Windows …. The feature of many a home, but essentially just a hole in the wall. However, with the right covering these holes can be transformed to make a better-looking feature of any room, as well as provide many other benefits including, privacy and sunlight control.
Whether you are choosing a covering for just one window, or an entire house, there are many factors to consider, such as:
- Shape – the shape of a window can determine the type of covering needed;
- Size – the size can affect price and therefore also determine the style;
- Style – there are many options from roller blinds to wooden or venetian, vertical or horizontal, or even the current trend of shutters;
- Requirements – the type of covering you go for may depend on what the room is used for, how much light you wish to let in, and whether you want to keep window coverings the same, or have different styles for different windows.
Once you have all of this determined, then comes the fun part – choosing your blind. There are many options available, and we have touched on previously the benefits of going bespoke for your furnishings for longevity, style and a personalised touch – which is beneficial over mass-produced options.
STYLE SELECTION
Once you have identified all your requirements when it comes what you want your blind to achieve, in terms of style there are a wealth of options available to you.
Whichever way you go, there is still a wealth of options, including:
Honeycomb shades – made from polyester, this type of shade is extremely flexible making it a good choice for unusual shaped windows. Honeycomb blinds are also good at trapping air making them good sound and thermal insulators.
Wooden / Venetian blinds – one of the most commonly used options on the market, and are available in metal, wood or vinyl in a staggering array of colours and finishes, and offer excellent light control due to adjustable louvres. Modern options also include ladders decorated with a colour-co-ordinated tape giving them extra appeal. Although one of the most popular, they are still one of the most time-consuming to clean!
Vertical blinds – Most commonly used over patio doors, sliding, opening or bi-folding. This long type-cast commercial style blind is fast becoming an option for the modern home, due to its capabilities to enhance the height of a room.
Roller blinds – Before the introduction of all these over styles, roller blinds used to be the go to for a quick and cheap window covering. Nowadays this up or down option does not provide any form of light control, however for those looking for a retro-feel to their windows this is still a great budget-friendly option.
Roman blinds – this type of blind sees the fabric transform into a pleated style when drawn closed and can offer a softer option aesthetically for your window covering.
London blinds – this style of blind is a cross between a Roman blind (fabric blind transformed into a pleated style when drawn) and an Austrian blind (ruched fabric which extends about a third of the way down a window). A London blind combines the best of both these styles with the softness of a Roman blind, but a touch more tailoring than Austrian blinds, with the fullness coming from inverted pleats.
Blackout blinds – Used often in bedrooms, in a roman or roller style, these blinds are treated with a special backing to stop light penetrating the fabric. They can be used to create a layered look with curtains to add extra light protection.
Shutters – With their distinctive appearance you can see why the shutter is fast becoming a hot trend for modern living. Available in an array of colours, and louvre sizes this style of covering offers a contemporary feel with great light control and insulation benefits. The downside is the shutter frame can sometimes be bulky and take up lots of space.
And last, but not least, it is wise to also consider the following when choosing your blind:
- Louvre size – this should be in relation not just the size of the window, but also the view.
- Mounting – don’t forget to decide before measuring whether you intend to mount the blind on the outside of the window of whether you will recess it into the outside frame;
- Cord Safety – lastly, and very importantly, be mindful of long cords in a child’s room. Try mounting a high cleat to neatly tie loose dangling cords out of reach of children.
To see examples of blinds that I have created, click here.
