4 Tips For Selecting Blinds

Window treatments, popularly known as blinds or curtains, are valuable in controlling the amount of light that can enter a room. By effectively managing the illumination that can enter a room, they can lower energy consumption through these fixtures, increase home comfort, and reduce heating and cooling costs. 

The most common kinds of window treatments are shades and drapes. Shades can be used to completely block a window from the outside world. To achieve maximum privacy, blinds may be used. 

You can find a lot of options for window treatments in stores, like makemyblinds.co.uk. But with the varying options you have today, how can you be sure to choose the right one for your home?

Here are some tips to help you out:  

• Choose the Right Type of Blinds 

There are several types of window treatments, each with its unique style. Many factors need to be considered when choosing the best window coverings. The best way to learn how to choose window blinds is to understand how they work and how you can use them to your advantage. 

Some of the common types of window blinds you can use:  

• Roman Blinds 

Roman blinds are simply a window covering usually used to completely block out the light from inside a room. They’re different from regular window blinds in that they usually stack when being open, but when they’re closed, they’re visibly smoother, not ribbed or bumpy like conventional vertical blinds or shades. They are also known for their elegant designs and how they can be used both inside and outside a room. 

• Vertical Blinds 

For large glass doors, vertical blinds are the most appropriate type to use. These are typically used for windows or doors in the patio or backyard doors. This is because vertical blinds have coverage from the floor up a few inches from the ceiling. Vertical blinds are long enough to cover an entire door or a floor-to-ceiling glass window, blocking the light shining in or giving your home some privacy.  

Most vertical blinds are made from vinyl, but some of them are also made from fabric. Vertical blinds are individually hung from a clamp located at the top section. Each panel turns left or right when a pole is twisted in your chosen direction. One of the benefits of using vertical blinds is they are easy to install. These blinds are also very affordable, making them an excellent option for people working on a budget.  

• Venetian Blinds 

Venetian blinds refer to models that have horizontal slats. These blinds are usually made of metal, plastic, or wood. The blinds are suspended between cords or pieces of fabric which hold each slat. Venetian blinds are designed in a way that you can tilt the slats up to 180 degrees and allow light to come into the room.  

Venetian blinds are also very common in many households. Venetian blinds can be used in any room in the house, be it in the bedroom or living room. However, sometimes it can be frustrating to adjust because you have to pull the string to one side to unlock the slats before adjusting them.  

• Panel Blinds 

Panel blinds are built from thin fabric in broad sections that hang vertically to cover your window or glass doors. Unlike vertical blinds, panel blinds are composed of four wider sections instead of thin slats. Panel blinds are commonly used on sliding backdoors. These panels slide together to allow light into the room. The benefits of using panel blinds are they are easy to clean and cheaper compared to other options.  

• Determine If You Can Have Ready-Made or Made-To-Measure Blinds 

Blinds can also be separated into two categories: ready-made and made-to-measure. Each of these categories has its advantages and disadvantages. Before you can choose the right one for you, you need to consider this first.  

Ready-made blinds are designed in preset sizes that can be adjusted or cut down to fit your windows. Ready-made window blinds can be found in many stores and come in different sizes. The advantages of using ready-made blinds are they are typically much cheaper compared to custom blinds. They also come in different styles available. You also don’t have to pay for installation because you can easily install it over your windows. The only disadvantage is that you can never be sure that the window blinds will fit your windows perfectly.  

As the name suggests, made-to-measure blinds are custom-made ones that are manufactured to fit precisely on your windows. You usually order these from home improvement stores and get personnel to go to your home to get window measurements. The advantage of using made-to-measure blinds is that you can be sure that they will fit nicely on your windows, and you can also choose to customize so it will go well with your interiors. The only disadvantage is you should expect it to have a higher price compared to ready-made blinds.  

• Consider Its Maintenance 

Maintenance and cleaning are other important qualities of window blinds you should consider. Some types of blinds tend to require too much time to clean compared to others. Shades in textured fabrics can be tricky to clean. You must ensure that you don’t stain them as you would need a professional to remove the dirt on them. Wood and plastic blinds are easier to clean and maintain as you only need to wipe them off to get off dirt or dust.

• Consider How Much Light and Privacy You Want 

When deciding to choose the type of window blinds you want to have in your home, you need to evaluate how much light and privacy you want to have in each room. You can choose window blinds that tilt to let light in and make the room bright and airy. You can also choose blinds that completely shut the light out so you can sleep better during the night.  

There are panel blinds that offer fabric options that are room darkening or light filtering. This gives you control over the brightness. These blinds are perfect for bedrooms because they can provide privacy and comfort during the night. However, you might not want the same blinds in your living room or kitchen because you need to have adequate light in these areas. Knowing this, you might need to opt for other types of blinds to allow light to enter these rooms to keep them bright and light.  

Summary 

There are several things you need to consider when choosing the right blinds for your home. It’s important to have window treatments to control the amount of light entering your home and give you the privacy you need. 

When choosing window blinds, you need to know the different types and where they are appropriately used in your home. You should evaluate how much light you want inside a room. Besides that, you should also check your budget as there are various options from ready-made to custom-made blinds. Lastly, always consider its maintenance. Some blinds are harder to clean than others, and you should take the time to clean your blinds to maintain their looks.