“If you have a jetliner view in a home, blinds provide a way to control light without visually distracting from the main event,” Torossian says. Since blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, they're also ideal for the budget-conscious shopper. And they're great when curtains just aren't right for a window.
"Blinds offer the most light control with a variety of tilting options. Blinds or shades can be paired with drapery to enhance windows in any part of the home." While each type of window treatment has its own unique set of characteristics, all of them can be used to transform any room.
Curtains will give better light control but blinds may be more practical in a smaller space. If you decide on a blind, have it made longer and wider than the window to minimise light drift. Curtains are best installed close to the ceiling or better still, with a pelmet above to stop light from escaping.
That yardage of curtain fabric gets expensive quickly. Additionally blinds and shades give the opportunity to adjust how much sun comes in the windows where curtains are more about blocking sunlight. Because they provide privacy while still allowing light into the room.
Because of their slatted construction, blinds offer the most variable light control. You can tilt the slats to direct where the light lands and how much enters. If you want a clear view, you also have the option to raise the blinds completely. Shades are better for diffusing light or darkening a room altogether.
While window treatments can help to add value to your home, there are some cases when the opposite holds true. If the blinds or shutters are outdated or in disrepair, that may end up lowering the value. Likewise, inexpensive plastic blinds purchased at hardware or home goods stores won't add anything to your home.
Wood blinds or faux wood blinds block out a great deal of sun, but not all of it. If you want complete darkness to grab a few more winks on weekends, add some curtains over the binds to double up the sun defense.
Are they still in style? Just about everyone agrees that curtains are still in style, but not just because they are useful and affordable. According to Livingetc, curtains add texture and coziness to a space, something other window coverings like blinds and shutters cannot do.
Curtains prevent allergens from getting into your rooms. When your windows are open, dust particles and pollen enter your home. Curtains act as a barrier and collect these particles. They also prevent moisture from condensation on windows entering your room at night.
Using blinds will almost always make a room look bigger than it would do with curtains, both because curtains protrude into the room more and have a fussier appearance than blinds, and they generally cover more of the walls around the window too.
Close curtains and blinds
If you're on a budget consider only thermal lining the rooms with direct sun. White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
Not only do draperies make a space feel finished, but they also have the magical ability to transform an interior, whether it's creating the illusion of a higher ceiling, drawing the eye across a room, or framing views to a beautiful vista just outside.
Lifestyle. Privacy shades, blinds and curtains are more useful than you might think when it comes to conserving energy. During our hot summers, give your fans and air conditioning (AC) unit a break by keeping your blinds closed during the day. You'll keep the sun's rays out and the AC from running too much.
Want to enjoy restful sleep in the middle of the day? Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don't allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house. To let in a small amount of natural light, it's best to turn your blinds down and close them.
They were mainly used to block out the cold and were constructed of wood or fabric. With new fabrics and patterns, window coverings have become more adaptable and simple to use. Window blinds are a common option for many homeowners today because of the variety of designs and hues available.
Roman Shades
With bold patterns and colors trending for 2023, this window treatment style is a great way to give your home an updated look. Typically made from a flat piece of fabric, folded in a graceful accordion style, roman shades create an elegant design statement.
Minimalism continues to be a popular design choice in 2023, with simple geometric patterns taking centre stage. The key to achieving this look is choosing curtains with subtle, unobtrusive designs that still make a statement.
"If curtains aren't serving a purpose like filtering light or providing privacy I think it's nice to keep windows uncovered—so long as they are well made and a good scale," says Jenny Brown. Kristen Nix nixed curtains in this neutral room to give it the feel of a solarium.
There's no right or wrong here, and the answer usually comes down to personal choice. If you prefer the appearance of curtains, that's probably the best choice for you; that said, there are some functions and finishes that can only be achieved with blinds for the bedroom, which is worth bearing in mind as well.
In Modern Home Design, they highlight choosing curtains that are a simple color, but with a small pattern near the top. This pattern can then be matched with the furniture, or can simply add a nice touch to a solid-colored modern room.
If you're confused as to what a fixture covers, here's a simple rule of thumb: a fixture refers to any decoration or piece of equipment that's attached to the home. So, if the blinds, shutters or shades are attached to the frame of the window, then yes – they are classed as fixtures and cannot be taken by the seller.
Age could bring down a home's value, especially if the home needs work. Buying a fixer-upper can translate to all kinds of additional costs. There are cosmetic concerns such as an outdated kitchen or a less-than-modern floor plan, and then there are functional issues like problems with the home's roof or plumbing.
How Long Do Blinds Last? The average lifespan of window treatments is seven to eight years but homeowners may want to replace their blinds even before then. Otherwise, old and worn-out blinds in your Philadelphia home might become unsafe and unsightly.