When it comes to living room design, window treatments play a pivotal role in pulling together the look and feel of the space. With so many options for blinds and shades available today, it can be tricky to determine which style is best suited for your living room décor and functionality needs. This article will explore the most popular categories of blinds for living rooms, key factors to consider when selecting window blinds, top trends to create an inviting living room aesthetic with blinds, and frequently asked questions to help guide your buying decisions.
Benefits of Using Custom Blinds in Living Rooms
Before diving into specific blind styles, let’s review some of the overall benefits of using custom blinds in your living room:
- Control light and privacy as needed with adjustable slats or panels
- Soften bright light and filter daylight entering the room
- Prevent UV rays from fading furniture and décor
- Manage glare from TVs and other screens
- Visually expand smaller spaces by extending window height with floor-length blinds
- Coordinate with your interior design style – vast material and color options available
Keep these perks in mind as you evaluate which blinds are right for your space.
Most Popular Blind Styles for Living Rooms
When evaluating blinds for living rooms, three key categories rise to the top in terms of popularity and versatility.
Offering natural beauty without the maintenance needs of real wood, faux wood blinds feature synthetic materials made to emulate wood textures and grains. Slat sizes range from 2 – 3.5 inches wide to filter light effectively. These versatile and affordable blinds suit casual and formal décor alike.
Venetian Blinds
The quintessential blind variety, Venetian blinds feature horizontal slats made of vinyl, wood, faux wood, or aluminum. Adjust the slats to control light and privacy with a classic look. Venetian blinds pair nicely with numerous color schemes and interior styles.
Vertical Blinds
Comprised of long, vertical fabric vanes or PVC strips, vertical blinds fold to the side to reveal windows fully while providing ample privacy and light filtration when closed. The streamlined panels give a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Key Buying Considerations for Blinds
- Window sizes – Measure each window’s length and width precisely for custom-fit window treatments. Consider bay windows, corner windows, or other non-standard shapes in your home.
- Window locations and exposures – South-facing windows receive intense direct sunlight, while north-facing windows may require insulation against cold. Select blinds suited for solar control, blackout capabilities, or insulation as needed based on exposures.
- Room size – Consider the proportion of blinds to window and room size. For example, chunky faux wood blinds can ground a soaring vaulted ceiling, while narrow aluminum blinds keep lines clean in a smaller space.
- Decorative style – Match blind textures and colors to your living room’s existing interior design scheme, whether casual cottage, sleek modern, traditional, transitional, or another aesthetic.
- Natural light desires – Sheer shades filter bright light beautifully, while blackout cellular shades help darken media rooms. Analyze your space’s lighting needs when selecting blinds.
- Budget – Good quality blinds start around $50, while high-end custom treatments with motors or specialty shapes can exceed $300 depending on size and the materials of choice. Compare materials and features to find the right blinds in your budget range.
Top Trends: Blinds for Inviting Living Room Style
What’s trending in living room window blinds today? Here are a few of the most popular stylish looks:
- Extended window height – Lengthen windows visually by selecting floor-length curtains mounted close to ceiling height to draw the eye up.
- Tunneled top treatments – Tunnel pleats or cascading swag valances paired with blinds create cozy sitting areas around windows.
- Bold colors and patterns – Express personal style with vibrant shades or dynamic patterns and textures on the front of horizontal blinds.
- Layered light control – Pair sheer curtains, adjustable slat blinds, and blackout shades on one window to allow flexibility for day and night.
- High-tech functionality – Motorize vertical blinds, roller shades, and other operating systems for push-button convenience. Integrate blinds with smart home systems.
- Faux wood over natural – Synthetic wood-look slats prove more durable to moisture and sun than real wood. They emulate natural grains and textures beautifully when stained, painted, or faux-wrapped in leather, linen, or burlap.
Mix, match, and layer your perfect blend of window treatments to create an effortlessly chic living room oasis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blinds for Living Rooms
Due to the simple slat or panel construction, Venetian blinds, faux wood blinds, vertical blinds, and most roller blinds can be kept clean with very little effort. Dust occasionally with a soft cloth or specialized blind duster. Clean dirt and grime buildup every few years by wiping down slats/panels with a soft cloth, mild cleaner, and water if needed. Avoid harsh chemicals.
Neutral faux wood blind colors like white, ivory, and tan complement most color schemes beautifully. Match blackout liner colors to wall paint for a cohesive style. For more personality, select colored fabric roller shades in on-trend emerald green, navy blue, or another accent shade pulled from room decorations. Patterned fabrics also make fun statements. Consider tying cool-toned grays to modern decors and warm creams or stained wood looks for traditional rooms.
Due to the solid construction, both roller blinds and panel track blinds provide full privacy when closed. For a totally opaque blackout option, choose roller shades with thick vinyl or polyester darkening panels. Solar screens and bamboo roller shades also obstruct views effectively while allowing airflow. For adjustable visibility control, vertical blinds and four-inch-or-wider horizontal wood or faux wood Venetian blinds give good coverage when tilted closed.
Conclusion
As you can see, selecting new custom blinds requires factoring in style preferences, functionality needs, and budget considerations unique to your space. The design experts at Kerrville Window Fashions are ready to guide you through all the possibilities to craft beautiful window treatments customized to complement your home’s style and reflect your priorities. Reach out to us today to get started on realizing your ideal vision for stylish, functional blinds tailored to your living room décor.
