There are a few different options to consider when choosing either curtains or blinds in your bathroom. Here’s a brief article about the main differences between the two.
Damp, mold and mildew
Everyone is familiar with the image of pots and pans bubbling away in their kitchen – Simmering soups, frothing pasta and bubbling rice are the usual suspects when it comes to steamy windows and condensation on the kitchen walls. Even with extractor fans and open windows, moisture in the air will still build up.
Similarly, the same applies to your bathroom; hot baths and steaming showers will also produce a high level of moisture in the air. This inevitably causes a slow but steady build up of damp, mold and mildew. Even with fully or partially tiled bathrooms, you’ll probably be familiar with cleaning off the annoying mold that builds up either on or between the tiles.
Cleaning
If you’ve already got curtains in the bathroom, you’ll know that getting them clean can be a bit of a chore. If they’ve been left for a while and mildew has begun to form on them, you’ll know that it can turn out to be a real headache to deal with. Whilst there are special cleaning agents you can use, they’ll still need to be washed at a high temperature. Even worse, if they’re dry clean only, it’ll probably cost a few pounds plus the time lost whilst travelling back and forth to the dry cleaners.
Some people just don’t like blinds and will always opt for curtains throughout their home. If you’re one of those people, we suggest choosing lightweight fabrics for the bathroom as the thinner material will dry quicker than heavier, more dense fabric. Thinner curtains are also less prone to develop mold and mildew and they’re also far easier to machine wash.
If you’re looking for the most practical option for the bathroom then blinds are without a doubt the best choice. There are a wide range of styles, colours and materials to choose from although we do recommend if choosing wooden blinds be aware they will need cleaning regularly as they can be susceptible to a build up of mold if left for long periods.
Privacy
Pretty much all bathrooms have frosted glass and most people choose to also cover the bathroom window with either curtains or blinds. Aside from the practical aspects of cleaning and maintenance, choosing blinds can give you greater freedom when you’re considering privacy. Unlike thin curtains, blinds can eliminate virtually all light escaping through the window and can also open up a range of options when you’re thinking about coordinating your bathroom colour scheme.
Colour coordination
If bold and bright colours are not your thing, opting for softer, subtle shades can often promote a better sense of calmness and serenity in your bathroom. After a hard day at the office or a busy day dealing with the kids, many of us want to retreat to the sanctuary of our bathrooms simply to relax and unwind. There aren’t many things that beat a long soak in the tub, perhaps with a couple of scented candles flickering away to reduce our stress levels as well.
Shades
Lighter, subtle shades promote calmness and serenity whilst stronger, bolder colours are more uplifting and invigorating. Deeper colours typically have to compliment the overall look and feel of your bathroom’s colour scheme, whilst paler, neutral shades are more adaptable to a change in your bathroom’s colour scheme. If your new blinds are preceding an imminent bathroom redecoration, cream or white blinds with minimal or soft patterning are worth considering.
Natural light
At times, everyone loves bright sunlight streaming through their bathroom window. If you’re up with the lark and are either shaving or putting on makeup, bright natural sunlight is a distinct asset when completing the task at hand. The main benefit of choosing blinds is that they can easily be angled to maximise the amount of light flooding in or raised completely for maximum effect. In the evening, they can quickly be shut or lowered to give you ultimate privacy too.
Fitting – Curtains v blinds
Bespoke, made-to-measure blinds will fit perfectly in your bathroom window. If you’re buying off-the-shelf curtains, getting the perfect fit can often be pot luck. It’s also worth considering the way your bathroom window opens – does it open out or tilt in? Bear in mind that a tilting window can be a tricky customer if you’ve opted for curtains as you’ll need to position the rails to take this into account.
Styles to match your home
Blinds come in a wide range of styles and flavours and choosing the style that best suits the overall feel of your home is important. If you live in a newly built home, then a sleek modern look is more appropriate. Conversely, if you live in a thatched cottage or a Victorian terrace something with a more traditional look is probably more suitable.
If you’re unsure about what will work best in your home, we’re always on hand to provide free informal advice so feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.