Blinds and curtains are one of the biggest ways you can transform a room next to paint or a large area rug. They are undoubtedly important to any room makeover and can instantly create softness, add drama with bold patterns, or a punch of colour to really finish off your space.

But, to many, it can be confusing to know how to choose window treatments, so this blog aims to break it all down for you and sharing tips to choosing curtains or blinds.

Blinds vs Curtains

The first question when choosing window treatments is deciding between curtains, blinds, or both. While it’s mostly personal preference, there are a few tips to consider based on the room you’re working on.

To begin with, let’s cover the basics of each. Curtains are window coverings that are made of lightweight fabric. Drapes are typically made of heavier fabric and go all the way to the floor. Blinds on the other hand come in several varieties made from plastic, wood, or fabric and help control the amount of light let in. In general, blinds are usually cheaper and easier to keep clean than curtains and drapes, however, they are more limited in design styles. Curtains and drapes add instant style and texture to a room and the flowy fabric makes the space feel cosy. Blinds make rooms feel more open and less crowded with their less intrusive design.

This is actually the very reason most people will want to switch from curtains to blinds. The curtains may feel too crowded in a small room and one would want a cleaner, more open look that blinds offer. That’s why hanging them properly is important as well.

When deciding between curtains and blinds, first think about which look you like better. Do you prefer one over the other? Then, you should consider the functionality of the space and whether or not you need more privacy or light control if your room faces the road or is in clear sight of your neighbours. With blinds, you can adjust the amount of light let in, while with curtains you don’t have that ability:  they’re either open or closed. If you like the look of blinds and want to keep the space feeling clean and open – great! But, if you want to add more style or texture to your space using curtains, you need the privacy and light control of blinds, you can combine them and use both!