The Different Types of Blinds - Interior Design Article

By:Stefan Rockhaus

Besides using curtains in your home, you can also use blinds. Blinds are a type of covering similar to curtains, which are used to provide shade and privacy to your home. Blinds are normally attached to the internal side of the window frame. The most important function of blinds is that you can control the amount of light coming into your home.

Blinds come in a large number of varieties. Rollers are the most popular. These can be ones that unwind from the top, or those with a continuous side chain that avoids nasty whiplash effects.

From voiles and smooth silks, to textured linen and rough denim, blinds are made using a wide range of materials.

Rollups are less expensive, and have no springs.

Venetian blinds are now available in slim line, and are made of metal or wood. They have horizontal tilting boards with cords attached, so they can be arranged in a variety of ways. Always keep in mind that some which have a wood effect are in fact plastic.

Slat blinds have several flat horizontal slats, attached to strings so that they can be rotated. This enables you to control the amount of light passing through your window by rotating it up to 170 degrees, or you can also simply raise it up. Rotation can be done by pulling the cord or rotating connector. There are options where both the devices are attached to a rod.

Purchasing Mini-Blinds

There are three options available if you are opting for mini blinds. The easiest to clean and maintain, and the most cost effective, is vinyl. Vinyl is mostly available in white, but they also come in different colors. They usually come in normal sizes, so it is not possible to adjust these according to your requirements.

Another material in which they are available is aluminum. These are available in a variety of colors, and can be made according to your requirements. They are user friendly and can be easily cleaned. The only disadvantage in aluminum is that they can sometimes bend.

Wood is the last and the most expensive material that you can choose. They are very beautiful, and are available in different varieties and colors. Wood blinds need extra care, as harsh cleaners can damage the wood finishing, and water can also damage it.

Installing Mini-Blinds

Installation of mini blinds is easy. You have to decide whether you want the blind attached to the interior of the window frame, or the exterior. Mini blinds are long lasting, which makes them safe investments.

Roman Shades

To add a simple and elegant look to your windows, roman shades are the best. They are available in a variety of materials and different styles, and can work similar to blinds. Roman shades are best for kitchens, and can be combined with curtains if you wish.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: blinds, window blinds, mini blinds, roman shades, wood mini blinds, wood blinds, venetian blinds, slat blinds

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Stefan Rockhaus provides interior decorating tips. For more mini blinds information visit mini blinds guide or roman shades - You may reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this resource box is left intact.

Top Interior Design Articles
1). 7 Steps for Easy Elegance: Visually Enhance Any Room with Panel Molding By : Patricia Tomaskovic Panel molding dates back to the Georgian period of the 1700’s. Georgian architecture is characterized by a sense of proportion and balance. Symmetry and adherence to the classical rules were valued as regular and desirable. Today, panel molding is used to break up large surfaces, which adds a formal feeling to most designs. It is also utilized as a border separating colors or textures.
2). Heart of the Home - Faux Finishes For Kitchen Cabinetry By : Jay Dorman Faux finished cabinets are finding a welcome home in today's kitchens. From the most timeworn distressed looks to high-end lacquered finishes, a decorative painter can add just the right touch from his artist's pallet to create the exact design and style most appropriate for your dream kitchen. As we all know so very well, the kitchen is the heart of the home.
3). Fireplace Decorating Ideas For Your Home By : Charles Kassotis Experiment with your fireplace décor to make your home even more comfortable and appealing.
4). Curtains Can Decorate Either Your Window Or Your View By : Keith George Curtains are materials that are hung over a window for decoration and other purposes. The main purposes are to provide privacy, block sunlight and decoration.
5). Have You Considered Bamboo Blinds for Your House or Apartment? By : Paul Duxbury Bamboo Blinds can make an interesting and effective addition to the home.
6). French Country Kitchen Design By : jmahoney A kitchen can be more than just about its role in function, organization and efficiency. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food. The French Country Kitchen design is one of many classic kitchen design themes that you could consider. It can provide your kitchen with a traditional look that has its roots in the hillsides of rural France.
7). Futons beds By : Roger King The word futon comes from the English spelling for a Japanese-style bed known as a "shikibuton," or floor mat. The classic Futon sits straight on the floor though there are now many designs of the bi-fold that have legs The first futon introduced into American culture was constructed of a simple cotton mattress that could be placed directly on the floor and easily folded to save space.
8). Tips For Bathroom Design By : John Francis You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you're remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas. First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink.
9). Modern Furniture 101 By : Megan Roberts As the name suggests, ‘Modern Furniture’ is furniture of our times that is comfortable, affordable, and stylish to match modern tastes and perspectives. Technically speaking, the phrase Modern Furniture refers to furniture from the latter half of the 20th century and on into contemporary styles of today. A microscopic view of this kind of furniture reveals that designers more often than not use the phrase for furnishings manufactured in the 50s and 60s in post world war II America, and to a lesser extent in Europe.
10). Choosing A Window Covering By : T Nacc There are many ways that you can decorate your windows. You have the choice of horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, shutters, or even roller shades, and that is just to name a few. Before you head down the road of confusion you should begin by asking yourself a few questions. What kind of space are you working with? Do not only focus on the window space but take a look at the whole room.

