What Is The Difference Between Blinds + Shades?

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. Choosing the right one for your home is important and we’ve outlined the difference to help you choose.

Blinds.

One of the easiest ways to spot Blinds is by looking for either vertical or horizontal blades such as those on a Vertical Blind or Venetian Blind. These ‘hard’ window treatments give you a few benefits:

• Blinds allow you to adjust the blades to control how much or how little light enters.
• Some will have a thin fabric overlaying them to make your home more private.
• Depending on what material they’re made from 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 look at 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 such as a Roller Blind or Roman Blind. They can come in a wide variety of styles, material, and price.

• Shades can be made out of virtually any fabric so you can really customise them to your space.
• They’re great for insulating your home.
• You can roll the top halfway down to let light in without losing your privacy.
• Options are: maximum coverage, Solar Shades and Woven Shades, depending how much light you would like.

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 seeking. Do you prefer a hard window treatment like Timber or Aluminium Blinds, or do you like the look of one seamless cover that Shades provide? If you’re looking to really make a statement with your Shades, look for some that have Drapery options.