Miracle Nwankwo
I am a huge fan of curtains any day, anytime and in all weather because it gives me a unique feel and ambience that I don’t get from a house filled with blinds. This preference is unique to me, but on the other hand, I know a lot of people who will always go for blinds over curtains no matter the situation.
When it comes to window treatments and the home, it is very crucial to go for the treatment that satisfies your idea of home aesthetics, and if you would have to compromise, it is important to do it in a way that makes you feel happy.
Window treatments are simple but unique designs that can update and change the aesthetics of a home, but they come in different kinds and types and the choice is yours to make. If you are in a place of confusion as to which window treatment to install in your home, here is a few things to consider while making a decision.
Light out and light in:
Some of us love so much natural light into our homes, others love a cinema setting kind of home where we can control the amount of light in the apartment by turning on the electric light when and how we want it. On the other hand, some people love both while others are indifferent. Whichever category you fall under, there is a window treatment that suits your personality.
For those of you who want to get as much natural light as you want before the nights set in, go for any window treatment that is light and transparent or is made of sheer fabric.
According to UK Red Rose Blinds; “Sheer/light coloured blinds and curtains will allow plenty of sunshine to filter in while keeping prying eyes out. Voile curtains, wide slat blinds and Venetian blinds in a coppery shade are a good starting point.”
Sheer fabrics are made with thin thread and/or low density of knit which results in a semi-transparent and flimsy cloth, and some fabrics become transparent when wet.
“Another style perfect for those who worship the sun is sheer fabric blinds/curtains. They will take the edge off the full rays of the sun, while still allowing an abundance of light into the home. When closed, the high quality virtually transparent fabric, diffuses the light that fills the room during the day,” says UK Red Rose Blinds.
However, if you fall under the category of people who do not like the feel of natural light into your apartment, or you want to be in charge of the amount of light that comes into your apartment from the sun. To avoid being woken up by the early morning sun, it is advisable to go for blackout fabric, narrow slat blinds, Pleated blinds or roller blinds and curtains. These options are ideal for blocking the light out.
Easy to clean and maintain:
People say that blinds are easier to clean and maintain especially with the use of a vacuum cleaner. However, as a curtain lover, I still don’t see the easiness in cleaning a blind as opposed to a curtain. Forgive my bias, but in keeping a curtain clean, I think all you need to do is deep into soapy water and wash with your hands or use a washing machine. This is not the case with window blinds, you will need to be patient with cleaning each row one after the other. In cases where you have about ten window spaces, this means more time and patience is required to get the job done. Often, with roman blinds the process is a bit more technical.
I might be wrong because even many interior and décor experts have attested to the fact that blinds are easier to maintain.
Durability:
According to Phil Coleman, Managing Director at Barlow Blinds, Leicestershire, United Kingdom; “In terms of durability, blinds are likely more durable being made of wood versus cloth curtains, since material that can become moth-eaten, stained or mouldy – as you can imagine, curtains in bathrooms and kitchens have a huge risk of mould and stains because of the constant moisture in the air.”
Blinds are made of synthetic materials like polymer-coated wood, vinyl, plastic, and aluminium, which make them resistant to discolouration and staining. They are more rigid and rugged than curtains, so less prone to everyday wear and tear. Curtains on the other hand are from fabrics, like wool, cotton, silk, linen, velvet, and so on. They are more prone to tearing, staining, and moulding, so they often need replacement within a decade.
More design options.
Curtains have a host of design options that can change the overall aesthetic of the home. This is because you will find curtains in a wide variety of materials, textures, styles, colours, patterns, suitable for any kind of atmosphere or settings you want to create.
“Blinds tend to come in a narrower range of materials and styles and only in solid colours; this minimalism makes them better suited for the modern look of the Scandinavian, industrial, and coastal interior styles,” says Manasa Reddigari, Dallas-based freelance writer and contributor at Bob Vila.
The beauty of combining both
If you are still in a place of confusion as to which window treatment to go for, you can try using both. This combination in recent times has resulted in many beautiful outcomes.
People who have tried to combine the use of blinds and curtains for their window spaces have gained the benefits of both curtains and blinds. The blinds will serve the purpose of controlling the light and the curtains are there purely to beautify the window and maybe keep the room warm. The curtains may never be moved, or they may only be closed at night to provide extra insulation and better block the morning light.
Another method of combining both blinds and curtains in your home is to use blinds for some window space and curtains for other window spaces, only be careful to use/combine colours that match to avoid colour blunder.
Feel free to install both curtains and blinds in your home, or carefully consider the pros and cons of each window treatment and settle for the one that best suits your ideal home.
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