I have both blinds and drapes. While I like the ease of blinds, I find them kind of sterile looking in some rooms. My dining room, bedroom, spare bedroom and den have drapes. I just like the way they look. and feel they add warmth and softness to the room. Neither of us smoke and we don't often open windows so they really don't get dirty. I made the ones in the dining room and den. I used the large decorative wood rods with wooden rings that the drapes faster on to. Easy to get down when you do need to clean them.