How To Choose the Right Blinds For Your Home

Taking advice from random places on the internet when it comes to your home is something you should usually do with caution. After all, it’s your home and you have your own unique tastes. No two properties are alike either, because if they were, things would be very boring indeed.

That being said, and as experts when it comes to blinds for any type of property, here at Solo Blinds, we want to provide you with a general guide for how to choose the right blinds for your home. We’re not going to tell you exactly which blinds to choose, just the type of things to consider – so this is some advice from the internet you can really use.

Choosing inside or outside of the window recess

Firstly, let’s talk about whether you should be positioning your blinds inside the window recess or outside of it. This is something many people don’t realise they have a choice in until they really drill into the details, and there’s no right or wrong answer, just more sensible and practical decisions. Here’s how we usually break it down:

• Blinds fitted inside the recess – This is a great idea if your room has limited wall space to work with as it takes up less space. It also helps to make the room feel a little bigger if it’s a tight space, as your window dressing won’t be getting in the way as you move around or place the furniture.
• Think about whether you want to pair blinds with curtains too, as this will mean positioning your blinds inside the recess to allow for somewhere to hang and draw curtains. 

Blinds fitted outside the recess – With blinds positioned outside of the window recess, you can block out more of the natural light. This is a great benefit if you work night shifts or have a small child who needs to sleep while it’s still light outside. You can even choose blackout blinds for that extra blocking ability.

This positioning can also help to cover up the window recess itself if you’re not happy with the way your actual window space looks.

Choosing the right style of blind

There are so many options when it comes to blind styles that you’re sure to find something to make your home feel more like yours. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of the benefits for a number of the more popular styles, allowing you to get a better idea of what will work in your home:

Roller Blinds

• Simple to use
• Available in a wide range of colours
• Easy to clean
• Ideal for bathrooms and kitchens

Venetian Blinds

• Stylish choice
• More control of privacy and lighting
• Available in a wide range of materials
• Ideal for office rooms and bedrooms

Vertical Blinds

• Practical for working spaces
• Available in a wide range of colours
• More control of privacy and lighting
• Ideal for larger windows or patio doors

Skylight/Velux Blinds

• Designed for practicality
• Available in a wide range of colours
• Ideal for cooling down attic rooms in summer
• Can be fitted inside or outside the recess

Pleated Blinds

• Simple and elegant solution
• Available in a wide range of colours
• Easily control lighting and privacy
• Add a layer of texture to any room

Choosing the right blind material

Interior design isn’t just about colour; it’s also about matching textures and styles. So as well as picking the style of the blinds, think carefully about the material you choose.

At Solo Blinds, we have a fantastic range of materials for you to choose from, allowing you to complement your existing decor or create something to build around.

Wooden blinds offer a solid, natural feel to any room in the home, with darker woods adding some contrast to neutral, lighter tones to give a room some definition. However, wood may not be suitable for rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens where water and humidity could cause it to warp. To combat this, you might prefer to opt for more practical PVC blinds.

While Venetian and vertical blinds have their benefits, for a bedroom or living space you might want a more comforting, fabric material. This still creates texture in a room but also makes things feel warmer and more inviting.

When it comes to considering materials, always try to keep the purpose of the room in mind and the conditions they’ll be subjected to.

Choosing the right blind colour

While we said colour isn’t everything, it’s true that it can do so much for the mood of a room. When you’re choosing your new blinds, decide whether you want the colour to add to the party or to calm things down. Neutral shades can provide a complementary canvas so that you can work in pops of colour elsewhere – such as cushions or throws – while bright colours can help lift the mood and display some character.

Once again, the purpose of the room will play a large part in your choice, but don’t let tradition lure you into doing what everyone else does. Bathrooms, for example, tend to suit white or blue, but a subtle green might complement any plants or wooden features if you have them. Meanwhile, your home office space might feel more work-like with grey vertical blinds, but you’re the boss here, so why not add some depth and elegance with wooden Venetian blinds? 

The combinations of colours, styles and materials are nearly limitless, so don’t suffer with a drab or dour decor – make your home your own with blinds from Solo Blinds.

We operate throughout Cramlington, Ashington, Morpeth, Blyth and the surrounding areas, and provide free home visits where we can offer advice, measurements and quotations. Our relaxed appointments mean you can make a more informed choice without any pressure – our advisors are only interested in giving you the best solutions for your home.

For high-quality blinds and more expert advice on choosing the right blinds for your home, look no further than our dedicated team – call today and we’ll be happy to help.