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How do You Decide Between Curtains and Blinds?
Since curtains and blinds serve the same purpose it is only the aesthetics and functionality in the given space that poses this question which begs to be answered. Now, aesthetics is purely subjective and taste differs from person to person, so there are no standard guidelines to go by in that area, except for the artistic ones which are beyond the scope of this discussion.But functionality can have some practical reference standards that you can go by while deciding between curtains and blinds. Here are some predominant factors you can refer to before deciding between curtains and blinds.
- For office settings – There are curtains with striking features that enhance the ambiance of clean-cut professionalism in an office space, but blinds accentuate the formality and impersonal mood of an office.
- For the home, aesthetically curtains add a dimension of warmth and coziness to the home. Of course, again, it is rather subjective because some homeowners prefer the blinds to conform to the motif of the decor in their home.
- Practical considerations for the home – sometimes smaller window areas within the home like the kitchen or toilet make blinds the more pragmatic choice. All the more so, because both these areas are prone to wetting. Moisture-laden fabric curtains can be very insalubrious.
- Spacious rooms are more conducive to heavy, full-length curtains and break up the monotony of painted concrete and glass windows.
- For design and style, the motif will decide which way you lean between curtains and blinds. The patterns and material of curtains today spoil you for choice in very impressive curtain work. Blinds to come in various styles that can grace a home.
- For lighting effects, while blinds offer partial lighting to total blablackouts a room, (depending on the material of the slats), curtains can have a very dramatic effect when light is subdued to various degrees by the thickness of the material or the layers of curtains installed. The dimmed light can be magical when the right material and thickness is selected
- For damping sound, heavy curtains are a wonderful insulator to dampen sound from the outside in and vice versa. Noisy street sounds are muted almost completely. Loud family celebrations are contained inside without the neighbors getting riled up.
- Cleaning and Maintenance – in this regard, both have their pros and cons. Curtains are preferred for ease in taking down. Most blinds have delicate mechanisms that hate the brush or vacuum. The ropes get tangled and the mechanism is very easy to disrupt. Whereas, even heavy curtains can just be taken down and tossed into the washing machine
What is the difference between Curtains and Blinds?
Where do you find the best curtains and blinds in Dubai?
BM Furniture, Dubai, stocks the widest range of excellent curtains and blinds.
Both curtains and blinds serve the same purpose and the differences are only in the material and mechanisms.
Curtains generally hang from a horizontal rod in front of the window, sometimes down to the floor. Blinds fit exactly within the window hollow and almost flush with the window surface.
Curtains are made from textile fabrics and existed long before blinds were invented. The fabric is trimmed with tassels and other lacework to make it more ornate and decorative. Blinds are made of horizontal or vertical slats that operate with complex mechanisms controlled by cords to open or close.
Curtains can come in whole assemblages of
– Curtain rods
– Brackets
– Finial
– Tiebacks or holdback
– Pelmets and
– Valance
Blinds come in different types like
– Venetian
– Roman
– Rolling
– Pleated
Curtains are designed in various kinds of curtain headings
– Pleats ( Pinch, Goblet, and Box Pleats)
– Eyelet ( Grommet)
– Tie Top
– Rod pocket
– Tab Top
.
Blinds are designed as slats either horizontal or vertical. They are usually made of plastic but the vertical blinds are generally made of a thick fabric.
– Vertical blinds have individual slats that run along a horizontal track at the top. They are controlled by cords and cables.
– Venetian Blinds are the typical kind of blinds. The horizontal slats are arranged in place with string tapes or even fabric strip tapes. As you pull the cord to raise the blinds, each slat pushes up against the next upper one and folds like an accordion.
– Mini Blinds are smaller versions of the Venetian blinds and the slats measure only 1 inch thickness. They work the same way.
– Micro blinds are even smaller than mini blinds measuring only half an inch thick slats.
Blinds come in a fashion other than slats and are called shades. A single piece, (typically), of fabric is made to operate like multiple slats. Shades can be installed in different designs.
– Panel Shades that move horizontally on tracks to open and close in accordion folds.
– Pleated shades have their fabric pleated to fold up or extend out like an accordion
– Honeycomb Blinds ( or cellular shades) have two fabric components unlike the single piece of pleated shades
.
– Roman Shades use a popular material like jute or seagrass to fold in on themselves when they are raised.
– Roller Shades usually made of natural or synthetic material is designed to roll up and down to open and close. Roller Shades come in solar versions where the material is malleable sun control film which controls the sunlight, glare,
UV rays and heat into the room.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, the choice between curtains and blinds will depend on personal taste, room dimensions and other practical considerations. If you feel daunted by the various choices you can always meet a modern interior decorator. Some have augmented reality devices like goggles which they will program and bring to your house.
You can wear them and actually see virtual recreations of your window treatments in the physical space of your room. Then you can have a much better idea of what you would like to install as window treatment.BM Furniture will provide you with excellent choices and even guidance while you select the best blinds and curtains for your home.
The world of window treatment ideas is so multifarious and diverse in modern times that the home-owner is spoiled for choice in terms of type, material, design, convenience, etc. Sometimes the decision to pick just the right thing for you can be overwhelming. Be it re-décor for your sitting room, a refreshing change for your dining area, or sprucing up the cavernous open space in the house, attractive yet functional window dressings are a tribute to your ‘perfect home-making’ ability.
