The Complete Guide to Choosing Blinds, Curtains and Shutters For Your Home

Choosing new blinds, curtains and shutters can completely transform a room. The right window dressing can improve privacy, control natural light, make a room more comfortable and bring the whole interior together.
With so many styles, fabrics and finishes available, however, knowing where to begin is not always easy.

Should you choose blinds, curtains, shutters or a combination of both? Which style is best for a bathroom, bedroom or kitchen? What works well on bi-fold doors or unusually shaped windows? And is made-to-measure really worth the investment?

Is Made-to-Measure Really Worth It?

Ready-made blinds and curtains come in a handful of standard sizes, and many windows aren’t a standard size. The result is often a blind that leaves gaps at the sides, a curtain that stops short of the sill, or a product that’s been cut down at home and never quite looks right.

Made-to-measure means:

• A precise fit: no light gaps, no trimming, and a neat finish in the recess or on the frame
• Better performance: blackout and thermal fabrics only work properly when the blind fits closely
• More choice: thousands of fabrics, colours and finishes, rather than a few stock options
• Better quality components that are built to last for years of daily use
• Expert fitting: our team measures and fits everything, so there’s no guesswork and no DIY

This guide answers the questions homeowners most frequently ask and explains the practical points that should be considered before choosing blinds, curtains and shutters for any room in the home.

At Norwich Sunblinds, we have been measuring, making and fitting blinds, curtains and shutters across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for more than 40 years.

During that time, we have worked with almost every type of property, from traditional Norfolk cottages and Suffolk market-town homes to contemporary developments and barn conversions throughout East Anglia.

Our most important advice is simple: start with the room and the window, rather than choosing a product purely because you like how it looks.

Start With the Room, Not the Product

One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a blind or curtain based entirely on its appearance, without considering how the room is used.
Before looking at colours and fabrics, consider:

• How much privacy do you need?
• Which direction does the room face?
• Does the room become particularly hot or cold?
• Do you need blackout or glare reduction?
• Is moisture likely to be a problem?
• How frequently will the blind or curtain be used?
• Are there children or pets in the home?
• Are there handles, vents, radiators or other obstructions near the window?

Living Rooms

Living rooms often need to balance several requirements:

• Natural light
• Privacy
• Comfort
• Style
• Glare reduction
• Insulation

Popular choices include:

• Roller blinds
• Venetian blinds
• Plantation shutters
• Curtains
• Roman blinds

Bright Yellow Roller Blinds in a Living Room

Roman blinds and curtains introduce softness and warmth, while Shutters and Venetian blinds provide more precise control over light and privacy. In many Norfolk and Suffolk homes, particularly period properties with bay windows, homeowners often combine blinds and curtains to achieve the best balance of privacy, insulation and style.

Bedrooms

In bedrooms, comfort and light control are usually the main priorities.
Consider:

• Blackout or dim-out fabrics
• Privacy
• Thermal performance
• Noise reduction
• Ease of operation
• Early morning or evening sunlight

A Roman blind in Antique Gold creates a warm glow

Many homes across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire have east-facing bedrooms that receive strong morning sunlight. In these rooms, blackout blinds and lined curtains can be particularly effective for improving sleep quality and comfort.

Where maximum darkness is important, our representative will consider the position of the blind, the depth of the recess and whether curtains are also being used,

All blinds we supply meet the UK child-safety standard for internal blinds (BS EN 13120), which requires features such as breakaway connectors and cord tensioners. For nurseries and children’s bedrooms, we recommend going one step further with cordless, wand-operated, motorised or Perfect Fit blinds, which have no loose cords at all. Read more about our approach to child safety.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms need window dressings that can cope with humidity and occasional splashes.
Suitable options may include:

• Moisture-resistant roller blinds
• Aluminium or faux-wood Venetian blinds
• Perfect Fit blinds
• Shutters made from suitable water-resistant materials

Circular shutters for this bathroom with a porthole window.

