If you are thinking of redoing your house or office, you would be really confused about which window treatment you should opt for. There are several options out there but for most of us it comes down to blinds and curtains. If you can’t seem to make up your blind, here are some of the pros and cons of blinds and curtains.

Blinds

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are made of horizontal slates and are suitable for medium and small windows. Here are some of the pros and cons for it.

Pros:

• They take less space than curtains.
• You get to control the amount of light and heat that enters the room.
• They are available in a variety of different colors.

Cons:

• They need to be cleaned regularly.
• They don’t retain heat.

Roller Blinds and Roman Blinds

Roller blinds are a sheet of fabric that simply rolls up and down, when you need more light or want to block it.

Pros:

• Efficient when it comes to blocking light.
• Take up less space.
• Don’t require regular cleaning.

Cons:

• It may prevent some windows from opening completely.

Curtains

Curtains provide privacy and help in controlling the amount of light and heat that enters the room.

Pros:

• Can make a room look aesthetically pleasing.
• Available in different colors and designs.

Cons

• Take up a lot of space.
• Are extremely heavy.
• Can be a hassle to clean them.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Blinds and Curtains

Here are some of the factors that you need to consider before taking a decision:

Design

Curtains tend to add style in a room and makes it look aesthetically pleasing. Blinds on the other hand help in making a room look larger and are available in different colors and styles.

Cost and Installation

The cost and installation depends on the quality of the material. However, on average curtains tend to cost more than blind. If you want to get a curtain made with good quality fabric, it will easily cost you £800 as opposed to only £150 for wooden blinds. Installing curtains and blinds can be a good DIY project who has the most basic tools and home improvement skills. In case you struggle with this, you can always hire an installation company to help you out.

Light and Privacy

Curtains can certainly block light but blinds tend to be more versatile as they can be adjusted as per your needs.

Energy Efficiency

If you want curtains to be energy efficient, you will have to get thermal backed curtains if you live somewhere with extreme temperatures. Blinds, on the other hand, act as a barrier to the heat and cold but still allow filtered light inside the room. If you are looking for an energy efficient option, you can opt for cellular blinds.

Safety

Any window treatments with cords can pose a safety threat. In order to avoid this, make sure that you make the cords as short as possible and keep the loop cords anchored to the wall.

If this seems like a good option to you, the Wilsons Blinds can make your customized order within 5-7 days and have it delivered to you.  They have a guarantee of 12 months.

Malimo:

Yet another possible option for your bathroom vertical blinds could be Malimo. Available in two gorgeous colors Frost and Oyster these vertical blinds also come equipped with weights, chains, fixing brackets, etc. Having been in this industry since 1989, when it comes to blinds Wilsons Blinds is a name people easily trust. Not only to they have amazing quality blinds, they also have an extensive variety of them! From styles to patterns and colors and everything else in between, the number of options Wilsons Blinds provide can be difficult to find elsewhere.

Vertical blind is one type of blinds which several people prefer over other types. The fact that they are relatively cheaper than other types of blinds available in the market is just one reason why people opt for them more. In addition to being super effective at blocking the light and performing other basic blind functions, vertical blinds are low-maintenance too! The vertically placed blinds prevent the dust from settling in them. This means you do not have to make time for consecutive blinds cleaning sessions anymore.

Wilson’s Catalogue of Vertical Blinds:

Let’s have a look at some of the top rated Vertical blinds that are a part of Wilsons Range

Alpha FR:

These 100% polyester blinds are attached to a high-quality aluminum head rail. The blind also packs weights, chains and fixing brackets along with it. The fabric used to make the Alpha FR Vertical Blinds is flame retardant and is available in 3 colors: white, cream and beige.

The size specifics for the Alpha FR Vertical Blinds include:

• Min Width: 25cm
• Max Width: 411cm
• Min Drop: 20cm
• Max Drop: 291cm

Thinking of having the Alpha FR as your kitchen vertical blinds? You can give Wilsons Blinds your required measurements, your choice of control, recess etc. options and they will make one for you accordingly. They also come with a 3 year guarantee!

