Ideas for Living Room Blinds

Ideas for Living Room Blinds

Are you considering new living room blinds? Does the glare from the sunlight keep ruining your view of the TV? Are your current blinds looking a little tired? Or maybe your existing blinds are just not getting the job done anymore and you’re hoping for more privacy? Whatever it is, we’re here to help.

You might think that getting new living room blinds is a mammoth task – expensive and complicated, right? In fact, no. Getting new blinds for any room in the home is a simple job and there are options to suit every budget. The hardest part is picking your favourites! But fear not, we’re here to inspire you. We’ll begin by running you through our styles of living room blinds…

Living Room Roller Blinds

If it’s a smart and sleek look you desire, roller blinds are a perfect choice. They’ll sit neatly in the window and allow tons of sunlight to enter your living room. When closed, you’ll be able to enjoy full privacy and darkness.

Rollers are a very popular choice of living room blinds – probably because they’re so versatile when it comes to design. You’ll choose from a range of beautiful fabrics, colours, and prints, plus blackout and dimout options for increased light control. 

Living room roller blinds

Living Room Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are the height of luxury. Available in lots of soft plush fabrics and textures, they make perfect living room blinds that will create a cosy and welcoming space. Raise them to let in the daylight or close them to create an inviting atmosphere to enjoy!

Like roller blinds, Roman blinds come in a broad range of colours and designs, so there’s a style to suit every taste and décor.

Roman blinds for living rooms

Venetian Blinds for the Living Room

Venetian blinds are a great choice for contemporary living room blinds. Available in a wide range of materials and finishes, there’s a Venetian blind for all interiors. Choose from aluminium, faux wood, real wood or UPVC Venetian’s, in a vast range of colours from off-white to vibrant reds.

These blinds will work very hard for your living room by not only looking beautiful but also providing fantastic light and privacy control at the same time. Venetian blind slats tilt at a 180-degree angle, enabling you to decide exactly how much light enters your living room.

Dark Venetian blinds

Living Room Vertical Blinds

Like Venetian blinds, verticals offer great levels of light and privacy control thanks to their tilting slats. This means you’ll have the option to open and close them fully or position the slats at an angle to achieve the perfect balance between light and privacy.

Vertical blinds are perfect for large windows as they can be pulled across to one side and therefore won’t take up much space when they’re not in use. They’re the perfect living room blinds for spaces with patio doors or picture windows!

living room vertical blinds

Pleated Blinds for Living Rooms

For a more textured alternative to rollers and Roman’s, pleated blinds will provide a beautiful depth to any window. They’re made up of fabulous, folded fabrics which will filter the light beautifully into your home.

If you’re looking for living room blinds that take up little space, pleated blinds could be for you. When raised, they fold discreetly away and when open, take up hardly any room on your windowsill!

Like many of our blinds, pleated blinds are available in a wide range of colours and prints – so there’s a style for every living room design!

pleated living room blinds

Vision Blinds for Living Rooms

Is your living room a contemporary space that needs a modern blind? Look no further. Vision blinds are perfect living room blinds.

Vision blinds, also known as ‘Zebra Blinds’ or ‘Day and Night Blinds’, are your modern-day window dressing with a super contemporary feel. They’re made up of alternating coloured and transparent fabrics which when aligned, will provide privacy, and when separated will let in the light beautifully. Much like Venetian blinds, you can position these fabric stripes to let in the exact amount of light you desire.

vision blinds for living rooms

Points to Consider When Choosing Your Living Room Blinds

So, you know what your options are now you just need to choose! But before you do that, you need to consider what you need your blinds to do.

If your living room blinds are for privacy, we’d recommend Venetian, vertical or vision blinds. Thanks to their adjustable slats and stripes you’ll be able to enjoy the natural daylight whilst maintaining your privacy at the same time.

If your living room blinds just need to look great and you’re not overlooked, then roller, pleated and Roman are all great blind options. Each will add some colour, pattern and texture to your home and create a welcoming space to be in. You can have the blinds raised and let in daylight or close them completely in the evenings to create some atmosphere.

If you need a little help with which living room blinds to choose, why not order five free samples from our website? Choose a selection of styles and fabrics and we’ll post the swatches directly to your door! Get started today.

If you’re still looking for ideas for your living room blinds why not browse our website for inspiration? We have thousands of blinds available for you to choose from, so we’re sure you’ll find the perfect living room blinds for your home!

Blackout Blinds & Children’s Sleep: A Cosy Recipe for Rest

Blackout Blinds & Children’s Sleep: A Cosy Recipe for Rest

When it comes to getting little ones to bed, few things are as powerful as a pitch dark and well regulated room environment. Blackout blinds for children offer a proven solution – from boosting sleep hormone levels to keeping bedrooms cool in summer and warm in winter.

