19 Feb Tips for Choosing the Right Blinds

Tips for Choosing the Right Blinds

Blinds are among the most popular types of window coverings in the United States.  They come in a variety of styles, colors, and price points.  Purchasing blinds for all the windows in your house can represent a substantial investment, and there are several factors to consider when picking on the best blinds for your windows.

Among these are light and privacy, budget, time you want to spend cleaning the blinds, decorating style, location, and the safety of the blinds.  Here are a few things to think about when you’re shopping for new blinds.

Overall Style of Your Home

The blinds should flow with the overall style and feel of your home.  Modern homes tend to call for lightweight blinds that discreetly blend in.  Country homes tend to benefit from traditional wood and fabric blinds.

Look at Each Room Individually

Consider having simpler blinds in bathrooms and utility-type rooms in your home to set the mood that these rooms are not to be lounged in. For your living rooms and bedrooms, consider larger, wooden blinds.  These blinds come in more options in materials and styles.

Light and Privacy

How much light do you want and need?  Do you work nights and need the blinds to block a lot of light to let you sleep during the day?  Do you want a more sheer fabric to allow sunlight in but maintain privacy?

Your Budget  

Are you getting blinds for just one window, or for the entire house?  If your budget is tight, you may want to consider spending more on certain windows and scaling back on others.

Maintenance  

How much time and effort do you want to spend cleaning the blinds?  Some blinds are easily cleaned at home; others require vacuuming or professional cleaning.

Think Safety

Safety should always be a major consideration.  If there are young children in the home often, consider streamlined cordless blinds and shades.

Kitchen

Blinds in this area should be easy to clean.  Faux wood or aluminum blinds are the easiest to clean since they have smooth painted finishes.  You’ll most likely want to choose blinds that maximize the amount of light let into the room.

Master Bedroom

Typically, you will want blackout shades and a little higher quality.  You want to be able to retreat to your bedroom anytime of the day or and relax.

Bathrooms

You will likely want the highest privacy blinds you can get in these areas.  Humidity should not really affect any blinds, but if the window is very close to a shower, or may get direct water spray often, you may want to consider vinyl blinds.

Media Rooms  

Black out blinds and shades are the most popular in media and theater rooms.  Some can even be made with side rails to eliminate all light.

Cellular or Insulated Blinds

If you have old windows, south facing windows, or similar conditions, these blinds can help out on your heating and cooling costs.  They can significantly reduce the suns heat, or retain the heat from inside the room.

We discussed a few blinds and options for your home, but this is just the beginning to help you plan for the right blinds.  You may want to involve a decorator or ask your local window blind store.  Take pictures with you or schedule an in-home consultation.  Professionals will likely think of options you may not have considered that will work well in your home and budget.