When it comes to choosing window treatments, practicality is definitely an important factor to consider. The most practical window treatments to choose depends on a variety of different factors including what sort of room they are for, how much light you want to enter the room, the window size and shape, insulation needs, who will be using the space, design style and cost.

Location of the Blinds

As one would imagine, depending on the room that they are being installed in, the choice of window treatments can vary greatly. A room that is being used as a bedroom, work space, or tv room may need to have blinds that can completely remove the light glare from shining onto screen surfaces, as this can be distracting and impact the usability of screen devices. Blackout blinds are a practical option for removing all light for sleeping.

In the front room of a home, to maintain privacy, often the most practical blinds are ones that can completely block out the view from outside. For kitchen or dining rooms, light filtering blinds are often the most practical as they allow the user to adjust the blinds according to the time of day and the amount of natural light required.

Operable Slats or No Slats

Another important factor for practicality involves what sort of style is the most suitable for your needs. Some blinds, such as cellular shades allow for the blinds to be completely raised to allow for a clear view, while others, such as wood blinds allow for the slats to open to allow for filtered light to come through. It is often the case that for larger windows, slat blinds are a better option, as cellular blinds are not often practical due to the weight of the blinds preventing them from being raised up easily.

Insulation Needs

When it comes to insulation costs, window treatments can drastically reduce heating and cooling costs over time, in winter holding heat inside and keeping it out during the warmer months. A variety of different blinds can assist with insulation needs, including honeycomb blinds, drapes and shutters. Exterior blinds are a practical option for the patio spaces and outdoor entertainment areas.

Style and Cost

During these times when the cost of living is rising higher, an important factor in choosing the most practical blinds are the affordability of different styles. Finding that sweet spot between style and cost is manageable with the availability of a variety of different stylish and low-cost designs. \

These include aluminium blinds, faux wood blinds, honeycomb shades and pleated shades which can complement your existing décor without breaking the bank. To talk to an expert about what is available for your needs, contact Blind Concepts and let us help you get the most practical blinds to suit all of your personal needs.

The answer to the question of which blinds are the most stylish, is one which depends more on personal taste than any other factor. However, there are some newer blinds that have become particularly well known for their ability to create a stylish look in any home, easily complementing any home décor.

In recent years we have seen a variety of different blinds come onto the market that provide both luxury and innovative design, that addresses the pressing concerns of homeowners of today, while providing a stylish look and feel. A key area of concern for homeowners is with energy efficiency, and how well their window treatments can reduce power bills by keeping homes cooler in summer, while retaining heat in winter.

New designs have revolutionised this area, maximising energy efficiency while providing optimal style. Another important concern is with technical aspects of how well the blinds can accommodate the typical family home situation, where there may often be children and pets that could become tangled in them.

In this article we consider the blinds that are able to address these concerns, while providing the style and grace that we desire from our window treatments.

Allusion Blinds – A Modern Alternative

One of the most innovative window treatments of modern times are the allusion blinds, which provide a stylish alternative to both curtains and blinds. Creating the soft light of curtains, when open, and privacy and security while closed, these blinds are an excellent choice, softening the space with their flowing lines.

These window treatments work like vertical blinds, however they have the added benefit of not having any strings between each blind, which means they are a perfect design for families to use over patio doors, as you can walk straight through them unhindered. Allusion Blinds are a popular choice to use in combination with your existing curtains.

Energy Saving Blinds

During winter when the weather turns colder, most of the heat is lost from the home through the windows, so addressing this with window treatments can greatly reduce energy costs. Duette blinds, also known as honeycomb or cellular blinds come in either single or double pleats, which create a pocket of air between the window and blind, which holds the heat in, in the same way double glazed windows do.

Zero Deflection Blinds

These blinds are ideal for larger windows, as they can accommodate blinds that are covering a wide space, without sagging or creasing, providing a stylish, line free finish. They are available in a variety of different designs and configurations such as blackout linings and smart controls, making them a sleek and stylish choice of blinds for now and moving into the future.

For more information about these and other stylish window treatments contact Blind Concepts to discuss your needs today and we can point you in the right direction.