🌙 Why Darkness Matters for Children

Encouraging Melatonin Production
Exposure to light – even low light – can suppress melatonin by up to 90%, the hormone vital for sleep regulation. A darkened kids’ room enables natural melatonin levels to rise, helping children wind down and stay asleep longer.

Better Quality & Longer Sleep
According to the UK Sleep Council, around 30% of children aged 3-17 struggle with sleep onset or staying asleep through the night. By blocking early morning light or ambient evening glow, blackout blinds in nurseries and children’s bedrooms can help extend total sleep time – especially useful in summer, when dawn breaks as early as 4:30 AM.

    🗣️ Parents’ Real World Experiences

    From UK parenting groups, many families report that blackout blinds dramatically improve early-morning wake-ups and overnight sleep:

    We desperately need blackout blinds otherwise they’ll be up SO early… just won’t be able to get to sleep.” – Nichole.
    Blackout blinds saved the day… she slept through the night again.” – Shannon.

    While airflow can be a trade off – especially with Velcro fit or fixed sheets – parents often find blackout solutions for kids that still allow for ventilation, such as blinds with suction cups or thermal liners.

    🌡️ Temperature Control: Summer & Winter Benefits

    In Summer
    • Thick, opaque materials block sunlight and reduce solar heat gain, making children’s bedrooms cooler even without air conditioning.
    • Tips from parents: using reflective foil, keeping blinds closed during heat of day, and opening only when ambient air is cooler.

    In Winter
    • Windows are responsible for up to 40% of home heat loss. Thermal blackout blinds for children’s rooms act as an insulating layer, trapping warmth and reducing the chill from cold panes.
    • Retaining heat helps maintain a cosy sleep friendly environment even on frosty nights.

    📊 Sleep & Health Stats (UK based context)
    • Sleep struggles: 30% of children aged 3–17 experience sleep disruptions.
    • Ideal bedroom temperature: 16–18 °C for optimal REM sleep; both overheating and chilliness disrupt sleep patterns.

    Recommended sleep durations:
    • Ages 3–5: 10–13 hours
    • Ages 6–12: 9–12 hours

    ✅ What Blackout Blinds Offer for a Child’s Bedroom

    • Total or near-total darkness helps children fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer without waking too early.
    • An added insulation and thermal layer keeps rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, ensuring year-round comfort.
    • Noise dampening materials reduce outside noise, making it easier for children to rest without disturbances.
    • A cordless or child-safe design improves safety in nurseries and bedrooms, removing potential hazards.
    • Easy-to-open and close blinds offer flexibility for daytime naps or letting in fresh air when needed.
    • Total or near-total darkness helps children fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer without waking too early.

    🧸 Tips for Parents

    • Choose child-safe blackout blinds – cordless or securely fitted – to avoid hazards.
    • Go for a snug, custom fit to reduce light leakage and maximise insulation.
    • In summer, close blinds during the hottest part of the day. In winter, close them overnight to trap heat.
    • Consider blackout blinds with side tracks or thermal lining for better light and temperature control.

    🌟 Final Thoughts

    Blackout blinds are more than just sleep accessories – they’re essential tools in creating a calm, restful space for kids. They help regulate temperature, support natural sleep cycles, and reduce those early wake-ups that can disrupt the whole household. For children (and their parents), a well-fitted blackout blind might just be the most peaceful upgrade you can make to a bedroom.

    Case Study: St James Boulevard, Newcastle

    Case Study: St James Boulevard, Newcastle

    482 Roller Blinds Delivered for Student Accommodation – On Time, In Full


    Client: Private Developer
    Location:
    St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne
    Sector:
    Commercial – Student Accommodation
    Scope:
    482 Roller Blinds
    Project Status:
    Delivered On Time and In Full (OTIF)


    The Project

    We were proud to be chosen to supply and install 482 roller blinds for a major new-build student accommodation scheme right in the heart of Newcastle city centre. St James Boulevard is a fast-developing area – and this project was all about high-spec, modern student living. Our blinds now form part of that premium finish.

    How It Came About

    This one came through a LinkedIn referral – a great example of our work speaking for itself. Thanks to our reputation for reliability, quality, and our hands-on approach, we were recommended for the job. With in-house manufacturing and years of experience in student accommodation, we were the right fit from day one.

