Moving Anything Anywhere

Your windows play a huge role in any room. Not only do they control the temperature and lighting of a space, but they can also offer some much-needed privacy. But, to do so, you need something to cover them. 

Whilst other methods exist, the most common way to do so tends to be either curtains or blinds. Each comes with its appeals and negatives, so to help you decide which option suits your home, we’ve put together five questions you may have – and outlined which fares better.

What’s better if I’m on a budget?

On the whole, the cost of curtains and blinds can quickly rise depending on the style and materials you choose. 

Typically, curtains are the pricier of the two options, with fabric prices ranging from £10-£100+ per metre. If you’re looking for a made to measure option, these can be even more expensive, and you shouldn’t be surprised to get a bill in the thousands – depending on how many rooms you measure up. Equally, you’ll need to purchase a pole to hang your curtains off. Those with a flair for the creative may try and craft your own curtains – if you have enough fabrics spare. Whilst this looks unique and can be great for the environment, don’t underestimate how much material you’ll need to cover a window or two! Why not take a look for some recycled – or repurposed – curtains?

On the other hand, blinds require less material and only need a couple of brackets to be fitted. Plastic blinds can come in at a much cheaper cost than curtains, whilst wooden or higher quality vinyl offerings may do more damage to your wallet. Unlike their curtain counterparts, getting blinds made to measure – especially when you’re looking to do several rooms in the house at once – can be the more affordable option.

If you’re looking for an offering that’s better for your wallet, check out retailers such as Argos or Dunelm. With blinds and curtains on offer, they’re likely to have something that falls within your budget.

What’s better if I’m installing them myself?

Installation is a vital point for either option, but these days they’re both straightforward. For the most part, window dressings are designed and sold with the intention that their buyer can hang them on their own without any specialist tools or skills.

Blinds of any type are quick and easy to install, although a curtain isn’t much more complicated either. Most blinds need fittings at the top of the window, and they’re good to go in minutes. 

Some curtains may require a batten, but mostly they need a pole, hooks/rings properly spaced and maybe some minor adjustments based on how you want them to look. 

Overall, blinds may be the easier option – especially if curtains are to go in a space such as a bay window.

What’s better for cleaning?

This question is especially prevalent for those with little ones running around. At some point, it’s not far fetched to imagine some grubby little hands getting ahold of your curtains or blinds and meaning you need to clean. But, even if you’re child-free, you’ll still need to clean and dust – so which is easier?

Cleaning curtains can be a laborious task. Removing dust can need a specific attachment for your vacuum cleaner, whilst dirt, stains and marks may require specialised solutions. Using the washing machine isn’t out of the question for curtains, but in some cases, it’s easier to take them along to a dry cleaner.

Conversely, most blinds are much easier to clean. Typically made to have a hard, slick surface, dusting can be carried out with any microfiber cloth and a spare 5 minutes. If you have any dirt or stubborn stains, a dampened cloth will do the job.

What’s better for blocking out more light?

Picture it: it’s a lazy Saturday afternoon, and you fancy a day watching whatever series is dominating social media this month. But, as the sunlight engulfs your screen, it can turn a bingewatch of Stranger Things into more of a strain-er things. 

Keeping that in mind, one of the primary functions of dressing your window is to block out light – so which option is best suited?

Both curtains and blinds can come in blackout fabrics. However, if installed poorly, light can escape around the sides. Blackout blinds can do a standup job of keeping light out, but curtains do much more. In fact, you can close them at any time of day and have no idea about what’s going on outside until you open them again. 

Regular blinds can also be prone to letting light through the slats, meaning that if you want the most light blocked out, you’re better going for curtains. If you really want to keep light out, an option gaining in popularity is a blinds-curtains combination, where blackout blinds go on the window and blackout curtains cover those too – although this can prove costly!

What’s better if it’s for a kitchen/bathroom?

Curtains, in their very nature, aren’t made to be waterproof. Sure, shower curtains may be a notable exception, but on the whole, curtains tend to fare better away from wet surfaces.

Keeping that in mind, if you’re looking to renovate a kitchen or bathroom – or any other space that has a window and deals with liquids and humidity – you’d be wise to opt for blinds. With the exceptions of Roman blinds and real wooden blinds (which may struggle with moisture), they’re much better in these rooms.

If you hang curtains in humid or wet rooms, don’t be surprised to see tidemarks on the fabric, mould and mildew growth, a loss of form, or even unpleasant smells. Although this may also occur for curtains hung over windows that get heavy condensation – even if the room isn’t particularly humid.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference, and both come with their own perks and negatives – it’s entirely subjective. With a wide range of fabrics, materials and styles availabe, they can help turn a house into a home – it depends on what you’re looking for.

Which camp are you in, blinds or curtains? Let us know in the comments below!