Blinds or Curtains? How to Decide Which Is Right for Your Home

Are you trying to decide whether blinds or curtains are the right window treatment for your home? Use this guide to help you decide.

When it comes to interior decorating, we don’t all have that perfect intuition of what goes where in each room. It gets even harder when you move from working with furniture to choosing decor and window treatments.

Whether you’re decorating your first apartment or your first home, choosing between blinds or curtains may have you stumped. What are the pros and cons? Is one better than the other or does it come down to personal preference?

As of now, you can stop stressing and take a deep breath. We have the perfect guide for you, breaking down the pros and cons of both to help you make a decision of which will work best for your windows.

Continue reading to learn more!

Blinds

Blinds differ from curtains in that they are not one solid length of fabric. Blinds come in a variety of styles and types, ranging from wood blinds to aluminum or vinyl slats. They tilt or lift open or closed to let in sunlight and give you privacy.

They come in two sizes, measured by length and width to fit within the window frame. Mini blinds measure to 1/2-inch or 1-inch and Venetian blinds are 2-inches. Though they are not patterned, blinds do come in a variety of colors and wood tones.

Not only do blinds come in a range of materials but you can choose between horizontal louvers, which are the most common type of blind, and hanging vertical slats, though these are mostly used for patio doors or large windows.

Now that you know the different types of blinds you can choose from, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of them.

Pros

Effective at blocking light
More energy efficient
Easier to clean
More affordable

Cons

Minimal design
Harder to control heat loss
Cords can be dangerous
They must be cleaned more often

Cost

With equal numbers of pros and cons, deciding if blinds are for you might come down to price. Getting aluminum blinds for 8 windows could cost you anywhere between $345 to $750.

Curtains

If you’re looking for more variety and options when it comes to your window treatments, curtains offer more colors and patterns, and they come in a wide range of lengths, fabrics, and widths. Curtains hang from a curtain rod installed over the window. Depending on your style and budget you can opt for a plain rod which you can hide or choose a decorative one to keep on display.

As for the curtains, there are quite a few that have different hanging options such as a fabric sleeve on the back or top of the curtain itself (which is the most common) or by metal grommets. You may also use fabric or metal rings to hang them from the rod.

Check out the pros and cons of hanging curtains compared to the pros and cons of blinds we noted earlier.

Pros

More design possibilities
Softens room or adds color/style
More energy efficient

Cons

More expensive
Harder to clean
Less effective at blocking light

Cost

Curtains may offer a little bit more when it comes to the eye, and with that comes a bigger price tag. For eight 27-inch window curtains expect to pay between $400 to $2,000.

Why Not Both?

Instead of choosing one or another, why not consider both? Many interior designers use blinds to help block out light and top them with curtains for more style and cozy textures. Adding sheer curtains to a pair of blinds softens their sometimes bland and rigid look.

Blinds or Curtains: You Decide

When it comes down to choosing between blinds or curtains it really depends on what you’re looking to add to a room. You might consider blinds for the bedroom to help keep the room dark on those weekend mornings, but a pair of curtains to soften your living room.

Get the best of both worlds by combining the two.

For more information on blinds and curtains check out our website. If you have questions, feel free to contact us!

For all of your window treatment needs Blinds & Shades By Martha can help call now (954) 338-7769

Serving: Miami, Coral Gables, Coral Springs, Parkland, Cooper City, Miramar, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton. Del Ray Beach,
Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Kendall, and surrounding areas!