    What the Client Needed

    The brief was clear: style, safety, and performance.
    We supplied blinds that ticked every box:

    • Blackout fabric for full privacy and light control
    • Fire-retardant (FR) materials to meet regulations
    • Colour-matched components for a clean, consistent look
    • A solution that was cost-effective without compromising on quality

    Why They Chose Us

    We brought more than just products to the table:

    • We’re a local manufacturer with full control of our production schedule
    • We’ve got a proven track record in commercial and student accommodation work
    • We listened, adapted, and delivered exactly what was needed
    • Our team kept things simple, professional, and on track from start to finish

    How We Delivered

    From the first site visit to the final installation, we worked in phases, fitting in with the client’s build schedule. Each floor was carefully surveyed, manufactured, and installed without a hitch.

    • ✅ Delivered On Time and In Full
    • ✅ Zero defects across all 11 floors
    • ✅ Smooth installation with minimal disruption to other contractors

    What the Client Said

    “Thank you for A1 Blinds’ commitment to the project – much appreciated. The rooms look very crisp. A1 Blinds have done a very good job and have been very helpful throughout.”

    Nick Campfield, Project Director

    The Result

    This was a big one – and we’re proud of the result. The blinds we supplied don’t just look the part – they add comfort and functionality to every room. More importantly, we proved once again that we can handle large-scale commercial work without ever dropping the ball.

    In 2024 alone, we delivered over £250,000 worth of commercial blind solutions – and with more exciting projects already underway, 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger.


    Ready for the Next One

    With projects like St James Boulevard under our belt, our commercial division is going from strength to strength. If you’re planning a development and want a trusted, local partner for blinds and shading – we’re ready when you are.

    Best Blinds to Keep Your House Cool in Summer

    Best Blinds to Keep Your House Cool in Summer

    When the UK finally gets a stretch of warm weather, it’s brilliant — until your home turns into a sweaty, sleepless oven. If you’re searching for how to keep your house cool in hot weather (without running a fan 24/7), you’re not alone.

    One of the most effective and energy-efficient ways to regulate indoor temperature is by choosing the right window blinds. In this guide, we’ll share the best blinds to keep your house cool in summer, with expert tips and links to products proven to beat the heat.



    ☀️ Why Blinds Matter in Hot Weather

    In the UK, up to 30% of unwanted summer heat enters through your windows, according to government energy data. That’s a big deal — especially in homes with large windows or glass doors.

    Blinds help reduce heat gain by blocking or reflecting sunlight before it warms up your interiors. But not all blinds are created equal. Here’s what to look for.



    🧊 1. Thermal Blinds Work in Summer Too

    Thermal blinds aren’t just for winter. The same insulating layer that keeps the cold out can also reflect heat away from your home in summer.

    By reducing solar gain, thermal blinds can make a room feel several degrees cooler — perfect for bedrooms, loft conversions or sun traps.

    Top tip: Choose lighter-coloured thermal blinds to reflect rather than absorb sunlight.



    🌓 2. Vision Blinds Offer Flexibility & Style

    Vision blinds combine sheer and opaque fabric stripes, letting you adjust how much light and heat enters your room throughout the day.

    They’re especially effective in rooms where you still want light, but need to control glare and warmth — like kitchens, conservatories or home offices.



    🪟 3. Venetian Blinds Let You Deflect Sunlight

    Venetian blinds, particularly aluminium or faux wood, are ideal for regulating sunlight without completely blocking it. Simply tilt the slats to bounce the sun’s rays upward, reducing heat while maintaining brightness.

    They’re also easy to clean and look great in modern homes.



    😴 4. Keep Bedrooms Cool with Blackout Blinds

    Getting to sleep in a hot room can be tough. Blackout blinds help by not only blocking early sunlight but also reducing heat build-up during the day — especially in south- or west-facing bedrooms.

    Combine them with open windows in the evening for a cooler, more restful night.



    🔧 5. Perfect Fit Blinds = Maximum Coverage

    Perfect fit blinds offer edge-to-edge coverage inside the window frame — meaning less light leakage and less heat sneaking in. They’re ideal for doors, conservatories or awkwardly shaped windows.

    The snug fit means better temperature control and a sleek, tidy finish.



    💡 Bonus Tip: Combine Blinds with Smart Ventilation

    For best results, open windows early in the morning or later in the evening to let in cooler air — and keep your blinds shut during the hottest parts of the day to block the heat.


    Still not sure which blinds are right for your space? Check out our expert guides on the best window coverings to keep out heat and how roller blinds can help cool your home in summer for more ideas and inspiration.

    ✅ Ready to Cool Down Your Home?

    Browse our full range of heat-busting blinds:

    Book your free home appointment here
    📞 Or call us on 0800 193 0417

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