To enhance the look of your home, you need the right decoration and fittings. Blinds are a type of window treatment that can make or break the indoor environment you wish to create. Apart from improving your home’s aesthetics, window blinds also provide privacy and light control.
If you’re planning to shop for new blinds online, be careful as they don’t come cheap. Buying ones that don’t fit, match your home’s style, or offer adequate functionality may result in a waste of money. Most people who have purchased the wrong blinds end up not using them or, worse, throwing them away. Always consider the room they’re intended for to avoid buying blinds that make the wrong statement.
Before you decide, check out these five tips to get the most out of your purchase:
- Identify your needs
When buying window blinds online, your first step is to identify your needs. How are you planning to use the blinds you’ll purchase? Are you looking for one that will provide privacy, decorative purposes, adequate lighting, or all three? Identify what function the blinds will play to narrow down your options and make it easier to find the one that best suits your home.
- Find out what is available
The next thing to know is what is for sale. There are various types of blinds according to their function, material, and style. Here are some of them:
- Vertical blinds
These are made of strong materials called vanes. Vertical blinds can be opened up and closed together to let in fresh air while reducing light flow into a room. They come with a chain that you can pull up or down to adjust the height. These blinds are suitable for rooms with large windows such as your study or home office. (1)
- Venetian blinds
These are made of horizontal flat slats that can either be adjusted to various openings or in different directions to enable the passage of air and light into a room. They come with a wand and strings for adjustments and tensioning to offer privacy while letting in light. Venetian blinds are suitable for small windows or single doors. They’re also best for rooms where daylight provision and visual comfort are a priority. (2)
- Wooden blinds
These are similar to Venetian blinds, except they have a more traditional. They operate in much the same way but require regular maintenance to retain their aesthetic charm. Wooden window blinds give a room a rustic feel. That’s why they’re perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens with the same theme to match their aesthetics. (3)
- Woven wood blinds
These are made of natural wood woven into slats using strong materials. Woven window blinds give your home that rustic feel, and their natural look makes them suitable for dining rooms designed with a country-style or traditional theme to match furniture such as wooden tables, chairs, and cabinets. Woven wood blinds also create a homey and warm atmosphere. (4)
These are just four common types, but you can find a more extensive window blind selection in the market today. Once you’ve identified the type you want, you may check out the available options and proceed to the next step.
- Check whether the seller is reliable
When you’ve established what you’re looking for, the next thing to do is look for reputable sellers and providers. Check if they have a good reputation. Visit the company’s website and look for the seller’s information.
You may also read what other customers are saying about their experience with the seller in the customer reviews and feedback section. You can then narrow down your prospect list to those with consistently positive customer feedback.
- Read the fine print
After identifying a seller, read through the terms and conditions to know what you’re getting into. Some sites may impose restrictions requiring customers to pay for transport and incidental fees. That’s why you need to understand the fine print to ensure you won’t incur extra costs or be dissatisfied with what you bought after it’s delivered.
- Choose quality over price
Lastly, before clicking on “Buy Now,” ensure the seller offers good quality products at reasonable prices. When comparing products, always go for quality over price. This way, you’ll have the assurance that you’re getting your money’s worth.
Although the price of a product is a crucial factor, it doesn’t mean that you should choose cheap, low-quality blinds. The best thing to do when shopping for blinds online is to strike that delicate balance between quality and price.
Wrapping Up
When buying blinds online, don’t rush your decision because it might result in a costly mistake. To ensure a safe and worthwhile shopping experience, follow these tips and get the best value for your money.
References:
(1) “If You Think Window Blinds are Expensive, You Need to Read This!”, Source: https://www.livspace.com/in/magazine/window-blinds
(2) “Efficient venetian blind control strategies considering daylight utilization and glare protection”, Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0038092X13004064
(3) “The Best Types of Blinds and Which Are Right for Your Home”, Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/living-family-rooms/a31757112/types-of-blinds/
(4) “A Practical Guide to Woven Wood Shades”, Source: https://www.allisajacobs.com/a-practical-guide-to-woven-wood-shades/