Amaris:

Another style of vertical blinds is the Amaris. Unlike Alpha FR, the Amaris is not flame retardant so they might be better options for bathroom vertical blinds as compared to for the kitchen. Weights, chains, fixing brackets etc. all come along with it. Amaris is available in two colors: white and beige.

The size specifics for the Amaris are exactly like the Alpha FR’s.

The size specifics for the Malimo are exactly like the Alpha FR’s.

These 100% polyester vertical blinds can be prepared according to your specific requirements within 5 to 7 days. This product comes with a guarantee of 12 months.

There are quite a lot of other options available in Wilsons range of vertical blinds which you can browse through on their official website. The really amazing thing about these blinds is that if you are not sure how a particular set of blinds would look in your room/bathroom/kitchen/whatever have you, you can order a sample first completely free of cost!

Have you ever run out of ideas while designing or revamping the interior of your home? If you have, then there is nothing to be ashamed of, as you are now part of a group comprising of almost every other individual who has taken up the ordeal of home designing.

Interior designing or home designing is something which looks seemingly easy at the start, but takes a sharp turn down the alley leading to difficulty, when you delve into it. Luckily, there are many resources available to assist you in these difficult times. The resources not only reduce the mental stress of the task, but also give you plenty of ideas to experiment as much as you can.

Most of the resources that we currently have for home designing are based on the online world. But having considered the ease of holding a rolled up magazine in your hands during the task, we have decided to add a few tangible resources as well.

Blogs

Blogs are a latest trend in the world of resources for home design, and have garnered every one’s attention with a storm. The best thing about blogs is that they are run by everyday individuals like you, there is no artificiality and there are ideas which you can implement, without having to empty your pockets.

With the availability of many ideas present for achieving the perfect home design, blogs are updated regularly and bring forth the latest fancy trends.

While there are many blogs present on the online world, you can go for any of the following to get the best ideas:

• Rooi Blog: Famous for the interesting tips offered, Rooi blog is a big hit amongst home designers. The blog helps you in getting rid of every doubt you have regarding the design of your home. From the right place to hang your vertical blinds, to the best design for your roller blinds, everything is covered in detail on the blog.
• Elle décor’s sourcebook: The website cum blog presents an interesting amalgamation of all that you want to know about the perfect design for your home.
• Décor8 blog: Including some of the best tips, the décor8 blog contains everything that you want to know before setting out to design and decorate your home to perfection.

Magazines

Like mentioned before, the fun of having a rolled up magazine in your hand, during a home designing excursion is unparalleled. You can glance down at the magazine regularly, incorporating the ideas mentioned on the glittery pages, into your home designing routine. There are a lot of quality magazines present, which offer a lot of tips and guidance for you to follow on your next home design task. A few of these exemplary magazines are:

• Habitus-living in design
• Green Source
• Veranda
• House Beautiful
• Garden Design
• Coastal Living

Inspiration from other houses

Every house that you visit, must act as an inspiration or a resource for you to implement in the design of your own home. How often do you visit friends and family in a week? Interpret every visit as an inspiration and a resource. Recognize the beauty that you see on a daily basis around you, and inculcate it into the design for your home. Nature can also assist you in your ordeal, as there is no better perfection than that, which is portrayed by nature.

Once you have found the perfect resource, you can start complementing it with action, to perfect your home design.

When it comes to choosing bathroom blinds, you need to keep in mind the practicality of your decision. Bathrooms generally tend to have a lot of steam, humidity, as well as condensation, which means that a delicate fabric or material will not be a good choice. Here are some of the tips that will help you in choosing the perfect blinds for your bathroom:

Blinds or Curtains?

There is a reason why you don’t see curtains in the bathroom anywhere and that is they are impractical. It is such a hassle to clean the curtains as you will have to take them down and clean them, as opposed to blinds that simply need to be wiped with a damp cloth.

Don’t Use Real Wood

It is recommended that you avoid using real wood in humid conditions as that can result in problems like staining and warping. If you want to opt for a similar style, you can go for faux wood.

Pick the Fabric Carefully

Just like wood, there are some fabrics that are not suitable for the bathroom like silk, linen, and cotton. If you want a fabric based blind, you can opt for polyester fabric as that won’t retain moisture. The issue with heavy fabrics is that they can make the surface damp that can result in the growth if mold and mildew. A lot of people opt for roller blinds as they have a design that keeps away issues like waterlogging.

