Good window therapies aren’t merely decorative—they add function and sort to an space. “Window therapies are a key component of room design with regards to sort, coloration, and texture, they often moreover administration the amount of sunshine that enters an space,” Nicole Torossian, principal designer of Nicole Michael Designs, says. “With out window therapies, a room will not ever actually really feel really accomplished.”
The one downside? There are many completely differing types of window therapies. So sooner than you probably can bear in mind points like coloration and pattern, it’s essential to reply some main questions—like, are blinds or curtains greater for my home?
That may help you clear up this aesthetic thriller, we turned to 2 inside designers. They walked us by the blinds versus curtains debate, sharing the professionals and cons of each window treatment sort. As well as they supply some suggestion on easy methods to determine on the perfect window therapies to your space.
True Residence
What Is the Distinction Between Blinds and Curtains?
It’s pretty easy to tell the excellence between blinds and curtains. “Curtains are hanging material,” Sarah Cole, principal designer of Sarah Cole Interiors, says. “Blinds are slats that cling contained within the casing of the window [and] which may be tilted to let in or maintain out light.”
So blinds are lined with slats product of onerous provides—often, wood or plastic. And since they’re hung inside window casings, blinds often cowl the exact measurement and width of a window. Curtains, alternatively, are made of fabric panels. And since they’re hung over dwelling home windows, they’re typically longer (or in some circumstances, shorter) than the window they’re defending.
Ashley Montgomery Design
What Are Blinds?
Blinds are a form of window treatment that’s lined with slats (additional formally referred to as louvers). To dam out light, you probably can shut your blinds by tilting these slats all one of the best ways up or down. To let in light, you probably can open your blinds by straightening the slats. You can also let in light by elevating your blinds—pulling them up until they not cowl your window.
Phrase: Blinds aren’t pretty the equivalent issue as shades. Like blinds, shades reside inside window casings. Nevertheless in distinction to blinds, shades aren’t slatted. This makes shades an incredible middle ground between blinds and curtains. Want the kind of curtains, nevertheless the dimension and type of blinds? Try shades.
Pure Salt Interiors
When to Choose Blinds Over Curtains
Blinds are good when you want administration over light or privateness—and don’t should make a decorative assertion. “Blinds don’t contribute loads to a room aesthetically,” Cole says.
As a result of this, blinds are widespread in purposeful areas, like loos and laundry rooms. And they also’re an incredible determine when you don’t have to distract from the rest of your space. “In case you have got a jetliner view in a home, blinds current a choice to administration light with out visually distracting from the precept event,” Torossian says.
Since blinds are often cheaper than curtains, they’re moreover final for the budget-conscious shopper. And they also’re good when curtains merely aren’t correct for a window. Obtained a window correct above a radiator, bathtub, or kitchen sink? Select blinds over curtains.
“When adorning kitchens, loos, home theaters, and laundry rooms, my go-to window treatment is on a regular basis [blinds or] a shade,” Torossian says. “They’re typically automated to open and shut remotely, which makes them a very nice alternative for hard-to-reach dwelling home windows.”
Ashley Montgomery Design
What Are Curtains?
Curtains are strips of fabric that cling over your house home windows. You probably can mount your curtains correct above your window, slightly below your ceiling, or someplace in between. And you may cling a single curtain on one side of your window—or flank your window with a pair.
To take care of light out, shut your curtain by extending it until it absolutely covers your window. To let light in, open your curtain by bunching it up on one side of your window.
Katie Hodges Design
When to Choose Curtains Over Blinds
Consistent with our consultants, it’s essential to choose curtains over blinds as a rule. “Curtains stability the room by together with peak and drawing your eye up,” Cole says. “They’re an opportunity in order so as to add mood to a room—by coloration, print, and texture. [And] reverse to widespread notion, the perfect [curtains] make rooms look bigger because of they create a cohesive backdrop for furnishings.”
Must you’re attempting to make an aesthetic assertion alongside along with your window therapies, curtains are a ought to. They’re moreover good for light administration and sound absorption. And they also’re final for dwelling home windows and doorways that you just have to open with ease.
“Curtains are my first choice when dressing huge dwelling home windows or doorways, as they stack to the perimeters, making egress easy,” Torossian says.
Ashley Montgomery Design
When to Choose Curtains and Blinds
Nonetheless can’t choose between curtains and blinds? Select every. Blinds and curtains aren’t mutually distinctive. And pairing the two is an effective method to make a surprising assertion in your space—whereas giving your self a great deal of administration over ambiance and lighting.
“Drapes and [blinds] collectively present the capability to dramatically administration the amount of sunshine that comes into an space,” Torossian says. “The two paired collectively moreover create a perfectly layered look.”
And Cole notably recommends this methodology for renters. “Must you reside in a rental with blinds already there, cling floor-to-ceiling curtains,” she says. “[This] is an effective method to … physique the realm and add your private character.”