The exact fabric or material is more important than the general style of blind. Not every roller blind or Venetian blind is suitable for a damp environment.
Natural timber and delicate fabrics may warp, mark or deteriorate in consistently humid conditions, so always choose a material specifically designed for bathrooms.
Privacy is also important. Frosted, light-filtering or adjustable products can allow natural light into the room without leaving it exposed.

Let our experienced team take the guesswork out of choosing blinds. We’ll help you select the ideal style for your windows, your room and the level of privacy you need.

Kitchens

Kitchen blinds need to be practical, durable and easy to maintain.
Look for products that are:

• Easy to wipe clean
• Resistant to moisture
• Suitable for areas near sinks and worktops
• Space-efficient
• Easy to operate

Vertical blinds for the kitchen

Roller blinds are a popular kitchen choice because they are simple, neat and available in a wide range of practical fabrics.
Venetian blinds and Perfect Fit blinds can also work well, particularly where adjustable privacy is important.
Roman blinds and curtains can create a softer look, but they are better suited to windows positioned away from sinks, hobs and food preparation areas.

Get expert advice on the best fabric for your room. We’ll help you choose a blind that’s designed to cope with everyday moisture, steam and heat.

Conservatories and Garden Rooms

Conservatories and garden rooms are especially popular throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, where homeowners want to maximise natural light and enjoy garden views throughout the year. Choosing the right blinds can help keep these spaces cooler during summer and more comfortable during colder months.
Suitable options include:

• Pleated blinds
• Cellular or honeycomb blinds
• Perfect Fit blinds
• Roof blinds
• Smart blinds

These products can provide greater control over sunlight, glare, privacy and temperature.
Cellular blinds are particularly useful where thermal performance is a priority. Their honeycomb-shaped pockets trap a layer of air, helping to reduce heat transfer through the window.
For large or high-level windows, motorisation can make the blinds much easier to use.

Home Offices

A home office needs comfortable light rather than complete darkness.
The main considerations are:

• Screen glare
• Daytime privacy
• Adjustable light control
• Heat from direct sunlight
• A tidy, professional appearance

Venetian, vertical, roller and pleated blinds are all practical options. Motorisation adds convenience too.
Adjustable slats can be particularly useful because they allow daylight into the room while directing it away from a computer screen.

Best Choice By Room

Blinds or Curtains?

This is often the first question homeowners ask.
The right answer depends on the room, the style of the property and how you need the window dressing to perform.
Choose Blinds If You Want:

• Precise light control
• A clean, contemporary appearance
• Easy maintenance
• A space-saving solution
• A wide choice of practical fabrics
• A neat option for doors or smaller windows

Blinds are extremely versatile and can be adapted to suit almost every room in the home.
Choose Curtains If You Want:

• A softer appearance
• Additional warmth and insulation
• Improved acoustics
• A more layered interior
• A traditional or luxurious feel
• Greater choice of fullness, headings and decorative finishes

Curtains installed by Norwich Sunblinds

Curtains can add character and comfort, particularly when they are properly lined and fitted.
Their insulating performance will depend on the fabric, lining, fullness and how closely they sit around the window.
Why Not Have Both?
Many professionally designed interiors combine blinds and curtains.

This gives you:

• Better light control
• Greater privacy
• Additional insulation
• More flexibility throughout the day
• A more finished and luxurious appearance

For example, a Roller or Roman blind can provide everyday light control, while curtains frame the window and add softness.
In a bedroom, a blackout blind combined with lined curtains can provide greater darkness and comfort than either product used alone.

Book a free design consultation and we’ll show you how blinds and curatins could work at your windows.

Choose According to the Window

The way a window opens can be just as important as the room it is in.
Before choosing a product, you should also consider the size, shape and construction of the window.

Bay Windows

Bay windows can be dressed with:

• Individual Roman blinds
• Roller blinds
• Venetian blinds
• Shutters
• Made-to-measure curtains

Brand new shutters made from a polysilk vinyl material.

