The perfect window treatment for your home doesn’t just look good on its own, but also looks good with the room. It has to harmonise with the other design elements in the space.
For example, getting an overly decorative fabric on your blinds and shades for a room that focuses on subtle decorations will be jarring.
Which window treatment should you choose for your home? Blinds or curtains? It all depends on the size of the room, your preferred style, and light control.
Content
- Blinds – 6 Benefits of blinds vs curtains
- 5 Homes with blinds instead of curtains
- Curtains – 3 Benefits of curtains
- Wood Window Shutters – 3 Benefits of shutters
Blinds: 6 Benefits of Blinds vs Curtains
Blinds blinds perform better than curtains when it comes to energy efficiency in warm weather. They maximise natural light and airflow, allowing for better ventilation and reducing the need for air-conditioning. Here are other benefits of blinds vs curtains:
If your house has plenty natural sunlight…
Natural light bathes your interiors in a special glow, but too much sun can be detrimental to your space. Imagine sun-bleached wood furniture! To shade rooms with too much sun, opt for heavy and thick blinds such as roller blinds.
Consider if you would need blinds to keep out the heat as well. Remember, dark fabrics absorb heat while light-coloured fabrics are better for reflecting the heat away.
Mr Wong, marketing manager of Onna Prima, a specialist in blinds, suggests wooden blinds to redirect light. “Wood blinds can reflect sunlight to the ceiling; just tilt the slats.”
Your house has breathtaking, unobstructed views…
If the view outside your window is stunning, consider blinds that frame the view rather than block it. This means blinds that can be pulled up and tucked away, or pushed to the side.
But if the view is nothing worth mentioning, purchase blinds that can act as a decor feature when closed or get them in the same shade as the walls so less attention is drawn to it.
Your house is pretty windy
Horizontal blinds are actually be the better choice for windy homes – you just have to ensure that they can be fixed at the bottom to the window frame, so they don’t flap and cause a racket.
How about not having window treatments? Use window films to keep the heat and glare out instead. These are not necessarily tinted, and can actually look like there are no films on the window at all!
Absolute darkness with blackout blinds
Of course, nothing beats having blackout blinds if you want your bedroom shrouded in darkness. The ALTEX 100% Block-Out Blinds from mc.2 completely eliminate light with specially-fitted frames, and can be controlled via a smartphone app or even voice command
Cleaning may be easier
Cleaning shades and blinds is a relatively easy task compared to the laborious task of washing curtains. Of course, it also depends on the material it is made of.
For common materials such as aluminum and fabric, simply vacuum the blinds and give each panel a quick wipe with a dry cloth. Cleaning your blinds once a month is more than enough for most homes.
Minimalist and modern aesthetic
Blinds offer a minimalist, modern aesthetic, and come in different materials such as fabric, metal, or wood. They also offer more light adjustability, but may let in light from the sides even when fully closed.
5 Homes With Blinds Instead of Curtains
More and more people are choosing blinds over curtains for their homes these days! It’s no surprise, as blinds are fuss-free and easy to maintain.
They are also suitable for more compact spaces, as they can be neatly compacted to allow in more light, and don’t give the appearance of bulk when used to shade your home. But it’s good for more than just to provide shade — you can also use it to zone open-conept spaces when privacy is needed!
Here are five examples of trendy, contemporary homes that have blinds incorporated into its designs.
Instead of curtains, which could overwhelm the matchbox-sized master bedroom, blinds are used for a lighter, breezier touch.
This open concept home uses bamboo blinds to create privacy between the living area and bedroom.
Black and white bamboo blinds complete the interior design of this home.
Blinds are used to demarcate a private study area, without completely cutting it off from the rest of the home.
In this Dover Parkview condo unit, blinds were used to complement the small space instead of heavy curtains.
Curtains: 3 Benefits of curtains
It’s great to be living in a breezy place, but on the flip side, strong winds can cause problems, too. Curtains would be the wrong choice for your windows in such breezy conditions – unless they are made of a thicker and heavier material, or are weighted.
Heavy curtains for windy homes
Covered drapery weights can be sewn inside the hem of the curtain – this helps the curtain stay in position, and fall better as well. You can ask your curtain supplier to sew them in, or sew them in yourself.
Live on a low floor and need sound proofing
Those living on the ground floor or close to major roads are more directly affected by noise. Materials that can keep sound out better are wood and bamboo, over metal or plastic.
Love full length curtains?
While flowing curtains are the go-to option for an effortlessly elegant look, they may be too heavy for a small space. “Full-length curtains are best suited for spacious rooms or higher ceilings, while blinds are a better option for compact spaces,” says Wilson.
Window Shutters: 3 Benefits of Shutters
Keeping the interiors cool is key to a comfortable living space, especially when you’re living in a tropical climate.
Aside from installing air-conditioning units or fans, the right sun shading and window treatments – such as shutters – will help to block out harsh sunlight while allowing for natural ventilation to create an inviting ambience.
Sunleaf Shutters, a Thai manufacturer of premium window shutters, explains why choosing the right window shutters will keep your home looking and feeling cool.
Window shutters are more durable
Sunleaf Shutters, for instance, uses American hardwood for their window shutters – which are made to be more durable than conventional fabric curtains or blinds.
Shutters can last for decades while curtains and plastic blinds typically need to be replaced after three to five years.
Wooden window shutters blocks heat & light
Solid wood acts as a natural insulator against heat; installing shutters behind glass windows will shield the home’s interiors from harsh natural light and heat.
Louvres of the window shutters can be adjusted to specific angles to allow more or less light in, and provide privacy while maintaining views of the surroundings.
There are several types of window shutters, ranging from:
- Bi-Fold Tracks
- Roller Shutters
- Sliding Shutters
That aside, you get to choose the colours, handles, and knobs on these shutters.
Window shutters can demarcate spaces
Now, that might have got you thinking. Yes, window shutters can be used as window panels, doorways, screens and even artworks since the shutters can be made to your exact specification and measurements, including the arch shape popular in today’s homes.
Recently, Sunleaf Shutters launched its Spring Summer 2023 colours, comprising dark green Vergidis, sunny orange Sundial, eye-catching purple Digital Lavender, calming Tranquil Blue and bold Luscious Red that will lend that tropical boldness to your spaces.
Window shutters act as safety and security features for the home, too, as homeowners can add locks and latches to the systems.
Finally, window shutters can be easier to clean since it involves dusting and wiping – an alternative to homeowners who loathe big laundry loads and curtains/ bedsheets washing day.