Best Blinds to Elevate Your Home Style

Whether your home is move-in ready, newly built, or primed for renovations, most homeowners crave loads of natural light and large windows. That being said, the best way to distribute lighting, create safety and security, and tie a living space’s style together is with blinds.

Homeowners may have differing opinions on what element ties a room together. But they can all agree that long lasting and stylish blinds are key. Therefore, it’s a safe bet to suggest that blinds top the short list of simple products that elevate any space. Lighting is a major and essential component in any room, as it stages a room’s ambiance and illuminates the space for safety and warmth.

Regardless of a home’s window shape and size – such as double-hung, craftsman, fixed, bay or bow – all these fixtures benefit from blinds. Besides window style and size, other aspects factor into the best product for a home. From installation and budget to aesthetics and trends, there are few variables to consider before purchasing window treatments.

With so many price points, trends, and styles on the market, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by seemingly endless options. And, there are multiple points of purchase, too: online retailers, brick and mortar hardware shops, and specialty blind stores. On top of that, homeowners want to factor in privacy and visibility with these window treatments, too. These factors can seem quite intimidating, but the average homeowner shouldn’t feel disheartened one bit.

We rounded up need-to-know specs, styles, and budget-friendly products for any homeowner. With our expert tips, anyone can find the oh-so-perfect window treatments for their home. Then, you’re ready for a functional and stylish fixture to be the focal point of any room in your home.

What to Know Before You Buy

Not sure where to start for the best window treatments for you and your home? Review the essential need-to-know checklist below.

Measure Windows and Specify the Number of Fixtures Needed

Track all essential measurements and the exact number of window treatments required to make the shopping process easy and smooth. This will influence your budget later down the line.

Determine the Levels of Privacy and Natural Light Desired

Do you want a few sunbeams in a room or do you prefer it to be sundrenched? Do you crave transparent or sheer curtains, or heavy-duty shades? Or, are blackout curtains a must-have, due to work schedules? Will these future window treatments affect any greenery and plants in your living space? And, how much privacy are you seeking?

Define Your Budget for Treatments, Installations, and Maintenance.

Is there any flexibility in your budget? How much discretionary funds can you set aside for this project? Do you want window treatments for one room or the entire house? When determining a budget, add in monies for general maintenance and installation tools or support you might need.

Consider Blinds or Shades Based on Your Home’s Compass Location

Take note of the light in your home – do you have more south facing light or more north facing light? Are there certain spaces in the home that require more substantial window treatments due to functionality, privacy, guests, older relatives, or young children?

Keep a Short List of Needed Safety Options

If there are very young children in the house, consider cords and other fixtures that must be kept out of the reach of tiny hands. Safety options can also include automated switches and smart controls, too.

Select Styles That Accent Your Space

This is the fun part – what is your home style? Do you envision airy and light spaces with Scandinavian sensibilities? Sleek, modern, and hip? Utilitarian and functional? Chic, detail-oriented, and baroque? Define styles and trends in your budget that will complement your home style and tie the room together as a focal point.

Window Treatment Options to Consider

Shades

Shades are similar to blinds in that they both provide light protection and privacy. Typically, shades come in wood, bamboo, and soft fabric textures. Shades have the effect of a cozier, more intimate feel, and are perfect for carving out restful, oasis-like spaces.

Shade options to consider for your home:

1. Bamboo Woven Shades

These eclectic fixtures are often cordless and kid-friendly, while providing optimal lighting and a privacy filter in one swoop.

2. Roman Shades

A classic but sleek Roman shade provides a warm softness to any space, while providing optimal functionality and safety with light filtering, privacy, and cordless features.

3. Pleated shades

Pleated shades can come in various materials, including paper, plastic, and fabric. A major perk for this particular window treatment is that the installation process is a breeze. This fixture does double duty at blocking light and offers UV protection. This fixture is also cordless and child-friendly.

Need more shade options? Other shade types also include blackout shades, honeycomb shades, roller shades, sheer shades, skylight shades, and solar shades. If you need fixtures for outdoor spaces and patio enclosures, look into exterior porch shades.

Blinds

Blinds also offer light filters and privacy, but there is a stark difference; blind fixtures are considered a sturdier and more durable option – usually made of wood, vinyl, and other materials. Blinds offer adjustable components, usually slats, to control light streams and privacy .

Blind Options to Consider for Your Home:

1. Vinyl Blinds

These types of blinds might be the most classically known style. Vinyl blinds in vertical, horizontal slats, or Venetian style are some of the most budget-friendly, long-standing, and durable options for a home.

Vertical blinds can work perfectly with large windows or sliding glass doors. Conversely, Venetian blinds are a popular style as they’re easily customized to fit any window size and their slat size easily adjusts depths and ranges of light in a moment’s notice.

Both products can be cordless and have customizable slat widths and lengths as well, making them perfect additions to any space or personal style.

2. Insulating Blinds

Need to block out light with stronger light filtering function? Opt for insulating blinds for ultimate light control and privacy.

3. Magnetic Blinds

Easy installation is a main selling feature of this fixture. A simple snap and go option, this blind affixes to any steel surface with PVC slats for ultimate durability. This fixture is ideal for blocking out light in extra spaces such as indoor porches, covered patios, sun rooms, work rooms, and more.

4. Roll blinds

For a more laid-back and hippie chic style, bamboo roll blinds add relaxing touches, while allowing light filters and privacy at once. If roll blinds are not your thing, but wood texture appeals to you, go for 2-in-1wood blinds that bring the aesthetics of vinyl slats with a chic wood look and texture.

5. Zebra Shade Blinds

Large shades allow massive amounts of warm natural light to cascade into a room, without sacrificing privacy or style.

Looking for additional blinds for your home? Consider mini and micro blinds, panel blinds, and smart blinds. Browse more home inspiration and lifestyle tips, or follow us on social media!