When you’re choosing blinds for an interior space, you’ve got more to consider than when you’re buying a piece of furniture or decorative item. Your blinds affect the room firstly by how they look, and secondly by how they affect the light coming into the room. Beyond that, you need to consider the functionality of the blinds, or you’re going to get sick of opening and closing them very quickly.
Choosing the right blinds is a tricky decision, and it’s common to make mistakes especially when you’re buying them for the first time. Don’t go in without expert advice! Here are the most common mistakes we see people make when choosing blinds.
Taking the wrong measurements, or not taking them at all!
Whether you’re getting custom made blinds or purchasing stock blinds, it’s important to get the right measurements first. Put simply, your blinds won’t do you much good if they don’t fit your window. Take a bit of time to measure your windows properly and make sure you get them right. Blinds can be mounted either inside the window frame (recess) or outside on the architrave or wall (face). Recessed blinds look a little bit neater, but some light will come in through the sides. On the other hand, face mounts are often used for non-rectangular windows, black-out situations, or shallow window frames. Picking between the two is your choice to make.
For recessed blinds, your window frame needs to be deep enough to accommodate the blinds’ mount. These vary between different blind designs, so if you’re not sure, ask your supplier. In general, 30mm of depth will be enough for most blind types, but specific designs may require 60mm. More information can be found in our measuring guide.
The other two measurements you’ll need are the width and the height (or ‘drop’) of your window. For a recess fit, measure the width and drop from the inside of the windowsill. Measure at three different places along the sill and take the smallest measurement.
For a face-mount, you need to determine where you’ll be fixing the blinds. Most commonly, you’ll be attaching them to the architraves (the structures that frame the window). In this case, simply measure the width and drop of the architraves and you’re ready to go. If your windows don’t have architraves, or you want the blinds to cover the whole architraves, then you’ll want to mount your blinds on the wall. In this case, determine exactly where you’d like the blinds to be and measure from there. The measurements you provide for a face mount will be from the outside of the mount so the fabric will cover the area from approximately 30mm in.
Disregarding the room where your blinds are to be installed
You can’t consider the style of your blinds in a vacuum. When you’re in the showroom, or browsing online, you might like the look of certain styles, but will they match the room as it is? If you’ve got your eye on some modern, aluminium, vertical blinds, but the rest of the room is carpeted and full of old oak furniture, you might not like the end result. Always make sure you consider the room as a whole when you’re making your decision.
This isn’t limited to style choices either. Thinner blinds and inside-fits will allow more light into the room. For bedrooms or rooms that face streetlights or building lights, you might want to avoid thin materials or designs that allow that light to seep in. If you’re ordering blinds for a lounge or bathroom where you want more natural light to filter in during the day, even when they’re closed, these kinds of designs will be more appropriate.
Making rush decisions
We understand not wanting to wait to get your new blinds, but cutting corners during the process could leave you disappointed in the result. Firstly, be careful with your measurements. Secondly, make sure you measure each window. It’s easy to assume that windows in the same room will be identical, but often they can have slight discrepancies that can make a world of difference.
Once the practical matters are out of the way, you’re onto the fun part: choosing your style. Even if you fall in love with a particular design straight away, ask for a blind sample so you can be sure. At NZ Blinds, these are free of charge, so you have nothing to lose.
Order blinds online, risk-free
Buying blinds online couldn’t be easier – simply take your measurements, shop from our selection of ready-made blinds, try a free sample if you like, and then order online! There are no hidden costs and after your blinds arrive, and you have 48 hours to change your mind – no questions asked. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch with us.
Trust New Zealand’s leading online blind retailer risk-free and sharpen up your home today!