The right window treatments can really make or break a room from both a stylistic and functionality perspective. When it comes to choosing window treatments, many homeowners tend to find themselves torn between curtains and blinds. Craig Rogers is the owner of Blind Tailors, Inc., a blinds and closet design company in North Carolina. Although he agrees that both curtains and blinds can be excellent options for window treatments, in his neck of the woods, homeowners on a whole tend to prefer blinds.
There are several reasons why one might opt for blinds rather than curtains. When it comes to light control, blinds are certainly superior, especially those that are slatted. Slatted blinds can be tilted so as to partially or fully block out light, whereas curtains can only be opened or closed. Even shades, which don’t offer the same flexibility as slats, are often better than curtains on the light control front, as they can be partially raised or lowered to let a partial stream of light in.
Another benefit of blinds over curtains is that most blinds and shades can be lifted so as to uncover a window in its entirety. Curtains, on the other hand, will always block part of any given window, even when drawn back and held to the sides. Any homeowner looking to take advantage of a good view would therefore be wise to opt for blinds over curtains to avoid this problem.
One additional thing to consider about blinds is that more so than curtains, they can be extremely effective at keeping light out when it isn’t wanted. For this reason, blinds tend to be a popular choice for bedroom use. Finally, some types of blinds and shades are actually easier to clean than curtains. Wooden or faux wood blinds, for example, can often be dusted off using a soft brush attachment or even a dry towel. Curtains, on the other hand, will often need to be taken down for cleaning purposes, and in some cases, the help (and expense) of a dry cleaner might also be necessary.
Of course, just because blinds happen to hold certain advantages over curtains doesn’t mean that curtains are a bad choice for interior décor. In many cases, the presence of curtains can create a warmer, softer look than that of blinds or even fabric shades. And while it is possible to spend quite a great deal of money on either option, generally speaking, curtains can be purchased at a much lower price tag than the average set of blinds.
If you’re a homeowner in need of some new window treatments, then you’d be wise to evaluate the pros and cons of both curtains and blinds before going out and making your purchases. Remember, when it comes to window treatments, it’s perfectly okay to mix and match styles. So while blinds might make more sense in certain areas of the home, you can easily incorporate curtains into other spots as well. Finally, if you happen to prefer the look of curtains but feel drawn to the light-blocking quality of blinds, then you do have the option of putting up both. After all, one of the best things about both curtains and blinds is that they have a tendency to work quite well together.
