The easiest tips for choosing the perfect window blinds

INSULATION

The area you live in and the climate you face should play a key role in the blinds you choose. If you live in a city that gets harsh sunlight through the year, choosing blinds in a lighter colours such as pastels, ecru or white will help reflect the rays while keeping your home cooler.

HUMIDITY

If you also face a high level of humidity, stick to non porous materials such as metal which won’t risk swelling up or warping with excess moisture.

CONTROL

Before choosing a material for your blinds, think about the amount of light you’d want a room to receive. A space such as the living room or kitchen could use light diaphanous materials to filter a little light even once the blinds are pulled down. A bedroom, on the other hand, would require thicker materials for a total black out and a good night’s sleep.

1. BAMBOO BLINDS

Bamboo blinds—more colloquially known as chick or chattai blinds—are probably the best option for Indian homes. Easily available and

inexpensive, these blinds work beautifully in climatic conditions across the country. While its earthy colour conceals dust staining over time, its material is also known to make spaces feel cooler. Simple and long-lasting, these are also the most sustainable and eco-friendly window blinds for a home.

2. PLEATED BLINDS

Minimal and understated, pleated blinds are an easy and child-friendly window blind option. Its design allows it to be fitted into or within a window frame making it a nifty option for accordion or French windows. Pleated shades are made with only one layer of fabric, which allows filtered sunlight to brighten a room while offering privacy. They’re also lighter than other blinds making the window design look less stuffy and bulky.

3. ROLLER BLINDS

A roller blind is made from a single sheet of fabric that wraps around a casing, which is fitted into the top of a window frame. This can either be within or outside of the window recess. It is drawn with a pull cord that is attached to the bottom of the blind or a side-winding chain mechanism attached to the blind casing. Roller blinds can also be operated with motorised electric controls, which give you the option to open and close your blinds from afar.

4. ROMAN BLINDS

Roman blinds are made of fabrics that pleat together when drawn open at the top of a window. While there are a plethora of options for the material you choose for it, the best one is finding something that complements your décor. Anything from tissue silk to luxe velvets and breathable linens can be used for this window blind design. If you’re looking for a material that’s durable, easy to care for and affordable, you could also try polyester-blend fabrics for these blinds.

5. VENETIAN BLINDS

If you’ve chosen luxurious materials for the rest of your décor and want to echo this in the window blinds design, Venetian blinds are your best bet. Usually made from wood—either pure or manufactured—these blinds instantly lend their rich look to a room. Their main drawback, however, is their resistance to harsh climate. Very sunny or humid weather can warp its shape or cause the wood to swell up—eventually leaving a Venetian blind broken or functioning improperly. A long-term durable option, instead, is composite blinds—these are made from materials that look like wood and are easier to maintain.

6. VERTICAL BLINDS

A popular choice for offices and commercial spaces, vertical blinds are a good option for sliding windows and doors that cover a large area or span across the breadth of a room. Made mostly from PVC, these blinds are pocket-friendly and extremely easy to clean and maintain. They also offer maximum amount of light control making them a clever choice in spaces such as a home theatre or a conference room when you need to black out any light for viewing a screen.

7. WOODEN BLINDS

An more modern alternative to shutters, wooden blinds instantly add a warm and rich appearance in a room. The advantage of using wood is that it allows you to choose the colour and stain you’d like to pair with the rest of your décor. Blinds made of wood can be found in light and dark shades, polished or painted finishes, and a range of textures.

8. ZEBRA BLINDS

An updated version of horizontal blinds, and also called dual blinds, zebra blinds can control different strengths of light in a room. Comprising opaque and sheer fabrics in alternating horizontal lines, the stripes within these blinds allow you to change the illumination in a room as you’d prefer. By adjusting the stripes, you’re in control of how much light and privacy your room will receive. Simply overlap the opaque lines to be able to see through the sheer strips, which will allow light to filter in. When you’re in need of more privacy or want to darken a room, adjust your blinds to allow the opaque stripes to be spaced out.