Window blinds or shades can be the best choice for a smaller space, as these window treatments won't get in the way of foot traffic, as curtains do. They also won't overpower a small room or small window. Blinds and shades are also a bit more neutral than curtains, so you don't need to change them every time you repaint the walls or get new furniture. When you are ready to choose window blinds or shades for your home, note a few important tips you'll want to remember even before you start shopping.
Flexibility
If you prefer some flexibility over how much sunlight you'll let into a room, you want to choose Venetian blinds with very small slats. Shades can only be lifted and lowered, so they don't offer the control of blinds, with slats that you can open to varying degrees. Smaller slats will also mean more control over the sunlight you let into the room when you open them; for living rooms, family rooms, glass patio doors, and other areas where you may want to adjust the sunlight coming through the windows throughout the day, opt for blinds rather than shades.
Cleaning
Note the material of blinds or shades you want for your home and how easy they are to clean. Fabric blinds and shades may add softness to a space, but they can be very difficult to clean. Vinyl and plastic are easier to clean, but they can seem industrial. Wood blinds or bamboo shades can add a natural look and element that softens the space and seems far less industrial than plastic or vinyl, and both are very easy to clean. A dark wood species for blinds can also add a richness to the room, or you might choose a reddish tone for some added colour along the walls.
Operation
If you've ever struggled with spring-loaded shades or had a set of blinds or shades fall away from the wall because of tugging on them to get them opened or closed, you know the importance of easy operation for these pieces. Opt for motorized shades and blinds, or choose those that run along a track that sits inside the window frame or doorframe, which opens with a looped cord rather than a spring. These are less likely to come away from the cassette that holds them in place, and this also makes it easier to line up a row of blinds or shades when you want them partially opened and evenly aligned.
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