How to Choose the Right Blinds

Many homeowners launch their search for the perfect blind with the style of blind they like.  People who are interested in using blinds as a way to add color, pattern, and texture to the décor of the room in which the blinds will be placed typically gravitate towards fabric blinds, like Roman shades.   This approach does not always fully account for the purposes of the blinds – what you expect the blinds to do for you.

Blinds as decorating expressions are perfectly legitimate purposes; but blinds also serve two additional purposes:  to let light into the room and to provide privacy.  In almost all cases, selecting the right blinds is a matter of a tradeoff between the functions of light and privacy.

Consider the Roman Shades mentioned above as an example.  If the blinds are for a bedroom you might select room darkening fabric which will block out almost all light when the shades are lowered.  Some fabrics are light filtering, allowing some light to enter the room when they are lowered.  However, no Roman Shade affords privacy once in the raised position.

If your home is surrounded by forests where the only creatures staring at you through the windows are the local wildlife, privacy is not an issue.  But for the vast majority of us, it is.   The best choices for the privacy versus light tradeoff are vertical draw blinds or horizontal mini blinds.

Vertical blinds have wide slats that come in a variety of materials; hang downward; and can be drawn back and forth like draperies.  Unlike draperies, they can be slanted when in the closed position, which maintains privacy while allowing light to enter.  Vertical blinds come in fabrics, faux wood, and a variety of colors to match any decorating style and most budgets.

Horizontal blades are also available in faux wood and a variety of colors.  They can be much more affordable than their vertical cousins since you can find inexpensive blinds made of PVC at most Home Improvement Centers.  These can be cut to any width and the height can be adjusted by removing slats from the bottom of the shade to reach the desired height.  For rooms where light blocking is a high priority, there are room darkening blinds available.

If you have bay windows in your home horizontal blinds provide the easiest solution for maintaining privacy while still allowing light into the room.  Draperies and Vertical Blinds have to be mounted to the outside frame of the bay; leaving the windows themselves totally exposed to the outside world when drawn.

Horizontal blinds can be mounted directly to each of the windows within the bay, affording both privacy and light.  In purchasing any blinds, be very careful how you measure.  Your measurements will vary depending on where you mount the blinds.  If you are buying blinds online, make sure the instructions posted on the web site are crystal clear to you.  If they’re not, call someone for help.  If there is no one available to talk to, do not buy from that site!  Measurement is crucial.  If buying from a local Home Improvement Center, find a sales associate who know what they are talking about and have them fully explain the process to you.  You’ll be glad you took this extra step.  There are few things more frustrating than having the joy of seeing what your brand new blinds will look dashed when you discover they don’t fit.