The Ultimate Guide To Blinds

Finding the right style of blind to suit your home is essential to creating a great interior design and meeting your practical needs. Blinds are a focal point of many rooms as they frame the window and your view to the outside world, so it's important that you get the choice just right.

The Different Types of Blinds

There are lots of different types of blinds. They all have different maintenance requirements to keep them looking pristine and all work best in specific types of room. You must understand exactly what type of blind you need before you go ahead and make a purchase.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds consist of a large section of folded material held in folds by plastic or metal rods. When closed, the Roman blind lays completely flat against the window and folds upon itself when you operate it using the cord.

Pros

-        Scotts Interiors provide bespoke blinds so you can find that material that matches perfectly with your décor.

-       You can opt for handmade blinds with a blackout lining so they're ideal for bedrooms. This blocks the sun in the morning and light at night which allows you to sleep undisturbed.

Cons

-        Due to their high-quality finish and the extra material used, they're not the most cost-effective choice of blinds. However, it’s hard to find other blinds that match the quality of Roman blinds.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are usually made of plastic or metal. They're held together by 2 or 3 cords passing through each of the simple metal strips that hang horizontally across the window. The angle of these strips can be changed to let in light depending on the time of day or the whole blind can be pulled up into a neat pile to reveal the whole window.

Pros

-        The plastic or metal material makes them ideal for kitchens or bathrooms as they can withstand the damp environment without being damaged.

-        The material is wipeable and won't be damaged by the cleaning process.

Cons

-        Although there are colour variations, most Venetian blinds come in standard white unless you choose a bespoke blind supplier like us, Scotts Interiors.

-        They can collect dust between the strips which is fiddly to wipe clean.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds also consist of strips that have diverse angles which allows them to consistently block out the sun. They're usually made of a thick, blackout material and hang vertically down from the headrail. Vertical blinds can also be pulled completely to one side like curtains to reveal the window.

Pros

-        The handmade blinds offer a wide range of colour choices.

-        They are incredibly versatile with a variety of materials and styles so they're suitable for any room, you can even purchase mildew-resistant versions for the bathroom.

Cons

-        Unless you get the angle exactly right, you may still get slivers of the sun creeping in and they won't work well with windows that you leave open often.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are made from a thick section of flat fabric that covers the whole window when closed. The fabric hangs from a metal headrail and rolls in on itself when opened creating a wrapping paper-style roll above your window.

Pros

-        These are the most affordable types of blind.

-        They suit any room; you can even get wipe clean versions for your bathroom.

Cons

-        These are just a single sheet, so are not great for bedrooms if you're trying to sleep as they don’t block out light effectively. However, at Scotts Interiors, you can opt to add a blackout lining to your roller blinds.

Wooden Blinds

Essentially wooden blinds are Venetian blinds but with wooden strips of pine or oak. Because of the heavier material, they tend to block out much more of the sun than a standard Venetian option and provide much more of a high-end finish.

Pros

-        There are more colour variations than the standard white Venetian style.

-        It gives your room a luxurious finish.

Cons

-        They're less affordable than Venetian blinds.

-        They can warp when they're exposed to moisture so they aren't suitable for a bathroom.

-        Although they're wipeable, they can be dust collectors if you don't keep them on top of cleaning them.

Whichever option you choose, ensure that you've considered the style of your room, the cleaning requirements, the moisture in the atmosphere, and the cost. It's worth paying for bespoke blinds to get a better-quality finish. If you would like to find out more about how Scotts Interiors can help you, get in touch on 01908 503200 or head over to our contact page for more details.