New Interior Design Articles
1). Choosing The Best Hardwood Floor By : Terry Gates With over fifty species of wood to choose from, determining which one is best can seem like a daunting task.
2). Get Some Spice In The Bedroom With A Mexican Decorating Theme By : Lee Dobbins Is your bedroom dull and bland? Why not spice it up with a bit of Mexican home decor?
3). How to Have a Fun and Functional Kitchen By : Kathleen Frassrand No more boring and bland kitchens. It is time to take control of the most important room in the house. Bring flair to the kitchen, and smiles to your face
4). 7 Steps for Easy Elegance: Visually Enhance Any Room with Panel Molding By : Patricia Tomaskovic Panel molding dates back to the Georgian period of the 1700’s. Georgian architecture is characterized by a sense of proportion and balance. Symmetry and adherence to the classical rules were valued as regular and desirable. Today, panel molding is used to break up large surfaces, which adds a formal feeling to most designs. It is also utilized as a border separating colors or textures.
5). Saving Money with Kitchen Cabinet Refacing By : jmahoney Want to remodel your kitchen but think I would be to costly? Then consider kitchen cabinet refacing. The cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is considerably less than the cost of completely gutting your kitchen and in a much shorter time period. Kitchen cabinet refacing can be a terrific option to consider if you want a whole new look to your kitchen without breaking your budget.
6). Tips For Bathroom Design By : John Francis You might be building a home and designing an entirely new bathroom. Maybe you're remodeling and adding a new bathroom or changing an existing bathroom. In any case, you have a certain amount of room to work with. Here are some ideas. First, list the items you absolutely need in your bathroom. This list includes, of course, the toilet and the sink.
7). The Bedroom Refuge By : Parvati Markus Is your bedroom a haven — a sanctuary where you can rest and rejuvenate? If not, here are some suggestions for making your bedroom into the room that provides peace of mind along with bodily comfort. Your bedroom reflects who you are. So the first question is, how do you see yourself? Imagine yourself in different settings. Does traditional furniture.
8). Take Your Kitchen to the Country By : Parvati Markus Tired of the ultra-modern black and white and chrome of your kitchen? Have you gone beyond the desire for sleek minimalism and long for the comfort of a warm and cozy country kitchen? Many of us spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so comfort is right up there with convenience. Here are some ways to create that feeling of warmth in your kitchen. Let’s start from the bottom up.
9). Let There Be Light in Your Bedroom! By : Parvati Markus Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and then the light slowly starts returning to the northern hemisphere. But that still means we have many months of the year when our bedrooms get very little or no light in the mornings, when we get up, and are dark long before we go to sleep. If you’re someone who gets blue without enough light in your life, try brightening up your bedroom by making it feel like summer! Think summer.
10). What to do With a Large Kitchen By : Parvati Markus Everyone loves a big kitchen. There’s lots of room for more than one cook, and enough space for informal dining. However, a large kitchen can sometimes feel cold and uninviting. By following certain guidelines, you can have a warm and cozy kitchen no matter the size. First, consider the scale of your furniture when decorating a large kitchen. You’ll want a substantial table with comfortable seating rather than a small café table.