Why Choose Horizontal Over Vertical Blinds?
by Greg K. Hansward
Description: Descriptions of a variety of horizontal blinds.
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New blinds can really alter the look of your room and are an
important part of your interior decorating project. When you
are choosing your window blinds there are a number of varieties
of style, material and color on the market. Window blinds can be
a significant investment so it is worth giving some
consideration to all the types available before you make your
final decision.
Firstly you will want to decide between horizontal and vertical
blinds. Depending on the look you are hoping to create,
horizontal blinds are more often used in the home as they tend
to give a softer effect. Vertical shades are more frequently
used in offices, but if you are aiming for a modern, minimalist
look they can be great for your home too. Some of the choices in
horizontal shades are outlined below.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are a traditional style of vinyl window shade,
which roll around a pole when drawn up. Many people favor
neutral shades such as white and cream that blend well with any
décor and bring light to your room. There are more lively
varieties available however, with modern roller blinds
available in bright colors, fashionable designs and stylish
patterns. Roller blinds are available with a choice of hem
designs including scalloped, notched and curved.
Roman Blinds
Roman blinds are more in vogue than their rolling predecessors.
They are of a simple design, a rectangle of material, just
larger than the window, which can be drawn up towards the
ceiling in folds of equal size.
Cascade Blinds
A close relative of the roman blind is the cascade blind. These
are also made from a simple rectangle of material, but are
designed to be drawn up in folds of different sizes. These
shades have embedded pull cords, set a few inches from both
edges. When the blind is fully extended and then pulled up, a
cascade of material is formed in front of the window.
Fan Shades
Another version of the same principle is a fan shade. Instead
of having a pull cord on each side, the fan blind has just one,
straight down the middle. When the fully extended blind is
partially pulled up, a fan shape is created, leaving part of
the window uncovered to let in light.
Balloon Blinds
A balloon blind is made by gathering material in scallops all
the way across the window. This is achieved using a drawstring
system. The design of a balloon blind can be altered by leaving
out the drawstrings at the edges of the window. This causes
tails to drop down on either side of the window. A skirted
balloon is another similar design. The drawstrings do not run
all the way to the bottom of the blind, so a flat section is
left for the fabric scallops to fall against.
Cloud and Austrian Shades
Other relatives of the balloon blinds are the cloud and
Austrian shades. The cloud version has a gathered section at
the top of the shade creating an interesting affect. The
Austrian blind uses much more material, so that even when the
shade is lowered to cover the window, there are scalloped folds
covering the full length of the blind.
Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds are a simpler version of balloon blinds. They
are made from concertinaed paper or material, which is flat
when fully extended. The folds get tighter as the blinds are
drawn up.
Finishing touches to shades can include tassels, fringing and
ribbons. Blinds may be used on their own or in conjunction with
curtains or drapes. You need to carefully select the right
combination of color, design and fabric to give your shades the
required feel, whether that is traditional, warm and cozy, or
modern, clean cut and funky. Blinds are not necessarily a very
expensive item so you could experiment to achieve the right
look without a great deal of expense.
Concentrating on news and information about
vertical blinds, Greg Hansward published mainly for
http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com. From his writings
(e.g. http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com on shades) he
affirmed his capability in the field.
Related articles:
Restyling Vertical Blinds
Tips on Repairing Mini Blinds
Creative Curtains and Window Coverings
