Blinds or Curtains: The Pro’s and Con’s of Each

Both blinds and curtains are effective ways at blocking light from entering a room, creating an atmosphere of privacy and seclusion.  Many people, such as myself, really enjoy having the windows open when it is bright outside and having the blinds closed in the evening (when it’s time for some privacy and intimacy). 

When I was shopping for window coverings I was unsure of whether or not I wanted blinds or curtains.  Both seemed to have good and bad qualities, and both had hugely varying price points.  Ultimately, I chose to go with blinds for a few personal reasons.  The major points of interest for each, however, can make the decision a difficult one.

Blinds

Blinds are a bit more expensive than curtains (usually), but they’re also more customizable when it comes to their functions.  Curtains generally have two “settings”: open, and closed.  Blinds allow a lot more functionality, letting you half them half open, closed and partially open, shrouded, unshrouded, etc.

• Price
  Blinds tend to be more expensive because there is more involved in making them functional in both design and appearance.  Some of the cheaper styles of blinds tend to look rather drab, while more expensive ones can get elaborate and rather impressive.
  
  
• Aesthetics
  One major advantage (in my mind) is that blinds can look like a mixture of both worlds.  The type of blinds that I have in my bedroom can be opened and closed like curtains (the blades hang vertically), yet the function as if any other blind would.  It’s a very neat effect and was a real selling point for me.
  
  
• Simplicity
  If you have cats (as I do), you’ll understand how annoying it is when you find little holes and tears in your curtains.  Blinds negate the whole problem.  This was also a major selling point for me.

Curtains

Curtains vary dramatically in price- a cheap curtain is £12, and the rod and hangers are another £5.  You would be hard pressed to find blinds for £17, even the cheap ones.  One thing about curtains that people really enjoy is that they are more traditional looking, covering more of the window and wall when compared to blinds.

• Price
  Generally, curtains are less expensive than blinds.
  
  
• Aesthetics
  I would say that there’s no real difference in the quality of a good curtain than there is with a good set of blinds.  Both can look quite nice if set up properly.
  
  
• Not pet friendly
  If you have dogs or cats you can expect them to be all over your curtains.  I’ve had my curtains peed on, torn up, and even ripped from the wall thanks to a very fat cat of mine.  I changed them out for blinds and I haven’t had a problem since.