Opt for Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are a popular choice for the bathroom because they can be pulled up that can prevent water stains, while offering you maximum privacy. The best part? They are available in a variety of different colors and patterns.

Blinds for Direct Sunlight

If you want to avoid direct sunlight, Venetian blinds might be a good idea as it has adjustable slats that can keep the sunlight away.

Considering Waterproof Options

If you want waterproof options for your bathroom, you can get an advanced polymer as it won’t crack or shrink because of the humidity.

Consider Your Privacy

If you seek privacy, it is recommended that you opt for Venetian blinds or the roller blinds, as they are suitable for bathrooms. All you would need to do is raise the blind if you want more sunlight.

Opt for Something Retractable

If your window is located near a water source, like a shower or a sink, it is recommended that you opt for something retractable like a Roman blind or a pleated blind.

Things to Consider When Getting Bathroom Blinds

Here are the things that you need to consider when you get bathroom blinds:

• Check and see if they are mold and moisture resistant.
• See if they are according to the theme of the bathroom.
• See if they are easy to operate.
• See if they are easy to clean.

In conclusion, these were some of the tips that will help you in picking the right blinds for your bathroom.

Choosing the right blinds for your home is something that a lot of people delay because there are so many things that you have to take into account, like privacy, size of the window, and of course the style. Furthermore, people don’t know where to buy high quality blinds and keep asking questions like, ‘where will I get the best blinds?’ ‘Should I buy it online or go to a blind store’? It is understandable that you have questions when going blind shopping, and this article will help you with that. Before we get started, it is important that you know windows are the focal point of the room, so you need to get something that is functional as well as decorative. Here is what you need to consider when buying blinds:

Things to Consider Before Buying the Blinds

Privacy and Light

You need to ask how much light and privacy you need. So you want your room to be bright? Or do you want it to be cozy? Are you covering a well-lit area near the front door or are you covering the back windows? It is important to consider all these things when picking a style and fabric.

Budget

Your budget will depend on how many windows you want to cover and the kind of fabric that you are opting for.

Cleaning

If you clean your house yourself, make sure that you opt for a fabric or material that is easy to clean.

Decorating Style

Do you want something that is formal or casual? There are so many styles that you can choose from. If you want a formal décor, go for something that has an earthly hue, but if you want a casual décor, go for bright colors.

Safety

If you have kids in the house, it is recommended that you opt for cordless blinds.

Types of Blinds

Here are the different kinds of blinds that you can choose from:

Wooden Blinds

They come in light and dark colors and are perfect for offices, and the study. It is recommended that you avoid these when decorating your kitchen and the bathroom because the moisture can damage the wood.

Insulating Blinds 

Insulating blinds filters the light that helps in saving energy. People generally opt for these to decorate their living room.

Horizontal Blinds

These blinds give the illusion that your windows are bigger than they are which is ideal for dorms and studio apartments.

Vertical Blinds 

This works great for windows that are wide. People opt for vertical blinds for windows that offer a sweeping view.

Advantages of Blinds

Blinds come in handy for every room of the house. You can easily adjust the settings of the blinds to get more privacy and to control the amount of light entering the room.

Disadvantage of Blinds

The only disadvantage is that they can be a little tricky to clean, but with the right cleaning materials, you can keep the dust and grime away.

Conservatory – An Important Room in Your House

It’s summer season, which means that it is that time of the year when you can spend lazy Sunday afternoons in your conservatory. Conservatories are considered as summer living rooms, which is the reason why most of the people opt for bright colours and florals to decorate the room and try to keep the furniture as light as possible. It is the perfect place to drink coffee, sit and read, or simply meditate, so make sure that you give it the attention it deserves.

Conservatory Furniture

In the Victorian era, conservatory furniture was made with wicker, but over the course of time, metal and wood have also gained popularity. Today, most of the people go by the eclectic approach and incorporate home as well as garden furniture there. If you want a modern look, you don’t have to stick by metal furniture, as that tends to be a good conductor of heat.

