Blinds give you control over your home. With the twist of a wand or the pull of a string, you can block out light and noise. The right shade can also keep your room cool while enhancing your sense of security.
You can shop for blinds by style, choosing between long vertical slats and smaller, horizontal or ‘Venetian’ blinds. You could also shop for special features, such as blinds that are suitable for outdoor use, or even blinds that can be controlled by an app. There are so many types of blinds, and so many technical terms, that it can be difficult to know where to start.
That’s where I come in. As a shopping writer and an interiors enthusiast, I’ve experimented with all sorts of window blind ideas. I’ve scoured the sites of specialist window treatment stores, as well as the top home furniture retailers, to bring you the very best. I’ve broken down those technical terms, too, to help you understand what you’re shopping for.
My shortlist features everything from Venetian blinds to Roman shades, wooden bars to aluminum slats. Whatever the shape and size of your window, I’ve found the blind for you.
Best blinds 2024
Materials: PVC
Width: 14-188”
Length: 9-144”
+Enhanced light control
+Customizable
-May not suit all spaces
These blinds have S-shaped vanes, which slot snugly together from top to toe. Since they close more tightly than regular verticals, the Levolor Blinds offer enhanced light control and privacy. Even better, they’re completely customizable. Levolor blinds come in 52 colors, ranging from cool grays to warm golds. They’re made to measure, too, so you can choose the size that suits your space. These vertical blinds work particularly well with broader doors and windows, adding depth and dimension to long horizontal lines.
Materials: PVC and faux wood
Width: 20-72”
Length: 48-84”
+Cordless
+Ideal for smaller windows
-Cannot offer total darkness
These cordless blinds are certified child-safe and easy to operate. Simply push or pull the bottom railing to raise or lower the shade, and twist the wand to open or close the slats. Heat- and moisture-resistant, these Dezario blinds would make a great addition to homes in high-humidity areas. Venetian blinds like these are a series of horizontal slats, layered at such an angle that they can never offer total darkness. I wouldn’t recommend installing these blinds in a bedroom, especially if you’re a sensitive sleeper.
Materials: Polyester and cotton blend
Width: 18-71”
Length: 12-90”
+Machine-washable
+Antimicrobial
-A little high-maintenance
Where draped curtains or thicker blinds add bulk, a Roman shade folds away for a neat finish. The Isabella Shade is made from a polyester/cotton blend, which is naturally antimicrobial and mildew-resistant. It’s even machine-washable, so long as you use a gentle cycle. With that said, the Isabella Shade is a little high-maintenance. Make sure never to twist or scrub the shade while cleaning, though you can iron afterwards to avoid wrinkles.
Materials: Aluminum and synthetic materials
Width: 18-71”
Length: 42-72”
+Cordless
+Enhanced privacy
-Cannot offer total darkness
Don’t let the name fool you: mini blinds are suitable for windows of all sizes. So called because of their smaller slats, set just an inch apart, mini blinds offer more privacy from prying eyes. They’re thin and lightweight, so they fit snugly inside shallow windows. These cordless mini blinds are easy to operate with a wand twist. Just bear in mind that they’re light-filtering, rather than room-darkening. They’ll offer refuge from the sun in your kitchen or living space, but I wouldn’t install them in a bedroom.
Materials: Hardwood
Width: 12-102”
Length: 12-126”
+Enhanced light control
+Illustrated installation guide
-Heavy
Handcrafted from North American hardwood, these Premium Wood Blinds are set wide to offer a better look-through view. Real wood slats are thicker and heavier than their synthetic counterparts, so they offer increased security and enhanced light control. It’s worth mentioning that the weight of these blinds makes them a little more difficult to install and operate. However, Blinds Galore provides an illustrated instruction guide and even a walkthrough video on their website to make installation as easy as possible.
Materials: Aluminum
Width: 10-105”
Length: 12-108”
+Customizable
+Easy to operate
-May not suit all spaces
With crash-proof cord locks and a smooth enamel finish, these aluminum blinds are built to last. They’re made to measure in a huge range of sizes, from twelve inches to nine feet high. Even the biggest blinds are easy to install and operate, thanks to the lightweight feel of aluminum. These blinds are made with users in mind: you can choose which side of the window you want your wand to be and select the color that best suits your space.
Materials: Paper and polyester blend
Width: 45.8-86”
Length: 96”
+Cordless
+Ideal for larger windows
-Cannot offer total darkness
These panel blinds would be perfect for French doors or larger windows. With no cords and no blinds, just a solid metal wand, the Godear Blinds are child-safe and easy to operate. They’re easy to clean, too, with a duster or a vacuum while still on the rail. The Godear Blinds are available in a range of cool gray tones that should blend beautifully with most interior designs. The biggest drawback is that these blinds are light-filtering rather than room-darkening, so they’re less suitable for bedrooms.
Materials: PVC and PES bend
Width: 20-90”
Length: 36-120”
+Rechargeable battery included
+Easy to clean
-May not suit all spaces
With these motorized blinds, Keego promises to lower the cost of cooling, saving you hundreds of dollars in energy bills. These blinds are made from a PVC and PES blend, which reflects unwanted sun glare, while a blackout shade brings you close to total darkness. The blinds are easy to control via the Keego app, which features one-touch settings for lifting and lowering your shade. There’s a built-in motor, too, and a rechargeable battery included with every delivery.
Materials: Fabric
Width: 12-120”
Length: 36-90”
+Reduces heat transfer
+Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
-Lengthy installation time
Made from solar screen fabric, these blinds are designed to reduce heat transfer from the outside to the inside of your window, keeping your room cool. Solar Blinds are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and come with a wind-flex tie-down system to keep them in place, whatever the weather. These heavy-duty shades are available in a variety of textural weaves and opacities for custom sun protection. Blinds.com estimates an installation time of between 20 and 25 minutes, but I’d take that with a grain of salt.
Best blinds FAQs
Which window blinds are best?
Which blinds are best all depends on where you’re putting them, as well as your personal preferences. Broader windows look best with vertical blinds, which work against their long horizontal lines to add interest. Venetian blinds are better suited to smaller windows, while Roman shades are thin enough to fit into shallow spaces. There are wood blinds, aluminum blinds, and fabric blinds to choose from, with a whole host of special features, so it’s worth shopping around to find the shade that suits your space.
Where can I buy window blinds?
Since blinds are made to measure, they require a high quality of craftsmanship. It’s often best to seek out specialist online stores, like Blinds Galore and Blinds.com, though many of the top home furniture retailers stock blinds, too.
Can window blinds be shortened?
Yes. All you have to do is measure one inch above your floor or window sill and find the slat that hits the mark. With a flathead screwdriver, remove the bottom rail from the blinds, then use your fingers to unthread the superfluous slats. Once you’ve reached your desired length, reattach the bottom rail and trim any extra strings.
Can window blinds be repaired?
While you can find all sorts of home remedies online, it’s best to seek professional help with more complex mechanisms. Some of the most common issues include broken or bent slats, jammed or frayed cords, and sagging Blinds are lifted and lowered every day, so it’s no surprise when they sustain minor injuries.
Final thoughts
While the best blinds are built to last, they still need regular care and cleaning. It’s important to learn how to clean blinds to ensure you get the most out of your product.
If you know you want a window covering, but you just can’t make your mind up, you’re in luck: we’ve outlined all the pros and cons of drapes vs curtains vs shades vs blinds.
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