Things that can affect the style of your blinds

Fabric and material type

In the case of Roman blinds, the type of fabric you choose will affect how your blinds hang as well as how much light they let in and the level of privacy they allow.

For blinds with slats, wood and often faux wood materials come in natural, neutral colours. If you want more colour choices then go for aluminum.

Colour and pattern

The best idea is to get fabric samples (in the case you’ve chosen Roman blinds) or a sample of the materials used for other blinds so you can hold them up next to the wall. This way you’ll see how they work in your space. Darker colours are less noticeably dirty, so are good for high traffic rooms. Rooms that get a lot of light probably need a lighter colour as a darker one will fade. And think about pattern repeat; if you choose a large pattern, ensure it’s for a large window for good effect and isn’t lost when the blind is drawn up.

Slat width

Wide slats are bold and offer more privacy. Narrower slats have a more delicate look and create more lines across a window.

Slat direction

Vertical slat blinds are best suited to very wide windows and sliding doors. They hang straight down and are easily drawn to one side or split in the middle and drawn to both sides. They’re also good for angled or sloping windows that follow a stair line.

Blinds that come down from the top such as Venetians with horizontal slats are better for smaller windows; they make them appear larger.

Where they hang in relation to the window

Consider if you want your blinds to be mounted outside the window frame or inside it. An inside mount offers a streamlined, more minimalist look. But because it requires a small amount of space to accommodate the movement of the blind, it may let a tiny amount of light through on either side of the blind. If you have decorative window surrounds, show them off by mounting on the inside.

With an outside mount, the blind is mounted either at the top of the actual window frame or on the wall above, outside the frame completely. You can add a style element in the form of a decorative pelmet to hide the fittings. An outside mount looks simple and is easy to operate. It also offers more style flexibility because you’re not restricted by the size of the blind as you are with an inside mount.

Lifting devices and safety fittings

Traditionally blinds are drawn up with a cord. This is shorter when the blinds are down and longer when they’re up, so what do you do with the excess cord? It can be wound around something but it can look messy and isn’t safe for children.

Child safety is a big concern with blind cords and chains, so use a p-clip guide or retainer to keep it snug against the window frame, not hanging loose.

Roller blinds can be spring-loaded and not need any cord or chain. And with advancements in technology, a small motor and remote control could be all you need to make them go up and down.

Functionality

What you want your blinds to achieve directly influences which type you choose, which of course affects the overall look. If it’s privacy you’re after, you’ll need to choose blinds made of opaque materials and fabrics. If controlling light is your main need, consider blinds with slats. You can leave these down or drawn and tilt the slats to let in a little or a lot of light.

The room

Be sure to pick a type of blind that suits the use of the room too. For example, wood doesn’t work in bathrooms as it warps due to the moisture. Likewise, untreated fabric is susceptible to mould and mildew. And in the kitchen, whatever you choose should be flame retardant, not absorb odours and be easy to clean.