Today, there are so many options available in the market from womb wicker chairs, to sleek sofas to trendy hanging chair. In order to give the room a classy look, you can have wood work in the room in different colours that can include light wood, dark wood, as well as chalk white paint.

If you have children in the house that will be using the room, you need to opt for something comfortable as well as durable. You can add overstuffed sofas and chairs and can even go for floor cushions, where the children can sit and play. If you want the place to look more inviting, you can add house plants as they will make the space look aesthetically pleasing.

Must Have Furniture Items in the Conservatory

Here are some of the furniture items that you need to add in the room:

• An overstuffed and cushioned arm chair where you can sit back and relax while listening to music or reading your favorite book.
• Having a great rug that you can use to create a focal point in the room. If you have a table in the room, you can add the rug under that.
• Wireless speakers, if you wish to sit in the room and relax after a hard day at work.
• Most importantly, you need to add blinds in the room. Conservatory is all about having daylight flood in the room but sometimes if it is too sunny, you want a break from that. It is recommended that you opt for Roman blinds as they look very chic and will allow you to control the amount of light that enters the room.

Tips for Styling the Conservatory

Here are some tips that will help you out for sure:

• Make sure that you use a neutral colour palette so that the room looks inviting when it is filled up with sunlight.
• Add your personal touch in the room by adding a shelf of your favourite books or by having accent walls with your family’s pictures.

So, these are some of the ways in which you can style your conservatory. Good luck!

Unfiltered ultraviolet rays are not only bad for our health, they are also bad for our furniture. Regular exposure to sunlight may cause your furniture to become faded and discoloured. Sun glare also affects your productivity at work. The summer heat is also one of the major causes of the skyrocketing energy bills. Therefore, it is important that necessary precautions are taken to protect our valuables from the summer heat through optimum window dressing option.

Why Choose Roller Blinds for Sun Glare?

Roller blinds are an ideal option when sun glare is a problem and you are concerned about the harmful effects of the sun. Apart from providing great window solutions by mitigating the effects of glare, they are very easy to operate and are a cost-effective alternative to curtains.

Categories of Roller Blinds

In particular, there are four different categories of roller blinds that can be used for sun glare. Translucent roller blinds are placed in areas where the users want both light and privacy. However, while these may reduce heat and sun glare, they will not prevent furnishings from fading. Screen and sheer roller blinds offer both anti-glare properties while maintaining a proper view. Blackout roller blinds prevent fading as well as give complete privacy. Transparent roller blinds have solar films that add on to the anti-glare and anti-fading characteristics.

Best Roller Blinds for Sun Glare

Here are some of the roller blind options for sun glare:

• UV Protective Roller Blinds

Anti-glare roller blind material generally prevents UV damages. However, if you want one-hundred percent UV protection, you should consider buying roller blinds that are marketed as UV light protective.

• Sun-Reflective and Protective Roller Blinds

There are sun-reflective fabrics available in the market that can be used to manufacture blackout roller blinds. These blinds offer many benefits to the users because of the blackout properties. If you are a light sleeper, blackout roller blinds will darken the room adequately. They provide thermal isolation and prevent sun glare. They also stop UV light from entering the room. In addition to these sun-reflective properties, the blinds also provide noise insulation. If you live in a busy part of town, the blackout roller blinds will keep the noises at bay. Darker coloured fabric absorbs more radiation while lighter coloured fabric is typically more reflective.

• Anti-glare Roller Blinds

Anti-glare roller blinds are coated with a clear or dyed solar film. The colour of the dye and its darkness can contribute towards increased anti-glare effectiveness, prohibiting the unnecessary straining of the eyes. Solar films have the tendency to absorb over 97 percent of the ultraviolet light. This will prevent fading as well as UV damage to the skin. There are different types of anti-glare materials that can be coated on the roller blinds. Dark-hued anti-glare roller blinds offer greater anti-glare properties. For instance, gold and grey coloured films are more reflective as opposed to other colours. Clear films do not exhibit reflective properties and just provide protection against fading.

Summer season is upon us, which means that you need to start cleaning the house. For most of us summers mean redecorating the house, in order to make sure that we are ready for the hot season but most importantly, for some of us, it means doing DIY projects to add a personal touch to our homes. Since you are cleaning your whole house, make sure that you don’t forget the windows. For the summer season, it is recommended that you get rid of the curtains and install wooden blinds. Let’s learn how you should measure the wooden blinds in order to get them installed.

