Do I Need Curtains If I Have Blinds?
Both of these options allow you to control various factors such as the light permitted in, your privacy, and the room’s temperature, adding to the room’s decor. There are various options available with either of these or both if that is what you would prefer, so we are led to ask, “Do I need curtains if I have blinds?”
The best option is to go with installing both curtains and blinds. This is because you have greater control over how much light you let in, the overall appearance is more polished, and the room temperature is better controlled.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Thanks for supporting Bloom in the Black!
When you’re dressing your windows, you traditionally have the option of either blinds or curtains; but you’ll end up with a more textured and interesting look if you opt for both. You have to be mindful when selecting which types you put together, so let’s begin by examining some things to consider when choosing the two.
Things To Consider When Choosing Your Curtains And Blinds
Do you need curtains if you have blinds? I would argue yes. And when it comes to deciding on your blinds and curtains, it’s best to choose your preferred blinds or shades first, as they are the “base” of the overall appearance. Your most common options are Roman shades, Venetian blinds, and roller blinds.
I have this bamboo Roman shade from Amazon in my powder room, and I absolutely love the quality, price, and how easy it was to install.
Your blinds will often be made from aluminum, wood, or woven wood fibers, and you need to factor this and their hue in when you choose what color curtains you buy and their fabric.
For example, if you want the space to appear warmer, wooden blinds with warm-colored curtains would be a great option, while white shades with a serene blue linen curtain would give a lighter, fresher feel.
Don’t Forget About The Cost Factor
Although it may seem a logical idea to add blinds and curtains to a certain or all the rooms in your home or even office space, you need to consider the cost factor. Although they can work well together, they also each come with their price tag. Depending on the quality of both the curtains and blinds, you could see your window treatment cost doubling.
So when you’re fitting out particular areas, consider whether you absolutely need both blinds and curtains. Some rooms, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms, don’t necessarily need both options and may warrant just one of them.
For example, I opted to use just a shade in the bathroom to keep the look clean and minimal. In addition to the fact that I didn’t want to invest too heavily in our powder room right now.
The need for additional insulation and light blockage is far less than in other spaces, such as the master bedroom, dining room, and lounge area. So save your money on these areas to offer yourself the choice of having both in other rooms in the house.
For rooms where you decide not to use both options, keep in mind that blinds are generally less expensive than curtains. You only need one per window vs. two, hanging hardware is built-in vs. having to purchase a curtain rod, and they use less material.
Any DIYer can install both themselves, saving you money on having someone come to install them. Did you know you can even install a curtain rod with just a screwdriver?
Installing a basic blind will take between between 10 and 20 minutes, and it will typically cost you $40 to $90 per window. This will include the blinds, the placement of the brackets, mounting the blinds, and attaching the respective mechanisms.
If you’re looking to save even more money, you should go with plastic blinds as the material cost means that you pay less for them than high-quality vinyl or timber blinds. On the other hand, curtains are usually more expensive, and per window, you will be looking at between $50 and $250.
Things To Avoid When Selecting Your Curtains And Blinds
You may hope for a minimalist look, in which case you will opt for two simple shades of color which do not stand out or draw too much attention from the other elements in the room, or you may be hoping to go with prints and patterns. One key thing to note, though, is that you do not want to combine prints; so either have images on your curtains or blinds and not on both.
This is because it can easily become too busy that is why, as mentioned earlier, it is typically best to go with a base color for your blinds and then choose your curtains around that.
Benefits Of Combining Curtains And Blinds
Size Perception
There are various benefits to combining curtains with blinds, as we have already seen. Still, one thing you may not have considered is that they even have the ability to alter the perceived size of your windows and, in turn, the entire room as well. This is ideal if you have a home, apartment, or office on the smaller side.
The best manner to do this is to install Roman shades and have them hang from just below the ceiling. This immediately alters one’s perception of the walls’ height, and then you can place the curtain rod at the same height as the blinds but have it extended well beyond the window.
The Insulation Benefits Of Having Curtains And Blinds
Sunlight is marvelous when we want it to come streaming in through the window, but there are other times we wish to keep it at bay. It can add incredible warmth to any room, but at other times harsh sunlight can heat a room exponentially during the hottest times of the day. When you want to block out the light, a great combination of quality blinds with heavy, thick curtains will do the trick.
You may want to do this to keep a room cooler during the day or perhaps over the weekend you wish to lie in, and you don’t want the sunlight to peek through and wake you up. There is an array of options for you to choose from, but some of your best choices in terms of insulation are Roman and sheer shades and curtains of varying fabric thicknesses.
Some are better at blocking out heat, while others will be better at protecting you and your furniture from UV rays. You will need to consider which way the room is facing and see at what times of the day the sun is at its harshest to decide on precisely what type of blinds and curtains you need to install; either to help keep the heat out (or in winter) lock in the warmth.
Conclusion
Both blinds and curtains have benefits and downfalls, but you have all your bases covered if you combine the two. So, consider your budget and then decide which rooms you wish to kit out with both options.