Different Types of Blinds and How to Choose Between Them

Whether you are moving into a new home for the first time or simply looking to do a bit of decorating in your current house, blinds and custom window shades can be a very important choice. There are so many different styles of shades, exterior shutters and blinds available to you. It can be hard to decide which you think you will like, and how they may suit your home. Considering that blinds can be quite a big purchase, it’s important to be sure you know what you want before purchasing them. Luckily for you, we have spoken to many experts and designers in the world of blinds to compile this list. Below are a few different types of blinds with some information to help you choose between them.

Why Choose Blinds?

There are so many reasons to choose blinds. Firstly, they can be inexpensive when compared to curtains. You will likely be able to find blinds that give a great light reduction for a fraction of the cost of similar-level curtains. You should decide whether you want a strong reduction in light or not, as different blinds provide different levels. Another consideration is matching the blinds to your window shape. We know that windows come in all shapes and sizes these days, but luckily so do blinds. Many manufacturers offer a custom window shape design for all of their products, meaning any blind can be redesigned to fit round, bay, or odd-shaped windows. This may not be so easy with curtains.

Another benefit of blinds is their obvious visual impact on a room. The experts at https://www.blindsonline.com.au/roller-blinds described blinds as “having the ability to truly complete a room’s look” and we couldn’t agree more. With so many designs and styles available, you can use blinds to finish a room off in whatever style you choose to decorate in. They do not have to be simply functional, but can actually add something special to a room. We should also discuss one other property that blinds have. They add an extra layer of insulation to your home. Windows and doors tend to be the weak spots when it comes to insulation, even if you have good double glazing a draft can sometimes find a way through! With a well-fitting blind, you will be provided with an extra layer of insulation against the cold breeze.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at different styles of blinds, and what their particular features may do to benefit your home. 

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds consist of a single thick piece of fabric that extends on a roller. These are simple, sleek designed blinds and can complement any room. Though they are simple, they come in a variety of colors and designs. Roller blinds tend to provide very good shade, as they fill the window completely and block out plenty of light, so this blind is suitable for you if you’re seeking good darkness and a simple design.

Blackout Blinds

Blackout blinds are usually similar in design to roller blinds. They are, again, quite simple in look and design, but slightly different. They differ in the material used, which is specifically designed to block all ambient light entering your room. Perfect for a great night’s sleep. Consider one of these blinds if you are a light sleeper or work shifts.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are extremely classic and lovely looking blinds. They are made from rows of wooden slats, joined together by a thread. These blinds raise and lower much like roller blinds, but with an extra feature of being able to rotate the slats. This means you can control how much light comes into your room at any given time.

Roman Blinds

Another classic and very beautiful style of blind is Roman blinds. This is another fabric-based blind, but very different from the roller blinds. With Roman blinds, a single piece of fabric cascades and folds over itself as you raise it. This is a very sophisticated look and would suit any classically decorated home. As they are looser and more free-flowing, you may not get as good a coverage as you would with a roller blind, but many find them more stylish. 

These are four of the most popular types of blinds available on the market today. We hope we have given you enough information about each type of blind so that you can begin to see how each one may fit in your home. Whichever you choose, we are sure will look great! Happy decorating!