Window of opportunity: Blinds to suit every space

We explore clever solutions in the autumn/winter 2024 collections

Less is more with this beautiful blind distilling light, revealing rather than shrouding a pretty window, blinds, €59-€139, Next, Jonathan Adler furnishings, Sweetpea and Willow.

Versatile shape-shifters and masters of light, affordable blinds have surpassed curtains in the majority of homes as the thermal talents of double and even triple glazing free up our choices. There are perfectly lovely standard blinds, and there are some very, very clever blinds that go beyond our primary demand for privacy and light control. Let’s roll out some of the best actions and detailing for autumn/winter 2024 any of which can be ordered to bespoke sizings for fitting or DIY installation.

This is not a drill

Turn-to-fit and no-drill blinds have changed my attitude to changing out a blind. Dressing some windows has become a seasonal swap. They are perfect for a rental and in situations where you are wary of damage. It may only be a couple of tiny holes to drill, but many of us dread the chore of winkling screws into the walls, the reveal or into the window frame material to accommodate window treatments. Enter three recent innovations that do away with the drill or even a screwdriver that are especially useful when buying blinds off-the-shelf or even made-to-measure online.

Twist-fit traction blinds operate with a large screw to each end of the blind housing and are suited to roller blinds tailored into a reveal (termed recess blinds). You simply order the blind to the size of the opening, and when it arrives you hold it in position and open the screws to brace the blind firmly. Prices range from €22 in 100% rollers, including Twist2fit from blinds-2go.ie.

With Venetians and Roman blinds, there’s the alternative of a lever and adjustment block that holds a top rail in place. You put in the rail, flick the rail to tension and slot the blind into the rail.

This design was inspired by the work of landscape painters from the 1800s onwards and painted in the original by Annie Sloan, €69.95 per metre, Annie Sloan.

There are generally extra fittings if the traction to say very shiny walls is not sufficient to hold the blind. These tool-free fittings will be offered as standard or as an option that can load €20-€30 onto a standard blind. Accurate recess measurements are vital to within plus or minus 5mm.

Perfect-fit blinds are only suited to PVC windows but offer a streamlined finish with UV and thermal performance, Blinds Direct.

Perfect-fit blinds come with a frame that’s assembled and installed (tool-free again) and the blinds are set into the frame, adding a streamlined, cord-free blind system with tilt-wands, ideal for fixed glazing that would otherwise be awkward to handle.

Some can glide up and down inside the frame in a useful, light-distilling panel. Accurate measurement is crucial as perfect-fit systems are neatly slotted into place between the seal and the glazing. They are suited only to PVC windows and glazed doors and the design selection is rather limited. Ensure you know how to remove the frame to clean the inside of your windows without damaging the frame.

Ensure your perfect-fit blinds don’t interfere with any trickle vents in the windows (important for fresh air exchanges). Perfect-fit blackout rollers are priced from €29, makemyblinds.ie, and wood slat products from €29.20, blindsdirect.ie.

Thermal blinds

Thermal styles of blind have two roles, keeping warmth in and keeping unwanted passive thermal gain and glare out. UV can not only overheat a space, but in a southern aspect, the sun can fade materials including carpets, wood flooring and upholstery. If you have single-glazing or older double-glazing, thermals and UV-coated blinds can be transformative year-round. In warming blinds, the cheapest entry points are two-layer honeycomb styles in a lightweight 100% polyester with a white outside face to reflect unwanted UV back from the room. These fold up, so using a recess allow yourself at least 45cm to take in the blind when up. With prices from under €15, I can only pull up one real con, and it’s slightly difficult with cleaning typical to all pleated types.

Blackout styles will prevent UV from entering the room in a structured polyester, viscose, and cotton blend and can be bought in both rollers and Romans. If you’re dealing with a conservatory, think about honeycomb varieties for heat retention, and black-outs for light control, married to remote operation if you can afford it.

Like roof lights and skylights (opening), these versatile blinds come in rollers, verticals, Venetians and (single layer) pleats. Velux offers a combination of technologies with its Blackout Energy Pleated rollers, suited to pitched attic windows.

The double-pleated cloth has a built-in aluminium honeycomb structure that gives an insulation effect of up to 25%.

The “flying” design of the manually operated version gives flexible adjustment of the blind from the top or bottom of the roof window. Know your Velux window model before ordering. Prices range from €130.38, veluxshop.ie.

Doubles duty

Double blinds come in two key confections, and the first is the brilliant day/night version. This uses ingenious sheer and opaque horizontal panels that roll over each other on a looped chain so as to block as much light and view as suits you.

SHIFT them with a tweak to hide away while you shower or set them open on translucent voile for example to admit hazy light and views. You can also pull them up at whatever height you like, including completely out of the way. I would recommend these if you like Venetian blinds but prefer a fabric blind and more discretion. Available with custom side-winders, you can also use these with automated controls. They are available made-to-measure or in set sizings from B&Q, Jysk, Very and further outlets from €12-€40 for a small window.

From €24 in a manual, €54 Twist2Go fitting, and €163 for electric, sure-size measuring insurance, €12, Blinds2Go.

The second style of doubles offers two blinds set exactly as you want them, one sheer and one opaque. It’s the modern answer to curtains and sheers in a more structured style. They’re offered in rollers and you can adjust either element of the blind with automation. They work very well in a blackout with the backing of a translucent blind to tune into the level of privacy you prefer. I’m rather taken with Blinds Direct’s Blackout, Jet and White double rollers with motorisation, blindsdirect.ie and Blinds2Go for its manual doubles with Twist2Go fittings, fluid motion and pin-point accuracy from just over €100, blinds-2go.ie.

Automatic smarts

Remotely operated or even app’ controlled with exquisite precision, electric blinds are offered by all major blind houses, and you don’t need an electrician to set them up. Starting with classic remote and wall switch options, they are very appropriate for large blinds used for both privacy and UV control, reducing reflections on the TV, and preventing uncomfortable solar gain from large, high picture windows, roof windows, fixed window lights, or dramatic “walls of glass”. You can use them anywhere, and they can be set to deftly wake you with the sunrise. Alexa or Google Assist Voice control and timers mean you don’t have to leave your seat to invoke privacy after dusk.

Used together with smart lighting, automatic blinds can deliver a cunning “I am at home” algorithm when you are actually on holiday. Another key draw is the removal of any cordage — always a worry with mountaineering children and frolicking pets. Ikea supplies a remote control or sets blinds in motion with a touch of your phone via its Dirigira hub. The signal repeater is plugged into a power socket within a metre of the blind and its invisible battery; from €110, ikea.com/ie. Budget for any smart hub, remote control and charger and expect to add 100% to 150% for automation.