Careful measuring is essential because angles, handles, window boards and limited fixing space can affect the final design.
Curtains may need a specially shaped track or pole to follow the bay correctly.
Our highly skilled representatives are experienced, ensuring accurate measurements of your bay window.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold doors require a neat, low-profile solution that will not interfere with the movement of the panels.
Suitable choices may include:

• Perfect Fit blinds
• Pleated blinds
• Cellular blinds
• Certain roller blind systems

The available clearance around the glass, handles and door frames must be checked before a product is selected.
Not every blind will allow the doors to fold fully, which is why our professional measuring and installing service is particularly valuable.

French and Patio Doors

Vertical blinds, roller blinds, Perfect Fit blinds and curtains can all work well on French and patio doors.
Think about:

• How frequently the doors are opened
• Whether individual door panels need separate blinds
• The position of handles
• How much floor space is available for curtains
• Whether the blind may move in a draught

Tilt-and-Turn Windows

Tilt-and-turn windows open in more than one direction, which can make conventional blinds difficult to use.
Perfect Fit are a great solution because they move with the window rather than hanging separately within the recess.

Roof Windows and High-Level Glazing

Roof windows often need blinds that are held securely against the glass.
Pleated, cellular and specialist roof blinds are commonly used.
Motorised operation is worth considering for windows that are difficult to reach

Unusually Shaped Windows

Arched, angled and very large windows may require specialist products.
Made-to-measure shutters, shaped blinds and bespoke tracks can often provide a solution where standard products will not fit correctly.

Blinds especially made for Gable End Windows

Not sure which option is right for your space? Our experienced advisors can help you find the perfect blinds for your room, window shape and privacy needs.

Which Type of Blind Or Shutter Is Right for You?

Understanding the strengths of each blind style makes choosing much easier.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are simple, practical and versatile.

They are commonly used in:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Bedrooms
• Home offices
• Utility rooms
• Children’s rooms

They are available in a wide range of fabrics, including:

• Blackout
• Dim-out
• Light-filtering
• Moisture-resistant
• Patterned
• Texture
• Thermal

Roller blinds are an excellent choice when you want a neat appearance without too much fabric around the window.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds combine the softness of curtains with the practicality of a blind.

They work particularly well in:

• Bedrooms
• Dining rooms
• Guest rooms
• Living rooms

Their fabric folds create a warm, luxurious appearance.
Roman blinds can be lined for added body, insulation or improved light control. However, they may not be the best choice immediately beside a sink, hob or shower.

Because the fabric stacks at the top of the window, it is also important to consider how much of the glass will be covered when the blind is raised.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds provide excellent control over both privacy and light.

They are suitable for:

• Bathrooms
• Home offices
• Kitchens
• Living rooms
• Street-facing windows

Their adjustable slats allow you to control the direction and intensity of daylight throughout the day.
Aluminium Venetian blinds are practical and easy to maintain. Faux-wood versions provide a warmer appearance and are often suitable for rooms where natural timber would be impractical.

Venetian blinds also work well in kitchens because they are easy to clean, adjustable for light control, and available in moisture-resistant materials like aluminium or faux wood.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are particularly effective on wide windows and doors.

They work well on:

• Conservatories
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Home offices
• Large glazed areas
• Patio doors

The louvres can be tilted for privacy or drawn back to give clear access to the window or door.
Modern vertical blinds are available in a much wider choice of fabrics and finishes. Our specialists can help you narrow down the options and select the ideal look for your space.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds have a neat, modern appearance and are particularly useful for:

• Bi-fold doors
• Conservatories
• Energy-conscious homes
• Modern glazing
• Roof windows

They are available in light-filtering, blackout and thermal fabrics.
Their slim profile makes them useful where space around the window frame is limited.

Cellular or Honeycomb Blinds

Cellular blinds contain small honeycomb-shaped pockets that trap air between the room and the glass.

They can help:

• Improve privacy
• Reduce glare
• Reduce heat gain in summer
• Retain warmth in winter
• Soften natural light

Shaped Blinds & 1 x Free hanging pleated blind.

They are especially suitable for bedrooms, conservatories, garden rooms and modern energy-efficient homes.

Perfect Fit Blinds

Perfect Fit blinds sit within a frame attached neatly to the window or door.
They require no drilling into the window frame and move with the glass when the window or door is opened.

