When it comes to window furnishings, there are two main options: curtains and blinds. Curtains have their own unique benefits and so do blinds. You need to do everything you can to find the type of window furnishing that’s right for your home. To do that, there are a few different things that you need to think about, including your home’s design style and the size of your windows. This post will explore this topic in more detail, telling you about some factors that you need to consider if you are struggling to choose between curtains and blinds.
1. Size
If you are choosing between curtains or blinds, think about size. Size is not so much of an issue if you are buying custom curtains or blinds, though. You only need to think about size if you are buying standard items, straight out of the store. Take measurements of the windows you need to be furnished and bring them with you. Alternatively, write them down and compare them against the measurements of the products you are interested in on their respective web pages. As a rule, curtains are longer than blinds. If you want window coverings to touch the floor, curtains are your best option. Blinds work if you only want the windows covered and nothing else.
2. Blackout
Do you want bedrooms and living spaces to be completely black when the curtains are drawn, or blinds shut? If yes, you need blackout products. Blackout curtains are usually a lot more effective than blackout blinds, due to the fact that curtains typically reach the floor. They are also usually a few inches wider than the windows they are covering, meaning it’s almost impossible for light to get through. You can buy effective blackout blinds, though they’re more prone to letting light in in certain places, i.e., slits around the frame of the window.
3. Durability
Durability is another consideration. If you want window furnishings that are durable and are going to last a lifetime, curtains are the obvious choice. You can buy curtains made out of a range of different materials. Prioritize quality materials if durability is something that interests you. Blinds can last a very long time as well, as long as you purchase ones crafted from wood. Wooden blinds last much longer than plastic ones. They do need a lot more maintenance than curtains do, though. You can take curtains down and wash them every month or so, whereas blinds have to be wiped down by hand.
4. Room Placement
Room placement is the next consideration that you need to make. In certain rooms, curtains look better. In others, blinds look more appropriate. The best way to figure out what kind of window furnishing you need in your room is to get in touch with an interior design consultant. You can find professionals of this kind all over the internet. It’s even possible to talk with them for free on internet forums like Reddit. Making a post on one of the many interior design subforums on Reddit can make it much easier for you to figure out which kind of window furnishing is required in the specific room you are shopping for.
5. Pets
Do you have pets? If yes, you might want to buy curtains. The problem with pets is that they chew things. You might think curtains would be more prone to destruction by pets, but this is not true. Blinds usually have long cords attached to them. If you have cats, they will find these and chew through them. Dogs might as well. Of course, curtains have their downsides too. For example, if your cat or dog makes a habit of brushing up against your curtains, they will leave lots of furs behind. Over time, this fur will accumulate and there will be a dark spot on your curtain. Pet fur can be hard to remove from curtains. However, other than getting their fur everywhere, the damage they can do to curtains is minimal compared to what they can do to blinds.
6. Style
Style is another consideration that you need to make. Each home has its own style. You need to take some time to figure out what your home’s style is before you invest in either curtains or blinds. In some homes, curtains look much better. In others, blinds are the obvious choice. Again: you can consult an interior designer for free online if you are struggling to figure out what your home’s style is. If you already know what kind of style your home has, you can go straight to interior design blogs and journals dedicated to that style and look at pictures of other people’s houses, then figure out what kind of window furnishings look better.
7. Budget
Of the two, blinds tend to be much cheaper than curtains. This is because curtains that are made from quality materials typically require lots of those materials. Cotton, wool, or silk curtains can cost hundreds of dollars. Sometimes, they cost thousands. Design is also something that adds to the cost of curtains. Curtains made by a famous designer can cost a small fortune. If you do have a large budget and cost is not a concern to you, consider looking into hand block printed curtains. Hand block printed curtains are the most luxurious type you can buy and come in some unique, interesting patterns.
8. Insulation
Finally, think about insulation. Curtains provide the best insulation of any window furnishing. If you are planning on buying curtains to insulate your home, make sure that you get thermal ones. Thermal curtains are without a doubt the best because they are made to keep heat in. During the summer months, thermal curtains can make your home very hot though, so consider switching to blinds or thinner, linen curtains. Light airy curtains or simple blinds are ideal for places with very warm weather.
Curtains or blinds? It’s hard to make a decision if you do not know a lot about interior design. Consider the different points made here before you make a purchase. Thinking about the points made in this post will help you to find the window furnishing that is right for your home.
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