Shutters vs blinds: which is right for your home?

Two very different looks, two very different products. Which is right for your home? Putting personal taste and the obvious visual differences aside, there are functional differences between blinds and shutters that could affect your choice. Here is a quick guide to the pros and cons of each.

Table of contents

• Blinds: the pros and cons

• What rooms do blinds work best in?

• Shutters: the pros and cons

• What rooms do shutters work best in?

Blinds: the pros and cons

Blinds are affordable and versatile. In the simplest terms they split into slat blinds (verticals, venetians and Elegance-Shades) and full-cover blinds (rollers, romans and honeycombs).

Pros

• Pair them with other coverings, like curtains, sheers or another type of blind.

• Fabric blinds offer a softer look, in a huge variety of styles, designs and colours to suit any home.

• Materials to suit any environment, such as PVC for wet areas and lined romans for dark bedrooms.

• Affordable, though cost varies with the materials used and the size of the blind.

• Easily adjustable to control light, especially venetians and verticals.

• Some types can be motorised for a child-safe option, and blockout or thermal linings improve comfort.

• Generally easy to keep clean.

Cons

• Durable, but less robust than shutters and with a shorter lifespan.

• A little more upkeep than shutters; some blinds need professional cleaning and servicing.

• Some fabrics and materials can be damaged by UV or too much moisture.

• Used in excess, venetians can look visually busy because of all the horizontal lines.

• Cords and chains can be a safety risk to children if not properly secured.

What rooms do blinds work best in?

There is not a room in the house that would not suit a blind; it is more about the type you choose for each room. Fabric romans or wooden venetians are not ideal in bathrooms because of the moisture, where a moisture-friendly bathroom blind works better. For more on matching blinds to rooms, see our guide on choosing the right blinds for your home.

Shutters: the pros and cons

Shutters cost more and take longer to fit, but they are built to last and add a premium, timeless look. Read our guide to the different kinds of shutters for the full picture.

Pros

• A unique structure that adds value to your home.

• Hardwearing and long lasting; with proper care, shutters can outlast blinds by many years.

• Very child-safe, with no cords or chains.

• Depending on the material, shutters are excellent insulators, deflecting heat in summer and holding warmth in winter.

• Low maintenance and easy to clean; large blades wipe down quickly with no connecting cords.

• A timeless yet modern look, available in wood, PVC and faux wood.

• Excellent light control and ventilation, especially with a tilt-bar cut or a divider rail so the top and bottom can operate separately.

• They stay put with the window open, unlike a blind that flaps in a breeze, and they are perfect for doors because they can be fixed.

Cons

• Significantly more expensive to buy than standard blinds, though some feature-heavy blinds can also add up.

• They take up more space, fitted to the reveal rather than the recess, so they need deep reveals clear of handles and latches.

• They need clearance to open, so consider nearby walls and furniture.

• Their weight can make them unsuitable for some window styles.

• They take longer to make and install, and are less varied than blinds, though styles like cafe-style are available.

What rooms do shutters work best in?

Shutters work for every room; the main thing to consider is the space around the window, since they need clearance to open. For corner windows they may not be ideal, or you could opt for fixed, non-opening shutters. If insulation is your priority, wooden shutters work well, and they can be paired with curtains or a roman blind for extra warmth.

Still torn between the two? Our guide on choosing between curtains and blinds can help, or request a free in-home consultation and we will help you choose the right fit for every window.