Sheer blinds better than curtains?

last year

We have a large front window that overlooks the street. Currently has some grotty cream vertical blinds in which need replacing. They block out a lot of light still.
I know sheer violes are a bit old fashioned but they work so well at giving privacy and diffusing light so was thinking of going for sheer blinds as a more modern option. Not sure if they are expensive though! Need cheap options really.
If I went with the sheer curtains instead, should I also go full length or just dropped to the window ledge?
And from the very top of the window or from the second lower pane only?
Thank you
What do you think?
Probably pair them with some full length blackout curtains for the evening for heat retention and privacy?
Ps ignore the decor as it's getting painted all white but with F&B off black walls on the chimney side.

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Comments (11)

PRO
no60interiors Interior E Design
last year
Would you consider double Roller blinds? I've recommended this type to lots of clients.
Tani H-S
Original Author
last year
Not even thought about that to be honest! Might be out of budget though as my window is almost 2.5 wide and I have a small side return as well. Will have to price them up.
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User
last year
For a refurb on a low budget, why would you use F&B paint? I have plain full length voile curtains on the French doors in my lounge for privacy. They are inexpensive ones from John Lewis.
Tani H-S
Original Author
last year
It's a copy 😜 Didn't even use the real stuff in my home, ha ha

I had it leftover and I'm staying in it for a few months after our house sale so wanted it to feel homely for a while
User
last year
Fair enough 🤑
Tani H-S
Original Author
last year
I've had full length ones in a bedroom before but not in a lounge with a shorter window.

With evening curtains I would probably have them full length to the floor although it would cover the tiny rad...

But if I had sheer ones, would you end these on the window cill otherwise it would always be covering the radiator?
User
last year
I think cill length would be best for this window
Sonia
last year
I have a bay window with a wide sill and a radiator under and I stopped the curtains so they sit on the sill. It would have looked odd having long curtains over a wide sill, I feel. You can get sheer roller blinds which let in light but you can’t see through them? My brother has them.
Sonia
last year
My brother’s sheer blinds were from Dunelm and very reasonably priced.
Andrew
last year
A couple of thoughts:

1) With a radiator under the window do not have full length curtains. The heat will be channelled straight out through the window.

2) 2.5m wide puts you into custom blind territory. Think about using two or three off the shelf blinds to cover the area. That puts you back into Sonia's Dunelm blind range.

3) I don't know whether this would work but if you wanted double blinds - a sheer blind so people can't see in during the day and a blackout blind at night you could get something like this: https://www.theblindshop.com/product/roller-blinds/roller-blind-double-brackets/. There may be cheaper places - try eBay.

OK, so that's three. No experiences of any of these products or whether they will work together but it gives some idea of what could be achieved fairly cheaply.
Tani H-S
Original Author
last year
Brilliant, thanks so much everyone! Really appreciated 😀

Sheer blinds better than curtains?

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Sheer blinds better than curtains?

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