Curtains and blinds will provide shade and privacy, as well as finish off your overall home décor style, but which is the best choice for your room? It can be hard to know which options to choose, as whether you are looking for a simple shade solution or a luxurious window dressing, there are many potential possibilities.
Before you jump into a purchase, it is important to take your time considering the overall style you are looking to achieve, the ease of installation, the cost, ongoing maintenance, energy efficiency and also how your purchase impacts the light in your home. While this can be overwhelming, this article will help you find the perfect solution for your home by comparing the array of curtains and blind styles available.
Style and visual appeal
In general, when you choose to install curtains, you will have more design options available, as there are many materials, colours, and styles to choose from. For example, if you are looking to accentuate the height and space within a room, choosing floor to ceiling tailored curtains can work well in your home.
Curtains will work well on windows of all sizes and there are various materials available to suit all home décor choices, from silk curtains which are great for formal spaces to patterned materials which are in keeping with the latest design trends.
In comparison, if you are looking for a practical solution where functionality is very important, blinds can be a great choice. They are very useful in rooms where there is not much wall space on either side of the window, and in smaller rooms blinds are a great way to create a neat, clutter-free finish. There are many options to choose from including simple roller blinds, roman blinds, and Venetian styles, so there are likely to be plenty of options available to suit your home interiors.
Considering your budget
Dressing the windows in your home can be a significant expense, but there are options available to suit every budget. If you are on a tight budget and are looking for a quick way to dress windows cheaply, curtains are simple to install, especially if a rail is already in place. If you decide to upgrade your finishes in the room at a later date, these can be quickly removed and updated to a more luxurious option. However, if no curtain rail is in place, it may be more budget-friendly to install a simple roller blind.
If you have the budget available, your window dressings are likely to be worth the investment, especially if you choose high-quality fabric which will last for many years. However, always think about your style when comparing fabric options for blinds and windows, as changing the window dressings regularly to keep up with the latest trends could be costly.
Ease of installation and maintenance
As curtains require a rail to thread onto, you will need to make sure that this is in place before the curtains can be hung. Firstly, the brackets will need to be screwed into the wall, the curtains are then fed onto the rod which is designed to rest on the brackets. Once the rail is in place, it is very quick to remove and change curtains, which is ideal if you change your décor regularly or if you need to remove the curtains for washing or maintenance.
In general, blinds are also quick to install, however, they will require a bracket to be installed, either above the window or within the recess. If you decide to change your blind in the future, you may need to fill in the screw holes, as a new window dressing may not need to be installed in the same way. It can also be tricky to remove the blind for cleaning and maintenance, especially if there are individual slats or panels.
Electrically operated blinds are often a very convenient solution; however, they can be costly, and they must be installed by a professional. In some situations, they are worth the additional expense and installation time, especially when dressing large or difficult to reach windows, such as Velux roof windows and floor-to-ceiling glazing.
Opting for a lighter or darker room
If you are looking to allow light into the room, it is recommended installing blinds that can be easily controlled with either slats or a simple cord, such as those available on roller and roman blinds. A great tip is to install these above the window reveal rather than inside the recess, as it will allow light to filter around each side. Although, many sheer fabrics are great choices for curtains that need to allow light to filter through.
However, if blocking out the bright sunlight is the most important factor to you, we recommend opting for blackout curtains or blinds. These are especially popular in children’s bedrooms during the long summer days and within the bedrooms of night shift workers who are reliant on daytime sleeping.
If you are looking to completely block the light, a blackout roller blind can be installed inside the window with blackout curtains then hung to cover the window for the perfect dark room for a great night’s sleep.
Curtains & blinds for energy efficiency
If you are looking to reduce heat loss in a room, thermal curtains with a thick lining could provide you with extra comfort and reduced energy bills. These types of curtains are great at trapping heat and keeping the cold out of the room, and in many cases, thermal curtains are also great at providing additional soundproofing.
Blinds can provide insulation but designs with slats will allow heat to escape, and the cold air will find a way through the gaps. If you prefer the style of blinds, it is recommended to choose blackout cellular designs, as these will help to lower your energy bills.
