When undertaking any kind of build project, be that a large-scale renovation, single storey extension, full-blown self-build or even just a few overdue home improvements, soft furnishings often tend to get left as a bit of an afterthought – yet the effect they can have on the end result of all that hard work can be huge.
When it comes to window treatments, the options are vast and, with interior design trends ever changing, making a decision on what will be right for you can seem daunting. Everything from the style of window you are working with to the room the window coverings are being used in needs to be taken into account – and that's even before getting into your personal design preferences.
In general, the choice comes down to curtains, blinds or shutters – which is why we've taken a deep dive into each, explaining where they work best, when they are a bad idea, plus everything in between.
Curtains
Curtains are what usually springs to mind for most people when thinking about the best way to keep out the light, create a little privacy and, of course, to prevent heat loss in an old house on a cold night.
Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Blinds2Go, explains just why curtains are still the main go-to for many. "Curtains remain a popular choice for their ability to add warmth, texture and softness to a room. They let you get creative and play around with layered fabrics, colours and patterns to create a statement feature in any room or, if you want a softer look, choose a more neutral style to blend seamlessly into an existing scheme."
Matthias Silverton, interior design consultant at SnugCo, says that curtains are still a top pick for design experts too. "Curtains are always a favourite with interior designers, simply because they offer a lot more variance than other window dressings. Curtains offer a huge choice of textures, colours, and visual weight – where other window treatments can be a bit more one-dimensional."
Matthias goes on to point out the highly practical role curtains can play too in terms of keeping a house warm. "When it comes to blocking light and retaining heat, curtains are hard to beat. Thermal-lined curtains act as a heavy physical barrier against winter drafts, helping to keep rooms cosy and lower energy bills.
"Because fabric can extend well beyond the window frame, curtains also prevent light leakage around the edges," continues Matthias. "Heavy or blackout-lined drapes with a tighter heading like pinched or pencil pleat are the only real choice for total darkness in bedrooms."
Where do curtains work best?
In general, curtains are best where a sense of warmth and intimacy is required, as Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV, explains. "Generally speaking, curtains suit spaces like bedrooms and cosy living rooms, bringing comfort and warmth. Their flowing fabric can also enhance a room’s proportions, adding a sense of height and grandeur when hung correctly. Additionally, curtains offer excellent insulation, helping to retain heat in winter and block out harsh sunlight in summer."
Where don't they work so well?
Curtains won't be right for every scenario, particularly where you want to let light in, but keep nosey neighbours from looking, as Matthias Silverton points out. "Curtains often need to be layered with sheer under-curtains to stop passers-by looking straight into your home if you have a road-side window. Customers often forget that to allow natural light in, you also lose a lot of privacy, so if you’d like natural light and privacy in the daytime, then budget for a secondary lighter sheer curtain layer or a cafe style half curtain."
Matthias also warns against using curtains extensively in wet areas, in particular for bathroom window privacy solutions. "You can get a lot of new materials and coatings on curtains these days, but in general curtains are not as good in areas of high humidity or where they’re likely to get grubby and dirty."
Shop stylish curtains
The classic cotton ticking stripe design of these curtains is timeless, while the pencil pleat top does a great job of keeping out the light. Additionally, these curtains can be hung with a pole or track.
Available in four colours, these full-length curtains will not only keep out all light, but also have great thermal properties thanks to the three-layer lining, making them perfect for draughty rooms.
With a huge range of colours and sizes available, these luxurious velvet curtains will lend a really sumptuous look to any room they are hung in. They feature a thick thermal lining to keep rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
Chloe Dacosta is the Design Manager at Blinds 2go, where she leads on product innovation and interior styling.
With over 14 years of experience, Matthias creates warm, inviting homes through thoughtful interior design and expertly crafted soft furnishings. He holds a BA (Hons) in Interior Design from Chelsea College of Arts and developed his expertise at John Lewis & Partners' interior design before establishing his own practice dedicated to residential interior design. Matthias specialises in transforming every-day homes into beautifully textured and interesting spaces through carefully curated colour schemes, bespoke upholstery, and coordinated soft furnishings.
Debbie is an expert in creating beautifully coordinated fabric collections that can be easily combined to create harmonious interior schemes. With more than 30 years of experience, she takes every design from conception right through to the finished textile - inspired by the latest trends and techniques from every continent.
Blinds
If you are after something with a little more structure, then blinds could be a great alternative to curtains, as Chloe Dacosta explains. "Blinds offer a more streamlined approach to window dressing and are available in a wide range of styles, materials and colours. One major advantage of blinds is their flexibility. Many styles allow you to adjust the amount of light entering a room without completely opening the window dressing, making them particularly useful in bedrooms, living rooms and for home office design ideas."
Debbie Leigh agrees that blinds are better for those after a more pared-back finish. "Blinds provide a sleek and structured alternative to curtains. Roman blinds, in particular, strike a balance between elegance and practicality, offering the softness of fabric with a more tailored and space-saving look. They are an excellent choice for smaller rooms, bay windows, or spaces where floor-length curtains might be impractical, such as kitchens and bathrooms."
