones. The blue shades are gorgeous, but it’s just not worth the money, especially with those awesome curtains.
Jessie @ Imperfectly Polished says
I love the bamboo shades. The color looks great and they are just plain pretty:) I just posted about fabric covered roller shades that I made for our bedroom and they were really simple and cheap too. Here’s my link: http://imperfectlypolished.com/2012/03/13/fabric-covered-roller-shade/. I’m sure whatever you decide will be fabulous!
Emily says
I like the bamboon shades. Buy two cord kleats, install them as high as you can on the window, and religiously wrap the cords everyday when you open the window. It’s what we’re doing in T and the baby’s room, and it’s worked fine.
Mrs. 5C says
People are crazy. Sorry they’re all up in your business. ๐
I LOVE the bamboo shades. Don’t change a thing! Just install a cord cleat so the internet will calm down. ๐
Emily says
I love the bamboo shades, so I’d probably go with cord cleats- we have them on all our roman shades. I also cut off a lot of excess cord when I hang our shades- I just let them all the way down and then cut off what I don’t need- that way I don’t have so much cord to wrap up. If you’re wanting to go cordless (but stick with the bamboo look), look for “Nantucket bamboo roman shades” on overstock- the ones they currently sell are cordless AND have a blackout liner- win win! The price isn’t that bad either. We currently have the corded version of these in our living room and they are awesome. A lighter color than what you currently have in there, but they could still work ๐
The Brick Cottage says
Yep, totally agree with previous comments, just clip the cords out of the way. And it’s so true…what works now for your little one may not work a year later (heck, maybe not even 6 months later). We’ve been slowly baby proofing but we’re doing it based on her interests. Our baby is currently obsessed with electrical cords (oh, yay >sarcasm<) so that's what we're working on. She has no interest in the outlets or curtains or cabinets. Trust you’re instincts! You’re little one is in good hands with you as his mama.
DecorandtheDog says
I love this post. Love, love, love it.
And your kid will totally be so smart and well behaved that he won’t even think about touching those cords. You’re totally fine. No worries.
Your ever helpful friend,
Michelle
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Can you keep the shades, but rig the cord so that there is absolutely no way that the baby can reach them?
It is really amazing how sneaky/squirrely they can be…just be sure they are secured firmly and well away from his reach. Since you’ll be using the black-out shades for the darkening effect, you really just need the bamboo (which I love) for the “look.”
I think it looks great. Just be sure the window is always closed and locked (!) and you’ll be fine. ๐
daisy says
I’d move the crib away from the window.
longbrakeliving says
My gut reaction is to keep the bamboo shades, and just rig a solution to keep the cords out of reach (Micheal’s idea is GREAT), cut them, or see if there’s some magical cord baby-proofing item.
Honestly, you don’t need the shades for room-darkening purposes; blackout lining does an amazing job. Consequently, I would spend as little money as possible on shades. If you are totally uncomfortable with having any sort of cord, go with the roller blinds. They might not block as much light as the PB blinds, but with your blackout curtains, you’ll be good to go.
Whatever you decide gives you the most piece of mind is the right choice! I do not regret for a second spending money on some safety things that give me piece of mind (the most random thing of which is probably an oven lock, but I KNOW there’s no way C can get in the oven).
Heather says
I am cheap and I LOVE your shades. I would find a way to mount the cords under the curtains so they are out of sight but easily accessible. Maybe a small hook of some sort.
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
Get those cord anchor things to mount next to the windows. You could always replace the shades in the future if you’re uncomfortable with the anchor solution once baby W is here.
Michael - Innkeeper says
Personally I love the bamboo shades. And if that means not buying new shades, I’d say stick with them.
First idea is move the crib as far away from the window as you can without it looking crazy.
Second, get some drawer pulls or finials and attach them to the window frame out of baby’s reach. Wrap the cords around the pull or finial. Voila! (does that make sense?)
These shade cords are always way too long anyway.
Good luck making a decision, I’m sure you’ll come up with the best one.