Blinds and shades are both popular window treatments known for their elegant appearance, light control, and ease of use. Whether you want to enhance your interior decor or improve the functionality of your home, choosing the right blinds or shades requires careful consideration.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the seven vital factors you should keep in mind before purchasing blinds and shades. From understanding your purpose and setting a budget to considering home interior decoration, privacy, and safety, we provide expert advice to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s get started.
Key Factors to Keep in Mind When Buying Blinds & Shades
Let’s explore the most important factors to keep in mind before buying blinds and/or shades for your Mississauga-area home.
1. Purpose
Consider your needs and preferences when choosing blinds and shades. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with these window treatments. Are you looking to enhance the style of your space, ensure privacy, or control the amount of light entering the room?
For instance, if you want a cozy and intimate atmosphere in your bedroom, you can prioritize privacy by selecting blackout blinds that block out sunlight and prying eyes.
2. Budget
It’s important to determine your budget before buying window blinds and shades. Keep in mind that the size of the window treatments will impact their cost. If you have a generous budget, you can explore custom shades and blinds tailored to your preferences. You can even include motorized features for added convenience.
For example, if you have a large floor-to-ceiling window in your living room and value seamless integration and automated control, investing in automatic blinds would be a suitable choice.
On the other hand, if you are working with a limited budget, ready-made options such as vinyl blinds and off-the-shelf shades or curtains provide cost-effective alternatives. These readily-available options still offer a range of styles, colours, and functionality from which to choose.
For example, if you’re looking for affordable yet durable window coverings for a rental property, ready-made vinyl blinds are a practical and budget-friendly solution that doesn’t compromise functionality or aesthetics.
3. Home Interior Decoration
The third factor you should consider is how they blend with your home’s interior decor. At Centurian Window Fashions, you have a range of colour options to choose from, allowing you to create a cohesive and visually pleasing look.
For rooms with natural tones like beige or earthy hues, opting for subtly coloured blinds or shades can enhance the overall ambience. This helps maintain a harmonious and calming atmosphere. For example, if your living room has a rustic theme featuring wooden furniture and earthy accents, blinds in warm brown tones can complement the decor to create seamless integration.
On the other hand, if you want to add colour or make a bold statement, blinds or shades in vibrant or contrasting colours can inject energy and vibrancy into the space. For example, in a modern and minimalist bedroom with a predominantly white colour scheme, sleek black blinds can create a striking contrast and serve as an eye-catching focal point.
By considering your existing decor and selecting blinds or shades that harmonize with a room’s overall theme and colour palette, you can achieve a cohesive and visually appealing result that complements your interior design.
4. Privacy and Light
Another important thing to consider is the amount of privacy and light control you desire. Certain window treatments are specifically designed to address these factors. If you prioritize blocking harmful UV rays and ensuring maximum privacy, options like cellular shades or aluminum blinds are ideal. These choices provide effective light-blocking and privacy features.
For example, if you want to minimize glare on your home office’s computer screen while maintaining privacy, cellular shades are the perfect solution.
But, if you aim to allow in natural light while preserving a certain level of privacy, blinds and sheer fabric shades are suitable. These options filter sunlight and create a softer, diffused glow. As an example, in a living room where you want to enjoy the view without compromising privacy during the day, sheer fabric blinds provide an elegant and functional solution.
By considering your preferences for privacy and light control, you can select blinds and shades that fulfill your needs while creating the desired ambience.
5. Safety
Safety is another essential factor for your window treatments, especially if you have children and/or pets. Choosing the safest option ensures a secure environment for your loved ones.
One key safety feature is cordless operation. Cordless blinds and shades eliminate the risk of entanglement and potential accidents. For example, imagine you have a curious and playful pet that loves to explore. Opting for cordless blinds in their favourite room eliminates potential hazards associated with cords in which your pets could accidentally get entangled.
By selecting cordless window treatments, you create a safer living space for both children and pets. This safety measure provides peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your blinds and shades without worrying about any potential risks. Remember, the well-being of your loved ones should always be a top priority when choosing window coverings.
6. Window Measurements
Accurate measurements of your windows play a crucial role in selecting the right window blinds and shades. To ensure a perfect fit, it’s important to measure from the top stitching line to the bottom of the panel, excluding any header fabric used for decorative purposes. This measurement ensures that the blinds or shades will cover the window properly without leaving any gaps or being too long.
For example, if you have a bedroom window that measures 36 inches in height, measuring from the top stitching line to the bottom of the panel will give you the exact length needed for your window treatment.
If you’re unsure about taking measurements correctly, you can seek assistance from our window treatment professionals. They have the expertise to measure your windows accurately, taking into account any specific considerations or nuances. This ensures that you get the right measurements and can confidently choose the most suitable window treatments.
To avoid the inconvenience of ill-fitting window coverings, you can also opt for custom blinds and shades. Custom options are tailored precisely to your windows’ measurements, guaranteeing a seamless and precise fit. This is particularly beneficial for windows with unique dimensions or unconventional shapes. By investing in custom blinds and shades, you can achieve a polished and professional look, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of your windows.
7. Cleaning
Blinds can accumulate dust easily, but you can clean them yourself without needing professional assistance. On the other hand, shades with textured fabrics and weaves are better at hiding dirt, but cleaning them can be more challenging. You can lightly vacuum and spot-clean shades, but for more significant messes, it’s advisable to seek professional cleaning services.
For example, if you have Venetian blinds in your living room, you can easily dust them using a microfibre cloth or duster. However, if you have cellular shades with textured fabric in your bedroom, you may need to vacuum them gently using a brush attachment. In the case of stubborn stains or heavy soiling, it is best to contact professional cleaners who specialize in shades to ensure a thorough and safe cleaning process.
Remember to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or consult professionals for specific cleaning guidelines based on the material and type of blinds or shades you have.
Best Blind Options
Here are the different types of blinds and how they can be best utilized:
- Venetian Blinds: Suitable for various room styles, including modern and traditional
- Roman Blinds: Perfect for formal living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms
- Vertical Blinds: Suitable for contemporary spaces, offices, and patio doors
- Roller Blinds: Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and casual living areas
- Cellular/Honeycomb Blinds: Well-suited to bedrooms, living rooms, and rooms with large windows
- Pleated Blinds: Work well in conservatories, sunrooms, and home offices
- Panel Blinds: Suitable for open-concept spaces, such as living/dining areas
Best Shades Options
Here are the different types of shades and how they can be best utilized:
- Roller Shades: Suitable for any room, including living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices
- Roman Shades: Ideal for formal living areas, dining rooms, and bedrooms
- Cellular/Honeycomb Shades: Well-suited for any room, especially bedrooms and living rooms
- Pleated Shades: Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and casual living spaces
- Solar Shades: Ideal for rooms with large windows or areas exposed to direct sunlight; great for sunrooms, offices, and rooms with a view
- Sheer Shades: Well-suited to living rooms, dining areas, and sunrooms
- Woven Wood Shades: Perfect for adding a rustic or tropical vibe to living rooms, bedrooms, or sunrooms
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can make an informed decision that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of your home. When searching for a wide range of shades and blinds in Mississauga, Centurian Window Fashions is the ideal destination. With our extensive collection and customization options, we can help you find the perfect window treatments to suit your style and requirements. Transform your home by contacting us today!
