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POLL: Curtains or Blinds?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We've been debating the merits of blinds vs curtains here at Houzz UK, but now it's time to hear what our community thinks!
Are you a fan of dressing your windows with curtains or do you prefer the simplicity of blinds? What have you opted for in your home?

Vote and let us know your decision!

Curtains

Blinds

Featured Answer

Emmeline Westin

9 years ago

Tough one! I like curtains in some rooms and blinds in others. Having said that, those blinds look really, really nice!

Comments (83)

PRO
Lynnwood Interiors
8 years ago
I prefer the blinds as the over long curtains look very untidy.
PRO
The Great Shutter Co. Ltd.
8 years ago
Blinds are great but shutters are even more versatile.
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Hello Jen, I am so surprised that no one has mentioned vertical blinds to you? They are very much back in fashion and work beautifully in a room such as yours. They come in 3.5" veins, which mean they will fold back and tuck into each recess when fully open. They turn to let as much light in as you need and then close when you want full privacy. They will be fitted in the recess above the windows. You can either have one complete rail length or two so you have a separate section over the door. You can have what's know as a middle split, i.e: half goes left and right. Personally I would suggest one length that opens to the left, therefore leaving your door completely uncovered when open. The pulley system is very much like a roller blind and are safety fixed to the wall so children can not get caught in them. They come in a huge rang of colours and materials and better still they are very affordable. I am working with a number of new developments in Hertfordshire at the moment and these are what the clients are all asking for. If you would like some idea of price, please email me your measurements and I will give you an idea, amanda@propertybydesign.net Good luck and enjoy! :0)
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Hi, We're often asked about the best way to achieve a blackout effect. The key is to realise that most blackout products offer a degree of room-darkening, but not total blackout. Layering is a great way to help achieve this, but in your case you're obviously limited with this. Curtains with a blackout lining are effective as they cover the whole window, but they still have a degree of light flare - where the light creeps in at the edge of the window - as they sit proud of the window on a pole or rail. Moreover, Roman blinds with a blackout lining are effective, but they too sit slightly in front of the window and allow some light in at the edge. One thing I'd suggest in your situation is PerfectFit Roller blinds with a blackout coating. PerfectFit is a clever little system which clips into uPVC window frames, meaning each blind fits each piece of glazing perfectly. Combining this with a Roller blind with a blackout coating is a great way to lessen the light flare. Then, in the future if you could stretch to curtains as well, you could layer two blackout fabrics for an even greater effect. Hope this helps, Zoe
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PRO
Paul Christian
8 years ago
roman blinds work so well in most areas and will be in fashion for years to come
PRO
MsJacqueline
8 years ago
I think it depends on the room and the overall look your going for. I'm loving the voile roman blinds and curtains on the outside look at the moment. But I think it really depends on the room layout.
PRO
Docklands Bathrooms
8 years ago
I like the straight lines and neatness blinds can offer. Although I like rounded edge chairs and other piece of furniture, prefer straight lines on windows.
PRO
Grants Bespoke Blinds and Shutters
8 years ago
We like Blinds for Shaped Windows;

Motorised Honeycell Blackout Blinds have been fitted to this bedroom gable window with stunning effect
PRO
Walk Interior Architecture & Design
8 years ago
the sooner architects & builders get over the 'trend' for glazed apex's the better. they look great externally but always pose problems for bedroom window treatments. these blinds are clever - but expensive and ideally better to side step the need in the first place. they don't increase the view - only add light in a bedroom?
PRO
Highbury Design Ltd
8 years ago
personally I think the only blinds that look ok are 'Perfect Fit'- when pleateds are done as in the photos they usually look pretty disastrous in reality in my 30-year experience (we've never done them this way!)... Italian-strung curtains look good but clients who have fully glazed apexes usually don't want curtains.
PRO
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
This one is really a toughie! Curtains can bring so much to any room and are much easier to maintain than blinds. Saying that, blinds can be as spectacular as it gets. For me curtains everywhere but the office.
PRO
e-Hardware
8 years ago
Tough one as the out of the photos the blinds are better but in most spaces curtains look better.
PRO
Laura Felicity Design
8 years ago
Love both! Depends on the type and style of the room.
PRO
Sara Agar Interiors
8 years ago
They both work - depends on your own preference and style along with the look you are trying to create.
nappies
8 years ago
I think both have there beauty
I've done many ways With both
E
PRO
Acme Blinds
8 years ago

