Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Blinds Or Curtains

If you’re moving into a new place or changing your current home's appearance, chances are you might be stuck at deciding the best treatment for your windows.

Window treatments let you control light, privacy, and indoor temperature while complementing your décor. While you’ve got a variety of options to choose from, blinds, which feature movable slats, and curtains or drapes, made of fabric panels, are among the most popular.

Deciding between curtains and blinds can be difficult. Blinds and curtains each come with particular benefits and drawbacks. While the blinds vs curtains debate usually always boils down to a matter of personal preference and hinges on certain factors, there are certainly pros and cons to both that we can explore. So let’s dive in.

Visual Appeal

Curtains

In general, curtains provide a wider range of stylistic choices than blinds. Compared to blinds, they feel more luxurious and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, curtains provide texture and interesting colour accents to a room while helping to block out light or nosy neighbours. They vary in length, patterns, and shape, which give way to endless decoration ideas, especially in common spaces like living rooms and kitchens.

Blinds

On the other hand, when you choose a blind, it’s more of a permanent and practical solution. This limits your choices and decoration options because you have to consider functionality above design. However, blinds help make a room feel neat and modern.

While curtains may add unnecessary clutter to an already-cramped room, blinds are tucked neatly against windows. Imagine a small kitchen window with lots of natural light filtering through open wooden blinds. Lastly, blinds are efficient at keeping out light and providing privacy.

Aesthetic

Blinds

Blinds provide a simple, clean aesthetic and can be crafted from a range of materials including wood, veneer, plastic and fabric, depending on their intended use. Luckily SmartBlinds can help you there with the wide range of blinds that they deal with.

The use of wooden tones with Venetian blinds creates a warm, natural atmosphere, while neutral coloured roller blinds are ideal for achieving a Scandinavian inspired minimalist look.

Roman blinds can be an ideal compromise between the broad style aesthetic choices of curtain fabric, allowing you to match the fabric with your other furnishings, whilst still enjoying the functionality blinds provide.

On the other hand, Roller blinds are excellent for achieving a minimalist, tidy look. They roll away to expose the entire window when open, allowing natural light to pour inside when desired.

Curtains

When it comes to curtains, there is a variety of heading styles, fabrics and lining options that combine to determine the overall aesthetic of your curtains. It is possible to achieve a variety of styles, depending on where you intend to use the curtains.

Heading styles dictate how a curtain falls and can be contemporary or more traditional, changing the overall look and feel of the room.Your choice of fabric will determine the functionality and aesthetic of your curtains. It can be helpful to find some images of styles that you like before you go shopping.

Warmth

Curtains

Curtains are better at trapping heat and keeping out cold. This is especially true for blackout curtains with thermal lining, though these have to fit your windows correctly to reap the most benefits. Heavy fabrics generally have better-insulating properties but can be overbearing in a small space.

Curtains can also be effective at blocking harsh sunlight in the summer months. However, when closed they severely reduce the amount of natural light in the room.

Utilising a double-track system allows you the warmth of thermal backed curtains in winter and the practicality of sheer curtains during the summer or harsh daylight hours.

Blinds

Blinds also provide insulation, but some blinds have open slats that still let heat out and cold in. Consider blackout cellular blinds if you’re serious about saving heating and cooling costs.

However, this is not to say that all blinds are not effective. Honeycomb blinds or thermal lined roman blinds are good examples. The cell-like structure of honeycomb blinds provides the best insulation, making them a great energy saver. Roman blinds can be constructed with a number of different linings to ensure you get the insulation and block out properties appropriate for your room.

If you simply can’t decide between curtains or blinds, you may want to combine them. It is a very practical and stylish decision.

Cleaning

Blinds

Very few people know how to clean and care for their blinds properly. When these window dressings are appropriately looked after, they will stand the test of time and keep the house looking sharp for years to come.

Dust accumulation can be an issue with slatted blinds, requiring regular wiping down. A light, regular vacuum can help to avoid dust build-up. Allergy sufferers may find this an issue.Roman blinds can be difficult to remove and clean, it’s likely that spot cleaning will be enough to remove any marks.

If you are new to cleaning blinds, you need not worry. Smartblind has the best tips on how to clean your blinds, regardless of the type.

Curtains

Curtains are generally easier to clean. However, these window coverings are made of a washable fabric, so the linings and seams could shrink in the wash. Play it safe and opt for dry cleaning if you are in doubt. Definitely dry-clean curtains and drapes with stitched-in pleats, swags, or other elaborate ornamentation that may not withstand washing.

Constant exposure to sunlight can render even sturdy fabrics fragile. So when machine-washing curtains and draperies, use the gentle cycle, cool or lukewarm water, and mild detergent. If possible, hang on a clothesline to dry, or put them in a clothes dryer on a no-heat or delicate setting.

If you are not sure how to clean the fabric, check the labels first, then treat the curtains with care.

Installation

Blinds

Before installation, it is better to mark where you’ll be mounting your blinds. For most blinds, you need to install brackets above or on your window sill. Then, you’ll mount the top rail and attach it to the brackets. Finally, you’ll need to cover the rail with a valance or the casing. This provides added security and makes the rail look cleaner.

Few people have the expertise to install blinds. It is better to seek professional help with installing them. To get quality personalized blind installation services, you can contact smartblinds experts.

Curtains

Curtains require rods to thread your fabric through. Before installation, mark your wall to indicate where the rod will go. The rod rests on brackets that are mounted on top of your window using screws. It’s also a breeze to switch out different curtains to match seasonal decor or weather.

How Smart Blinds Can Help

For a no-obligation chat about an awning, or any other blind related queries, contact our friendly team on 01635 866600 or 01189 509449. Alternatively, email us at info@smartblinds.org, and we will be happy to help.