“Decorating golden rule: Live with what you love.” – Unknown.
Whether it’s a sofa, a carpet, or even a cushion. Finding those elements that pull together the unique style of a room is no easy feat. It takes consideration and visualising what works. Here at Select Blinds, we’ve put together this handy guide to choosing the right blinds for your home, with tips and advice that will help make choosing a breeze.
Consider the positioning of the blinds
Before you go about choosing your blinds, you should consider whether it should be fitted inside the window recess or outside it.
For smaller spaces, where there is limited wall room, blinds fitted inside the recess will save that precious extra space. Also, if you want to add curtains as well, inside fitting is best.
Outside fitting has the benefit of blocking more light from outside. So, if you’re looking for blackout blinds for example, outside fitting would be better to ensure less light gets in. Blinds fitted outside the recess should be measured to overlap the space by around 45mm at the sides and bottom.
It is always worth getting a professional in to help measure and fit your blinds. At Select Blinds, we carry out free home measurement and fitting on our full range of made to measure blinds.
Another thing to consider is the location of your window and accessibility. You want to be able to operate your blinds, so keep in mind the different types of blinds and how you operate them, to make sure you can access any operating mechanism easily, even with restricted window access.
Choosing a type of blinds
There are several different choices when it comes to picking a type of blinds. Each type comes with different benefits to suit your needs.
Roller blinds
Roller blinds do exactly as they say. With the help of a cord pull mechanism, they roll up to let light in. Roller blinds are a popular choice for many households due to their simplicity and affordability. They can come in a huge range of colours, styles and designs to suit any decor. Plus, many Roller blinds come with a protective coating, making them an excellent choice for rooms that can become heavy with moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Roman blinds
Relaxed or formal, Roman blinds are simple and versatile additions to any room. They are operated with a pulley mechanism, folding up into a concertina effect. Made of fabric, they filter light gently for a pleasant ambiance. They can also provide great thermal insulation, keeping draughts out and trapping warmth in.
Venetian blinds
Slatted horizontal Venetian blinds are available in a range of materials such as wood, metal and plastic. Venetian blinds help filter the light coming in from outside, allowing you better control of the light. Not only are they functional, but they are also incredibly stylish, with wooden Venetian blinds in particular offering an air of natural beauty.
Vertical blinds
For larger or floor to ceiling windows, Vertical blinds are a great choice. These blinds hang from a track and slide along to open and close, similar to curtains, but offering greater control of the light entering through the windows. Elegant and effective, Vertical blinds are particularly popular in rooms that are very light, such as summer houses or conservatories.
Pleated blinds
Simple and understated Pleated blinds are easy to use and very child-friendly. They can be fitted within window frames, making them ideal for bi-fold and French doors. Great for filtering light, protecting your soft furnishings from sun bleaching and preventing glare. These are also thermally efficient, providing ventilation in hotter temperatures and insulation in colder periods.
Other types of blinds or window coverings you may wish to consider include:
Selecting a style that suits
Not sure what your style is? Take our quick style personality quiz to see which style suits you.
Blinds come in a wide range of patterns and styles. From minimalist and understated to luxury and glamorous.
If you love colour, there is an endless choice of colourful blinds to suit you. Roller blinds often come in exciting patterns that will inspire and delight. Take a look at some of our colourful roller blinds on our page. Or, if more chic and understated is to your taste, you can opt for simple designs and colour schemes in quality materials to suit you. You can choose a colour that matches your walls and existing colour scheme, or one that completely stands out. Either way, they’re bound to have an effect.
Here are a few style tips when it comes to choosing blinds:
- If your colour scheme is plain, colourful blinds can add character, making your window the focal point of the room
- If you still want to let light in, opt for a lightweight fabric to still allow light through
- Matching blinds will help make the look of the room more cohesive and style conscious
- If your walls are in a darker shade, choose blinds that are lighter in colour to help keep the room from looking too dark
Blinds for each and every room
Different types of blind will be best suited for different rooms, each offering certain benefits and features that will function well in the space.
Kitchen and bathroom
The best choice for kitchens and bathrooms are Roller blinds, with their protective coating making them an excellent choice for environments that are frequently exposed to moisture. They are also very easy to clean.
Bedroom
Blackout blinds are perfect for bedrooms, allowing you to get a better night’s sleep by preventing early light getting through and waking you up.
Living room
Functional and simple Venetian blinds are great for living areas. They look stylish and are simple to use, allowing extra privacy and giving you control over the light that comes in through the horizontal slats.
Kids rooms
Safety is paramount when it comes to children’s bedrooms. Choose blinds that come with safety features such as cordless or spring mechanisms. Choose a design that is fun and matches your child’s personality. For more tips on decorations a child’s bedroom, read our recent blog post.
For more inspiration and help choosing the right blinds for your home, visit our Coatbridge showroom to view our range of blinds and to speak to a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team. Check out our blog for more home inspiration ideas.
What Other Areas Do We Cover?
Throughout Scotland, we are able to install various types of blinds. The installation of blinds is available in several places in and around Scotland. Here are a few of them:
Blinds in Airdrie
Blinds in Falkirk
Blinds in Stirling
Please contact our friendly staff if you have any questions about our products or services: 0800 112 3636.
