Thursday Thoughts: 5 Types of Window Blinds

Window blinds have been around since man decided to let light into their home by making holes in their walls. Although this allowed light into rooms it also meant that passers-by could look inside – something which has been a problem throughout history! As such pieces of cloth or woven reeds were placed over the openings (windows). These were often soaked in cold water to help keep rooms cool during the daytime.

Today we have a huge range of blinds to choose from with the 5 most popular being the following:

1. Roller blinds:

This simple yet effective window dressings can be used on their own or paired with curtains. Available in a wide variety of styles and colours there are roller blinds to suit all styled of homes and décors.

2. Blackout roller blinds:

Blackout roller blinds come in many different styles and luckily for those with a fixed budget, they can also be picked up really cheaply. There are so many different designs that you can choose including ready-made patterned and floral designs and also simplistic and modern designs such as platinum greys and brilliant whites. Many blackout blinds also have thermal insulation properties making them ideal for saving energy by keeping warm air inside your home during the colder months as well as helping your rooms to stay cooler during the summer.

3. Venetian Blinds:

Considered to be the most versatile of all blinds, Venetian blinds have evolved to suit modern living beautifully. They're no longer the grubby looking blinds which clanked and distorted in offices, today there are superb Venetian blinds available in synthetic materials, wood and lightweight aluminium.

The great thing about this style of blinds is that they give you complete control over the amount of light entering a room as well as preventing prying eyes peeking inside your home. With the latest technologies Venetian blinds are favoured by contemporary designers as they meet the sleek clean lines which is the hallmark of contemporary interiors.

4. Vertical Blinds:

As their name implies vertical blinds have vertical louvres or slats rather than horizontal – as in Venetian blinds. The great advantage of vertical blinds is the ability to stack them back fully enabling patio doors to be accessed easily. When closed vertical blinds offer the same light control and privacy advantages as Venetian blinds.

This style of blinds isn't available in as many options as Venetian blinds, but they have become a firm favourite with home owners and designers alike.

5. Roman Blinds:

These delightful blinds are seeing some what of a resurgence, it may be due to the fact that you can make your own using Roman blind kits or have them made to measure. Because they are made from fabric you're able to coordinate the blinds with the rest of your soft furnishings. This also makes the majority bespoke as we don't all have the same patterns, colours and types of fabrics in our homes!

I hope the advice here helped you with some more interior design ideas and remember that interior decoration does not follow a strict set of rules, you can mix and match blinds to suit the style of your home and your budget.