In our busy lives of the modern world, between juggling our work, family and social life (and very often a side hustle), time needs to be used wisely, and stretched to its greatest capacity. Imagine if you could stretch time to fit more into your day. Well, it is possible, by making better use of it. One way is to work smarter, not harder.

It means simplifying the procedures that are required to steer your life in the direction you want to go, so you have more time to enjoy the view along the way. One way to do this in your home is to reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining the place by choosing household fixtures that are easy to maintain. We’ve compiled a helpful list of a few window treatments that require the least cleaning, but still look fantastic.

Vertical Blinds

The hands-down easiest blinds to clean, by the consensus of our peers and networks, are the vertical blinds, with extra points if they are vinyl. Unlike horizontal blinds, vertical blinds do not gather as much dust, as there is nowhere for the dust to settle. The vinyl finish is one of the easiest to maintain as it only needs dust now and then, with a feather duster, to keep it looking fresh and clean. For a stubborn stain if some sticky liquid has been spilt on them, a bit of water with a little soap in it and a soft cloth would do the trick.

Fabric vertical blinds are also considered to be an excellent low-maintenance window treatment, as they can be removed easily for cleaning and only need to be spot-cleaned or given a little dust with a lint roller.

Roller Blinds

Another seriously easy blind to clean is the roller blind, which comes in a variety of different fabrics. As you can imagine, the fabric that it is made of will determine the amount of cleaning that it might require. For example, a vinyl or waterproof roller blind is going to be a lot easier to clean than a more delicate fabric such as satin or silk. Refer to your blinds manufacturing instructions for the cleaning information or give us a call at Blind Concepts if you need some help.

Cellular Shades

The third easiest style of blind to keep clean is the cellular shades, which are even doubly awesome as they also assist you with keeping the heat in during winter and the cool in during summer. They also allow natural light into the room, while also maintaining your privacy, so it’s a win all around with these window treatments, which only need regular dust with a feather duster or microfibre cloth.

Often when shopping for new window treatments, one can become overwhelmed with the many different styles available, especially the new-fangled designs that look great in the showroom. It is a fact that when most modern designers are creating a product, they are not thinking too much into making sure it will last the tests of time. However, despite this fact, there are some window treatments that naturally do last the distance and still maintain their stylish look throughout their life. These are usually likely to be the traditional types of window treatments such as the ones we discuss below.

Of course, it does need to be taken into consideration that regular maintenance of your window treatments is a key factor for them lasting. Be sure to follow the instructions from the manufacturer to ensure that each individual window treatment is kept in the best condition it can be, for the material that it is made of.

Wood Blinds

Without a doubt, one of the best types of blinds that you will find that are long lasting for years are the hardwood blinds. They are such low maintenance, and usually only require a regular dust over with a microfibre cloth or feather duster. For rooms that might be subjected to damp or excessive heat, faux wood blinds are another alternative which can retain their warm woody feel, while being more durable.

Metal Blinds

As one of the best options for rooms with high traffic, metal blinds are the best alternative to wooden blinds, and will be able to handle damper areas as well as excessive heat. These are a great alternative for rooms such as kitchen or bathroom.

Shutters

Traditionally, shutters are a classic window treatment well known for their ability to last and last. They have been used as window treatments for decades, and are commonly known as ‘plantation shutters’ due to them first being used during the time of Southern plantations. These can be custom designed to suit the room, made of a variety of different materials, the most popular being hardwood, although vinyl is also a popular choice.

Cordless Shades

For a safer option in places where there are pets and children roaming around, cordless are the way to go to prevent them getting tangled, hurt and likely damaging the blinds themselves. There are a variety of different cordless options available so be sure to talk to Blind Concepts for more info.

Roman Shades

These classic window treatments are a sleek, elegant choice with folded fabric tailored to suit the décor of the room, in either full fold or flat, designed to maintain their luxurious beauty for years to come.

When it comes to allergic reactions to airborne triggers, we might imagine that life would be easier if we just lived in our own private bubble of air and did not have to interact with the world outside. This would definitely solve some of our problems, however, we would not have all those wonderful experiences that come with interacting with the world around us, even if it is pretty dusty.

