Whether you’re renovating your entire property, giving one room a makeover or simply looking to replace your old curtains, you may find yourself wondering which option is best for you: blinds or curtains? Choosing between the two can be difficult, particularly if you’re not sure what you want. How you dress your windows can completely transform the overall appearance of a room.
When it comes to choosing the perfect curtains or blinds for your home, there are lots of things to take into consideration. From different styles and designs to colours and materials, ensuring that your window dressings suit the aesthetics of your room is important. However, it’s important to remember that, when it comes to your curtains or blinds, it’s not just all about looks – privacy, budget and purpose all come into play too.
If you’re not sure which option is right for you – curtains or blinds – we’ve got you covered with our mini-guide. Read on to learn about all of the pros and cons of each one to help you decide which option is right for you.
Advantages of curtains – Curtains have been around for hundreds of years. From luxurious ceiling-to-floor styles that add a touch of opulence to any space to short, pleated designs that simply serve the purpose of blocking out light, there are plenty of styles to choose from.
Style – Curtains, along with their fittings, can add a certain style to any room. Available in a whole range of styles, colours and patterns, curtains can complete the look of a space and add character to a property. Whether it’s a soft, flowing finish or heavy, cascading curtains that gather on the floor, the right pair of curtains can have a huge impact on a space. The lavishness of curtains can form a feature, adding character to any room.
Curtain poles come in a range of styles – from beautiful wood effect ones that look perfect in a traditional cottage to simple metal curtain poles that complement any modern space. Finials, which are the ornamental ends in the curtain poles, also come in a range of different shapes, styles and sizes. When open, curtains frame a window beautifully and create an attractive border – something that is difficult to achieve when you have blinds.
Warmth – Curtains provide good insulation and can help keep draughts and cold air out of your home. While many types of blinds are thin and have limited thermal qualities, curtains can help to insulate your home and keep it warm and cosy – particularly during the winter months. Curtains can be interlined to add extra heat insulation – plus, as they can hang under the window ledge, they also help trap warm air in your property.
Keeping cold air out and better insulating your home can help to reduce the cost of your energy bills, saving you money and reducing your energy usage in the long run.
Textures – When it comes to curtains, there are lots of different textures to choose from and different thickness options. From thick blackout curtains to sheer, floaty drapes, you can easily layer curtains to create a beautiful effect that not only complements the room but also allows you to control the amount of light that enters the room.
Advantages of window blinds – Simple and practical, blinds are another great way to cover your windows and improve privacy in your home. There are lots of different styles available – from Roman blinds to roller blinds, Venetian blinds and vertical blinds.
Practical – Blinds are a practical solution. Generally speaking, they’re easier to clean than curtains, depending on the type of fabric used. When you choose blinds, there’s no need for tracks, poles or holdbacks; blinds are extremely easy to fit and are the perfect solution for small windows or ones with limited space around them. As blinds do not require additional poles or tracks to install them, they generally work out a lot cheaper than curtains and are the most affordable and cost-effective option.
Blinds are a practical option for all rooms in the house, including kitchens and bathrooms where there tends to be more moisture in the air. Grease and dirt from food preparation and high levels of humidity in the bathroom can cling to curtains, whereas there are plenty of easy-to-clean window blind options that are moisture resistant. In addition, blinds are durable and easy to clean.
Light versatility – If you’re looking for something that completely blocks the light out of a room, blinds are often the most suitable option. Blinds can be made to measure and expertly fitted to ensure there are no gaps that allow light in. There is a whole range of blinds that feature blackout material to ensure that, when you close them, external light is completely blocked out. In fact, today, blackout blinds can achieve higher levels of darkness than ever before. The slats on some blinds are fitted so tightly together that they don’t allow any light in at all.
Privacy – In addition, blinds give you the option to effectively manage the amount of light that enters your property, offering optimum privacy and lighting control. If your priority is keeping prying eyes out of your property, vertical blinds are a great option as they can be cleverly tilted but not completely closed, offering privacy yet still allowing light into the room. Top-down shades can be used to lower the shade from the top so that natural light can enter the room, but you can still enjoy as much privacy as you require.
Factors to consider when buying curtains or blinds
● Budget. Before you make your purchase, you should decide on a budget and aim to stick to it. It’s generally worth paying a little bit extra for higher-quality materials to ensure that your curtains or blinds last as long as possible.
● Room. It’s important that you consider the room in which the blinds or curtains will be installed and the mood that you want to create. If you’re looking for window dressings for your living room, you may want to consider luxurious curtains that hang from an opulent curtain rod. If you need a window dressing for your bathroom, however, it’s usually best to opt for blinds.
● Purpose. Before you make the final decision, sit down and think about what you actually want from your curtains or blinds. Remember, some are designed to let lots of light in while others cut out light completely, so it’s important to work out exactly what you want from them.
Lewis Interiors: made to measure curtains and blinds in Derby – At Lewis Interiors, we pride ourselves on our wide selection of curtains and blinds, all available in a wide range of colours, materials and patterns to suit any room in your home. We offer ready-made curtains as well as a made to measure service to ensure that you get the perfect fit for your curtains every time. Alternatively, if you require curtain related items, we also supply curtain tie backs, curtain poles, finials, pelmets and more. Our extensive range of curtain fabrics and styles ensures that we’ll have the perfect fit to suit your property.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for blinds, we also supply and fit high-quality blinds in Derby. Whether you’re looking for Roman blinds for your traditional property or you’d like wooden Venetian blinds for your modern home, you needn’t look further than us. Our range of blinds includes blackout blinds, vertical blinds, roller blinds, Roman blinds, motorised blinds and more.
For more information about our range of curtains and blinds or to learn more about our interior design services, simply visit our website or get in touch with us today.