Decorating Homes with Fine Window Blinds

Among the many reasons that window blinds have become popular as window decoration in office and industrial settings is that they are durable, easy to clean, filter sunlight effectively and provide privacy. They are popular in homes for exactly these same utilitarian reasons, although the trick here was to make them attractive.

Types Of Window Blinds

Home decorating companies and designers have come up with a wide variety of finishes and materials for blinds. In addition to using blinds, decorators also use curtains and valances to give windows a much warmer feel, resulting in a window treatment that is airy, attractive, bright and also contemporary. Following are the types of blinds that are most commonly used in homes today:

1. Mini blinds. Becoming very popular in the past 20 years or so, mini blind slats are very narrow, either ½ or 1 inch wide. They may be aluminum or PVC and are available in a wide array of colors. A type of Venetian blind that can be opened, closed or pulled to the top of the window, mini blinds are very popular because when closed they give the window a very smooth appearance.

2. Venetian blinds. Although they may be made from plastic, Venetian blinds are usually made from aluminum. The slats may be 1, 2 or 3 inches wide, connected by cords and twill tape and are slightly curved. They can be opened, closed, opened at an angle or pulled to the top of the window. Available in many colors, the versatile Venetian blind can be used in any room. If privacy is desired, with their slats close tightly, Venetian blinds will do just that.

3. Vertical blinds. Very popular in both offices and in homes, vertical blinds may be used for both windows and sliding class doors where they can be open, closed or pulled to  one side. The metal or PVC slats hang from a rack across the top of the door or window and are either connected at the bottom with a chin or cord or they simply hang loose. Electric blinds are even available that can be opened and closed with a remote control unit.

4. Wood slat blinds, also known as Venetian blinds, are thicker and when pulled to the top of the window, create a thicker stack. As in other styles, the slats can be opened or closed to admit or filter out the sunlight. Wood slat blinds may be painted or stained.

Not only do blinds come in a variety of materials they also come in a variety of attractive styles giving decorators tremendous versatility in putting together extremely attractive windows that compliment and coordinate well with just about every taste in room décor. Following are some of the materials that are used in blinds:

Cane

Used in woven blinds, cane may be made of either bamboo or rattan. The slats may be either whole or split pieces of cane and do not open or close. They do, however, have small spaces between the pieces of cane, thereby admitting filtered light into the room.

Fabric

Stiffened fabric, sometimes used as slats, may also be backed with metal or vinyl and can be used to compliment or coordinate with other fabrics in the room.

Metal

Because it is durable, easy to clean and long-lasting, for years now metal -- especially aluminum -- has been one of the more popular materials for blind slats. The slats are available in widths from ½ inch to 3 inches and it comes in a variety of colors.

Vinyl

PVC vinyl, used in both Venetian and woven styles, can be easily substituted for metal or wood in Venetian or woven styles. Easy to clean and typically much less expensive than metal or wood, vinyl blinds look good for years.

Wood

A popular window dressing material because of the rich beauty and sense of strength it offers, wood gives a room a certain aesthetic quality that just can’t be found in any other material. The slats in wooden blinds are generally 1 to 2 inches wide and its drawstrings are pulled to open or close the slats, thus controlling the amount of light let into the room. Wood is used for both Venetian and woven blinds and can be stained or painted an infinite variety of colors.

Blinds can be used either in combination with curtains, drapes or valances. However, as the sole window treatment, blinds can make a room look more contemporary and even larger. Since the fabric of curtains or valances softens the hard, linear appearance created by blinds, if using curtains and valances, the room can be made to feel softer and smaller. For the home decorator the possibilities are endless.

Even the door in your room can include blinds as part of or even the entire window treatment. For example, a traditional styled living room looks comfortable and homey with light-colored Venetian blinds in the windows topped with a scalloped valance. Bedrooms can be both attractive and private with rich-hued mini blinds that are softened by floor length double tied back and lined curtains. You can make a tiny bathroom seem larger by using lightly-colored Venetian blinds, while also providing privacy and admitting the sunlight. Why not give that cozy breakfast nook a bright and airy feel with woven rattan blinds that will filter out the full strength of the morning light.

The blinds of today are certainly a far cry from the antiseptic and sterile windows of yesterday. In combination with curtains and other window dressings, blinds are colorful, decorative and functional, adding style and a pleasant linear effect to any room in your home.