So you’ve decided on blinds as a new addition to revamp or refresh your home or business space. Excellent choice! But with so many styles and blinds options available, the decision can quickly become overwhelming. How do you know which type of blinds will offer the visual and practical benefits you require?

Sunshine Blinds has been helping homeowners and commercial clients achieve their ideal look and feel (alongside many practical benefits) with blind systems carefully selected to suit their needs for over 20 years. 

Although the sheer number of products available on the market today can feel confusing at first glance, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you with your selection. Taking into account practical points and style decisions, this ultimate guide is the only one you’ll need as you choose new blind systems for your home or business. We’ll start by covering the essential elements you’ll want to consider before sharing a brief overview of each type of blind on offer so that you can easily see which one fits your criteria. 

1/ Location, location, location

The first thing you’ll need to consider when choosing blinds is where they’ll be situated and how they’ll be fitted in your desired space. 

Number one – will they be fitted inside or outside a window recess? 

Recessed fitting is best suited to smaller spaces or those looking for a cleaner, modern look or where you’ll be adding curtains to accompany your blinds. Outside fitting blocks more light – so fitting blinds this way is a better option if you’re looking to install blackout blinds. 

The other location factor to be aware of is accessibility – consider access needed to the window and the types of operation available to make it easy to use and benefit from your blinds. 

The level of light your blinds need to block out (or let in) is also something to think about. In a South-facing room, for example, you might want the flexibility of slatted blinds to allow light in when you choose but block it out to mitigate glare or manage temperature if the room becomes too hot during the day. 

2/ A style to suit 

Binds can pull together and finish off an interior space. There is a huge variety of finishes, colours, textures and feels to choose from across many different brands. So which one’s right for you?

Consider the colour scheme of your room and how you want it to feel. Warm or cool tones? Contemporary or classic? Will your blinds be a feature or blend effortlessly into the space? Even if the blinds are purely functional, taking time to think about appearances will considerably enhance the finished result. 

3/ Functionality and safety 

Blinds may need to function differently depending on where and how they will be used. 

For example, blinds for children’s bedrooms need to be fitted with safety features such as cordless or spring mechanisms (many blind manufacturers now include these as standard, but it’s crucial to check). 

Blinds in the bedroom may need to be thicker to block out light sources such as street lamps and sunlight. 

Meanwhile, blinds destined for kitchens and bathrooms (or other humid spaces) need to be able to withstand excess moisture in the air – faux wood or roller fabrics treated with a protected coating are an ideal choice here. 

Types of blinds to choose from

Below we’ve listed the main types of blinds on offer with features and benefits to make it easy to see which ones might suit you best at a glance.

Roller Blinds

A highly popular choice, roller blinds are versatile, functional and budget-friendly. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and any space in the home – they can also be fitted with motorised controls for even more efficient operation. 

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds offer timeless style for any space and add a touch of class and luxury to your home. Their horizontal slats allow you to easily control the level of light in a room and offer enhanced privacy, with a variety of colours, textures and materials available. 

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds offer enhanced flexibility with their multi-operational function, as they can be tilted to let in light, block it out, or be withdrawn entirely. Vertical blinds tend to be most famous for commercial spaces and offices. Still, they can also be a fantastic choice for the home with many different types of colours, textures and materials to choose from (including metal, wood and fabric). 

Wooden Blinds

Imparting an organic, fresh and natural feel, wooden blinds are a popular choice. They come in various wood grains and types, painted versions and faux woods suitable for high-humidity environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. 

Allusion Blinds 

Allusion blinds are an ideal choice for a fresh and contemporary feel with an array of practical benefits. They offer flexible light control and an unintrusive impression, discreetly providing customisable privacy and light whenever you choose. 

Perfect Fit Blinds

As the name suggests, Perfect Fit blinds effortlessly and neatly slot into any space to create a cord-free, streamlined style. They can be used throughout the home but lend themselves to conservatories, patio, and bi-fold doors. 

Black Out Blinds 

Blackout blinds use sophisticated fabric selections to block out light, helping you achieve complete darkness day or night. This can help you to sleep better, of course – but it’s also ideal for little ones, shift workers and cinema rooms. 

Still not sure which style to choose? Let us help you.

Our friendly team has over 20 years of experience selecting and fitting stunning blinds and shutters for local homes and businesses. Get in touch today and let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll offer the benefit of our expertise to help you make a perfect choice.