23 designs for stylish blinds from the world’s most creative designers
While we can’t pretend that blinds are really in competition with curtains here at House & Garden – we don’t live in the Seagram Building, after all – there’s no denying that blinds can be a useful and beautiful alternative, or addition, to curtained windows. For small windows, awkwardly-shaped ones, or those with something directly underneath them such as a desk or a radiator, blinds are an elegant and easy solution. Like curtains, they can also be the perfect showcase for boldly patterned fabrics, though you’re probably foregoing a trim unless your blinds are particularly swanky. In short, if you like simplicity and practicality, and are perhaps a little short on space, a blind can do no wrong.
Even if you do have curtains, there’s no reason not to have blinds as well. “I love blinds behind curtains,” says interior designer Rita Konig. “I tend to have sheer roller blinds behind the curtains so that one can have privacy without having to grope around in the dark to get dressed in the morning.” It’s a logic we can all agree upon.
Blinds can provide just as many formal decorative options as curtains, from simple, efficient roller blinds, through classic Roman blinds to their more decadent ruched cousins. They can block out light entirely, or allow a soft glow of daylight through them, and can be more adjustable than curtains, too. So scroll down for our examples of the various different types, and how they can be used in a variety of decorative schemes.
Tim Lenz1/23A light linen blind combines with a similar pair of curtains in this elegant house in the Hamptons in the USA, offering privacy when one layer is drawn and darkness with two, but without ever sacrificing the feeling of lightweight and spacious interiors.
Paul Massey2/23In this Flora Soames-designed house in the Cotswolds, a triple application of Flora’s “Dahlias” print to wallpaper, a blind and her “Maud” chair have helped to disguise the border between wall and window, creating the sense of continuity.
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Matthew Kissiday3/23There’s no hard and fast requirement to choose between curtain and blind, even in the same room. In this creative sitting room in a Connecticut house by Elizabeth Hay, the same material – Robert Kime’s “Tashkent” pattern – has been used for curtains on one set of windows and blinds on the other.
Simon Upton4/23In the study of a surreal house by Rachel Chudley, a blind in Dear's 'Tabularasa' has overlaid with the owner's wedding veil for an added decorative flourish. It covers a set of French doors which is not the most expected place for a blind.
5/23A sheer pinoleum blind (pinoleum is a type of woven wood blind) allows a wonderful amount of light into this sitting room in California by Rita Konig, without dazzling anyone who happens to be sitting and reading by the window. Surrounded by white panelled walls, the natural wood weave of the blind complements the muted tones of the patterned rug and daybed.
Lucas Allen6/23Austrian blinds bring a fun, glamorous touch to this room by Edward Bulmer. When replicating the look, it’s important that the blind is made of lightweight fabric, which will allow its scalloped form to hang beautifully, with a slightly louche and loose shape. Remember that the blind will keep this shape even when lowered – if excluding light is a priority, you could add a lining.
Francesco Flagnese7/23These generously ruched Austrian blinds hang in Veere Grenney’s 18th-century folly, and channel a style which was deeply in fashion in the 1980s but has since fallen out of favour. That said, Rivals did captivate a fair swathe of the nation last year… might maximalist, frilly fabrics be back in, alongside shoulder pads and perms? These voluminous numbers would suggest so.
James McDonald8/23A relaxed blind in ‘Melilla’ by Fortuny and a pretty vintage kantha from Elizabeth van Amerongen (find her on Instagram) combined with a ‘La Rochelle’ roll top bath from The Cast Iron Bath Company give this bedroom by Kate Guinness a quietly romantic atmosphere.
Jake Curtis9/23Matchy matchy: using the same pattern for walls and blinds makes a strong statement, and it is an inventive way to make a small space sing. Ben Pentreath chose Soane’s “Seaweed Lace” linen in emerald for this bedroom in his own Bloomsbury flat, resulting in a room that is visually striking but not overpowering. Here, its pattern contrasts a simpler but colourful Pendleton blanket.
Simon Brown10/23This London blind (a more decorative version of a Roman blind) makes a strong impact against the colours and patterns in the silk wallpaper from de Gournay and in the carpet. The same shade of yellow is picked up in the headboard, the divan and the lampshade, which completes the well-considered space without lessening the impact of the wallpaper itself.
