When it comes to choosing what blinds to have in your house, it’s not a case of one-size fits all.
There are pros and cons to each window-covering method and sometimes what works in one room, won’t work in another.
ROMAN BLINDS
Made of fabric and using a cord system to stack into horizontal folds at the top, roman blinds look wonderful in most rooms. Also, because they can be made out of thicker fabric and sit quite close to windowpanes, they can prove to be an energy-efficient window covering.
The style is also a lot less fussy than full-draped window coverings such as curtains, while still looking modern and sleek.
Additionally, they don’t take up too much space as they tend to sit flat against the window glass or the window frame.
But, there are a number of different options when it comes to the kind of roman blind to choose.
FABRIC
This tends to be the most critical decision because the choice of fabric determines the translucency, the operation and the stack of the blind. The colour choice may also determine how you furnish or decorate your room so it’s always best to bear this in mind when choosing. Importantly, heavily embellished fabrics or those that are too rigid will pose problems when it comes to the blind folding nicely. To determine whether the fabrics you’re looking at will fold nicely, take a fabric sample and fold it over a couple of times. If the fabric doesn’t lie flat when folded, it may not be the best option.
STYLE
There are typically two styles of roman blinds: relaxed and constructed. Relaxed romans have no structure to them so the fabric sits gently under its own weight. When raised, the relaxed style tends to curve at the bottom. In contrast, the structured blinds have horizontal rods strategically placed to create a firmer look. They also have a firm edge at the bottom so they sit completely straight when raised. Remember, the style may come down to the type of fabric you choose so take both into consideration when deciding. Another tip is that if the window is quite wide, relaxed blinds may become difficult to manage, meaning you may have to alter and smooth the blinds once you’ve raised them.
LINING
Deciding whether you want to line your blinds comes down to the look and feel you’re trying to accomplish. If it’s light and airy, consider leaving the fabric as is. If it’s luxurious and finished, lining the fabric can help to achieve this. And again, there are choices, ranging from translucent to blackout. This decision will largely depend on the room the blinds are going into. For example, for a bedroom, blackout lining may be best as it keeps to room quiet, cool and dark, however for a living room, either no lining or translucent will work.
VENETIAN BLINDS
Venetian blinds are horizontal slats, typically made from timber or PVC. Their popularity is due to their sleek look, ease of maintenance and cleaning, affordability, easy installation and the ability to control the amount of light coming into a room by angling the blinds. You can also control the amount of light without compromising on your privacy. By angling the blinds, you can block people from being able to see into your home, while still allowing light in.
They also tend to suit most rooms and décor because of their classic style. Generally speaking, they are installed inside the window frame so the area is neat in appearance. This also means that if you wish to treat the window with other types of blinds or curtains like drapes or window scarves, they can be placed outside the window frame.
The most popular types of venetian blinds include timber, faux timber using PVC, and aluminium. Each types has their pros and cons.
Venetian blinds that are made from timber tend to have a warmer look and add texture to the space. However, like aluminium, they can be damaged by moisture so it’s best to use them in rooms that do not get too much moisture. Also, remember that if you leave your windows open for longer periods of time, perhaps it’s best to avoid timber as if it rains, they can be damaged quickly. They’re also the most expensive option.
Faux wooden blinds tend to be the compromise – the look of timber, without the cost and easy to clean. Because they are made from plastic, they are durable and won’t suffer water damage.
ROLLER BLINDS
Roller blinds are pleasing on the eyes and provide a seamless dressing for your windows. They’re perfect in virtually any room, including living, bedrooms and even kitchens. Plus, you can get them in block-out or translucent so you can control the amount of light. You can also expand the look and feel of your home by adding other window treatments to the roller blinds. The wonderful thing about roller blinds is that they can be recessed into their mounting, so they disappear when they are fully open, amounting to a more seamless look.
Translucent blinds tend to work best in communal areas such as living rooms and kitchens. They allow for light to come in, even when closed, yet block out prying eyes, giving you privacy. The other benefit of the translucent rollers is that they still block out strong rays that can damage furniture, fabrics and floors.
When it comes to bedrooms, most tend to favour block-out rollers so the room is cooler and darker, no matter what time of day.
Rollers are available in a variety of colours and fabrics so they can suit the look and style of your room.
There is also the option for dual roller shades that share one mount, allowing you to regulate the amount of light coming in depending on the time of day.
