The Right Indoor Blinds for your Home  

Indoor blinds come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Despite blinds being around for 1000’s of years in one form or another, it’s only been in the past 100-200 years that blinds have become a staple of people’s homes.  

Blinds are a trendy alternative to curtains and can easily create more space in a room. Zone Interiors shares this easy-to-follow guide when shopping for blinds.  

Style  

The style of blinds you choose needs to reflect your room, its theme and your taste. Venetian blinds are very popular and perfect for privacy and light control. Roller blinds provide a contemporary streamlined look and are practical for windows that require frequent use or access, such as sliding doors. They also work well in outdoor areas like patios.   

Material  

Interior blinds come in a range of materials that can vary in suitability depending on your space. For areas exposed to high heat, consider aluminium Venetians, white timber Venetians or block-out roller blinds. All have white or reflective backing that can help eliminate any excess warmth.  

Wet zones, such as bathrooms and kitchens, are environments where you should look at materials or fabrics that resist moisture. PVC and aluminium Venetian blinds are specifically designed for wet areas and are perfect for the home bathroom or kitchen.   

Light and Privacy  

Venetian blinds are the perfect solution for general living areas because they put you in control of your light and privacy needs. Too much or too little? Simply adjust the angle of the slats: the cord/wand operation will tilt the blinds at the desired angle for full light and visibility, or complete privacy and a dark room.  

For a bedroom, fabric block-out blinds are a popular choice, as they provide a dark room for a good night’s sleep.  

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Top choices for your blinds

As a stylish window treatment for any room, blinds come in a range of styles and materials. To incorporate blinds into your overall design it’s important to consider the materials they are made from and how they contribute to the space.

Here are four popular materials to consider.

Fabric

Natural and synthetic fabrics have been the most popular in recent years. This versatile material works well with different styles from vertical to roman or roller.

Fabric blinds also allow for a variety of additional features such as light and temperature control.

Blockout fabric is ideal for rooms where you’d like to eliminate all light such as bedrooms or media rooms.

On the opposite side of the scale, sheer fabrics provide privacy while creating a soft light in the room.

Thermal fabrics can be added as a back layer to blinds to help insulate rooms and save electricity

Wood

Right on track with the natural material trend, wood and faux wood blinds provide texture to a room. Wood can be used in Venetian blinds, roll-up blinds or classic plantation shutters. Their versatility comes from their ability to be stained or painted to suit your decor and style.

Natural wood is best used in rooms with low humidity to prolong their lifespan and decrease warping, splitting or cracking.

Woven roll-up blinds made from bamboo fair better in humid areas and can be used indoors or outdoors. Bamboo is also a great Eco-friendly option that brings a beautiful raw element to your home.

Metal

Metal offers durability and lots of option when choosing a colour that suits your needs. As it is water resistant, metal work well in humid rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Aluminium security shutters also fall into the metal family. Like traditional shutters, they allow you to control the amount of light and privacy by tilting the slats or fully opening the shutters when required. As a security barrier, the shutters can then be closed and locked forming a comprehensive protective layer when needed.

Plastic

Plastic is the most affordable and offers the greatest variety of colours. It is lightweight and works in virtually any room.

The only downfall to plastic blinds is that some may be made from poor quality plastic so they are easily damaged and may not look as good as other materials.

Choosing Blinds

There is an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to blinds. To make the choice easier, always think about how you want them to function and then consider which material works best for your space.

Another important decision is how you will operate them.There is always the traditional cord and rod option but you do have other choices. If you have young children, cordless is the best in terms of safety. For slick convenience, automatic options may be best. If you’re looking for visual interest, blinds that open from both the top and bottom may be what you’re after.

Whatever you choose, in the end the blinds need to enhance your space and how you live in it. If you have any questions, contact your local expert who will be able to advise and quote on your unique space.

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