Which type of blinds for what rooms of the home?

What blinds are best for bathrooms?

Unlike other rooms the blinds you choose for the bathroom are mainly for privacy; blocking light and glare isn’t such a big issue.

The bathroom is a wet, humid area so practicality should be top priority. You need something that is going to be easy to operate with wet hands and it needs to be heat and moisture resistant. That pretty much rules out fabric roman blinds, unless you try something acrylic which is less absorptive or are prepared to send them out for professional cleaning.

Another material that isn’t bathroom friendly is wood. Tiny cracks in the wood let moisture in and eventually they warp. Once that happens there’s no quick or temporary fix, you’ll need to replace them. If the natural materials look is one you really want, consider bamboo, or hunt down a quality wood-look finish in plastic.

Venetian blinds are a good option. They look good, they’re easy to operate, and you can control privacy and the amount of light you let in without having to raise them completely. They often come in PVC or aluminium in many colours, and aluminium is a heavy metal therefore rust resistant.

Consider ease of cleaning. Almost all bathrooms experience mould and mildew to some degree. Venetians can be a bit of a commitment in this regard; all those individual slats provide a lot of surface area to attract dust and grime. We recommend staying on top of this by wiping down with a damp cloth while they’re in the closed position; a quick and easy fix if you do it regularly.

Roller blinds are also a good choice for bathrooms. They’re easy to use, offer great privacy, won’t warp, and are pretty easy to wash and maintain as long as you choose a light fabric, or one made from waterproof materials.

Blinds in the kitchen

The kitchen is a wonderful place, the heart of the home some say. But it’s also one of the messiest rooms in the house so along with light control, ease of cleaning is a high priority when choosing the right blinds. You also want your kitchen blinds to be flame retardant and not susceptible to absorbing moisture and odours. Roller blinds and Venetian blinds (not wood though, aluminium is best) tick all these boxes. Faux wood venetians are completely waterproof and won't warp in the heat so they’re great if your window is over the sink. They wipe down easy too. Polyester roller blinds are water resistant and low maintenance as splashes wipe right off.

A simple Roman blind could be an option as long as it’s made of a fabric that is machine washable. This offers the least flexible light control options however, and will need a flame retardant coating.

Choosing blinds for bedrooms

Blocking out light is likely to be a high priority for bedroom blinds so blackout roller blinds should be top of the consideration list. Vertical blinds allow you to easily control light and adjust for privacy. Roman or Austrian blinds are also a nice option for the bedroom as they are made of fabric and can offer a romantic, soft look and feel.

What works best in the living room?

Lounges and living rooms are often facing the direction that gets the most sun and light, creating glare on screens and bleaching carpet and furniture so a sunscreen roller blind is a great option that works both night and day. Venetian or vertical blinds are also a popular choice. Both allow you to control light and in the case of a sliding glass door (also common in these rooms), vertical blinds are the most practical option because they can be drawn right to the side.

Because of the tiltable slats, Venetian or vertical blinds mean you don’t have to half open or half close blinds to control light. You can open them completely to let the light in, close them fully to block out the light, or tilt the slats to retain privacy but also allow some light in.

Roller blinds offer a warmer, softer look for a room than other blinds. They’re a very versatile feature, and because they are often made of fabric you have a wonderful selection to choose from to get the right look for a room.

And if you’re wanting to achieve a soft, romantic look, go for a Roman or Austrian blinds.