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Blinds vs Curtains – What’s the best choice?

Blinds vs Curtains – What’s the best choice?

We’ve come across the question Blinds vs Curtains quite a lot over the years. The quickest answer to this question is another question… “What do you need from your window coverings?”

Another set of questions you could ask yourself are:

  • Do you need privacy from neighbours or a busy street?
  • Will you need full light control?
  • What about insulation? Both temperature and sound
  • Do you live in an environment where you will need to have easy clean treatments?
  • Will pets or children impact on the style you are choosing?

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There are significant benefits to both styles of window dressings and in this article we’re going to outline both pros and cons to help you be better informed when deciding what your home really needs. Hopefully we’ll be able to settle the blinds vs curtains debate once and for all.

Here are some ways to help you differentiate when we’re talking blinds vs curtains terms.

  • Blinds are classified as ‘hard’ window coverings that may feature flats or vanes controlled manually with a pull cord or chain.
  • At Complete Blinds we offer a number of different indoor blinds including Luminette Privacy Sheers, Duette Shades, Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds, Venetian Blinds (in a number of different materials), Panel Glide Blinds, Silhouette Shades, Duo Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Luxaflex Pirouette Shades, Motorised/Automatic Blinds, and Luxaflex Lumishade. There are so many you can choose from!
  • Curtains on the other hand are just that – any material which conceals something from view. They are usually made only with fabrics however and are considered to bring softness to a space.

Blinds vs Curtains

Colours and Design

Blinds and Curtains both rank high in the variety stakes. Pattern, images and colour are all loaded with choice in both options.

If you’re thinking about design curtains add an atmosphere layer to a space creating warmth and elegance. Blinds are all about the minimalist, modern look and can give you that sleek design.

Light Control

The very best light control is a blind that is mounted within a custom-made track on either side of the interior of the window casing allowing no light to escape. Curtains, however, can also offer a high level of light control which may be sufficient for your needs.

Easy Clean

Blinds take the crown in this battle. They aren’t susceptible to moths or other insects looking for a snack and they’re remarkably easy to clean, especially if you do it regularly.

Automation

If automation is a consideration for you, you will be pleased to know that both curtains and blinds can be automated to your needs.

Not every room needs the same window treatments. Of course, when you’re considering the front of the house you may want to stick with the same look for uniformity on the outside – this doesn’t mean the inside needs to be all same, same, same. Besides that you may find that changing up the window treatments room to room gives you the perfect feel you want for that specific room AND it may even be more practical for the function of that room.

Room Size

Consider the size of the room before you decide on a window treatment. Ceiling to floor curtains may be perfect in a great room, living room or dining room but the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room may benefit from something slightly smaller. A blind perhaps? 😉

Light, Acoustic or Privacy Control Required

This is where you may want to consider going with a double dressing option. A combination of both a blind AND curtains will give you the best light and sound blocking options for bedrooms or media rooms.

If you only need to block the view of your neighbours, sheer curtains may be a better option and keep the room feeling light and airy.

It all comes down to what you need to achieve.

Aesthetic

Curtains tend to have a traditional feel to them – but that may also depend on the fabric and colours you choose. Natural linens in shades of soft grey or a muted pastel can bring a contemporary look to the room.

If you are wanting the minimalist, modern look then going for a roman or roller blind that sits completely within the window casing may be more your style.

Insulation

Many of us are looking for options to better insulate our windows or indeed our homes to contribute to the use of less energy for heating and cooling. The best option, in this case, is again to have a double dressing on your windows. Cellular blinds and curtains are the best-known options to reduce heat and cold transfer through your glass.

If you combine the two you can increase the R rating of your windows significantly. (This rating is how heat and cold loss is measured.)

Size and Type of window

Huge, ceiling to floor windows or doors will need a different consideration to a small bathroom window in a powder room. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating, floor to ceiling windows or doors will require a different window treatment to the small window in the powder room.

Whether you’re building a new home, renovating your current home or working with what’s already there be sure to think long and hard about the actual window, it’s function and whether the way you want the room to function for the people using the space works with that window treatment.

Sheer curtains for filtering light and bringing a floating feel into a space with large doors may only work if you have the floor space inside to allow for them to float freely away from furniture and walkways. Blinds may work better if you need privacy from neighbours in the evening hours when lights are on inside.

Smaller rooms such as the powder room may be an easier choice with blinds fitting within the window being a great choice to keep things clean and contained.

The function of the room and what you need the window treatments to do will continue to impact on your choices.

Furniture Placement

Consider your furniture. If you have your beds underneath your windows for example, using a blind may be your best option. Perhaps you have a window seat or built-in bookshelves or kitchen cabinets underneath your windows. These are all cases where blinds may be a better option than a curtain. However, doubling up your design and adding curtains on either side of the bedhead can bring a softness to your room which will be worth the further investment.

Blinds vs Curtains

So, we hope we’ve helped you to become better educated on the debate of blinds vs curtains. It looks to us as though you might benefit from a combination of both in a lot of cases, but as we mentioned at the start, how you dress your windows is completely up to you, your style and how you function in your home.

If you are starting from scratch with a new build or all-new renovation you might want to consider talking to a design specialist. They will be able to help you work out what is going to work best for the function and beautifying of your spaces.

At Complete Blinds, we can help you to make the best choice for you. Give us a call to find out more.

Kelista Puddle

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