Blinds or curtains: which is best?

When considering window treatment for your home, you’re generally left with two options: blinds or curtains.

Both are acceptable choices and you may have a long-established preference already, but it’s worth considering the pros and cons of each, as both would have a very different impression on your design – for better or for worse. So, which should you use?

Blinds

Blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, so are a popular choice for anyone on a budget. But that doesn’t mean blinds can’t also be aesthetically pleasing. In many cases, blinds are a better choice than curtains, particularly if they are to go in a small room. Curtains – which, interior designers will tell you, should always be long and drape down to the floor – will make a small room feel even smaller. Blinds also allow for greater control over the amount of light that gets into the room, since you’re able to be more precise with their position.

On the other hand, blinds simply don’t fulfil their function as well as curtains do. Vertical blinds, especially, will almost always allow beams of light to sneak through. They’re also notoriously prone to collecting dust, meaning that they need to be cleaned more regularly (although it is easier to clean blinds).

Horizontal shutters are another option, but you should also be careful about how many horizontal lines there are in your house. They can be quite an overwhelming design style. In fact, shutters are traditionally used in noir films to create an atmosphere of tension.

Lastly, you should consider how often you want to open the window that they are covering. Some blinds can make it difficult or even impossible to open the window behind them.

Curtains

Curtains are usually much more expensive than blinds, but the design options available can be worth the extra money. As mentioned earlier, curtains should always go down to the floor and, ideally, hang from above the window. This will help make the room feel more even and calm, and the curtains will blend in better with the rest of the room.

What’s great about curtains is that they can be one of the key features in a room – something blinds are not generally credited with. Even if the room already has enough key features, a neutral coloured curtain can complement the already established design. There are many designs and pattern options, meaning you have the luxury of choice for what would work best for your decor. Curtains are also practical because they are able to block out more light and keep in more heat than blinds, making them ideal for bedrooms.

They have their problems too, however. Not only are they much more expensive than blinds,  they also take up more space. If you’re in a small room, curtains can be invasive to your space. They are also difficult to clean and, if you have them in a place with a lot of moisture (e.g. the kitchen or bathroom), they are at risk of mould or staining.

There is no absolute answer to which is the better choice between blinds and curtains; it always depends on your circumstances. That’s why having a universal preference one way or the other can impair your interior design. Your choice of blind or curtain should depend on the size of the room and the existing/established design. Hopefully, this guide will help to make your choice a little easier!

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