Get Hold of the Right Tools

In order to get started, you need to have the right tools with you. Here are some of the things that you will be needing to get the perfect measurements:

• A steel tape to get the perfect measurement.
• A measuring guide if you are doing this for the first time.
• A paper and pencil to note down all the measurements.

Once you have these tools, you can get started. Make sure that you measure each window separately because even a small difference can mess up the measurements. Once you have measured, make sure that you write it down. Make sure that you write everything down with a pencil so that you can change the measurements, in case they are incorrect. It is recommended that you round your measurements to the nearest 1/8″.

Measuring the Inside Mount Wood Blinds

Width: You need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the inside surfaces of the window frame from all corners and then use the narrowest width.

Height: In order to measure the height, you need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the inside surface from the top of the window to the bottom and then take into account the longest height. If you don’t want your blind to reach the sill, you can make the deductions as per your need.

Measuring the Outside Mount Wood Blinds

Width: Make sure that you measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” of the points where the blinds will be placed. If you want light control, you can extend the measurement by 3/4” beyond the opening of the window.

Height: In order to measure the height, you need to measure the distance to the nearest 1/8” between the top and the sill of the window.

Get All the Information You Need

Before you finalize anything, make sure that you know the kind of blinds that you will be ordering. If you want to order wooden blinds, it is recommended that you watch measuring videos or have a guide to know how to go about.

Measure the Windows and Order the Product

When it comes to measuring windows, remember the rule: measure twice to install once. Make sure that you recheck all the measurements, so that you can avoid any mistakes.

While blinds have lots of benefits to their name, when it comes to cleaning them, lots of people wonder if they should have gone with curtains instead. Cleaning the blinds is definitely a chore which would make even the tardiest of the lot roll their eyes in frustration.

Still, you have to do what you have to do. We have compiled a list of DIY tips which can make the task of cleaning blinds seem less annoying than it actually is.

1: Invest In A Good Microfiber Mini Blind Duster

We can’t stress on this enough. You can use a microfiber cloth for cleaning the blinds too, but a blind duster will lessen your job by half.

2: Use Vinegar

This DIY tip is especially for those people who have wood blinds installed in their place. Vinegar cuts through grease and dust, has antimicrobial properties, and the best part is that it will not discolor or warp the wood!

3: Vacuum Fabric Blinds

The dust brush of your vacuum cleaner will be of immense help when cleaning fabric blinds. Make sure that your vacuum is on low setting because otherwise it might damage the blinds. Alternatively, if you do not have a vacuum or the one you have is not functioning properly, you can use your hair dryer/ blow dryer for the same purpose!

4: Fabric Detergent For Stains In Fabric Blinds

Are you noticing stains in your fabric blinds which seem pretty set in already? Do not worry! A good fabric detergent will help you get rid of those stains like it’s nobody’s problem.

5: Wash The Blinds

If you have Venetian blinds installed in your house, the best way to clean them yourself is to simply give them a wash. Let them soak in warm water for a little while and then get busy scrubbing them. Using a sponge mop is recommended for this purpose.

6: Dry Them Out Properly

If you are washing Venetian blinds, make sure that you give them enough time to completely dry up. The best way to go about this is to just simply hang them out on a clothesline and let the wind outside do its job.

If you do not have the time (or the patience) for hanging them outside and letting them air-dry, you can towel-dry them too.

7: Invest In A Good Wood Conditioner

Once you are done wiping the dust and the stains off of wood blinds, apply some wood conditioner on them. This tip will keep them safe from being damaged by all the sunlight they receive.

8: Move From Dry To Wet

A general tip while cleaning vertical blinds or any other type for that matter is to always use a dry cloth first to wipe off the dust. Using a wet cloth, sponge or mop to wipe off the dust will only create more mess. So start with a dry cloth, sponge or mop, and then, if there are still some stains or dust on the blinds, scrub them off using a wet material instead.

It goes without saying that the more you take care of your blinds, the longer they would last you. This is one rule which applies to the maintenance of all things and blinds are no exception to this.