The Best Blinds for Windows: 12 Options That Go Beyond Basic

I’ve always preferred the clean lines of blinds as opposed to drapes or curtains (although admittedly, there is always something comforting and appealing about light curtains blowing in a spring breeze). After college (long ago in the late 1980s and 1990s), most every apartment I lived in or saw was equipped with aluminum mini blinds, many of which had a bent slat or two where an over energetic domestic cat had tried to climb them once or twice.

Those early mini blinds, though functional, only came in two colors, white or off-white, and didn’t offer much in the way of style. Today, blinds come in all sorts of materials and colors, combining function with fashion and personal expression. They’re equipped with technology that allows you to control the amount of light that enters your home as well as maximize your privacy, while also being decorative expressions of your own style. If you have a home full of windows that need some updated or new coverings, check out some of our picks for best blinds below. You may just find some inspiration.

Our top best blinds picks

How we tested and selected the best blinds for windows

To select the best window blinds, we drew from our own experiences of living in a variety of homes as well as diligently reading through a plethora of online reviews and discussion boards in home décor and renovation forums. We’ve also traveled quite a bit and have stayed at many hotels and Airbnb’s across the world, where we’ve gained first-hand experience with a seemingly endless array of window coverings.

How to choose the best blinds for windows

With so many options available, it may be difficult to know where to begin. When shopping for blinds, start by considering the following.

What aesthetic are you going for?

Blinds are made from all sorts of materials including wood, vinyl, faux wood, cellular (paper), or vinyl. Wood blinds usually look and feel more luxurious and are available in a range of rich colors that add warmth and depth to a room. Vinyl and aluminum options tend to look a bit more utilitarian (often seen in offices), though they can also convey a sleek, modern look if you have a minimalist décor. If you want color options beside white or cream, wood or faux wood blinds are probably your best bet.

How unique do you want your window coverings to be?

If you’re yearning for something unique that reflects a specific kind of vibe, look for blinds that offer plenty of customizable options, like matching valances, cordless or motorized operation, inside or outside mounting, different bracket types, lots of cloth tape colors and patterns, and door handle and hinge cutouts. Whatever your vision may be, there is probably a blind to satisfy it.

Do you have to worry about a landlord getting upset about holes in the window frame?

If you’re a renter with a strict policy about putting holes in the walls of your home, consider a no drill, no tools required mini blind option. These blinds are secured with a tension rod rather than screws.

Types of blinds

Blinds are manufactured in a variety of materials including wood, aluminum, vinyl, PVC, and paper or cellular. There are two major types of blinds: Vertical or venetian (horizontal).

Though called venetian, historians do not think that these window coverings were actually invented in Venice, but rather that Venetian traders brought them back from Persia to Italy.

Technically all blinds share the trait of having slats of some kind that rotate or slide to let in or block out light. Shades, on the other hand, are solid pieces of material constructed from something pliable that can be rolled up. Many people, though, use the two terms interchangeably.

Vertical vs horizontal blinds

Venetian, or horizontal, blinds feature horizontal slats made from wood, vinyl, or other rigid materials that are connected via a cord or tape that ensures they all rotate at once.

Vertical blinds often consist of panels of fabric hanging vertically, attached to a sliding track at the top of a window or door. Sometimes the slats are connected at the bottom via a chain or cord to add stability and keep everything in line. They give you lots of control over how light enters a room as the slats can be turned 180 degrees. These are most often used on large windows or sliding doors.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do you measure windows for blinds?

Measure for blinds by recording the width of your window frame in three places: Top, middle, and bottom and the length of the frame at the left, middle, and right. Use the narrowest measurement for the width and the longest for the length. The reason you measure in multiple places is that, especially in older homes, many window frames are no longer perfectly square.

Also measure the depth of your window to ensure it can accommodate the mounting hardware for an inside mount, as well as the width of the slats of the blinds (usually 1 to 2 inches).

If you decide to go with an outside mounted window blind, measure the area you intend the blind to cover (often the outside molding of your window frame. Adding three inches to these measurements will ensure you can achieve optimal light filtering and privacy.

In all instances always measure to the nearest 1/8 inch.

Which blinds are most popular?

The most popular blinds are simple aluminum or vinyl 1-inch mini blinds. They’re a reliable, inexpensive window covering that’s easy to install. You’ll find them in rental properties all over the world.

What blinds let light in but stop the glare?

Blinds that let light in but stop glare are called light filtering, such as the Blinds.com light filtering option included in our top picks. Blinds made from a cellular or paper-like fabric also work to stop the glare from direct sunlight, while not blocking it completely.

What type of blinds are best for blocking light?

Blinds that are best for blocking light are those with slats made from wood and faux wood. When the slats are closed, they block the majority of light. Opaque aluminum and vinyl blinds also block a good deal of light, though there is often some light seepage.