Venetian blinds & roller blinds for sunny windows
- Kerrin Auld
- Consultant
In short
For sunny windows, blinds with tiltable slats — venetian or vertical blinds, or shutters — give you the most control, letting you open up, close tight or tilt for privacy with some light. Sunscreen roller blinds filter light and protect your furniture by day but need a blockout layer for night, while Russells Premium Elegance Shades sit somewhere between a blind and a curtain. The right choice comes down to the light and privacy balance you want, how you’d like to operate them, and how much cleaning you’re happy to do.
With summer comes an increase in bright sunlight which can wreak havoc on your living quarters, creating glare on TVs and other screens, damaging some materials making them brittle, and bleaching carpet and furniture. Here are some suggestions from our consultants plus considerations around operation, maintenance and managing light and privacy.
Venetian and vertical blinds, or shutters are good because their tiltable slats mean you have huge scope to control light. You can open them completely to let the sun shine in, close them tight to block the light, or tilt the slats to retain privacy but also allow some light in.
Sunscreen roller blinds can remain down all day to filter light, retain privacy and protect your furniture from UV. However you will need something for night time to block out light and keep your privacy – pair with a curtain over top or choose a dual roller blind that comes with a blockout version.
Russells Premium Elegance Shades are an innovative product that’s somewhere between a vertical blind and a curtain. They’re fade resistant and offer versatility by simply turning one way for privacy and to filter light through the opaque fabric and the other way to let in more light through the mesh fabric. Even better, they have no weights or connecting chains so you can let a breeze flow through and they’re whisper quiet.
If you’re still not sure which is the right option for your home, here’s what you need to consider in making your choice:
Table of contents
How do you strike the right light and privacy balance?
How much of either of these things you need or want could be dependent on where you want it. For example, in a bedroom you’re much more likely to prioritise the blocking out of all light than in a kitchen where a bright, airy feel is appropriate. However, even in the kitchen you still don’t want too much light and heat pouring in or it could spoil any food left out. And in north facing street-front rooms where you do a lot of living, privacy becomes more significant.
How do you want to operate them?
Do you want your blinds to be operated by a pull-cord or chain, twist-wand, digital control or chainless? It’s wise to factor children into this decision – blind cords that dangle quite low are a major safety hazard. Check out our Zero Gravity roller blinds – just a nudge upwards and the blinds do all the work.
How much cleaning and maintenance do they need?
Although it’s as simple as running a damp cloth across them, blinds with slats are a bit of a magnet for dust and need regular attention and cleaning. Fabric roller blinds are better at hiding dirt for longer but when it does come time for cleaning you could find you either need to hand wash them or send them out for professional cleaning.
Ready to find the right blinds for your home? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our local consultants will bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a no-obligation quote.
Found this helpful? Share it with others…
Guides
Choosing the right blinds for your home
Not sure which blinds will suit your home? From blind types and key features to room-by-room advice, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best blinds for a sunny window?
Venetian and vertical blinds (and shutters) are hard to beat for sunny windows, because their tiltable slats let you open up, close tight or tilt for privacy while still letting some light in. Sunscreen roller blinds are also excellent for filtering glare and protecting furniture during the day.
Will sunscreen roller blinds give me privacy at night?
Not on their own. Sunscreen blinds filter light and protect your furniture by day, but at night you’ll want a blockout layer — either a curtain over the top or a dual roller blind that includes a blockout fabric. Your local Russells consultant can help you pair them up.
Are blinds safe around children?
Cords that dangle low can be a serious hazard for young children, so it’s worth thinking about how your blinds are operated. Options like our Zero Gravity roller blinds are chainless — a gentle nudge and the blind does the work — which removes the risk.
Which blinds are easiest to keep clean?
Slatted blinds like venetians collect dust and need regular wiping, while fabric roller blinds hide dirt for longer but may need hand washing or professional cleaning when the time comes. It’s a trade-off your consultant can talk through with you.
Expert advice at home
We come to you, anywhere in New Zealand. Because your place is the best place to choose curtains and blinds.