Curtains or Blinds? That is the question!

Here at Janey Keirs Curtains and Blinds, I know that making decisions on your window treatments can be tricky, so I am here to tell all about the pros and cons of choosing curtains or roman blinds to dress your windows!

The Case for Curtains:

Huge interlined pencil-pleat curtains by Janey Keirs Curtains and Blinds

Curtains have been used to dress windows in homes and other buildings for hundreds of years, they are the staple of window treatments. They offer a timeless and elegant aesthetic, that work to soften a window and room scheme. Here are some of my

considered pros of dressing your windows with hand-made made to measure curtains:

·      They can be thermally protective: with a range of fabrics, linings and interlinings available, they can work hard to keep the warm in your room, and the cold out! And then the reverse in the summer, as needed. Drawing a beautiful pair of interlined curtains on a winters evening is like putting the day to bed, covering the window in a blanket of softness.

·      They can add to a room’s interior design and have a huge impact on a room’s overall appearance with a huge range of fabrics, patterns and colours to choose from. You have total freedom to choose a fabric that suits you and your requirements. With bespoke curtains, you can choose your heading type, your fabric, your lining, your interlining – the choices are endless when it comes to curtain design.

Interlined Velvet made to measure curtains by Janey Keirs Curtains and Blinds

Curtains have really moved with the times, although they have been used for hundreds of years, newer and more contemporary styles ensure that your curtains are in-keeping with your taste.

·      They soften a room – with their billowing layers and undulating folds, curtains soften a room. Whereas blinds are generally rectangular and keep to the (general) shape of the window, curtains add a beautiful rippling softness. This can help with sound calming and create a feeling of coziness.

·      They can create an illusion of larger windows: floor length curtains on half-height windows can create an illusion that the window is bigger than it is, making it feel more grand and more of a focal point. A wider pole with fuller curtains can have the same effect. By using the size of your curtains to your advantage, you can make more of a statement with your window treatments.

·      They can be effective at dimming your room for comfortable sleeping environments, especially when used with blackout fabrics and pelmets for example.

The Case for Roman Blinds:

Roman Blinds are a more modern approach to window dressing with a more simple and neat aesthetic.

• Roman blinds are good for smaller spaces: where you are limited on room, a roman blind can work well as they stack back neatly at the top of the window – you don’t need to ensure you have enough space at the sides of the window as you do with curtains

·      They are sleek and modern: they can simplify and minimalize window treatments while still ensuring you are getting the privacy you require.

Interlined roman blind by Janey Keirs Curtains and Blinds

·      They can work for tighter budgets: they require much less fabric than curtains which can often mean that the overall price for roman blinds is less than curtains. That means you may be able to choose that pricey fabric you love whereas it would be over your budget if used to make curtains.

·      They can be effective for thermal protection and room dimming: By using blackout fabrics and fleecy interlining, you can ensure that your blind is working hard in your room.

·      The fabric is on full display: sometimes the pattern of a fabric can get a little lost on a pair of curtains – a roman blind can be like a mural – showcasing your beautiful fabric choice.

·      Roman blinds can simplify interior design, allowing the blind to function perfectly without being too ‘showy’ or over the top

This is just a brief thought splurge on the things you may consider when choosing between curtains and blinds. Here at Janey Keirs Curtains and Blinds I can work with you to consider your options, whether this is with a home visit to look at the room as a whole or with a phone call or email conversation with photos and then I can work to provide the ideal window treatments for your home. I would love to hear from you to hear about your project!