Blind Styles & Ideal Uses

Undoubtedly the ideal way to control light and privacy is with a window blind. Window blinds can be fitted either as the main window treatment, usually more apt in a minimal décor or an office, or as a secondary window treatment in a more traditional setting. Window blinds come in a multitude of colours and patterns ensuring there is always something to suit a particular look or colour palette.

Do you have.problems with light from street lighting or morning sunlight issues?

What to do? - Buy a blackout blind!!

This type of blind will, by definition, completely black out daylight from entering the room as the fabric of the blind has special light reflective properties added during the manufacturing. They can be used as the sole window treatment, or be jazzed up a bit with a fabric swag draped over a curtain pole or three strategically placed curtain holdbacks fitted over the window opening. In a bedroom, this type of window blind is usually used as the secondary window treatment, being used only for the issues of early morning daylight. Blackout blinds come in many colours so there is sure to be a coloured blind that will compliment or co-ordinate with your choice of main curtains and bedding.

Do you have.restricted wall space?

What to do? - Buy a roller blind!!

The blind will do what it says, which is roll up tightly out of the way at the top of the window opening, leaving as much space as possible around the window and as much daylight as possible to come into the room when the blind is open. A roller blind can be fitted snugly into the window opening and will not interfere with other window treatments you may have in mind to use as the main window treatment. Roller blinds come in a multitude of colours and patterns, from textured jacquards to printed fabrics that range from pretty florals to modern designs with a fresh contemporary feel. There is a vast array of colour shades, from the boldest reds and blues to the most subtle of pinks and peaches.

Do you have.luxurious or delicate curtains, window treatments that are difficult to arrange or a formal room in need of a blind?

What to do? - Buy a roman blind!!

A roman blind used as the main window treatment will add elegance and style to your windows. However, used with curtains at the same window, the blind can be used as the functioning part of the window treatment, leaving the decorative curtain treatments to remain dressed in their glory both day and night. Roman blinds are themselves very decorative and will often add an extra something to a window treatment in their own right.

Roman blinds rise and fall in neat folds, aided by rods that are slotted through sleeves at the back of the blind. They are usually fully lined, some designs also being available with black-out lining. When raised, the fabric folds of a Roman blind look clean-cut with a contemporary feel and when lowered, the flat panel effect makes for a chic, formal or informal window treatment, depending on the fabric chosen. A roman blind will flatter the proportions of a small window, especially if you measure the blind to be fitted a little higher than normal above the window opening and a little wider than normal to give extra width to the window dimensions.

Do you have.a room affected by sunlight throughout the day causing damage to materials and screen glare?

What to do? - Buy a vertical blind!!

The blind gives an unrivalled level of control, for sunlight, privacy and to a certain degree, temperature in a room. They are usually made in a fairly unobtrusive range of colours so they can be used in tandem with curtains or pelmets. Vertical blinds give a calm, uncluttered look for your windows and create a soothing and restful setting for your living room or bedroom and can even create a pleasant working environment for an office.

New techniques in methods of fabric manufacture are continually improving, allowing vertical blinds to be treated with specialist features. These blinds can now be offered with qualities such as glare reduction, dim out, black out, light reflective, Teflon coated to resist stains and spills, flame retardant, wipe clean surfaces and amazingly some are even machine washable. Vertical blinds can be operated opening to the left, right or split in the middle, therefore opening to both sides. The louvers of the blind stack neatly to the side of the window when they are not in use and the headrail can be ceiling or wall fixed.

Do you have.a window that requires full coverage but is susceptible to damp and other damage?

What to do? - Buy a venetian blind!!

The blind is easily fitted and so therefore easily removed when needs must. It can be fitted to a ceiling and when lowered and closed, will form a solid panel making a great room divider. The blades of the blind are metal or wood, so they can be easily wiped clean, essential in areas where hygiene is paramount.

The slats of the blind offer finite control, allowing you to alter the blades of the blind to suit the time of day, the level of light control and indeed the mood and ambience of the room. For a really romantic bedroom for example, imagine shafts of moonlight passing through the blades of a venetian blind, with a gentle breeze wafting a pair of delicate voile curtains.

A wooden venetian blind will create a completely different effect to a metal venetian blind. You may wish to create an easy living lifestyle look with a castaway character using sun-bleached coloured wooden furniture and light colour washed walls. The window treatments ideal for this style of look would be the Arena wooden venetian blinds; keeping the look minimal, perhaps only injecting a few accent colours with some carefully selected home accessories. Alternatively a metal venetian blind, particularly if the blades of the blind are narrow, will make for very contemporary window, ideal for chic modern lifestyles in a relaxed and informal home or office.