If you're not decorating homes for a living, knowing which window treatments work for which rooms can feel like taking a shot in the dark. 

The terms blinds and shades are used almost interchangeably by the average person. But there is a big difference between the two. And choosing the right one for your home is important.

In fact, shades and blinds can majorly affect how much you end up paying on your energy bill.

But don't worry. You don't need a professional to figure out which is best for you. We've outlined the difference between blinds and shades so you pick what's perfect for your home.

Blinds

One of the easiest ways to spot blinds is by looking for their either vertical or horizontal slats. These hard window treatments give you a few benefits:

• Blinds allow you to adjust the slats to control how much or how little light comes through.
• Some will have a thin fabric overlaying them to make your home more private.
• Depending on what material they're made out of, they can be a budget-friendly option.

Most blinds don't completely block out your windows, which could be a concern for privacy. Be sure to check out different options of blinds to see which coverage is best for you.

Shades

Shades tend to be a large piece of fabric that you can scroll up and down to cover your windows. They can come in a wide variety of style, material, and price.

• Shades can be made out of virtually any fabric, so you can really customise them to your space.
• They are great for insulating your home.
• You can scroll the top halfway down to let light in without losing your privacy.
• You can go for maximum coverage to solar shades to woven shades depending on how much light you'd like to spill in.

While you can't adjust the light filtering in the way you can with blinds, shades allow you to maintain your privacy while still allowing pockets of light to peek through.

Blinds Vs Shades

When choosing between these two options consider what kind of look you're going for. Do you prefer a hard window treatment like wood or aluminum blinds?

Or do you like the look of one seamless cover that shades give you? And if you're looking to really make a statement with your shades, check out some that have drapery options to really elevate the look of your space.

The Difference Between Blinds And Shades For Your Home

When you're choosing between blinds vs shades, don't stress. With so many beautiful options to choose from you really can't go wrong.

Go for what speaks to your style and works in your space. And if you've got more questions about the difference between blinds and shades, we're here to help. Contact us so we can help you make the most out of your windows.

Are you working on an interior design project in your home, but still deciding on the final touches? Maybe you're looking for a few decorative cushions or trying to figure out how to organize the kitchen cabinets. Either way, keep in mind no room is complete without the right window treatments.

Window treatments are the blinds and curtains of a window, as well as the trimming around the window. They can make or break how the whole room comes together, and as such, require some serious thought while you're remodeling.

To make sure everything looks just right, use the guide below to help you choose the best types of blinds for your home.

Understand the Different Types of Blinds

When most homeowners hear the word "blinds," they think of horizontal strips that cover a window which you can move up and down. But, there are many more blinds for windows available!

Some popular types of blinds are:

• Roller blinds
• Roman blinds
• Venetian blinds
• Vertical blinds
• Panel blinds

Roller blinds move up and down to cover or unveil a window. But, instead of being small strips that you may be used to, these are made of one singular piece of fabric that rolls up and then unwinds to ensure privacy.

Roman blinds work in a similar way, except that they create pleated folds as you roll them up. Venetian blinds, on the other hand, are the classic blinds most people think of.

Vertical blinds hang in large strips from the top of the window to the bottom of the panel or all the way to the floor. Panel blinds also do this, but they are much thicker strips, usually made of fabric.

Set a Budget

To help you narrow down the options, pay attention to the cost of each type of blind as you're researching all their many forms. This will help you set a budget for your window treatment, but don't forget to keep in mind your other redesigning expenses!

Once you have a budget, you're better able to move forward with your decision. This should include installation and delivery costs for the most accurate estimate.

Take a Look Around Your Home

With your budget in mind, take a look at the design you're creating and think about what would complement it best. Are you going for a sleek, modern feel or something a bit cozier and inviting? How much natural light does this part of the home get throughout the day?

Use these details to get one step closer to your final choice. If you have a few window blind ideas that you can't decide on, go back to your budget for a bit of direction.

Choose Your New Window Treatments

Lastly, choose your blinds and place your order! This is the most exciting part of the whole process. After all your research, crunching numbers, and overall indecisiveness, it's nice to know what the best blinds for your home really are.

All that's left now is to receive your order, put up your new blinds, and enjoy the design you've created. You may even throw a party to celebrate all the pieces coming together.

Transform Your Home with Beautiful Blinds

Ready to really wow your guests when you have company over? The best way to create a stunning design in your home is to pay attention to every single detail.

From the types of blinds to the color of the walls to where the furniture goes, every decision counts. For help getting your blinds taken care of, contact us today!

When it comes to decorating the house, every house owner wants to add their personal touch and feel to everything. And where this covers things like the furniture and décor, it also includes the drapery. At Dollar Curtains & Blinds, we enable you to achieve this through bespoke curtains that resonate with the mood and visual appeal you want around your home.

Whether you’re looking for classic elegance, eclectic chic or a modern contemporary feel, curtains from Dollar Curtains & Blinds provide colour and impact to every room. In addition to the exciting and endless visual opportunities they offer, there are many practical reasons that make them a wise and long-term investment.

Superior Quality at Affordable Prices

With bespoke curtains from Dollar Curtains & Blinds, homeowners can steer safe of generic curtains that lack quality and durability. Such window treatments typically last for a shorter while before they get sun damaged or experience tear.

On the other hand, if you select from our exclusive Free Make curtain fabric range, not only do you get superior and Australian-made custom-made curtains, but you also won’t have to pay for the making of your curtains! So you can enjoy all of the practical benefits which make custom-made curtains a wise choice but for an affordable price. We also make it easy for you when selecting your fabric and colour with our full-length curtain samples which you can take home and hang up.

Improved Energy Efficiency

Custom-made curtains not only look better, but they also can save you money by cutting your energy bill. Our curtains have insulating properties that help block the outdoor temperatures from entering your home, and this is especially important in the upcoming Winter. Being one of the best window treatments at improving your home’s insulation, drapes can preserve up to 20% of the total heat in your home.

Hence, custom-made curtains are more than just items that add to a room’s visual appeal. They are a great investment from an energy-efficiency perspective as well.

Flexible Light Control

Many homeowners struggle to find a good balance of light control with window treatments. Often, natural lighting is limited in a space and you don’t want to cover your windows with thick curtains that block it out. Our Free Make curtains provide excellent light control, privacy and reduce outside noise levels, allowing you to effortlessly and effectively control your environment depending on the occasion and your mood.

By getting bespoke curtains from Dollar Curtains and Blinds, you can get the best fabric while enjoying all of the other benefits that come with curtains as mentioned above!

Click here to locate the nearest showroom or call 03 9237 1200 to speak to an expert for more!