How to Choose Blinds for Your House

Blinds are one of the most common features in homes because they work in almost every window and can match any style, not to mention they are generally pretty budget-friendly. Even though blinds are so popular and common, how to choose blinds is still a question many homeowners struggle with. 

The wrong blinds can completely ruin the look and design of a room. Or they can be useless making a room too light or dark, instead of just how you’d like them. It’s a big choice that affects the whole space, which is why it’s so difficult!

We’ve created this guide of things to consider when choosing blinds to help you make the right choice to be able to enjoy your view and also have privacy at the same time. 

Light Blocking Ability 

One of the first things to determine is how much light you want to be able to pass through your blinds. There is a wide range of options to help you customize the experience with your blinds. 

Some blinds are complete light blocking and can keep a room as dark as possible, even in the middle of the day. Others are more of a filter and disperse the light rather than completely block it out. And there are options all the way in between. It may even be that you need different types of blinds in different rooms based on the space and the natural light available. 

Desired Material Finish

After you’ve decided how much light you’d like to keep out, you can then move on to choosing the type of material your blinds will be made of. There are certain materials that you’ll be able to rule out right away because they won’t do what you need them to do. 

Once you narrow them down with the function, you can start to choose based on the desired look.

This could be fabric, wood, or even plastic options. At this point, you can tap into your inner interior designer and find the one option that matches your style and decor the best.  

Unique Patterns or Colors 

Some materials lend themselves to being a bigger impact on your space than others, while others can fade into the background more. If you choose a fabric material, you can then choose between a wide array of patterns and colors. 

When you’re going through the samples think about the other fabric materials in your room and try your best to picture how they’ll work together. Bringing home samples to see them in your actual space is a huge help in these situations. The blinds should coordinate but not match perfectly with other aspects of the room.

And remember, it’s a chance to have fun and add some personality to your home! 

Connection to Curtains

The most important aesthetic connection you need to make between blinds and the rest of the room is with the curtains hung next to the window. If you have the two, you want to make sure they complement and work well together. 

This is where your design can go really wrong if you’re not careful. You can also use curtains to get more light-blocking ability if you like the look of less intense blinds. There also isn’t a need to have curtains at all if you’d like to just have the window blinds be the sole focal point. 

Installation Method

Once you’ve determined the function and look of your window treatments, it’s time to think about how you’d like to install them. This will largely be determined on the windows and trim itself for what is possible. 

The traditional installation method includes drilling holes into the frame and screwing the brakes into that wood. 

But if you’d rather not put holes into your window frame, whether because it’s not your home or because you don’t want that kind of damage done. Perfect fit blinds can be made specifically for your windows to get a tight fit and use snap technology to stay in place securely. These are ideal for unique windows or even doors.  

Safety Features 

An issue that many homeowners, especially those with kids, have about traditional types of blinds is the safety concerns they can sometimes cause. So it’s important to look for blinds that will meet your safety expectations before making any purchases. 

The most common issue people run into with blinds is the cord that is used to raise and lower the blinds into place. Luckily, newer blinds often come with the ability to move without that cord and eliminate that hazard altogether. 

Blinds also provide privacy, which can be an important safety tool for your home as well and should be considered in your decision-making process. 

Cleaning and Maintenance Requirements 

Blinds generally aren’t something that is replaced often in a home and can last for several years, as long as you take care of them properly.

When they are left unattended for long periods of time they can become sun damaged, filled with dirt and grime, and just unappealing to look at. It’s crucial to understand what type of cleaning and maintenance steps will be necessary to keep them looking their best. 

Luckily, this isn’t normally a lot of extra work or effort for you but still, good information to have upfront before deciding. 

How to Choose Blinds for Your Home 

When it comes to how to choose blinds for your home, there is no one who will know as well as you what is best. You know your space, style, and needs better than anyone. So trust your gut!

As you take all of these things into consideration and eliminate the options that won’t work, you’ll begin to narrow down your choices to the best of the best. From there you can request samples to try them on in your space and see how they’ll look, feel, and work for your space. 

If you’re interested in learning more about home decor and improvement ideas, check out our other articles today!