Shades vs Blinds: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Your home’s window coverings can make a huge difference to the look and feel of the space. While some window coverings can do wonders for transforming certain rooms in your home, others can really cheapen or downgrade the look you’re going for.

We get it — budget is always one of the biggest considerations. After all, windows coverings can be expensive! But if you’re willing to spend that little bit extra, it could be the difference between an average and high-end looking room.

If you can’t decide between shades vs blinds, this is the blog to help you make your decision.

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Shades vs. Blinds: What’s the Difference Anyway?

While most people assume that shades and blinds are basically the same thing, they’re actually quite different. One thing that sets them apart is the cost. If you’ve ever shopped for shades vs. blinds, you probably already know this!

Homeowners and shoppers alike tend to use the phrases shades and blinds interchangeably, too. But here’s how they differ:

Blinds are window coverings made from a hardwearing material such as wood, PVC, vinyl, or aluminum
Shades are window coverings made from strips of thick fabric

Yes, they both serve the same purpose, but they can look distinctly different from one another. They also differ in function, style, color, price, and versatility. For a great comparison of shades vs. blinds, check out

So, when it comes down to it, what should you consider when choosing window coverings for your home? Here’s what to think about:

Light and Privacy Control

This is one of the key points to consider because light and privacy control differ greatly between shades and blinds. When it comes to blinds, you have a greater range of control in terms of lighting. You can tilt the slats as you please to allow as much or as little light into your room as you want.

With regards to blinds, you only have two options for light control — they’re either open or closed. However, some blind fabrics allow for light filtering which softens the natural light coming through your windows.

Blinds do not offer as much privacy if they’re slightly open, whereas shades offer full privacy while allowing for some light to filter into the room.

Maintenance

Next, you want to think about how easy blinds vs. shades are to maintain. If you choose blinds, you can simply wipe or dust them down in a matter of minutes to keep them clean.

However, shades require a little more effort in the form of vacuuming or gently washing them in warm water. If they need anything more than gentle cleaning, you might need to take them to a professional.

In short, you want to consider the area of your home when choosing between blinds and shades. Blinds will always be the more practical choice for high-traffic areas.

Longevity/Durability

It goes without saying that blinds are definitely the more durable option. This is because of the materials that they’re made from, i.e. aluminum, vinyl, wood, or PVC. Not to mention, you can purchase custom wooden blinds for uncommonly shaped windows like in the kitchen or living room where they tend to have larger dimensions.

When it comes to shades, the thinner material ages much faster and is also susceptible to fading, tearing, and warping out of shape.

Aesthetics

As we mentioned earlier, your window treatments make a significant impact on the overall look and feel of the rooms in your home. So if this is important to you, it’s wise to think about how blinds or shades might look in a certain room.

Both shades and blinds can have a high-end, polished look, but this depends on the material you choose. It also depends on the room you’re decorating. You can never go wrong with classic white blinds for a fresh, open feel. Whereas subtle grey shades can impart a soft, soothing feel in an open-plan living room or main bedroom.

Today, you can also find shades in a variety of colors and patterns which can make a great impact on each room’s overall aesthetic. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what type of look you’re trying to convey. Both options are equally versatile.

Infant Safety

This is a major consideration to keep in mind if you have small children or infants living in your home. When it comes to window coverings, you always want to opt for those without long, accessible cords as they pose a strangulation hazard.

For this reason, you might want to think about cordless blinds, or motorized/ roller shades, free from cords.

The Cost

Your budget is always going to be a top concern when deciding between shades or blinds. While you might assume that blinds are more expensive because of their hard-wearing material, this is not always the case. More specific styles of shades and blinds can be quite similar in price.

This being said, shades are generally the far less expensive choice. For example, a basic roller shade will only cost you $20 per window, on average. However, a motorized shade made from super high-quality fabric is a different story.

Custom shades are a great idea if you want something very specific, but they won’t always be the cheaper option over blinds. Due to the fact that you have fewer options to choose from with blinds, you can often pull off a high-end look in your home, for less.

Are You a DIY Fanatic?

When it comes to your choice between shades vs. blinds, remember this — it’s always worth spending a little extra for the added longevity. Keep in mind that shades are not always the cheaper choice (especially the custom kind), whereas blinds are super versatile, and don’t always cost a fortune!

If you’re a lover of all things DIY and home improvement, you’re in the perfect place. Be sure to take some out and explore the rest of this blog for a daily fix of knowledge.