7 Questions to answer before you buy your blinds

1. Do you want your blinds to be a focal point?

First of all, decide if you want your blinds to blend into the decor and be low profile, or if you want them to be a focal point. If you have some art, a piece of furniture or a feature wall that you want to draw attention to, it's best to choose a blind that melts into the decor rather than stands out.

However brightly coloured aluminium venetian blinds or roman blinds in a deep, lush fabric can add a focal point to an otherwise featureless room.

2. Do you need privacy?

If privacy is of concern, make sure you select blinds that can block out prying eyes. Bamboo blinds would not be a wise choice, but Sunblock Roller Blinds or the new to market 'Privacy" Cedar Blinds would suit your purpose.

Another good choice would be Roman Blinds which provide complete privacy when closed. They also come in a wide range of fabrics and colours.

3. Do you need to completely block out light?

Some blinds are designed to completely block out light. They are particularly popular for children's rooms, for shift worker's bedrooms and for media rooms. The most common blockout blind is the sunblock roller blind. Roman blinds can also provide complete sunblock protection.

4. Do you need to reduce noise?

Did you know that some blinds can actually reduce the noise penetrating into your home? If you live near a busy road or near a loud playground, noise reduction may be a function to consider when selecting your blinds. Lined fabric blinds such as sunblock roller blinds and roman blinds are effective in reducing noise.

5. Do you want to be able to filter light?

Blinds with slats are the right choice if you want to be able to control light filtration. There is a large variety to choose from ranging from vertical blinds to aluminium venetians, cedar blinds, wood blinds and more. With a simple twist of a wand or pull of a cord, you can fully open these blinds or tilt the slats to any desired angle letting in as much or as little light as you wish.

6. Is energy efficiency important to you?

The right blinds can reduce your energy consumption by 30%. Some blinds are more energy efficient than others. Cellular blinds, for example hold little pockets of air that act as insulators against heat or cold. Wood is a good insulator, so timber blinds and cedar blinds are a great choice. If you want to keep out as much heat or cold as possible, choose sunblock roller blinds. Make sure they are well fitted to your window and keep them closed to retain your inside temperature.

7. Do you want to keep an open view but reduce sun-glare and harsh UV rays?

You don't have to give up your wonderful view in order to protect your eyes and your furniture from direct sunlight. Some blinds are designed to keep out harsh UV rays but still let you retain your view to the outside world. Try sunscreen roller blinds. You can couple them with sunblock roller blinds for privacy and sunblock too.