MATCHING BLINDS TO DECOR: YOUR ROOM-BY-ROOM GUIDE

Depending on the style of your home and how concerned you are with interior design, it's often not enough to simply choose one style and install it in all your rooms.

Take the time to think about each room's decor, colour, and feel – as well as purpose – and make sure the blinds you are choosing work throughout your home. You might end up with different blinds in every room, two styles to match two broad room types or another combination.

In the Bedroom

You can use any type of window covering for this room as long as it enhances comfort and privacy. Blackout shades or darker Roman blinds are a popular choice because they can keep out light and promote sleep even during the day. Electric blinds are a great idea for the bedroom, as they allow you to control the blinds from the comfort of your bed and pre-program the blinds to open or close at convenient times.

Keeping Clean in the Kitchen

Your main consideration when selecting blinds for the kitchen should be ease of cleaning and maintenance, as this is where the blinds are most likely to come in contact with foodstuffs. Choose plastic or metal blinds with smooth finishes, because rough or textured materials are hard to clean.

Your Bathroom

Bathrooms tend to be humid and wet, so it’s best to choose materials that are not prone to water damage, such as plastic or vinyl. These materials are also less prone to soak up moisture, thus minimising stains from moulds and mildew and lowering your maintenance duties in the bathroom.

Your Living Room

Your living room is one of the most ‘public’ rooms in your house, so style, comfort, and privacy are essential. Roman or roller shades offer the most stylistic options because you can choose from many types of cloth to complement the room’s design.

A Room of Your Own

A study should be a private space, but not a dimly lit cave. You want to create a room that is bright enough so it doesn’t hamper work or reading. However, privacy should also be maintained. Slatted blinds, such as Venetian and vertical shades offer more control over light entry while still providing adequate window cover. Wooden venetian blinds can also lend an air of sophistication to your study.

Safety and Darkness in the Nursery

In an infant or small child's room, there are two main concerns – sleep and safety. For safety, make sure the blinds don't include cords that are within reach of children or that they are not placed near cribs. Also, ensure that there are no small spaces where fingers and toes can be pinched. Blackout shades are best for creating a sleep-friendly, dark space day or night. Automated blackout shades are the best all-around option, as these don't have pull cords to worry about in the first place.