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You might be a curtain person, and maybe you’ve considered getting blinds before.
If you’re still struggling to choose between the two, there are a few good reasons you might want to try blinds. For starters, blinds are much easier to maintain than curtains; you can simply dust them without having to take them off, and throwing them into the wash isn’t necessary. They’re also more versatile when it comes to controlling the amount of light that enters the room and if you have a hillside landscaping then blinds should be your first priority. Lastly, and probably the reason more people choose blinds over curtains, is that blinds virtually last longer than curtains do. Curtains are prone to tearing, but blinds can be made of more resilient material such as vinyl, aluminum, or even plastic.
Choosing the right blinds, however, is an entirely different story. You wouldn’t know what style might go with your home. Does your home look traditional? Does it have a modern touch? Are its bedrooms minimalist in appearance? If you don’t know how blinds can suit these different home designs, check out this practical set of ideas to know which blinds would look best for your home.
Blinds or Shades?
Blinds and shades can often be mistaken for the other. Before you make the wrong purchase for your home, read on to save you from buyer’s regret.
The biggest difference between blinds and shades is the material. If it’s made of a single roll of fabric or multiple layers of it, those are shades. Blinds are made of harder, tougher material and are comprised of multiple layers of usually horizontal slats, unless they’re vertical blinds.
In terms of maintenance, blinds are still much easier to clean than shades as they can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Shades require vacuum cleaners or even a serious washing if grime and mildew begin to build up.
Like shades, blinds also come in a variety of styles. If you aren’t sure of which style you might be interested in, sites like Make My Blinds cover these as well as the different kinds of blinds.
If you’re completely after blinds, however, here are five tips that will help you find blinds that suit your home design.
- Make Sure They Fit
This goes without saying. Bust out your steel tape measure and measure your window before purchasing a set of blinds. When measuring, make sure that your measurements are not rounded. This is going to affect the fit of the blinds, especially if they’re going to be perfect fit blinds. If you have old blinds installed, and you’re planning to replace them, do not measure them.
Never make measurements for the size of your blinds, but, instead, measure your window opening. Measure the window opening’s top, middle, and bottom. Contrary to popular belief, not all windows are perfectly square. It’s quite deceptive, but measuring all your windows as assuming that all the windows are perfectly the same size could lead to some order mistakes. The worst that could happen is for you to measure one window out of three and order a set of blinds that all don’t fit the rest. That one window will stick out like a sore thumb.
- The Style Goes with the Room
Can’t decide which type of blinds goes with the room? Don’t worry. Here are a few ideas that might be able to help you:
Wood Blinds – These are perfect for any room in the house that is conducive to working, studying, or sleeping. Consider installing these in your kids’ bedroom, your writing space, or even your home office.
Roman Blinds – Roman blinds are stylish in that they look like small curtains. When rolled up with their pulley mechanism, the slats fold nicely into each other like an accordion’s body. This type of blinds can be used for your living room or, again, your home office because of its air of formality.
Vertical Blinds – These blinds can be used for the larger windows of your house. If your living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, this type of blinds would suit it nicely.
Venetian Blinds – These are the most popular blinds. These blinds can go anywhere, but are ideal for places where privacy should be tantamount. Consider using these for your bedroom or bathroom.
- Consider If It’s an Inside Mount or Outside Mount
When it’s time to install the blinds, there are actually two ways you can do this: inside the window frame or outside the window frame. This is actually the reason you should measure your window openings first.
An inside mount is a little bit more difficult to pull off, but can be quite stylish if done right. It gives the window that neat, built-in look while allowing you to put curtains behind it. An outside mount will allow for more coverage, while, at the same time, hiding a particularly ugly window (if you have one). This can come in handy for windows that are also noticeably uneven.
- Think of How Much Privacy or Light Control You Need
Pick the correct blinds for the room you’re installing them in. Naturally, for your bedroom, you’ll want blinds that can completely block light out. If you’re in the bathroom, you’ll definitely want to keep the gaze of unwanted onlookers out.
If you’re looking for that natural lighting feel, pick blinds that can easily control the flow of light with minor adjustment. For this, venetian blinds offer ample amounts of light through them when opened and gently shade the room from light when closed.
- Colour Brings the Room Together
The easiest way to make the blinds match is to make sure that the window’s trim and the blinds’ colours are similar, if not the same. This is an especially important tip if you want your windows to be the focus of anyone who enters the room.
If that isn’t what you had in mind, you can also try matching your blinds’ colour with that of your walls. If you don’t want them to be exactly the same, you can choose a slightly brighter hue or a darker shade than that of the wall.
There’s also the idea of matching the blinds with the flooring or any fixture in the room that stands out. For instance, if your seating is red, then red blinds could go well with these. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s always the choice of picking colours that contrast too.
In Peaceful Shadows
There are limitless combinations of style when picking blinds. Whether you’re trying to make your home a cosier place that inspires productivity and relaxation at the same time. Take your time to choose what blinds might suit you best. Your selections might surprise you.
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