Your Guide to Choosing Blinds for Large Windows

Big, gorgeous windows can let in a lot of light, provide a perfect view of the outside and can also frame inside decor beautifully. But large, uncovered windows can cause problems, too, since too much sunlight can damage finishes, uncovered windows could minimize efficiencies in heating and cooling and large open windows also reduce privacy. Window treatments like blinds are a great option to control coverage, but what kinds of blinds for large windows work best?

Why Window Blinds?

Plenty of window covering options are available for filtering light, providing privacy and adding style to a home. Blinds specifically are a hard window treatment constructed with slats or vanes that are controlled by a wand, remote or manual pull cord. A shade is also a window treatment, but it is made of a solid fabric or other construction that is made to cover the whole window. Some treatments are a combination of a blind and a shade, providing more privacy than a traditional blind while still letting some light shine through or even allowing visibility of the slatted interior.

How to Choose Blinds for Large Windows

When deciding what kind, shape and style of blinds will work for an oversized window, five specific decisions must be made to help in the process.

1. Width of the Slat

The slat size on blinds can vary from ½ inches to 2 inches in width, with the ½ inch size being the most commonly used. But with a large window, smaller slats can look disproportional so choosing larger slats may complement an oversized opening better.

2. Horizontal vs Vertical

While most blinds are horizontal, hanging or vertical blinds are also an option for large or oversized windows and doorways. When thinking about what kind of window blinds for large windows to use, consider that horizontal blinds will bunch up at the top or the bottom of the window when they are opened, potentially blocking the view. Horizontal blinds, on the other hand, store off to the side of a window making them ideal for utilizing large window openings without any visual barriers to the windows. Large window blinds with vertical movement will block off the top area of oversized windows while horizontal blinds may be stored discreetly off to the side of a window.

3. Color

Choosing large window blinds also means deciding on a color scheme. For most homeowners, selecting a neutral color is best since its timeless appeal means that the blinds will go with any decor scheme or paint color. Blinds can also be in wood tones or in a variety of color hues as well. When thinking about what kind of blinds for large windows look best in your home, decide if you want to color match the blinds to your current decor or select ones with a neutral or wood tone.

4. Movement: Opening and Closing

While horizontal blinds open to the side, blinds on a large window can also be designed to open down, up or both. In considering how to choose blinds for large windows, if bright light is an issue then a downward opening is a good choice. Large windows can sometimes create privacy issues as well, so downward opening blinds may be a good option to provide coverage while still letting in light when only partially opened. In addition, a downward blind opening stacks the slats at the bottom of the window, potentially avoiding any issue with window blockage from the slats. Blind shades can also be a good alternative to traditional blinds in a large window since they provide a little more privacy than slatted blinds and can also be structured to open at the top or bottom.

5. Material Selection

One of the last big decisions to make when determining what kind of blinds for large windows is to choose the material of the blinds. Available blind materials to use on large windows are:

• wood – natural wood construction and stain color varieties are available with wood blinds

• faux wood – this wood lookalike is made for use in high-humidity areas

• composite – a long-lasting option that is also budget-friendly and made to look like real wood blinds

• aluminum – a lightweight choice that eliminates maintenance that can be colored to match decor preferences

• vinyl – these lightweight, low maintenance blinds are durable and can be made any size for larger windows

• woven or fabric panel – these work on a sliding, vertical blind and are lightweight making them a great choice for large windows