There are a lot of different ways to cover your windows. It can be hard to know what to do because there are so many options – do you go with curtains? Blackout or sheer? Rollerblinds? Double layered? Shutters? Something else? To help you, here’s some information about the seven most common types of window coverings.
1. Roller Blinds
I’ll start with rollers because they are one of the most popular choices. They have a simple, streamlined look. You can choose from three main types. ‘Blockout’ gives you the most privacy and darkness, which is good for bedrooms. ‘Light filtering’ blinds soften the light but don’t completely block it. There’s also ‘sunscreen’ which give you privacy during the day, and they block up to 95% of UV rays, which is good for east and west facing windows where the sun burls in.
Rollers can be applied to lots of different window types because you can mount them above the window (which is called face mounted), or within the window (called recess mounted). There are also lots of different fabrics for roller blinds: everything from flat and simple, to textured, to patterned. Make sure you get samples and look at them in the room so you can be confident the colours work with your scheme.
Roller blinds with curtain over, image from BQ Design
2. Double Roller Blinds
Roller blinds can also be mounted one above the other on the one bracket. This gives you even more flexibility because you can create combinations: eg. a blackout with a light filtering, or a light filtering with a sunscreen blind. Having options like this can be great, but beware they are twice as bulky as a single roller, and you’re paying for twice as much blind.
Double roller blinds mounted using one bracket, image from Victory Blinds
3. Curtains
When I say curtains you might think of your grandma’s heavy, old drapes. But things have changed since those fuddy-duddy days, and curtains can now look contemporary and chic. They are really good for softness and depth, and great for controlling light. Curtains in thicker fabric are good insulators, while sheer fabrics diffuse the light beautifully.
Curtains can also be hung in front of roller blinds or plantation shutters for maximum flexibility. You can also choose one, two or three curtain panels so you can spread out the fabric to either side of your window. There are also a lot of different pleat and rod options: pencil, pinch, box pleat, etc. But my favourite style of curtain is definitely the ’S-wave’, where the fabric folds gently in an ’S’ shape along an easy-glide track.
Double layer S-wave curtains with sheer in front, image Valley Vogue
4. Plantation Shutters
For a polished interior, plantation shutters have a classic look. These are shutters, with an external frame fitted into your window, and no cords. Traditionally they are made from timber but there are now good alternatives for high-moisture areas. So you can use them in the bathroom and they won’t deteriorate.
Shutters are quick and easy to tweak for different levels of light and privacy. They can also be made to suit any shaped window, such as an arch or round window. Be aware though, the frame around them takes up a bit of space. Usually about 50mm wide on all sides, it means a portion of your window will be covered and you’ll loose a bit of light. Not great for small windows because half the window might end up covered.
Plantation shutters with curtain over, image DIY Blinds
5. Roman Blinds
These are fabric blinds that fold over themselves as you draw them up. They are an elegant option for lots of different styles of home, and they don’t feel as sleek as roller blinds. The fabric you choose will really influence the look. Because of this, Roman blinds are more of a feature in a room than rollers. And they also come in blockout, light filtering and sunscreen fabrics.
Roman blinds require a bit more maintenance than other blinds because of their fabric. Vacuuming and spot cleaning should be done regularly. If you are thinking about Romans, make sure you get a chain drive system, because it provides a cleaner look and is easier to operate than cords.
Roman blinds are often a feature of the room, image from Next
6. Honeycomb Shades
Sometimes called cellular blinds, these are made up of two layers of fabric, held together so they create a honeycomb shape between the layers. The main benefit of this structure is really good insulation by trapping air within this honeycomb cell.
In your home, honeycomb shades look streamlined and neat. They come in a large selection of cell sizes and styles and can be used in arches, angles and skylights. Besides good insulation, the other main benefit of Honeycomb shades is they can also be opened from the top down. Think about this: it means you have the window covered at the bottom rather than the top. This is particularly good if your home is up high and you want privacy along the bottom of your windows. Or if you want to see the blue sky but not the cars below.
Honeycomb shades provide good insulation
7. Venetian
Everyone remembers those nasty thin aluminium ones from the 80s! Instead go for the nice wide ones ones for a more contemporary look. Classic timber Venetians look great in a tropical-style interior, and white ones suit a coastal or more contemporary home.
These days you can get timber-look, white Venetians made from a moisture-resistant material, which means they’re good for wet and humid areas and they resist mould. They are also anti-fungal and anti-static, which is a good choice for people with asthma and allergies.
White, timber-look venetians in the kitchen