Common Mistakes When Buying Blinds And Curtains

1. Decide on recess or exact fitting options

These options refer to how your blind will fit to your wall. A recess fit blind will fit within the recess of the window and an exact fit, sometimes known as ‘pin width’ or ‘finished blind width’, will fit above the window recess on the wall itself. You can learn more about how to measure for recess or exact fitting blinds in our Expert Guide: How To Measure For Window Blinds.

2. Check for measurements

At Blinds Direct you can provide measurement in either inches, centimetres or millimetres so when ordering your exciting new blinds or curtains, double check you’ve selected the right measurement units on the website, after all you don’t want a 100cm blind to be 100mm!

3. Don’t make deductions

So, you’ve picked whether you want a recess or exact fitting blind, and you have your measurements, now all you need to do is supply the specific dimensions of your window to us. From there we’ll take care of the rest based on the fitting type you’ve chosen and make any necessary deductions to ensure the blind fits neatly.

Figure out the function of your blinds

The look and style of blinds and curtains is clearly very important; however, they are first and foremost functional. Beyond colours and patterns, we have a range of materials which bring a range of functional benefits to your space. Some materials have these qualities innate to them, and some can have them added using linings. Here’s how to make sure you select the right material and avoid picking the wrong ones.

1. The right wooden blind

Some rooms around the home require specific types of wooden blinds. This doesn’t necessarily refer to the style of the blind, more its material. For example, if you’re looking for a blind for your kitchen or bathroom blinds – or any moisture rich space – and love the beauty of wooden blinds, you’ll need to pick a faux wooden blind which won’t warp or crack.

2. Missed benefits of specialist fabrics

There is a wide selection of specialist fabrics available on the Blinds Directst website so make sure you pick the right option to make the most of your space! From blackout to thermal, antiviral to fire retardant, you can add significant benefits to your windows without compromising on style. Blackout roller blinds for example are perfect for bedrooms while thermal vertical blinds are ideal for living rooms helping you reduce heating costs and save money. To easily find which fabrics are available with special qualities, use the feature menu on the website.

3. Don’t forget your free lining upgrade!

Because we make our quality window furnishings by hand, we have the flexibility to add a free lining upgrade to any curtain or Roman blind! There are three options to consider, blackout, thermal or premium linings; each of which has benefits for specific rooms in the home. You can learn more in our linings for Roman blinds and curtains buyer’s guide. 

Find the right fabric

Finding the right fabric for your decor is a core component of interior design and on the website you can see all of our amazing products. With a great array of colours, patterns and finishes to consider, taking time to find the perfect addition to your decor is of paramount importance. That said, different digital devices have varying levels of picture resolution so a product on your phone may look slightly different to your PC. To help you avoid ordering the wrong colour or fabric, you can order up to eight free samples. 

Ask questions!

If you’re unsure about a step before making your order, our friendly customer service team is on hand to help. You can speak with a member of the team via the webchat function or contact them directly with your query. In the meantime, these are some valuable pages which may answer your question:

• – Buyer’s guides for blinds, shutters, and curtains 
• – The blog
• – Measuring guides for blinds
• – Measuring guides for curtains
• – Fitting instructions