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Blinds vs Curtains: Which Is Better?

Sep 08 2022

Here in the UK, with both blinds and curtains being popular options for dressing your window, there is a lot of debate about which one is better. 

As with any styling option for your home, it’s all about what’s best for you. You may have a specific aesthetic you’re trying to achieve or something more practical you have to keep in mind, such as the purpose of the room or the size of your windows.  However, in the interest of arming you with as much information as possible, we’ve taken a broader look to help you make your decision.

Let’s break it down in more detail

Is it better to have blinds or curtains?

Which offers greater choice?

Both blinds and curtains provide you with a range of choices when it comes to colours and patterns for your materials. However, with curtains, you’re very limited on anything else, with hanging options all very similar. 

When it comes to blinds, you can choose from a variety of styles to get one suited for a specific room for control over lighting. Whether it needs to be something formal for an office room or something full and thick for a bedroom, you can get a wide variety of options, including:

• Roller blinds
• Roman blinds
• Vertical blinds
• Venetian blinds
• Pleated blinds
• Allusion blinds
• Vision blinds
• Senses Mirage blinds

Which is most practical?

When it comes to practicality, a lot depends on who will be using the blinds. Ultimately, most people can use curtains unless they are large and the fabric is too heavy to move. With blinds, there is no such issue as they are generally easy to operate, while any mobility issues can be accounted for with motorisation. This allows you to open, close and adjust the blinds with the touch of a button.

Which offers more luxury?

While both blinds and curtains can provide a touch of luxury,  with blinds – on top of the aforementioned motorisation – you can also get the elegance of choosing either textile-based blinds or faux wood blinds. Take a look at our subtle and elegant Sunwood Mantis Fine Grain 50mm faux wood Venetian blinds.

Which is easier to install?

Both blinds and curtains require careful installation. The key is careful measurement, so always measure twice before ordering!

Which is more affordable?

Budgets always factor into your thinking, so it’s important to state that you can get some really good deals on blinds if you need an affordable option. Comparatively, if you opt for cheap curtains, you’re unlikely to get anything good enough to keep the light out when you really need it. You might be surprised to learn that our roller blinds offer functionality and high quality while remaining an affordable option.

Do blinds or curtains make a room look bigger?

We’ve singled this aspect of the debate out for deeper discussion since it’s often one of the key stylistic choices when it comes to decorating a room. 

If you have a small room, the last thing you want to do is to make it feel even smaller. That’s why large curtains that dominate the windows aren’t the best for opening a space up. When you use blinds – particularly something that can be adjusted, like Venetian or vertical blinds – you can fit them to the specific size of your window for a lighter, airy effect without compromising on privacy and lighting control. 

Additionally, lighter tones can help your blinds blend in, instead of drawing the eye and calling attention to any smaller rooms. So, if you choose blinds that fit within the recess of the window, and you choose a light, neutral colour, you can help to create the illusion of more space in a room.

Still can’t decide? 

Clearly, blinds offer you the most versatility.

But the great news is that, if you still can’t decide between curtains and blinds, you can have the best of both worlds. With blinds fitted into the window recess and curtains hung outside the recess, you can get a double layer of material. This not only means you have multiple options for controlling lighting but also greater thermal efficiency for your home — something on a lot of people’s agendas right now.

From the simple and elegant to the luxurious, here at Your Blinds Direct, we make it possible to find the best blinds for any room in your home. This includes the convenience of motorised blinds with our full range of accessories

You can always contact us for more advice and assistance or browse our full range of blinds to find something that will suit your budget and taste. Plus, you can order up to 8 free samples to aid you in your search for your perfect blinds.