The ultimate blinds buying guide

Read our advice on how to choose blinds for your home

With so many different blind types to choose from, it can be tricky to know the best option for your windows. What's popular right now might not necessarily be the right choice for you, but our friendly local advisors are on hand to guide you through each step of the way.

They'll offer advice on everything from colour to functionality. And the best part is, all our blinds are made to measure so will fit your window perfectly. In the meantime, let's take you through the standard types of blinds and their benefits, plus specialist blinds, fabrics and linings to help you make the right choice.

Roller blinds are versatile, budget-friendly and stylish. With a choice of specialist fabrics, including blackout and moisture-resistant options they're ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. In uPVC windows, Roller blinds can be fitted into a Perfect Fit frame for a no-drill solution. You can also choose to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button or via your phone or smart home device.

Our made-to-measure electric blinds make opening your blinds a breeze. They’re really easy to operate with a remote control or simple wall switch. And they’re smart compatible too so you can open and close your blinds through an app on your phone or through your smart home system. Available with our Roller, Roman, Day & Night and Pleated roof products,  it’s a super helpful solution if your windows are in awkward places like behind furniture, or high up out of reach in a conservatory or at a bay window.

Roman blinds are made from the same fabric as curtains, and are a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms because of their luxurious finish. Choose Roman blinds in place of curtains if you have limited space around your window, or simply want a more streamlined look. All our Roman blinds come fully lined as standard, or you can choose to upgrade to a blackout lining. You can also choose to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button and via your phone or smart home device.

Vertical blinds are made up of individual fabric louvres held together with chains or weights. The louvres can be tilted to maintain privacy while letting in light, or positioned flat to block out strong sun. They also concertina to one side when you want a clear view.

Vertical blinds fit sloping windows and curved bays, and come in a range of performance fabrics like blackout, fire-retardant and easy clean PVC. They’re also one of the most cost-effective solutions for large windows, and a great choice for sliding glass or patio doors.

Metal Venetian blinds consist of horizontal metal slats held together by cords. The slats either lie flat against the window to block out light, or tilt to let it gently filter through. When pulled right up, the slats create a slim profile that leaves your window free.

Metal Venetian blinds are available in a selection of colours and finishes allowing you to create an individual look. If you have uPVC windows or sliding glass doors, they can fit inside Perfect Fit frames, which eliminate the need for cords.

Faux wood and real Wooden blinds are made of horizontal slats, operated via a cord. Our real Wooden blinds are available in a range of natural wood stains or neutral painted shades. Faux wood blinds look and feel like real wood but are water-resistant, so can be used in high moisture areas. A choice of slat widths gives you greater flexibility to control light levels. You can also choose to decorate your faux wood and Wooden blinds with tape for a softer look.

Pleated blinds look stunning and are hard-working too. A simple Pleated blind fits snugly in your window, controlled with a tab that you simply pull up and down. They have lots of specialist applications, including no drill options for uPVC windows and shaped solutions for conservatory roofs. Our ThermaShadeTM Pleated blinds help maintain a constant temperature, so are great for conservatories and glass extensions.

We know how important a good night’s sleep is, which is why we’re proud to offer a range of blackout blinds. Some of the fabrics in our Roller, Pleated and Vertical blind collections have specialist blackout properties, ideal for bedrooms and for reducing glare on TV and computer screens in living spaces. All our Roman blind fabrics are available with an optional blackout lining which helps to create an extra dark environment. Our collection includes a variety of colours and styles, including a kids’ collection.

Several of our blind options are suitable for hard-to-reach skylight and VELUX® windows, helping you to control light and temperature, as well as creating a co-ordinated look. Roller blinds can be fitted into a special frame which clips into the window, while Pleated blinds and metal Venetian blinds are tension fitted using cords around the window. Blackout fabrics are also available to control unwanted light and reduce glare in bedrooms and loft rooms.

Perfect Fit blinds are a no-drill solution for uPVC windows. Roller, Pleated or Venetian blinds sit within bespoke, made to measure frames that clip neatly onto your window, creating a cord-free, streamlined look. They are especially good for rooms with multiple windows, such as conservatories, as well as patio doors and bi-fold doors. Perfect Fit binds are available in a wide range of colours and patterns, as well as blackout and thermal options.

Day and Night blinds offer the best of both worlds when it comes to privacy and light control. Essentially this is a layered Roller blind, where overlapping sheer and opaque panels can be adjusted to mimic the look of open or closed slats. The overall look is softer than a Venetian blind and you also have the option to go electric for effortless control at the touch of a button, or via your phone or smart home device. Day and Night blinds are especially good for contemporary interiors, and wide windows that require daytime privacy.