Blinds vs. Shades: Finding the Right Choice for You
If you are in the market for new window treatments, then you know that there are so many different options to choose from. At some point or another, most people find themselves torn between whether they should choose blinds or shades, and which one is going to provide them with everything that they need. At face value, it can be really difficult to understand which one is going to provide you with everything that you need, mesh well with your aesthetic, and be the best fit for your home in general. We really wanted to break down the differences between the two, that way you can have a good idea of which one is going to provide you with the needs that you’ve prioritized.
Light Control and Privacy
Both of these options will provide you with plenty of control with natural lighting as well as privacy, which is a relief if this is something that you are prioritizing. The difference is going to be in how they do it. Shades are made from one solid piece of fabric, which gives them some additional texture. While it does give you a little bit more freedom with the colors that you’re able to choose from, your two options of light control with shades are going to be open, or closed. When you do want to allow for more light to flow in, you can always choose a material that is thinner, or a lighter color, so that you can still have some light come through. As for blinds, the method that they are designed with has created slats, that you can open and close at different degrees. With this, you are able to decide just how much light you’d like to have to shine in your home, but not as much selection in regards to color.
The Clean Up
One of our last blog posts touched on a few of the cleaning techniques that you can look forward to with your window treatments. This is something else that you’re going to want to take into consideration before you commit to one style or the other. Shades are relatively easy to clean because you can simply throw them into the washer and let them go through a cycle. Once they’re done you might need to steam them so that there isn’t a crease, but other than that it’s pretty easy to clean them when they need it.
As for blinds, there’s a process that you’re going to have to follow so that you don’t leave any slats with clusters of dust and so that all of the dust that is on your blinds, doesn’t get kicked up and wind up on your carpet. Your blinds don’t need to be cleaned all too often, and if you stay on top of cleaning them when they do need it, then it really isn’t too tedious to clean them either.
Style
We would be lying if we said style wasn’t one of the biggest differences that you’d have to take into consideration. Depending on the size, layout, aesthetics and overall look of your room, there’s a chance that you may have a preference between the two. For example, shades are usually the preferred choice for windows when a room looks shorter. This particular window styling, when done correctly, can make a room look much taller. On the other end, mini blinds can provide you with more control over natural lighting and privacy, which is nice to have in rooms where there are tons of windows. If you have a style in a room that makes sense, or there is a general theme that you’re trying to follow, then you should definitely take it into consideration so that you are happy with how the room looks at the end of the day, because chances are that one will look better than the other and you’ll know it when you see it.
For every need that you have, there is a window treatment that can take care of it. The answer is all in knowing what coverage is going to be the best. If you’re still not sure whether shades or blinds are a better option for you, stop by Arjay’s Window Fashions and a member of our team can help you out further.
