The ultimate blinds buying guide

by Yvonne Keal

Product Management specialist

Published: 02/01/2018

Updated: 14/07/2023

Read our advice on how to choose blinds for your home

With so many different blind types to choose from, it can be tricky to know the best option for your windows. What's popular right now might not necessarily be the right choice for you, but our friendly local advisors are on hand to guide you through each step of the way.

They'll offer advice on everything from colour to functionality. And the best part is, all our blinds are made to measure so will fit your window perfectly. In the meantime, let's take you through the standard types of blinds and their benefits, plus specialist blinds, fabrics and linings to help you make the right choice.

Roller blinds

Roller blinds are versatile, budget-friendly and stylish. With a choice of specialist fabrics, including blackout and moisture-resistant options they're ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. In uPVC windows, Roller blinds can be fitted into a Perfect Fit frame for a no-drill solution. You can also choose to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button or via your phone or smart home device.

reber ash roller blind in kitchen window above white sink

At a glance

  • Choice of stylish colours, prints and patterns
  • Blackout and moisture-resistant fabrics
  • Fits a wide range of window sizes
  • No drill option for uPVC windows
  • Go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button, or via your phone or smart home device
View Roller blinds

Electric blinds

Our made-to-measure electric blinds make opening your blinds a breeze. They’re really easy to operate with a remote control or simple wall switch. And they’re smart compatible too so you can open and close your blinds through an app on your phone or through your smart home system. Available with our Roller, Roman, Day & Night and Pleated roof products,  it’s a super helpful solution if your windows are in awkward places like behind furniture, or high up out of reach in a conservatory or at a bay window.

Somfy Smart hub

At a glance

  • Great for hard-to-reach windows or for rooms with several blinds

  • Smart compatible so you can operate from anywhere with an app, or use Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Easy to operate, even when you’re away from home

  • Set timers to open and close your blinds, it'll give you added security

  • Battery operated with no wires for a neat and fuss-free finish

Take a look at electric blinds

Roman blinds

Roman blinds are made from the same fabric as curtains, and are a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms because of their luxurious finish. Choose Roman blinds in place of curtains if you have limited space around your window, or simply want a more streamlined look. All our Roman blinds come fully lined as standard, or you can choose to upgrade to a blackout lining. You can also choose to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button and via your phone or smart home device.

At a glance

  • A neat and streamlined alternative to curtains
  • Fabric is sewn to battens and attached with cords, creating fabrics folds
  • Cord or chain operated, with controls attached to a child safety cleat
  • Blackout linings provide enhanced light control
  • Go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button, or via your phone or smart home device
  • Interlining creates a fuller look and luxurious finish

 

Discover Roman blinds

Vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are made up of individual fabric louvres held together with chains or weights. The louvres can be tilted to maintain privacy while letting in light, or positioned flat to block out strong sun. They also concertina to one side when you want a clear view.

Vertical blinds fit sloping windows and curved bays, and come in a range of performance fabrics like blackout, fire-retardant and easy clean PVC. They’re also one of the most cost-effective solutions for large windows, and a great choice for sliding glass or patio doors.

At a glance

  • Individual fabric louvres that can be tilted to gently filter light
  • A great choice for curved and sloping windows
  • Versatile and cost-effective choice for very wide windows and glass doors
  • Choice of performance fabrics for every room
  • Great for privacy and flexible light control
Browse Vertical blinds

Metal Venetians

Metal Venetian blinds consist of horizontal metal slats held together by cords. The slats either lie flat against the window to block out light, or tilt to let it gently filter through. When pulled right up, the slats create a slim profile that leaves your window free.

Metal Venetian blinds are available in a selection of colours and finishes allowing you to create an individual look. If you have uPVC windows or sliding glass doors, they can fit inside Perfect Fit frames, which eliminate the need for cords.

At a glance

  • Slats available in a choice of widths to suit a range of window sizes
  • Metallic finish helps to enhance light levels
  • Choose for flexible light control and privacy
  • Matt, gloss and luxury metallic finishes for a contemporary look
  • No drill solution for uPVC windows
Discover Metal Venetians

Faux wood and real Wooden blinds

Faux wood and real Wooden blinds are made of horizontal slats, operated via a cord. Our real Wooden blinds are available in a range of natural wood stains or neutral painted shades. Faux wood blinds look and feel like real wood but are water-resistant, so can be used in high moisture areas. A choice of slat widths gives you greater flexibility to control light levels. You can also choose to decorate your faux wood and Wooden blinds with tape for a softer look.

