JOIN USYou are almost at the finish line — your home is up and all that is left is the interiors. You have chosen your interior theme, the furniture is in the making and even the light fixtures are slowly being transported and installed.
Often, one of the last things on your agenda is your blinds. How difficult can it be to bring in something that does the job? It is not difficult at all, but requires a little bit of thought to ensure that it enhances the aesthetics of your room, while being of practical use as well. Follow these four tips to make the right choice:
Evaluate your space
Take a look at your room and evaluate its use. A living room will need a set of blinds that complements the look of the space. At the same time, it must ensure privacy when needed and lend itself to being opened up and letting in natural light when required. The kind of curtain you choose, once you understand these aspects, will depend on the look you aim to achieve. You can have heavy blinds for a look of sophistication, or layered blinds or even opt for sheers and shutters.
Follow a theme or style
You may have a theme flowing through your interior design. It is important that your soft furnishing, which includes your blinds, play a supporting role. Styles are aplenty — from the intricate and ornate ones to those that are more linear and contemporary in nature.
Your choice of blinds has to reflect these aesthetics. Make your windows the focal point of the room with blinds that are in stark colour contrast to the rest of the room. You may also choose heavy materials to achieve this effect. Alternately, you may try and seamlessly blend your windows into the decor with neutral blinds.
Ascertain light-blocking needs
Besides privacy, one of the important functions of a blind is to block out light when needed. The requirements of each room varies, depending on the windows you have as well as the furniture you have. Those rooms that face the sunlight for a good portion of the day will need blinds that help in blocking light.
Similarly, you may have to consider the same for bathrooms and kitchens, which tend to have glossy surfaces that reflect light. The same principle of balancing light applies for your home entertainment rooms and those of children.
Consider personal needs
Your blinds may have an aesthetic role to play in your decor, but it also has to do with personal choices to a large extent. Place your personal requirements in perspective when making a choice of blinds. Ask yourself how much of maintenance are you willing to take up?
Look into the safety aspect of the blinds. Those with long cords or decorative
elements may prove harmful to children or pets in your home. Ease of operation is also something to consider when making a choice.
When making a choice of blinds, it is also smart to ensure that they lend themselves to a certain level of flexibility. You should be able to jazz them up, if needed during the festive season. It would also be great if you can add elements to them to change their looks to an extent.
These four tips will help you make a smart choice of blinds for your home. The
advice of an interior designer is also a good way to go.
(The author is founder, Blind Love)