The property market in Leeds is one of the most progressive and dynamic, not just in Yorkshire or the north of England, but across the whole of the UK. Areas such as Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, Adel, Farsley and Headingley, as well as the city centre, have a wealth of different properties from large Victorian homes to stylish, contemporary apartment blocks and the local economy ensures there is a strong demand for all types of property. Styling these properties is also a thriving sector and interior features such as blinds and shutters feature prominently in design schemes as people look to match aesthetic desires with functional needs.
Blinds are a popular way to decorate a home, and can be used as a statement design feature, but they have to be practical for everyday use, and have to be the right style in how they look and how they operate. In this article we will explain how to break down this process to take a structured look at what you need for each room in your home and so you can make the best choices.
What does a room need?
The first thing you need to do to find the right blinds for your home in Leeds, is to assess each room and establish what it needs. So in a bedroom, for example, you want darkness and privacy at night and you don’t necessarily spend much time in there during the day. So blackout blinds or roman blinds might be ideal. In a living room your needs are different. Here you may spend time watching TV during the day or reading or entertaining guests, so you need blinds that allow good light, but filter out strong sunlight and allow you to control the light. This might be venetian blinds, vertical blinds or panel blinds. You can even consider motorised blinds which adjust on a timer to prevent strong sun bleaching furniture during the day when you aren’t in.
In a bathroom or kitchen you want to avoid fabric blinds which pick up moisture and humidity from showers and cooking. The ideal choice here is faux wood venetian blinds or aluminium blinds. Roller blinds are also popular in these rooms. Meanwhile conservatories or ground floor extensions also want adjustable blinds similar to a living room, to control light and privacy. You may also have bi-fold doors in a kitchen or a conservatory, for which perfect-fit blinds are ideal to sit inside each separate window.
What types of window are there?
Different properties have different types of window, and there can be a big difference between the windows in a period property, where these features were originally intended to be grand and ornamental, compared to a modern property where windows are very functional and more about making sure they are airtight and energy efficient.
So large bay windows in a traditional home would benefit from vertical blinds or separate sections of venetian blinds for each bay, while standard windows maybe just need simple roller blinds for a cleaner look. Skylights and roof windows can be fitted with perfect-fit or cellular blinds to match their contemporary appeal. Matching blinds to window type is all about shape and style and making sure the blinds suit the overall design.
Choosing material and colour
At Solaire Blinds & Shutters we have a wealth of material and colour options and we can find a combination that suits the interior theme of your home. In general terms, metal and vinyl finishes are good for sparse, sleek and minimalist modern homes which have an industrial feel. Alternatively, bright colours and wood blinds are more appropriate for traditional homes, or where warmth and a mix of colours is the theme. Fabric blinds, such as roller or roman blinds, are more of an all-rounder and can suit most properties, but can be used to add softer textures and different colours to suit an individual room.
Practical features
The final consideration is how you want a blind to work for you in terms of control and operation. This could simply come down to whether you want a manual cord or a chain, this is popular in most properties and is cost-effective. You can even choose which side of the blind you want to operate it from, left or right. Other styles of blind have cordless systems, which are good for homes where there are children and pets who present a safety risk. In contemporary homes you can opt for motorised blinds and integrate these with smart systems which remotely adjust your blinds for privacy and light control on an automated schedule throughout the day, or control blinds which are hard to reach.
If this gives you a good idea of what you need to think about and consider for your home in Leeds, contact our team at Solaire Blinds & Shutters for a free consultation and we can talk you through the many options available as great blinds for your home.
