The ultimate blinds buying guide

With so many types of window blinds to choose from, finding the right option can feel overwhelming. 

Our handy guide has everything you need to make the right decision, based on your day-to-day needs, from light control and privacy to style and practicality.  

The best blinds don’t just look good; they work for your lifestyle. Thinking about how the room is used and what you need your blinds to achieve is a great way to decide which blinds will work for you. 

In most cases, for a neater, more tailored look, we recommend blinds are fitted within the window recess, either next to the glass, or slightly forward so it sits towards the front of the recess. If your window isn’t set into a recess, blinds can be fitted outside the recess.

Hillarys blinds come in all shapes, sizes and styles for all homes and budgets. All our blinds are made-to-measure meaning they’ll fit well, and you won’t have to repurchase if you have any measuring or fitting mishaps. Simple products like Roller and Vertical blinds can be more budget friendly or, look at our value collection for more choice at a great price. 

Simple, stylish and great value, Roller blinds suit almost any room. Choose from specialist designs like blackout fabrics for bedrooms or moisture‑resistant options for kitchens and bathrooms. 

Roman blinds offer the softness of curtain fabrics with a neater, more tailored finish. Ideal for living rooms and bedrooms, they’re a great choice where you want a blind with a more luxurious look. 

Duette® blinds combine sophisticated style with practical benefits. Their distinctive honeycomb design traps air to help regulate temperature and improve comfort all year round. 

Vertical blinds offer flexible light control, ideal for large windows and doors. The louvres can be tilted to manage privacy and light or drawn neatly to the side for an unobstructed view. 

Metal Venetian blinds offer precise control over light and privacy with a clean, contemporary look. Their horizontal slats tilt to gently filter light or close for privacy. 

Wooden and faux wood blinds bring warmth and character with the practical benefit of precise light control. Choose real wood for natural texture and grain, or faux wood for a moisture-resistant alternative that works beautifully in bathrooms and kitchens. 

Pleated blinds combine elegant style with clever performance. Their slim, pleated design helps control light and maintain a comfortable temperate all year round.

Day and Night blinds combine the simplicity of a Roller blind with the light control of a Venetian blind. Alternating sheer and opaque fabric panels glide over one another, letting you adjust privacy and light throughout the day. 

Blind Screen is a versatile framed blind system available in four performance fabrics including blackout, honeycomb, Fly Screen and sheer. A dual track allows you to combine two fabrics at your window or door.  

Blackout blinds are designed to reduce light levels and create darker, more comfortable rooms for sleep and relaxation. Blackout options are available across several of our blind styles, including Blind Screen, our total blackout solution. You’ll find specialist blackout fabrics within our Roller and Pleated ranges and all our Roman blinds can be made with a blackout lining.

Skylight blinds make it easy to control light and temperature. Designed to fit neatly within the window, they help create a coordinated look while improving comfort. 

Perfect Fit blinds offer a sleek, no-drill solution for uPVC windows and doors. The blinds sit neatly within a made-to-measure frame that clips directly onto the window, creating a streamlined, operating cord-free finish. 

Made-to-measure electric blinds let you control light easily. Operate them by remote or wall switch or pair them with a smart-home system and control them via a smartphone app or, integrate them with your Google assistant or Alexa for voice control for effortless everyday living.  

Available across a number of blind types, your advisor will discuss motorised options with you. 

Blind cord safety is a priority for any home where children spend time. All blinds with cords or chains must meet EU standards for safety. Make sure you always use the safety devices that are fitted with blinds that have cords or chains. 

There are also plenty of inherently safe options, including Perfect Fit and electric blinds. These don’t have loose cords or chains, making them ideal for family homes.