There are many things to consider when choosing new blinds, such as the style, colour, material, and lining. Read on for our tips and advice on making these all-important decisions.
What’s the difference between Roller blinds and Roman blinds?
Roman blinds are made with several panels connected by a slim wooden bar at their base. When raised fully, the panels of a Roman blind fan out individually like an accordion or a series of vertical blinds rolled all the way open.
Roller blinds are popular in modern homes and offices because they have a sleek, minimalistic look on a flat panel. No loose cords or unsightly slats catch when you raise them; instead, there’s just a single piece of fabric that covers the window behind it.
Like Roman blinds, Roller blinds can be raised or lowered by winding the blind up or down. What separates Roller blinds from Roman blinds most is their fold style. Roller blind panels do not fan out into pleated accordion shapes. Instead, they lie flat against the window as if painted onto the glass.
Due to the construction of a Roller blind, its fabric can be more susceptible to wear and tear than a Roman blind; the edges of a Roller blind can fray and become unsightly with time and use.
Roller blinds also tend to block out less light than Roman blinds, so it’s a trade-off between your personal needs for light and durability that will help you choose the blind that is right for you.
Can you use Roman blinds in a bathroom?
Traditionally, Roman blinds aren’t made using moisture-resistant or wipe-clean fabrics for humid environments. However, with careful fabric selection, the correct maintenance, and adequate ventilation, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t use a Roman blind in your kitchen or bathroom.
For bathrooms, in particular, Roman blinds soften the sound quality in the room and provide a little colour, character and warmth to what can be a cold, clinical space.
It is advisable to avoid using completely plain fabrics, though. Simple materials are likelier to show splash marks, especially on luxury fabrics such as chenille and faux silks.
Cotton and polyester/cotton blends are better for humid atmospheres as they are more durable and easier to maintain. When fitting a Roman blind in a room subjected to high humidity levels, we install the blind slightly forward in the window recess rather than at the back. This way, the fabric won’t touch the condensation-prone glass or tiled walls and will help to alleviate the problem.
How much do Roman blinds cost?
Bespoke Roman blinds are made to order and tend to range from £350 upwards. They can be custom-made in a range of fabrics, colours, patterns, linings, etc., which, along with the size of the window to be covered, will dictate their overall cost.
In comparison, roller blinds are less labour-intensive, which is reflected in their cost. Please get in touch with us for an estimate.
Should blinds be lighter or darker than walls?
Their shade and tone should be lighter or darker than your walls to avoid blinds being lost in a room. If the colour of your blinds is similar to the walls, they will disappear and go unnoticed.
In truth, blinds can be either lighter or darker than your walls. There is no set rule one way or the other. However, it’s worth noting that they should be at least one shade lighter or darker and have a similar tone.
Can you use bold colours and patterns for blinds?
Don’t be afraid of selecting bold colours for your blinds; they can look great when used correctly! Just be sure to tone them down with brighter or deeper shades on your walls, and bear in mind that vibrant or intense colours can be softened by pairing with accessories in lighter shades.
Off-white and neutral colours tone everything down, making them more suitable to the hue of most modern houses, which are often on the neutral side.
Sometimes going against the grain of conventional interior design pays off! You can get really creative, for example, by mixing dark walls with super bright blinds for an ultra-modern look. Just be sure to use lighter toned furniture and accessories, so things don’t look too contrasting.
What’s better – Roller blinds or Roman blinds?
There’s a lot of talk about whether Roller blinds or Roman blinds are better. We think they both have their place, but we’re not here to tell you which one is best for your home. Instead, we want to show you how our designs can help you achieve the look and feel you want in your space – no matter what type of window covering it requires.
Roller blinds are ideal if you want the most amount of light to fill your room, as they fully retract when opened and, in terms of style, are considered the more modern of the two. They can also be combined with curtains or drapes to allow greater control over the style and brightness of your room.
Due to the nature of their construction, when a Roman blind is raised, the retracted folds will still cover a portion of the window. Consequently, a raised Roman blind will allow slightly less light to enter a room than a raised Roller blind.
Roman blinds do, however, strike a good balance between traditional and contemporary styles and tend to work best by themselves in conventional rooms that demand something lightweight but elegant.
Made-to-measure Roman blinds and Roller blinds can both be made using a sheer fabric. Sheer material provides a certain level of privacy during the day while allowing natural light to filter through and brighten your room.
In contrast, only our made to measure Roman blinds can be backed using blackout lining to block the light from entering a room almost entirely.
What are blackout blinds?
Custom made blackout blinds are window treatments that block light from entering your room. Whilst blackout styles may not make your room pitch black, they will make it almost completely dark at any time of day.
Are blackout blinds worth it?
Blinds with blackout lining can be a worthwhile investment for many reasons:
- They absorb harmful UV rays and keep homes cooler throughout the day
- Bedroom windows with blackout blinds installed can provide medical benefits, as better-quality sleep has been linked to improvements in health
- They can also be an invaluable investment for nurseries and young children’s bedrooms, especially during the lighter summer months with early sunrises
- Blackout treatments will allow you to watch your favourite movie on a sunny day without having to squint or worry about the glare on your TV
- Maybe you prefer to unwind with a favourite book at the end of a busy day? Pairing blackout blinds with sheer curtains will allow you more control to diffuse the light without straining your eyes from the setting sun
Next Steps
Blinds are one of the most overlooked aspects of your home. They provide beauty and functionality to a room and protection from drafts in the winter. With so many options available, it’s essential to consider what you need from your blinds before placing an order with us.
If you have any specific colours or fabrics in mind, we will endeavour to accommodate your requests – no matter how unusual! For this reason, we recommend that customers contact us with any questions about our made-to-measure window dressings. We will guide you on the most appropriate materials and linings to ensure we create the perfect blind for your room!
