Light is often the most influential interior design aspect, and layering curtains and blinds together can add depth, character and personality to your home.

It’s important to take into account many factors when choosing the right window decorations:  What’s the budget? What’s the space used for – sleeping, cooking, or working? Light and privacy are also very important to consider, alongside safety options when it comes to rooms that are used by children and pets.

Online blinds retailer BlindsbyPost has pulled together a handy guide of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to styling curtains and blinds together.

1. Choose your style

First things first, styling blinds and curtains together begins  with understanding the main  function of the room you’re decorating. It’s important to start with the base layer – in this case,  the size of the window, the practicality of the space, and your style preferences.

Wooden blinds offer a natural and organic look and feel to a space, as well as acting as a natural insulator. Wooden blinds are a great choice for those wanting to live a more sustainable life, reduce energy consumption and keep their heating bills down!

Roller blinds are a great budget-friendly choice. Available in a huge variety of colours and patterns, these blinds are easy to operate and very low maintenance. They are also available in a range of different materials, including blackout fabric which is ideal for bedrooms and ensuring a restful night’s sleep, and waterproof PVC material which is perfect  for wet rooms!

Roman blinds offer blackout, light-filtering and thermal features, making them suitable for any room. Not only do they look luxurious, but they are easy to operate with a simple pull  cord. They also let in lots of natural light during the day while providing insulating properties at night to help keep rooms warmer.

Perfect Fit blinds are among the most popular blind choices at BlindsbyPost, as they are measured precisely to clip into your window frame. This makes the installation process easy for those not so handy with D.I.Y. They are quick to fit, and because they don’t require any screws or drills making them perfect for rental accommodation.

Metal blinds are ideal for busier rooms as they are very low maintenance and can be easily wiped down. They are also budget-friendly, making them ideal for larger windows.

Pleated blinds are available in a variety of colours, they offer amazing light control and also have blackout and thermal features, ideal for busy living spaces or bedrooms.

Day and Night blinds  combine the benefits of both light filtering and blackout fabrics to make the most of the daylight and provide effective privacy. By simply pulling the cord you can have either a bright and open space, or alternatively a private and more secluded space, blocking out light. These blinds are great for busy living spaces and bedrooms.

2. Which curtain type is best for your blind?

As well as blind types, curtains also come in a variety of different options. From heavy duty curtains that are often fully lined, to sheer voile and net curtains that offer a more simplistic look (often used more for decoration). Curtains come in a wide range of sizes, from short widths and heights, to floor-length statement drapes. It’s important to establish which type of curtain will best go with your blind.

If you’ve chosen a blind with blackout features, we would best suggest a sheer voile curtain to  complement your blind, rather than overpowering your window area. It’s important not to over-crowd your window with too much weight to keep a room looking fresh and light. If you are opting for a blind that will be used for more decoration, such as a Roman blind in a kitchen space, then we would suggest pairing thicker and larger pleated curtains that will come in use to block-out light and provide insulation.

3. Maximise the size of your window

Both practical and decorative, well-chosen blinds can be a cost effective way to transform a room. Experimenting with different heights, textures and sizes of curtains and blinds, can often help build and add a lot of character to your window area and room.

It’s particularly important to consider the size of your window. If it is a smaller window we would recommend opting for a blind that rolls all the way up, such as a Roller or Roman blind, and pairing shorter curtains or voiles to really maximise light and space. If you have larger bay windows to cover, consider blinds with Vertical or Horizontal slats, paired with lined, floor-length drapes to really elevate and elongate a window.

4. Experiment with colour and pattern

As your window can often be the main focus in a room, it’s important to play on that, and draw even more attention to it. You can often get away with going bold with your design ideas near a window, due to the light radiating through.

Window decorations are a cost effective way to experiment with your personal interior style. Go bold by pairing detailed patterned Roller blinds with a striking colour in your curtains, or alternatively mix and match patterns for a full maximalist look.

If you are struggling for space, the best window treatment is choosing lighter colours. Whilst you may want to match your blinds to existing interiors, choosing darker blinds can make a room look much smaller. When choosing light and fresh colours such as light grey, beige, white or cream , you can make a space look much more open and bigger.

5. The finishing touches

Accessories are a way to complete your look and add the finishing touches to your space, making it feel more like home. Once you’re happy with your blind and curtain combo, look for soft furnishings and accents that complete the look.

Tiebacks often help keep curtains away from your frame, giving your blinds the attention they deserve, and making it easier to navigate your blinds. They also come in a range of different colours and styles, ranging from soft tassel tie-backs to more contemporary metal finishes. Curtain poles, pelmets and valances are other popular accessories that can make your window area feel more complete.

For more information and to shop the full range of blinds, please visit: www.blindsbypost.co.uk