Better Homes & Gardens Farmhouse Window Valance

Find the Right Window Blinds for Your Home

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Sizing Up

The first factor to consider is how you want to mount the blinds in your home. Blinds can either sit within the window casing, which gives the window a clean, streamlined look, or they can rest outside the window casing, concealing the window frame. The style you choose is largely a matter of personal preference, but an outside-mount style can potentially block more light, since it extends beyond the frame, offering less space for light to seep in.

Finding new blinds for your home requires some help from your tape measure. If you want inside-mounted blinds, simply measure within the window frame. If you want outside-mounted blinds, you'll need the dimensions of the window frame itself, according to Good Housekeeping. Jot these measurements down for quick reference while shopping, either online or at a local store. The size of the window can ultimately affect the type and size of slats you select.

The Importance of Slat Size

Tiltable window blind slats allow you to control how much sunlight comes in your living space, and they also have an aesthetic impact on your home. The wider the slat, the bigger the window (and overall room) appears. Standard sizes for horizontal slats are half an inch, one inch and two inches. While half-inch slats are the most popular, blinds with one-inch slats tend to be cheaper on average. This is because it's easier and cheaper for a manufacturer to create a small number of wide slats than a greater number of thin slats. Two-inch slats will give your room an old-fashioned feel. Vertical slats are an option if your windows are wider than they are tall. Consider vertical slats for adding a little more privacy to sliding glass doors that lead to a patio or other outdoor spaces. No matter which size slat you decide on, you'll need to clean them frequently.

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Blinds of All Colors

From green to purple to red, depending on the material you choose, it's possible to find window blinds in all sorts of fun, bright colors. Colorful blinds might be tempting, and even suitable, options when you want the window to stand out or add flair to the room. Children might want you to put up blinds in their favorite color, but it's worth considering their tastes might change on a whim, in which case you'd have to reinstall blinds of a more suitable shade.

If you want to play it safe, just stick with a neutral color that best matches your existing window trim color, according to Houzz. Although it may not stand out like more colorful options, a neutral color like white or vanilla is enduring and hard to dislike, which is especially important if you plan to sell your home or even rent out the room anytime soon.

Deciding on Material

Blinds are available in various materials, including wood, faux wood and aluminum. Each type comes with its own pros and cons. Wood blinds give your windows a more organic look, according to Houzz. However, if you're putting up blinds in a humid room, such as a bathroom or kitchen, it's best to go with faux wood instead. These are less likely to suffer moisture damage. While aluminum blinds are sleek, they are more susceptible to bending. These can lend the room a more modern look, especially when they are vertical.

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If you want window coverage with lots of options in terms of style and design, perhaps windows blinds aren't the right solution. Consider window shades, which are available in more fabrics and patterns. Some styles also hide dirt better than blinds, but they may require professional cleaning, according to Good Housekeeping. Note that some fabrics won't offer the same level of privacy as blinds.