As we have seen recently on the news sites, chemical contaminants can become airborne during emergency situations, which could be a dangerous reality for people who are susceptible to allergic reactions. Additionally, there are other every-day factors which can contribute to allergic reactions. Whether there is an airborne chemical event, or you simply want to reduce your exposure to regular airborne triggers, your household blinds can assist with creating that bubble.

Reduce Dust from Getting Inside

For people who suffer from allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies of any kind, every day dust entering through the windows can become a formidable adversary. Installing blinds over windows can greatly reduce the amount of dust that is able to enter into the house, which could assist with having to deal with the triggering of allergies.

Trap Dust in a Barrier

By using this method of trapping the dust at the windows before it is able to enter the house, you are able to create a barrier of sorts which if maintained, could prevent dust from entering into the main house. Regular cleaning of the dust barrier (the blind) will mean that it is able to maintain that role of preventing dust from entering the home, while being a catchment area for the dust to be removed from.

Regulate Temperatures

Another great advantage of blinds in assisting with reducing allergic reactions is by regulating the temperatures. For some people allergies can be made worse by hot or cold weather, however the blind can regulate that temperature while allowing some air through. If a house hold has a particular window that allows direct sunlight through during some periods of the day, this could prove to be an issue affecting those who have allergies that are triggered by hot or cold temperatures.

Made to Measure

Blinds that are made specifically to suit your window size and shape will provide a strong barrier system for the dust to be caught from entering to the rest of the house. At Blind Concepts we provide a cleaning and maintenance service for blinds as well as replacement of broken slats and whole blinds where needed.

Unlike dogs, who will likely not attempt to look out of windows that are behind blinds, cats are extremely curious, and will want to know what is on the other side. As a result, depending on what sort of blind you have on your windows, there may be a chance that your curious cat will get themselves into trouble. Whether or not the blinds are dangerous for your cat, or the other way around, is another factor to consider.

Due to cats’ ability to go about their business as they please, without regard for anyone or anything that is in their way, often blinds will suffer from their exuberance. There are some types of blinds that are a better choice for cats, so read on for more information about how the different styles of blinds measure up against a cat.

If all else fails and you have already experienced your cat destroying your blinds, Blind Concepts provide a service for cleaning, repairing and replacing broken blinds.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds might seem like the best choice for any situation as they have a simple design, no hooks or chains and are easy to use, however, unfortunately, they are not the best choice with cats. Without a second thought, a cat will use the fabric on the roller blind to climb up, while chasing insects, or stretching, which will cause holes in the fabric. The type of fabric being used is also important to consider with the issue of cat fur, which will need cleaning regularly.

Vertical Blinds

As you can imagine, horizontal blinds will not work well with cats, as they will likely crash into them when attempting to view something they have seen on the other side. However, vertical blinds allow for the cat to see past the blinds to whatever has piqued their interest on the other side. Cats will naturally be attracted to the swinging of the vertical panels, and could happily spend a lot of time with this activity alone.

The main issue with vertical blinds is that if they have the chains on them, then it is very likely that the cat will either get tangled in them, or break them, so you may need to reattach the chains over and over. With these blinds, there is also the issue of fabric being damaged by the cat.

Venetian Blinds

Like other blinds, the most important factor in the longevity of your venetian blinds is the material. Metal venetian blinds will not last too long with an exuberant cat, as they will likely become bent over time. The other factor would be to do with the cords and whether they are dangling in a cat attractive fashion.

Child-friendly cords can alleviate this problem too. The most hard-wearing material for cats is wooden blinds, and in the venetian blind style they will generally last the best.

Blinds are an important part of your home décor, not only creating privacy from the curious eyes of people passing by, they also set the tone of your home. Similar to the frame for the rooms of the house, the quality and condition of the blinds can make a huge difference as to how the room feels.

Many people might think that the key to maintaining the brilliance of your blinds is all about how well you clean them, when doing your yearly spring cleaning. The truth is that keeping your blinds looking brilliant is all about weekly/or at least regular dusting and maintaining, to avoid any build up.

