How to choose the right material for your Venetian blinds

From the warmth of painted or natural timber to the simple practicality of PVC and aluminium, there’s a style of Venetian to suit every room in your home and office. Let’s take a look at where each material works best.

Bathroom:

Just like in the kitchen, your blinds might not be directly exposed to steam but they’re still going to need to be able to withstand long-term contact with heat and moisture. Residual water from hot showers can pool on your Venetian slat, so timber is generally not the best option: it’s moisture absorbent and that can cause the slats to buckle. A nice durable material will handle the heat and make cleaning easy. We recommend: aluminium or PVC.

Bedroom:

Many bedrooms receive a lot of sun. If yours falls into that same category, then you’re going to want something that can both block out and absorb the heat, to ensure it doesn’t all get trapped in the room. Privacy and block-out factor are Important too, so you need something full-bodied. At the same time, you’ll want something natural looking and available in a range of colours to match your personal style. Finally, the ideal solution should be light and easy to open: simple to raise so you can enjoy the sun’s lovely rays. There’s one material that’s a clear winner here. Our recommendation: timber.

Kids Bedroom:

With young ones around the home, safety and security is priority number one. Hanging cords and chains can pose a significant safety risk for young children. Also, you'll prefer something that's got a little bit of toughness to it too, so it can withstand whatever the kids are going to throw (or kick) at it. A safe cordless option made from a resilient material that's easy to clean would offer the perfect solution. We'd choose: Seattle 50mm PVC Venetian Blind.

Kitchen:

Even if you’re the sort of chef who only uses the telephone to order takeaway, you’re going to need something that can withstand a bit of steam and moisture. Remember, things like the kettle, dishwasher – even just some hot water running in the sink – they all create steam and they can all warp and damage blinds. Our recommendation: PVC or aluminium.

Lounge Room:

This is one of those scenarios where anything goes. There isn’t a specific functional requirement that means any one material will better suit a general living space, so the choice is completely up to you. Choose something that will suit your taste and complement any existing décor. Timber provides a cosy, natural feel, while PVC Venetians come in a wide range of slat styles and colour configurations, giving you flexibility to match your existing interior design. Aluminium offers great value for money if you’re covering a lot of windows in a large space. It’s your call: timber, PVC or aluminium.

Home Office, Office or Study:

If you’re spending time in a workspace, you’re probably looking to get things done. That’s where an understated and functional solution is going to come to the fore. We’re talking about practicality that doesn’t compromise on flair or versatility. PVC is great for home offices or studies, while charcoal or silver aluminium provides an affordable touch of fashion to the larger workplace. Our choice: PVC, aluminium or timber.

Small Spaces:

Stairwells, walkways, sitting rooms, glass doors: if you’ve got a small space with a window, chances are you’re looking for something slim, straightforward and functional to maximise the practical usage of that area. That doesn’t necessarily mean you want to discount style, so it’s always good to have a choice of colours. We’d go with: 25mm slimline aluminium.