Window blind ideas – 28 beautiful ways to enhance your space

Often considered to be a finishing touch, window blind ideas are actually integral to a room’s look and feel. They will pull a color scheme together and can harmonize disparate upholstery or soft furnishings. 

However, these window treatment ideas also serve a practical purpose and as such should not be left to the end of a room’s design. They can be used to control the amount of light that flows through your windows and give you much-needed privacy in bathrooms and bedrooms. 

Blinds can be invaluable in both contemporary and classic settings and work well in every room of the home. Available in a range of styles, colors, materials, and designs they are endlessly versatile; they can also be paired with thermal or black-out linings.

1. Rely on translucent blinds for privacy

The perfect window treatments allow you to totally control privacy and light levels. To achieve this, sometimes two approaches are better than one. ‘A sheer blind is a great way to ensure privacy in a space without blocking the light. However, for the times when darkness is required, it is a good idea to pair sheer blinds with light curtain ideas, such as linen, which can be drawn when needed,’ says Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hildlitch.

2. Add color and character with a roller blind

Roller blinds are one of the most popular choices for window dressing. Simple to install and operate they are available in a wide array of colors, designs, and fabrics meaning there is a roller blind available for every space.

3. Let your windows inform blind positioning 

Roman blinds are characterized by the concertina-style fold, which creates a gentle ruffle when closed. While traditional to install your blinds inside the recess, it’s not always the best approach. ‘We recommend positioning your blind outside the recess if the window is not straight to avoid the blind catching or hanging incorrectly. Another reason for having the blind on the outside would be if your window opens inwards,’ says Tori Murphy, designer and founder. 

Always be sure to double-check your measurements when sizing up blinds, as it is one of the biggest window blind mistakes to avoid.

4. Use conservatory blinds to control temperature

When researching conservatory ideas, blinds are probably one of the things furthest from your mind, however, they provide an essential service in controlling the temperature. Shielding the sunlight, blinds help to prevent the space from overheating in summer, while in the winter they offer an extra layer of insulation helping your new space to be useable all year round. 

‘If you’re looking for something to help with the temperature, take a look at blinds with thermal properties that will help to retain heat and keep the cold out. If you need to keep the sun at bay, pick a blind with a blackout lining,’ says Natasha Painter from Blinds2Go. ‘Also, think about the colors you want to accentuate in the space. It could be the beautiful botanical shades from your garden or a shade that you can feature in a chic new window dressing.’

5. Opt for blackout blinds to ensure a good night’s sleep

Bedroom window treatments must occupy the dual role of letting in light to create an uplifting space, then being able to offer complete darkness for a restful sleep. The perfect solution is a blackout roller or roman blind. Fitted with a thick fabric lining – typically 260g per m2 – it completely blocks out light, while still being able to be rolled back to let in light during the day time. Since it is a lining, rather than the blind itself, it can be paired with myriad designs to suit your scheme. 

If you are wondering what can you use instead of curtains in a bedroom, then blinds are the perfect alternative. They are more minimalist – ideal for small bedrooms where curtains may overwhelm – and are also available in a nearly endless array of colors and prints to suit every scheme. 

6. Control privacy in the bathroom with Venetian blinds

When it comes to bathroom blind ideas, they must be able to withstand the unavoidable high-moisture content. Though wooden blinds have a sophisticated aesthetic, they are prone to warping and swelling while traditional fabric blinds will discolor and go moldy – not what you want alongside your bathroom ideas.

Wood-look blinds, on the other hand, bring the same elegance while also being able to withstand the conditions – ‘splashproof, and wipe clean, these vinyl blinds can tolerate increased moisture and offer the perfect solution to bathroom window dressing,’ says Senior Product Manager, Yvonne Keal at Hillarys.

7. Embrace country-charm with Swedish blinds

Channeling country decorating ideas, Swedish blinds are instantly recognizable by the tab tie design. Rather than working on a mechanism, Swedish blinds are manually rolled and tied in place with decorative ribbons, and as a result, create a softer more homey appearance – perfect for living rooms, bedrooms or even cozy country kitchen ideas.

8. Get the look of shutters with Venetian blinds in the kitchen

Favored for their soft, minimalist aesthetic, Venetian blinds are characterized by a series of horizontal slats, also known as louvers, which allow you to control light levels while maintaining privacy.  They are a great option if you love the look of shutter ideas but are looking for a more cost-effective alternative. 

9. Match your blinds to your curtains for an eye-catching look

If you’re looking for colorful living room ideas, then blinds are a must. This beautiful space is perfect for those who love color – inky blues, scarlet, acid yellow and green all working together in mostly blocks with the odd hint of pattern.

The swathe of turmeric drapes and blinds completes the look, they add that new layer of color that enhances the spaces and prevents the back wall from essentially being a dark wall, instead, the matching window treatment brings the whole look together perfectly.

10. Use your window blind style to mimic furniture

This modern living room is all about the curves – from the sweeping corners of the sofa to the round pendant and slimline side table. 

If you then hung up a standard window blind, it would visually create a harsh horizontal line behind the sofa which would compete with the soft nature of the furniture. Instead, Irene Gunter, Founder of London based Gunter & Co, has used a beautiful drapey fabric that has movement rather than a stiff Roman blind. 

11. Go for an ethereal style blind in bathroom

Henriette von Stockhausen, Founder of VSP Interiors explains her choice of blind in this stunning bathroom:

‘This curtain treatment is very decorative without being too heavy – it lets the light through but gives privacy from the outside at the same time. We often use voiles like this in bathrooms to add softness and prettiness.’

The use of the voile accentuates the curves of the ornate vintage mirrors on each side of the window and most importantly, doesn’t distract from the architectural detailing in the room.

12. Choose a darker blind to add depth when using drapes 

If you don’t want to go down the matchy matchy route with your blinds and drapes then opt for a darker blind. Darker colors add depth, and when you have a blind behind the drapes you want it to add depth, not visually sit ‘forward’. If you are unsure where to start then research lots of different room color ideas or the more specific accent colors for gray to help inspire you. 

A textured plain fabric works well in this Sara Cosgrove-designed living room as it allows the drapes with added trim to be the star of the show, which is fine – the blind in this scheme has the supporting role so to speak.