When dust is left on things it can gradually deteriorate their finish, which over time will affect the quality of the materials and cause them to look a bit drab. The manufacturer will likely provide you with some information specific to your blinds, so be sure to follow the instructions for cleaning and maintenance.

Follow our Blind Concepts tips for keeping your blinds looking as brilliant every day, as the day they were installed:

Say Goodbye to Dust

If you stay on top of regular dusting it is likely that your blinds will maintain their brilliance very easily, and you won’t need to pull out the soap and water. Depending on what blinds you have in your home, there is a variety of different options for keeping them dust free. A vacuum cleaner with a brush fitting, or a feather duster or a dusting cloth will assist you with removing the dust before it has set in. You will likely be able to dust them while they are still hanging. Be sure to turn them both ways so you can dust both front, and back.

Gently Wipe Away Stubborn Dirt

If it has been a little while since you have dusted, and you have vacuumed the blinds and noticed that there is built up dust and grime that hasn’t moved, you will likely need to use a little bit more ‘elbow grease’. Different types of blinds will require a different method. If they are wood blinds you might want to use a soft cloth with furniture polish to wipe them, both sides. For plastic or metal blinds, you may need soapy water. Be sure to wring out the cloth to avoid putting too much water, and then wipe them gently on both sides. Leave them open to dry.

Restoring Their Former Glory

If your blinds are heavily soiled you might need to take them down to give them a good cleaning with soap and water. Alternatively, we offer an ultrasonic cleaning method for that deeply ingrained dust and dirt, which minimises the use of chemicals and restores the brilliance of your blinds. If all else fails, at Blind Concepts we offer a service to repair and replace parts of the blinds to restore them to their former glory, without needing to replace them completely.

Although the eastern states have had a wetter than usual start to spring, it is still the perfect time to sweep away the winter blues and get your dwelling clean, bright and tidy. A grubby, tired-looking living space can be depressing, and with mental health now a major issue for many people, a thorough spring clean is sure to lighten the mood.

One Room at a Time?

Some people like to clean one room at a time, starting at the ceiling and working their way to the floor. A vacuum cleaner with a brush accessory will remove cobwebs and most dust from walls, light fittings and furniture. Now wash everything down with sugar soap and water. When possible, move furniture when vacuuming to obtain a better result. When the first room is sparkling clean and start on the next.

One Item at a Time?

Others like to start with one item, such as a window or a blind, and clean every single one before moving to a different cleaning target. Start with the dirty windows first using a glass cleaner, sponge and squeegee. Rub over with a soft cloth for a sparkling finish. Then, move on to the next window.

Blinds Need Special Care

Blinds require an individual approach to cleaning, depending on the style and material they are made from. Roller blinds, for example, should be fully extended and surface dust removed with a vacuum cleaner and brush accessory. Follow with a damp cloth to remove stubborn dirt or stains and let the surface dry before rolling up. Roman blinds can also be cleaned using this method.

Extra Tips for Venetians

Venetian blinds made from PVC or aluminium are sturdier than other materials, so some vigorous rubbing on stubborn stains should be safe. Close the slats and do a preliminary vacuum to remove loose dust. Then, with an old sock on your hand, wipe the hand along each individual slat, removing stubborn grime.

Keep Water Away from Timber Venetians

Timber venetians need more care. Avoid using water as the timber may warp. First try cleaning any stains with a soft cloth or paper towel. If that does not work, dab a small amount of wood cleaner onto the cloth and gently rub the stains, then follow up with a duster or vacuum cleaner.

However, there is an easier way to spring clean. Our service here at Blind Concepts offers clients the opportunity to have their blinds taken away and cleaned, then returned spotless, ready to rehang. Our ultrasonic cleaning technology is environmentally friendly and removes dirt and grime from hard to reach places. We clean your blinds while you clean everything else.

There is now no shortage of evidence around the globe that climate change is not only real but is happening now and not in some arbitrary date in the future. Heat waves and droughts in normally temperate areas, monsoons bringing extraordinary floods, permafrost areas melting, and other unusual events are already reshaping our known world.

