Choosing blinds

Window coverings come in many forms, and each has strengths and trade-offs. The guides in this section explain how the main types work, where they suit best and what to ask suppliers, so you can choose with confidence.

The guides in this section

• Roller blinds Fabrics, blockout, double rollers and controls.
• Venetian blinds Aluminium, timber and faux wood slats.
• Roman, panel and vertical blinds Soft folds, sliding panels and vertical vanes.
• Shutters and curtains Rigid louvres versus soft, insulating fabric.
• Blackout and light control Getting a bedroom or media room truly dark.

Quick comparison

• Rollers: simple, compact, many fabrics; side gaps when inside mounted.
• Venetians: precise light control; dust collects on slats.
• Romans: soft and decorative; stack at the top.
• Panels and verticals: suit wide openings; need side stack space.
• Shutters: fixed, durable, adjustable louvres.
• Curtains: flexible and, when well fitted with pelmets, good for warmth.

Thinking room by room

Different rooms ask different things of a window covering. Bedrooms usually need privacy and darkness. Living areas need glare control during the day and privacy at night. Kitchens need coverings that are easy to wipe and won't be damaged by steam or grease. Bathrooms need materials that tolerate moisture. Children's rooms need cordless or carefully secured systems. Street-facing rooms may need privacy during the day as well as at night. Walk through your home at different times of day and note how the light falls, which windows face the street, and where heat or cold is a problem. That list becomes the brief you give to suppliers, and it helps you avoid choosing one product for every window when different rooms need different things.

Ask for samples

Colours and textures look different on a screen, in a showroom and in your home. Ask suppliers for fabric or material samples, and look at them at the window at different times of day. Hold blockout samples up to bright light to see how much passes through. Check sunscreen samples for the view out by day and the view in at night. Compare colours against walls, floors and furniture. If you're choosing for several rooms, keep the samples together and label them. Many people find that the sample they liked in the showroom isn't the one they choose at home.

Style and the whole home

Window coverings have a big effect on how a room looks. Consider whether you want coverings to blend with the walls or become a feature, and whether you want a consistent look across the front of the house. Neutral colours can suit a range of styles; patterns and textures add character. Think about how coverings look from outside as well as inside. Many people choose the same colour backing for all street-facing windows for a tidy look.

Sun, fading and orientation

Windows facing north and west in Melbourne typically get stronger sun, and fabrics exposed to strong sunlight can fade over time. Linings, lighter backings and sunscreen fabrics can help protect furniture and floors as well as the coverings themselves. Think about orientation when choosing fabrics and colours, and ask suppliers about fabric performance in sunny positions.

Motorised options

Motorised blinds and curtains are operated by a remote, wall switch, app or timer. They remove cords and chains altogether, which many households with young children value, and they make large or hard-to-reach windows easier to use. They can be scheduled to open and close with the sun to help with comfort. Ask suppliers about power options (battery, rechargeable or hard-wired), how they are charged, what happens in a power outage, and the warranty on the motor. Hard-wired motors involve electrical work, which must be done by a licensed electrician.

Homes with young children

If young children live in or visit your home, cord safety should shape your choices. The ACCC warns that some young children have been strangled playing near or using blind and curtain cords. Choose cordless, spring-operated or motorised systems where you can. Make sure any cords or chains are secured with devices fixed to the wall or frame, and move cots, beds, high chairs and climbable furniture away from windows. Check every window, including in rooms children rarely use.

Getting help from suppliers

Good suppliers will explain options clearly, bring samples, measure carefully and put everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including why they recommend a particular product, what alternatives exist, and how the covering will be fixed and operated. Ask to see examples of similar installations. If a supplier can't answer clearly, or pressures you to sign on the spot, take your time and get another quote. A clear, unhurried conversation is usually a good sign that the rest of the process will go smoothly too.

Living with your choice

Once coverings are installed, give yourself a few weeks to see how they work through different weather and light. Notice whether rooms feel warmer, darker or more private, and whether coverings are easy to use. If something isn't operating properly, contact the supplier early rather than waiting. Small adjustments, such as tension on a chain or alignment of a shutter panel, are often simple to fix soon after installation. Make a note of anything you'd do differently for the next room.

Five habits for better window coverings

1. Know what each covering must do: privacy, darkness, glare, warmth or style.
2. Measure carefully: steel tape, millimetres, three measurements, smallest figure.
3. Compare like with like: the same specification in every written quote.
4. Secure every cord: loose cords must not form a loop of 220 mm or more below 1,600 mm.
5. Fit snugly and use them well: close coverings when heating is on, especially at night.

About these guides

Custom Design Blinds is an independent information site. We aren't a blinds retailer, manufacturer or installer, and no business pays to appear in our guides. We don't publish prices or rank suppliers or products. We write every guide in our own words and list the official sources we used, such as ACCC Product Safety Australia, the Federal Register of Legislation, YourHome, Sustainability Victoria, energy.gov.au and Consumer Affairs Victoria. Requirements change, so check current details with the relevant agency.

How we keep these guides current

We review each guide against official sources and show the date it was last checked. If you notice something out of date, please tell us through our contact page, and we'll check and correct it.