Both can be functional and also make your window beautiful.
Tess Wijy
8 years ago
I love conservatory blinds, you can bring them down from the top and from the bottom, making you decide how much privacy you need letting in light. you can use them anywhere in the home.
PRO
Estilo Design Dublin
7 years ago
I prefer the luxury of interlined curtains but it really depends on the space and style of window.
PRO
Let It Be Sew
7 years ago
Interlined blinds give luxury to any room
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
like many of you.. i would say it depends on the window, the user and of course the view.. but for me, nothing beats a gorgeous white voile letting light shine into the space whilst still offering privacy.
PRO
Zoe Glencross Fabric & Home
7 years ago
It depends on the windows - in your photo of the roman blinds the windows are shorter so blinds is ofcourse the best option. For a doorway - like in your curtain photo, curtains are ofcourse best. I like to use both sometimes to make a focal point of a window - and it also helps to keep out drafts in an old house. Blending the two can also give you an opportunity to combine two fabric prints that complement one another. Our collections by colour at zoeglencross.com illustrate how to blend your fabrics for a balanced scheme. www.zoeglencross.com

Zoe
PRO
Pamela Langbridge Curtains and Upholstery
7 years ago
The curtains give a very cluttered at this window. They also make the window look very narrow. The blinds are a good example of how to dress a kitchen window.
PRO
Laurel House Interiors
7 years ago
I produce both Curtains and blinds as there is as much demand for both.
PRO
s2 design . architects
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
blinds are so much tidier when they're open
PRO
DUNNE AND NUGENT BLINDS AND CURTAINS LTD
7 years ago
ROMAN BLINDS ARE A BEAUTIFUL SOLUTION FOR SMALL ROOMS THAT NEED TO TO HAVE ITS SPACE OPENED UP.
PRO
Jessica Higgins Interiors
7 years ago
Very difficult to say....depends on window, feel required and house style
PRO
Bolton Blinds
7 years ago
As a company who sells both curtain and blinds we have an experience that different people go for different products.
PRO
Cotton Tree Interiors
7 years ago
Always have floor length, never sill! Romans over rollers generally but each client is different ...
User
7 years ago
Nice Romans but not fond of curtain heading
PRO
Curtains.com
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
It's a common discussion, why don't you try and look at our website?
PRO
Duo Interior Design Ltd
7 years ago
Depends. Blinds are more contemporary and curtains can make the room look cosier.
PRO
User
7 years ago
Depends on the room but more often than not blinds.
PRO
Ruler Interior Design
7 years ago
I love to see blinds in a bedroom, with curtain voiles to finish it off!
PRO
NORR11
7 years ago
I prefer Blinds!
PRO
Perring Design Limited
7 years ago
depends on the window
PRO
Pamela Langbridge Curtains and Upholstery
7 years ago
I would like to have seen pelmets over the roman blinds to hide the side view of the headrails and give a neater finish. The curtains are not hanging well and maybe needed interlining and a tie back so they draped better
PRO
Ratcliff & Burridge Construction Ltd
7 years ago
Prefer curtains as blinds collect too much dust!
PRO
Highbury Design Ltd
7 years ago
PRO
Isidora Markovic
7 years ago
It all depends on the room and the look you are after, but I feel like curtains are harder to get right. Big fan of louvred shutters
PRO
Hummerston Ward
7 years ago
Definitely blinds.
PRO
STIL HAVEN INTERIORS
7 years ago
Depends on the room, I love luxurious curtains in a big airy room! Blinds are great for windows.
PRO
Ergonomic Office Solutions
7 years ago
Interior Blinds · More Info

Definitely blinds with such a wide range of styles and finishes available, beats curtains everytime
PRO
A-Joiner
7 years ago
Prefer blinds to curtains as they give a much more modern and cleaner look.
PRO
AJS Estates Ltd
7 years ago
Much prefer the blinds
PRO
User
7 years ago
I spend time with my clients looking at the window style to decide whether curtains or roman blinds are more suitable
PRO
Ergonomic Office Solutions
7 years ago
There is room for both I guess depending on the look you want, maybe in a traditional lounge environment drapes / curtains may look better in a home office blinds shutters may be more contemporary, where also light, heat and glare need to be considered, check our web site
PRO
KRA Visionary Project Partners
7 years ago
Blinds - always have a better variety of choice and style.
PRO
VLS Curtain Makers LTD
7 years ago
It really depends on the shape/size of the window and the style/age/location of the property. For instance we would not recommed putting toile de jouy swags and tails in a modern London apartment. Blinds suit a certain style of room/window/decor compared to that of curtains. That said however it is still possible to have both together and look good. I think the simple answer is put up what YOU want and like
PRO
User
7 years ago
Totally agree with VLS Curtain Makers Ltd. Whether you choose curtains or blinds to dress a window they should be what you like and want, suit the property and your lifestyle. I have clients with pets who would rather have a blind so that the fabric doesn't get covered in dog hair, whereas other clients prefer to have curtains trailing across the floor simply because they like the look and it suits how they live and the style of the property as well as their other furnishings.
PRO
The Blind Shop
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We're called The Blind Shop so blinds all the way! Simple, modern, functional.
PRO
No Naked Windows
7 years ago
It depends entirely on the room and the look you are trying to achieve, however our personal favourite at the moment is unlined linen curtains, in whatever colour fits.
Bonnie 99
7 years ago
I voted for curtains, but i like both, just depends whats in the room! :)

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