Change is the Responsibility of Everyone

Change is not just the responsibility of governments and corporations. Change happens quickly when each individual acts with the environment in mind each day. A simple example is checking the environmental credentials of common household items before buying them.

Aluminium in Venetians is Fully Recyclable

Imagine that you are replacing every window blind in your residence, and you consciously choose eco-friendly materials for your new venetian blinds. Aluminium venetians are easy to clean, available in a range of colours, look good for years and when they are replaced, they have a second life as something else as aluminium is fully recyclable.

Timber Venetians from Sustainable Sources

If you are considering timber venetians, look for brands that use only timber from sustainable sources such as ethically managed plantations. Some countries are still allowing uncontrolled felling of trees, causing loss of habitat for wildlife, erosion and reduced ability for the world’s forests to produce clean air.

Roller Blinds Made From Plastic Rubbish

Roller blinds are still one of the most popular styles for blinds, especially for bedrooms and other utility spaces. They have also evolved from being made from cheap plastic that ends up in land fill to an eco-friendly material spun from yarn made from plastic recovered from beaches all over the world. The material filters sunlight and is energy efficient and fully recyclable, making this a long-lasting, top performing solution for roller blinds.

Look For the GreenGuard Certificate

Roman blinds are simple and timeless. They are best suited to small and medium sized windows, and by choosing a sustainable fabric type, you can double their contribution to the environment as they also use less fabric than other styles.

To find a suitable fabric type when choosing your blinds, look for the GreenGuard Certificate. This is an international standard that meets rigorous testing for safety, sustainability and effects on the environment.

Here at Blind Concepts, we do our part to slow down the progression of climate change by providing a blind cleaning and repair service to restore old and damaged window blinds. Our ultrasonic cleaning method uses minimal amounts of chemicals and water to clean blinds.

We also repair damage by replacing slats, chains, cords or wands and re-sew parts where necessary. In this way, we keep old blinds in use and out of landfill for as long as possible.

Rising living costs have many householders looking for cost savings, and those with the skills and knowhow, are turning to DIY home maintenance more readily than ever before. Many tasks around the home are not difficult and don’t necessarily require a trade qualification. The exception is electrical repairs, which should always be done by an electrician.

Common Issues With Blinds

Window blinds are a typical item that wear and require attention to keep them looking and functioning at their best.

The typical issues with Venetian Blinds are broken slats. With vertical blinds, they can become jammed and cannot slide. In roller blinds, the common issue is when they no longer roll up straight.

There are many other things that can go wrong, depending on the style of the blind.

Benefits of DIY repair for Window Blinds

There are advantages to being able to repair common issues in your window blinds yourself.

The first is convenience. Assuming that you have the knowledge needed to identify the problem, it should be a simple task to repair the blind and rehang it. The second is saving money, with the only outlay being the cost of the parts.

Another advantage is the time saving. Rather than finding an external repairer, sending the blind to their workshop then waiting for the work to be done, you can have the window secure again in an afternoon.

CONS of DIY BLINDS REPAIR

Of course, there are also disadvantages especially if you are unfamiliar with the workings of window blinds. To do the repair yourself, you could spend hours researching the problem and looking for a solution.

The internet offers “how-to” videos, so there is more time spent familiarising yourself with the repair process. You may need new parts, so further time would be spent sourcing suppliers, checking prices and availability then waiting for them to be delivered.

Temporary Window Treatments

Meanwhile, the blind is not performing its function so the window would need a temporary solution such as hanging up a sheet to block it off. In a bedroom this may not be a problem but in the living areas of the dwelling, where we entertain guests, it would not be very elegant. The window may also need to be kept closed, which may make the room stuffy and uncomfortable, especially in summer.

WINDOW BLIND REPAIR Services

All of this can be avoided by contacting our team at Blind Concepts. Our blind repair service restores the function and quality of a range of blinds. Typical repairs include replacing slats and slat hangers, resewing slats and replacing chains, cords or wands. Call us to discuss your problem and the type of blind and we will provide you with the best solution and a free quote.