Zen White faux wood venetian blind in a bathroom window.

At a glance

  • Moisture-resistant faux wood blinds are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
  • Choice of natural wood stains and painted finishes
  • Range of slat widths to suit different window sizes
  • Great for privacy and flexible light control
View Wooden blinds

Pleated blinds

Pleated blinds look stunning and are hard-working too. A simple Pleated blind fits snugly in your window, controlled with a tab that you simply pull up and down. They have lots of specialist applications, including no drill options for uPVC windows and shaped solutions for conservatory roofs. Our ThermaShadeTM Pleated blinds help maintain a constant temperature, so are great for conservatories and glass extensions.

At a glance

  • A fabric blind with delicate, concertina-like folds
  • Practical fabrics include blackout and thermal options
  • Specialist options for conservatory side windows and roofs
  • No drill option for uPVC windows and patio doors
  • Great for controlling light and temperature
View Pleated

Blackout blinds

We know how important a good night’s sleep is, which is why we’re proud to offer a range of blackout blinds. Some of the fabrics in our Roller, Pleated and Vertical blind collections have specialist blackout properties, ideal for bedrooms and for reducing glare on TV and computer screens in living spaces. All our Roman blind fabrics are available with an optional blackout lining which helps to create an extra dark environment. Our collection includes a variety of colours and styles, including a kids’ collection.

huxley powder blue roman blind beside a single bed in a childs bedroom with a bean bag, rug, and shelving for toys and books

At a glance

  • Reduces light levels for maximum light control
  • Great for controlling light in bedrooms
  • Helps reduce glare on tv and computer screens
  • Blackout options available in Roller, Roman, Vertical and Pleated blind types
  • Can be layered with curtains for an extra dark environment
Explore Blackout blinds

Skylight blinds

Several of our blind options are suitable for hard-to-reach skylight and VELUX® windows, helping you to control light and temperature, as well as creating a co-ordinated look. Roller blinds can be fitted into a special frame which clips into the window, while Pleated blinds and metal Venetian blinds are tension fitted using cords around the window. Blackout fabrics are also available to control unwanted light and reduce glare in bedrooms and loft rooms.

At a glance

  • Pleated, BlOC Roller and Venetian blinds can all be made for skylight windows
  • Our blinds fit all types of skylight window, including VELUX®
  • No drill solutions for uPVC windows
  • Telescopic pole or motorised controls for easy operation
  • Blackout options, ideal for bedrooms and loft rooms
Discover Skylight blinds

Perfect Fit blinds

Perfect Fit blinds are a no-drill solution for uPVC windows. Roller, Pleated or Venetian blinds sit within bespoke, made to measure frames that clip neatly onto your window, creating a cord-free, streamlined look. They are especially good for rooms with multiple windows, such as conservatories, as well as patio doors and bi-fold doors. Perfect Fit binds are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, as well as blackout and thermal options.

Marco Cinder grey perfect fit roller blind in patio door frame with contemporary furniture and grey accessories

At a glance

  • No drill solution for uPVC windows and glass doors
  • Perfect Fit frame clips into place with no operating chains or cords
  • Roller, Pleated and metal Venetian blinds are available as Perfect Fit blinds
  • Perfect Fit frames available in white, brown or anthracite to match uPVC windows
  • No cords or chains for streamlined look
Explore Perfect Fit

Day and Night blinds

Day and Night blinds offer the best of both worlds when it comes to privacy and light control. Essentially this is a layered Roller blind, where overlapping sheer and opaque panels can be adjusted to mimic the look of open or closed slats. The overall look is softer than a Venetian blind and you also have the option to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button, or via your phone or smart home device. Day and Night blinds are especially good for contemporary interiors, and wide windows that require daytime privacy.

Daybreak white day and night blinds in living room bay window

At a glance

  • Flexible light control - sheer and opaque options in a single blind
  • Looks like a Roller blind – works like a Venetian blind
  • Go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button, or via your phone or smart home device
  • Great for daytime privacy and flexible light control
  • Good solution for wide windows 
Discover Day & Night blinds

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