Matthias Silverton feels that blinds are the better choice where you don't necessarily want your window treatments to take centre stage. "From a styling perspective, blinds are a great choice when there’s already a strong visual impact in a room and you don’t want to overpower the visual balance. Blinds are a favorite for modern and functional spaces for this very reason, providing a non-offensive and clean aesthetic.
"That said, blinds still come in a wide range of materials so they’re not always a cold choice visually," continues Matthias. "You can often find a midway between personality and practicality with Roman blinds and a bigger choice of textures and patterns."
Where do blinds work best?
There are many instances where blinds are definitely the best option.
"Blinds are fantastic for balanced privacy because many styles, like Venetian or Roman, allow you to tilt slats or pull sections up halfway," points out Matthias Silverton. "This means you can easily block the view of foot traffic from the street on the lower half of the window while still letting natural daylight stream in from the top, all without needing a secondary layer.
"Blinds shine brightest in functional, moisture-prone, or space-conscious areas where flapping and cleaning thicker fabric just isn’t practical," adds Matthias. "Waterproof faux-wood or aluminum blinds are the gold standard for kitchen windows and bathrooms where fabric would trap steam and grease.
"Blinds are also perfect for home offices, utility rooms, and small bedrooms where you want clean lines, easy operation, and a clutter-free look that doesn't overwhelm the space."
Where don't blinds work as well?
If you want a softer look and are hoping to make a statement with your window dressings, full-length, luxurious curtains tend to be better than blinds.
Additionally, most blinds struggle to offer the same thermal qualities as curtains, so if you want to block out cold draughts, this may not be the best option for you.
Shop beautiful blinds
Available in a good range of colours, this Roman blind features a brushed fabric finish which lends it a high-end feel, while the blackout lining makes it a good choice for bedrooms too.
This classic pattern, Strawberry Thief, comes in three colourways and will lend so much charm to the room it graces. The blind is simple to fit, while the chain pull features a child safety device for peace of mind.
Promising to block out 100% of light, these cordless blinds require no drilling making them ideal for renters or those after a quick, mess free installation. They also come in a range colours and sizes.
Shutters
The use of shutters is nothing new – even in Ancient Greece they were a common sight and in the UK they were being used well before glass was a thing. Now, however, rather than being relied to keep out the weather, they are seen as a super stylish window treatment.
"Shutters work well as a more permanent style of window dressing, with adjustable slats giving you control over light, privacy and ventilation," explains Chloe Dacosta. "They’re also one of the most thermally efficient window treatments to keep out the cold, adding an extra layer at the window that can help reduce heat loss and keep rooms more comfortable in colder weather. Their clean lines work well in contemporary and traditional interiors alike, while their solid construction gives them a substantial, built-in appearance."
"They bring structure, symmetry, and high-end polish to a room, while offering a clean, sophisticated look that suits both modern new build as well as period homes and even work in bay windows," adds Matthias Silverton.
Where do they work best?
Shutters work for all kinds of rooms, as long as you bear in mind that they will strongly define the space as opposed to acting like a decorative flourish. "Treat them as more of a permanent architectural feature rather than a soft furnishing," says Matthias.
"Shutters are at their best in street-facing rooms and in bay windows and are perfect for Victorian or Edwardian terraced house styles, where privacy from the pavement is a priority – but do be aware that the cost of window shutters is higher upfront."
Where are options other than shutters a better idea?
As mentioned, shutters need to be viewed as more of a permanent fixture, so if you plan on moving in the near future, they may not be the best option.
"If you’re renting a property with strict rules on drilling into walls or window frames, then shutters can be ruled out entirely in most cases," adds Matthias. "No-drill blinds or existing curtain rails can both offer the same practicality and aesthetic."
Matthias goes on to point out that they won't always block every scrap of light either. "It’s common for homeowners to think shutters are a more permanent way to block out all light for night workers and sleepers who need full darkness, but this is far from the truth, so be careful if that’s your expectation. Curtains with a blackout lining and tight heading types will almost always be the better option here."
FAQs
What is window stacking?
Sometimes, a single solution towards window dressing isn't enough – which is where 'window stacking' comes in, a technique that sees several types of treatments used together – layering up on blinds, curtains and sometimes even shutters.
"Layering curtains and blinds can create depth and add versatility to a room’s design," explains Debbie Leigh. "It offers a more dynamic approach."
Combining shutters with curtains is a really flexible solution – offering both a way to create partial privacy and let in light, as well as creating a softer look and enjoying the thermal benefits curtains lend.
When it comes to your living room design, your window treatment ideas need to take into account privacy requirements as well as whether or not you want them to perform a thermal role in keeping draughts out, as well as preventing solar gain during the sunnier months. If you do end up choosing shutters, make sure you also use this shutter tip for dealing with hot and cold temperatures.