They are often suitable for:

• Bi-fold doors
• Conservatories
• French doors
• Glazed doors
• Modern uPVC windows
• Tilt-and-turn windows

They create a sleek, integrated appearance and leave window sills clear.
However, suitability depends on the window bead, seals, handles and available clearance. Book a free consultation and our representatives and installers will ensure that your blinds will truly have the “perfect fit”.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters provide a distinctive architectural finish and excellent control over privacy and light.

They work particularly well in:

• Bay windows
• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Modern interiors
• Period properties
• Street-facing rooms

These shutters look gorgeous.

Plantation shutters are particularly popular in many Norfolk and Suffolk period homes because they suit both traditional and contemporary interiors while providing excellent privacy and light control.

Book a free consultation and our knowledgeable specialists will guide you to the perfect shutter solution for your home, based on your window type, room and privacy preferences.

Motorised Blinds

Motorised blinds offer convenience, accessibility and a clean appearance.

They may be operated using:

• A compatible smart home system
• A remote control
• A smartphone
• A wall switch

They are particularly useful for:

• Bedrooms
• Conservatories
• Customers with reduced mobility
• High or hard-to-reach windows
• Large blinds
• Multiple blinds in one room

Motorisation can also remove the need for visible operating cords or chains.

Day and Night Blinds

Day and night blinds alternate sheer and solid fabric stripes. Slide them to line up the solid bands for privacy, or offset them to let soft daylight through. They’re a stylish choice for living rooms, bedrooms and home offices.

Allusion Blinds

Benefit from seamless access to your outdoor space.

The main appeal of allusion blinds over other kinds of blind is that you can easily walk through them. They combine the flow of sheer curtains with the practicality of vertical blinds, offering more privacy and light control than regular curtains. 

Choosing Colours, Fabrics and Finishes

The colour and fabric you choose can have as much visual impact as the style of blind or curtain.
Light Colours

Lighter shades can:

• Blend gently with the surrounding décor
• Create a calm atmosphere
• Make smaller rooms feel more open
• Reflect natural light

They work well in rooms that receive limited daylight or where you want a soft, understated look.

Dark Colours

Darker shades can:

• Add warmth and sophistication
• Create a stronger design statement
• Create contrast
• Draw attention to the window
• Make a large room feel cosier

Dark colours can be very effective, but it is worth viewing samples in the room itself because natural and artificial light can alter how the colour appears.

Patterns and Textures

Plain fabrics give a calm, timeless look and are easy to coordinate with other furnishings. Patterns and textures add personality, and they work well when the rest of the room is simple. Large patterns suit large windows; smaller prints suit smaller windows and Roman blinds, where the folds can break up a bold design.

Light-Filtering, Dim-Out and Blackout

• Light-filtering fabrics soften daylight and give daytime privacy. They’re ideal for living rooms and kitchens.
• Dim-out fabrics block most light but not all. They’re a good choice where you want a darker room without total blackout.
• Blackout fabrics block light through the fabric itself. They’re ideal for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms.

Linings for Curtains and Roman Blinds

Lining protects fabric from sun fading, adds body so it hangs and folds well, and improves performance. Standard linings add a neat finish, thermal linings help keep warmth in, and blackout linings turn almost any fabric into a blackout curtain or blind.

Wood, Faux Wood and Aluminium

Real wood gives Venetian blinds and shutters a warm, natural finish, but it’s best kept away from steam and condensation. Faux-wood gives a similar look in a moisture-resistant material, which makes it a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Aluminium is slim, lightweight and very easy to keep clean.

We’ll bring samples to your home visit so you can see how each fabric looks in your own light.

There’s no universal “best” window dressing. The right choice depends on the room, the window, your privacy needs and your style. That’s why we start every project with a free home visit.

One of our advisors will measure your windows, bring fabric samples to see in your own light, and recommend the options that will look beautiful and work well for years.

Book your free home visit or call us on 01603 334 085. We’ve been helping homeowners across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for more than 40 years.