Curtains and blinds are useful for giving a room much-needed privacy, but making a choice between the two can sometimes be tricky. Here’s what you need to know about these window treatments.
First, consider the basics
As with any fitting, it is always important to consider the basics, or more specifically, the dimensions of a room’s windows before installing new curtains or blinds. “While curtains and blinds suit most window sizes, you might need to pick a side when it comes to the extremities,” says Andrew Chua, managing director of The Curtain Boutique. “For instance, curtains may look dated and out-of-place on small windows, but the simplicity of blinds will keep the space looking tidy and modern.”
Image credit: The Curtain Boutique
Maintenance matters
Regardless of your choice, curtains and blinds have to be regularly cleaned as they can accumulate dust quickly, even more so if they are shielding a breezy window. However, curtains are a tad tougher to maintain as they have to be removed from their tracks, washed (either by dry cleaning or using a washing machine), and hung up again. On the other hand, blinds are easily wiped down with a cloth or vacuumed, which makes tidying them less tedious and time-consuming.
Image credit: Romanez
Which is more effective at blocking out light?
At their core, the main function of curtains and blinds is to block out sunlight, but which one does the job better? If precise control is what you are looking for, opt for Venetian blinds as you can easily adjust the amount of light entering a room by tilting their slats.
Curtains offer flexibility in light regulation as well, but the ability to do so is largely determined by the transparency of their fabric. One way to make up for this shortcoming is to install layered curtains that come with both opaque and sheer day curtains, which you can alternate between freely, depending on the time of the day or your needs.
Image credit: Poetus
What about sound-proofing?
As far as sound-blocking is concerned, regular blinds are unable to perform as well as their curtain cousins. This is because curtains usually consist a single piece of fabric, which are denser than the individual filters that blinds are made up of. In general, larger curtains also tend to have better and more effective insulation qualities as they cover a window entirely, making it much easier to shut out unwanted sounds and light.
Image credit: Romanez
Setting the mood
“Curtains define the feel of a room differently, depending on the chosen fabric, colour or pattern,” according to Jennifer Hu, managing director of Romanez. So whether it is a pair of frilly drapes for a romantic parlour or billowing sheer fabrics within a restful bed chamber, be sure to explore your options to find the right curtains that complements a room’s setting.
However, that’s not to say that blinds are entirely out of the game when it comes to influencing the mood of a space. For instance, patterned roman blinds are a major draw in a classy living room, especially with their layered pleats that add a touch of elegance.
Image credit: Prestigious Textiles
This was adapted from an article originally published in the September 2017 issue of SquareRooms
