Privacy is one of people’s most common concerns when choosing the right blinds for their windows, and finding the right balance between privacy and still getting some sunlight can be complex.
In this guide, we’ll take you through all the different options for privacy blinds, including some options you may not have considered. We’ll take you through the pros and cons of:
- Voile and sheer blinds
- Day & Night blinds
- Voile vertical blinds
- Venetian and vertical window blinds
- Cafe Shutters
So you’ll have all the information you need to make the right choice for your home.
Voile blinds and sheer blinds
Voile roller blinds or voile roman blinds are popular choices for many people looking for a little privacy at their windows. Voile is essentially a sheer type of material which allows light through without becoming entirely see-through blinds.
Most sheer blinds for windows will be made from voile material, so you might find the two terms used interchangeably!
Voile window blinds are lightweight and easy to manage, which makes them a popular blind style choice.
However, because these sheer roller blinds are the sort of privacy blind that lets light in, they aren’t ideal if you do also want the option of blocking light out – unless you are looking to pair them with a more robust shading solution, such as curtains or an outside recess blind.
Day and Night blinds for privacy and light control
If you want the best of both worlds, day and night blinds may be the ideal option. These are one of the best blinds for privacy, as they include translucent and opaque strips which can be rotated.
This means you can alter your blinds to show a striped finish which allows light through the translucent stripes, or set so that all the opaque sections form a block for complete light control.
Voile vertical blinds
Allusion blinds are another really popular choice for privacy, particularly for patio doors.
These sheer vertical blinds are made of wide vertical louvres, but unlike traditional vertical blinds, they aren’t secured at the base.
That means they are easy to step through, so they’re ideal for french doors and windows, as you don’t need to pull the blinds back in order to get through.
The vertical panels provide a softening of light, rather than blocking it out entirely, so provide a really good level of privacy without making your room too dark.
Venetian and vertical privacy window blinds
Both vertical and venetian blinds can be good choices if you’re looking for a little privacy.
Much like day and night blinds, the slats in your venetian blinds can be adjusted to let light through, or to close it out. This gives a good level of flexibility for both light control and privacy.
Vertical blinds are much the same, just vertically, rather than horizontally! The slats on vertical blinds do tend to be wider than your typical venetians, so if privacy is your main concern, it is worth bearing that in mind.
Cafe shutters
Another great option for window privacy isn’t a blind at all – but a shutter! Shutters are often overlooked as a privacy option, but can actually be one of the most versatile options – particularly cafe shutters.
Cafe style shutters only cover the bottom half of your window, and typically also include adjustable slats, so you can further manage both privacy and light control. This leaves the top of your window uncovered so you can still get a good amount of light through.
They’re a really great option for tall, bay or sash windows, and provide a real elegance to your windows that can be perfect for period properties.
The best privacy blinds for windows
From sheer roman blinds to cafe shutters, there are a lot of different options when it comes to privacy. Here are our recommendations based on your priorities:
- For the most flexibility – day and night blinds.
- For patio doors – allusion blinds
- For elegance and style – cafe shutters
- As an alternative to net curtains – voile blinds
Of course, every blind and shutter needs to work perfectly for your own home and needs, so if you need a little help choosing the right privacy blinds for your home, get in touch with the team at Leamington Blinds – we’ll be happy to help!
