What are the main types of blinds and where to use them?

Blinds offer the best solution for window treatments. They can be eminently affordable, easy to install and they give a smart finished look to all rooms

dotcomblinds for bifold doors

Blinds in their myriad forms can meet all your window treatment needs, whatever the room. Pictured above: blinds for bi-fold doors

Blinds are a classic way to shade your windows, they are simple to use, easy to install and most importantly, they look amazingly stylish. Unlike curtains where you have one variation of the shading, choose from multiple different types of blinds ranging from rolling fabric blinds to metal slat blinds. And to help you navigate the world of blinds we’ve teamed up with DotcomBlinds to explain the various types available.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are the standard type of blinds we’re all probably familiar with, just a simple sheet of fabric linked onto a rotating barrel, which will either unravel to open or wind back up to close the blind, which makes the roller blind incredibly easy to understand.
Roller blinds can be made in a variety of colours and patterns and in different materials -  PVC is popular for kitchens and bathrooms as it’s durable and easy to clean, making it perfect for busy households. 

Roller blinds work well in bedrooms, kitchens or bathrooms.

Roller blinds are easy to use. Choose your favourite material and blackout blinds are a good option
Roller blinds from dotcomblinds

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are a fabric blind that folds into itself, leaving a ripple effect along the fabric when it’s extended or closed. They’re one of the oldest varieties of blinds and remains a popular and stylish choice due to their sleek timeless design.

Roman blinds come in a wide range of colours. For a modern more minimalist style choose unobtrusive neutrals such as beige, grey or cream, alternatively choose a pattern if you want blinds with impact. Roman blinds are incredibly versatile; have them made with blackout lining to help block out light - recommended if you have Roman blinds in bedrooms.

A Roman blind works best in a bedroom or living room.

Roman blinds look elegant. www.dotcomblinds.com
Roman blinds are great for bedrooms and sitting rooms

Venetian blinds

Venetian blinds are another classic type, made up of multiple horizontal slats that are rotatable. Slant the slats up or down for full cover, have them horizontal to allow light in or you can pull up the whole blind depending on how much light you want to allow in.  

Venetian blinds can be very eco friendly if you choose slats made from wood or metal, but plastic ones are better for rooms where there's humidity, ie kitchens and bathrooms. Venetian blinds look elegant and timeless and depending on the material you choose, they can be very affordable if you're on a tight budget.

Venetian blinds look best in a kitchen or living room.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are very similar to Venetian blinds, but the slats are vertical blind not horizontal. However because the slats are vertically aligned these blinds are closed by pulling them across a rail. Vertical blind slats can also rotate.

Vertical blinds are most often made out of a PVC type fabric and again can be made in almost any colour. Note you don't often see them made from patterned fabrics.  

Vertical blinds look best over large or floor to ceiling windows, over a patio door or in a kitchen.

Vertical blinds closed in a sitting room
Vertical slat blind closed
Venetian blinds have been popular for decades
Wood slats make Venetian blinds an eco friendly choice

Top row: Vertical slat blinds Above: Venentian blinds Below: Day and Night blinds 

Night and Day blinds are both minimalist and eye catching
Night and Day blinds are a fairly new product for window treatments

Day and Night blinds

Day and Night blinds are a new design that's been gaining popularity. They're made out of alternating strips of opaque and transparent fabric which is looped like a cassette. This means that you can adjust the blind to allow light through the transparent fabric, or have it so the opaque fabric lines up to shut out light.

As well as being able to rotate the cassette blind, you can also use a chain to pull the blind up if you want to let as much light in as possible. These blinds can be made in a variety of colours, but due to the need to have transparent fabric layers, you won’t be able to get a flat colour across the whole blind.

Day and Night blinds look best in a living room or conservatory.

Visit: www.dotcomblinds.com