Combining Window Blinds And Curtains

In the world of home shading, you’ll find plenty of debates on the merits of choosing either window blinds or curtains. It won’t be surprising to learn that here at Appeal Home Shading, we prefer window blinds, but we won’t deny that curtains have benefits too. But supposing you can’t decide, is it possible to have blinds and curtains on the same window?

In short, yes you can. In fact, using both is a highly effective shading solution and can transform a room. It’s not for everybody, but if you want to install curtains and blinds at the same time, here’s what you need to know.

Practical Shading

Placing blinds and curtains together can seem a bit over-the-top, but if it’s done well, it can be incredibly attractive. It gives windows a ‘layered’ look, and if the colours and designs are well-synchronised, it’ll leave a lasting impression. Opening the curtains to reveal blinds gives a greater sense of depth, and adds to the feeling of security. 

Additionally, it does wonders for the thermal efficiency of a room. In the past, we’ve looked at the energy benefits of window blinds, but including curtains improves them even further. You’ll notice this in winter when your room feels like a cosy haven from the cold outside, but it’s also beneficial in summer. It might sound counterintuitive, but closing your blinds and curtains on hot days can help your home stay cool; the heat from outdoors will have a hard time penetrating the double glazing and two additional thermal barriers, so keeping cool will be easier. 

The Best Of Both Worlds

If you have the space and budget available, it’s well worth looking into. We find that roller blinds and pleated blinds are usually the best suited for this type of project, but other types work too. The key thing is to try and choose the blinds and curtains at the same time, it makes tailoring the look more straightforward and you’re less likely to create an unintentional clash of colours or styles. 

You’ve also got to keep the available space in mind. Generally speaking, the cassettes and batteries for blinds don’t take up much space, but the same can’t be said for curtains. The larger, thicker ones can take up a surprising amount of room. They need bigger rails to handle the weight too, so in some areas they might not be appropriate. It can have the unfortunate side effect of making smaller rooms feel claustrophobic. 

That being said, if you can combine blinds and curtains in one, it is well worth considering. Yes, it can make the project a little more complex, but you’ll benefit from two shading options instead of one. 

If you’d like to find out more about our window blinds collection, why not download a free brochure? You’ll find a wealth of information about them, along with all our other products, or you can book a free design consultation. We’ll be able to discuss your next project and help you every step of the way.