Michael Sinclair11/23Designer Audrey Carden chose a graphic delineation of grey and yellow in the spare room of her own house. She had the blind fabric colour-matched to the vibrant yellow paint, which creates a visually harmonious effect. Colour blocking using such a bold yellow brings both warmth and impact to the small space.
Michael Sinclair12/23Pinoleum blinds are the perfect way to prevent home offices feeling corporate, while maintaining a sense of privacy. In this project by Jane Gowers, blinds from RJS Interiors in a custom colour and trim have been designed to introduce a natural element to the room, while also blocking out the bright afternoon sun.
Alexander James13/23Blinds are a cost-effective option for bay windows, as they use less fabric than curtains. They also take up less space and look neater pulled down behind a desk or dressing table – as in this project by Jane Churchill. Here, the radiators would be covered by curtains, so blinds are a sensible choice for more efficient heating.
Simon Brown14/23Beata Heuman has used ‘Little Animals’, a cotton by Celia Birtwell that has since been discontinued, as a sheer behind the main blind. “We wanted to offer some privacy,” says Beata, “but also let the daylight glow through in a gentle way – the motif on the fabric shines beautifully when the light hits it.” She has also positioned the blind so that it sits above the top of the window to increase the sense of space.
Alexander James15/23A reverse scallop at the bottom of the blind creates an architectural effect in this kitchen by Studio Duggan. The firm’s director Tiffany Duggan explains: “The design does mean that a small gap is left exposed when the blind is down, but as it was only required to filter direct sunlight and add a decorative touch, this was not of concern.” Indeed, in a space like a kitchen it’s less common to need total darkness than it would be in, say, a bedroom, so there might be more scope for creativity with blinds.
Simon Brown16/23Here, the reverse of Studio Duggan’s scoop-scallop (above) has been implemented: this blind in an 18th-century Dorset dairy has an extra section a little like a pelmet to allow it to fit the arched window shape. The fabric is Robert Kime’s “Ardagh”.
Alexander James17/23The delicate pattern of a cotton blind, custom-made to fit the shape of the window, stands out against cypress-panelled walls in this project in the Bahamas by John McCall. “I used the printed border on the fabric to frame the sides and base of the blind,” he says.
Simon Upton18/23Venetian blinds with red detailing provide a smart backdrop to this room by Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi. The red is picked up in the lines of the bookshelf, giving a sense of structure to the back wall. The otherwise neutral tones of the room are brought into focus by this punctuating dash of colour.
Radu Palicia19/23Charlotte Crosland worked with the specialist blindmaker Grants to produce bespoke tracks that were attached to the walls of this kitchen extension while it was being built. As Charlotte says, “We wanted to add a touch of elegance to the room, but keep out the bright overhead sun when necessary.” The blinds have a subtle red trim, which picks up on the vivid red upholstery of the dining chairs and contrasts with the green-painted panelling that frames the windows.
Natalie Dinham20/23When Victoria Stainow’s London flat needed a revamp, the furniture and lighting specialist called on the expertise of interior designer Tara Craig. The wallpaper is Pierre Frey’s “Sans Papillons”, with a bedcover, blind and Ensemblier “Selton” sofa in the matching cotton/viscose fabric. A plain curtain fabric, by O Ecotextiles from MM Design, offsets the pattern and frames the windows.
21/23Three sets of Roman blinds prevent the windows in this bedroom designed by Jane Gowers from looking bare when the curtains are open. She has combined the blinds with two sets of layered pinch-pleat-headed curtains, which hang from simple double curtain poles.
Paul Raeside22/23As mentioned above, ruched blinds are shaking off their 1980s associations and making a storming comeback. Some rooms require a relaxed edge, and these provide that softness. This one is in “Sophie” from Borderline – a simple linen print that looks charming and not at all like a Viennetta.
Paul Massey23/23There are many reasons why this silk taffeta blind is so successful in this Mayfair flat. The yellow adds punch to the room, and designer Chester Jones points out that “the unlined fabric allows light to filter through for warmth during the day, yet is sufficiently opaque for privacy at night.”
