Should You Install Blinds or Curtains?
A room can look pretty bare without some window dressings like blinds or curtains! Bare windows just don’t feel homely and inviting. They tend to have a sterile feeling and look. The best way to decorate your windows is by adding either some curtains or blinds. They not only complete the look of the room but also add some needed functionality like blocking out light and in the case of curtains, blocking out some ambient sound too. Which one should you choose? Well, it depends. It can vary based on the room, your budget and your personal preference. To help you make a better decision, we have compiled some tips from our experience along with a few choice selections of each from Amazon.
What to look for?
Design:
For some guests, blinds may not be their cup of tea. Many people complain that they feel too formal and office like to work in a home setting. For a traditional home, blinds would be too jarring to fit in with the rest of the decor. They will however fit into the look of any contemporary style of room. They are minimal and functional in most cases but they can also be decorative if you get roman blinds or other fancy variants. With blinds, you have lesser design choices for textures and colors.
Curtains fit in wonderfully and bring a lot of functionality as well as aesthetic benefits with them. They are available in a lot of different patterns and styles as long as you are willing to spend a buck. You can get thin sheer curtains or thick and heavy ones – there is a lot of choice in the market. You can use curtains to create a certain mood and feel for a room.
There are some rooms where blinds make more sense than curtains like the kitchen or the bathroom. Ideally, you should mix and match between both in different rooms of the house.
Blocking and Isolation:
Blinds are amazing at filtering out light evenly. By adjusting the horizontal angle, you can select exactly how much light you want to let in. Some, but not all, types of blinds offer energy saving benefits due to their ability to isolate the heat.
Curtains with blackout linings when fully closed are much better at blocking out the light completely. Curtains offer great energy savings as there are less gaps between them.
Privacy:
Blinds are great for privacy while letting some light pass through. Curtains when pulled all the way block all visibility but also cut out all of the light entering the room.
Ease of Use:
If you decide to get blinds, make sure the blinds are easy to operate. One tug and pull too hard and you end up with a mess of stuck blinds. The guests will definitely handle them roughly. Curtains are just easier to understand and use.
Durability:
Blinds are more durable than curtains. They are made of artificial materials that are longer lasting than curtains which are usually made of fabrics that can get moth-eaten stained or moldy. Curtains risk carrying moisture in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen. Thus in those rooms, blinds are recommended.
Maintenance:
Blinds are much easier to maintain than curtains which have to be put through the laundry every couple of months. A regular cleaning with a vacuum should be good for most blinds.
Cost:
Blinds tend to be cheaper compared to the curtains for the same window coverage. You can go with blinds to begin with and once you have money, you can add curtains to improve the look of the room and give your guests more choices.
Recommendations from Amazon:
Blinds:
Original Light Filtering Pleated Fabric Shade White: These are made of non-woven polyester fabric. They have no cords, which means they have a clean look and are safe for children. They install in seconds without power tools.
Achim Home Furnishings Cordless GII Morningstar 1″ Light Filtering Mini Blind: These ones are again cordless. You simply push a button and lift or lower bottom rail to raise or lower the blinds. These can be mounted inside outside or on the ceiling. There is a tilt wand to adjust the amount of light that comes through.
DALIX PVC Vertical Blind Replacement Slats Curved Smooth White: These ones are made of high quality vinyl PVC. They are smooth and curved. They can be easily resized with a cutting tool to shorten to the appropriate length. You get 5 in a set.
Curtains:
jinchan Curtains for Bedroom: These come in many different widths and lengths and 12 colors. They are made of durable linen fabric. They are great for blocking out the light and reducing the glare on your television set. They are machine washable and can be ironed too.
NICETOWN Window Treatment Thermal Insulated Solid Grommet Blackout Curtains: These come in 20 colors so you have a lot of choice according to your room’s decor. They block 85% to 99% of the light. They also help reduce the outside noise. The triple weave blackout fabric balances room temperature by insulating against summer heat and winter cold. They are thread trimmed and wrinkle-free
H.VERSAILTEX Thermal Insulated Blackout Grommet Curtain Drapes: These ones come in a fun looking pattern in different color options. They are crafted from triple inner woven natural microfiber fabric. They are soft and silky to the touch. They are formaldehyde-free so they are environmentally friendly. They offer all the usual benefits of light-blocking, noise isolation and improving energy efficiency.
Precautions to take:
Make sure you have the appropriate cutting tools needed to cut the blinds to the right size for the window.
When purchasing curtains online, also get a curtain rod as they are sold separately.
If you are interested in having the benefits of both then consider getting Venetian or Roman blinds.
Make sure that if you are getting curtains then they are short enough that they don’t block off any radiators under the window. Consider getting cleaning fluid to quickly wipe away the dust and grime from blinds without busting out a vacuum.
Love,
Scooch and Steve
