Alternatives to curtains

Friday, February 10, 2023

For many years, curtains were present in the windows of European houses. We still see them in many places today. However, although there is still talk about their popularity, it is hard not to notice that the number of people looking for an alternative to them is growing. So it's time to ask a question about what other window covers can enjoy us with their advantages.

Why are curtains and drapes being abandoned?

Even before we start looking for an alternative to curtains, we should try to get an answer to the question of what makes us move away from these classic window decorations. There are at least several reasons for this state of affairs.

Interestingly, what comes to the fore is that giving up curtains means less responsibilities related to keeping windows in perfect condition. Both the one and the other window cover usually catches dust quite quickly. Other contaminants entering the interior during its ventilation also settle on it. It is worth emphasizing here that we are not dealing only with an aesthetic problem. In the homes of allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people with reduced immune resistance, the presence of curtains can go hand in hand with the intensification of their symptoms. Of course, the problem can be solved by often washing window covers. However, this is a time-consuming and quite exhausting activity.

However, giving up curtains does not have to be dictated by health reasons. Many people decide to take such a step primarily because the lack of window decorations of this kind gives the room lightness. Curtains may be elegant and stylish, but they are also heavy. They often darken the room unnecessarily and make it optically smaller than it actually is. Curtains and drapes can also limit the ammount of light entering the room. However it usually involves the need to completely expose the window decoration. It is difficult to consider it as a effective solution, especially when you live surrounded by curious neighbors. A bit problematic could also be to cover and uncover them, especially when this activity is to be performed by an elderly person.

In search of an alternative - roman blinds

The list of solutions that can be used interchangeably with curtains is quite long. However, if we wanted to indicate the one that comes to the fore today, it would certainly be Roman blinds. These popular window covers are somewhat reminiscent of classic curtains. Unlike them however, they can be raised and lowered thanks to a special mechanism using a string or chain. They are usually made to measure so that they fit not only to the size, but also to the shape of the window. So you can count on them even when the windows have a non-standard dimensions.

What makes the Roman blind usually the first association that comes to mind, when we think about what to replace curtains with, is its construction. In the case of few other window coverings, the customer has so much to say both in relation to the material from which it is made and in the context of the color scheme. It is this diversity that means that people reaching for Roman blinds do not have to worry about stylistic restrictions. These models are associated primarily with modern interiors. Without much fear, however, we can also introduce them to retro-style rooms.

Roman blinds can also be placed in many rooms. In bedrooms, those in darker tones work well, allowing for perfect darkening of the interior at bedtime. In living rooms, you can often see roller blinds using lighter fabrics. Even after lowering them, the room is not dim, so you can freely change their settings. It is also worth noting that Roman blinds are increasingly more often appearing in much less obvious rooms. They can be found in kitchens and even in children's rooms, because the mechanism that regulates their raising and lowering guarantees the safety of the youngest members of the household.

Discover the advantages of verticals

People who find it difficult to part with curtains may be interested in the potential candidate that is vertical blinds. They resemble classic window covers, but they also have at least a few advantages that are not available in the case of curtains and net curtains. Among them, the most important seems to be:

• ease of keeping them clean,
• better protection against dust settling on the material,
• ease of use, which means that you do not have to put a lot of physical effort into it.

Verticals are also known for being available in an ever-growing selection today. It's up to the buyer to decide what tone they will be in. Choosing a specific solution also affects the level of protection against sunlight entering the interior. Unlike heavy traditional curtains, vertical curtains not only do not overwhelm the room, but can even optically enlarge it. Vertical slats instantly reduce or increase access of light to the room, thus responding to the needs of people using them. Moreover, they can be controlled automatically. The solid quality of their workmanship also contributes to the fact that they are solutions for years.

Verticals are uninstalled primarily when the interior design concept changes. So there is no question of spring or autumn cycle of washing and re-hanging them as is the case with the case of traditional curtains.

The classic beauty of aluminum blinds

Aluminum blinds are one of the first window covers that appeared on the market. However, although they have been with us for years, they do not lose their popularity. They are a great alternative to curtains, and although they are associated with quite austere, modern interiors, you can also place them in a classic living room without fear.

What makes them more popular today than a few years ago is the increase in their visual attractiveness. So if someone thinks that they have to decide on a silver-gray shade of aluminum blinds - it's time to prove them wrong. The diverse colors of the solutions available for sale today contribute to the fact that when choosing blinds we do not have to be afraid of any restrictions. It is only up to us whether we choose green, beige, shades of pink or black. So it is no exaggeration to believe that we are dealing with a solution that fits every room.

Reaching for aluminum blinds, we can count not only on their aesthetic qualities. Among their greatest advantages are:

• effective protection against sunrays,
• protection from prying eyes,
• easy adjustment, including the ability to control the blinds automatically.

It is worth emphasizing that people with aluminum blinds do not have to worry about outside views, for they will be protected from them. Additionally, aluminum blinds have a possibility os seting them in a way that will restrict the curious views while not blocking much of the natural light that is to enter the room. The construction of this type of window cover allows for any modification of how the slats are positioned in relation to each other. So if we do not want to darken the room, and at the same time we care about privacy - there are no contraindications to achieve both goals.

When we talk about aluminum blinds as an alternative to curtains, we cannot ignore the issues that relate to keeping them clean. Fortunately, this is not a difficult task. Usually, a dedicated brush is used to clean the slats. This not only removes dust, but also does not change the settings of the blinds. Of course, the stains that appear on the slats can be more than just dust. Fortunately, also in this case, eliminating them should not be a problem. A damp cloth and a bit of detergent will help.

Chic and elegance of internal wooden blinds

Even if curtains have a few flaws, we certainly cannot deny them elegance and style. So it is worth asking yourself if there is a window cover that could also be associated with high quality and style. The answer to that is simple, that is exactly what internal wooden blinds focus on achieving.

It is the material from which they are made that contributes to the fact that wooden blinds are the ones to which it is difficult to remain indifferent. This is a perfect example of a natural material known for transforming interiors and bringing some classic beauty to them. Wood is a solution referring to the classics, but it is also often and willingly used in modern interiors. As in the case of aluminum blinds, also the wooden ones are offered in a wide range of colors. You can bet on solutions maintained in both lighter and darker tones. Therefore, it should not be a surprise for us that every person who wants to replace curtains with blinds will find a solution that is right for them.

The tasteful appearance is not the only argument in favor of testing the possibilities of wooden blinds. No less important is the fact that they perfectly match solutions with other color shades. Wood on the window works great in the company of gray and beige, but you can also place them where green, graphite, various shades of blue and even black dominate. It is also worth remembering that wooden blinds perfectly protect the room from sunlight. Analyzing this aspect, it is hard to disagree with the fact that they work much better than classic curtains.

An alternative to blinds and curtains - what to look for?

Each of the proposals presented by us can be a great idea when you are looking for a replacement for curtains. However, not all of them work, regardless of the circumstances. When looking for the perfect solution, it is worth remembering not only about its high quality, but also about our subjective feelings. If we don't like any solution, let's trust our intuition. Let's keep looking even if we hear that it is a fashionable proposition. Let us also remember that blinds and roller blinds are solutions that are not often replaced. Sometimes choosing more subdued colors is the best move.

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