Which is better, Venetian or roller blinds?

Roller blinds are probably the most versatile of the two choices overall, but there is one trait that Venetian blinds have that roller blinds don’t; the ability to filter, rather than just blocking the light.

Additionally, other than the fact that they’re quite different in appearance, there’s often not much to choose between roller blinds and Venetian blinds in terms of functionality or suitability for various different requirements, and so making the choice between the two isn’t always straightforward.

This blog post will tell you which is better out of Venetian and roller blinds for various different rooms and scenarios.

If I’m working to a tight budget, which is better; Venetian or roller blinds?

Roller blinds tend to be the lowest cost type of blinds overall, albeit there is some degree of crossover between other good value window blinds, and the price of rollers can rise a little if you start adding in special features such as blackout or thermally insulating finishes.

Venetian blinds tend to cost a little more than rollers but usually, only a little; quite literally there may only be a few £££’s in it if you price up roller blinds and Venetian blinds like-for-like for the same window.

Both roller blinds and Venetian blinds are very cost-effective, and are a good pick if you’re working to a tight budget.

If I want lots of colour and design choices, which is better – Venetian or roller blinds?

This would have to be roller blinds. Roller blinds are available in by far the widest range of different colour, pattern, design, and finish options of any type of blinds.

Venetian blinds can be made in pretty much any colour of the rainbow and every shade or graduation of those colours too (as well as neutrals) and in a number of different finishes, but they can’t be made with a pattern or design like roller blinds can.

If I want to filter the light, which is better; Venetian or roller blinds?

Venetian blinds can be used to filter light by means of tilting their slats, whilst roller blinds can only be opened or closed. This means that Venetian blinds are your best choice if you want blinds to filter rather than just block the light, or if you want to increase your privacy when the blinds are open.

If I want to achieve a full blackout, which is better?

Venetian or roller blinds will both make a room very dark when fully closed, but only roller blinds can be made as full blackout blinds. Venetian blinds have tiny holes through the slats for their lift cords to pass through; whilst they will still darken the room very acutely, they can’t achieve a full blackout for this reason.

Bear in mind that not all roller blinds are blackout blinds; if you are serious about achieving a full blackout in your room, make sure you pick the blackout option!

For kitchens and bathrooms, which is better?

Venetian or roller blinds are both suitable for kitchens and bathrooms that don’t suffer from a lot of humidity and where the blinds won’t come into direct contact with water. But if you need truly waterproof blinds, you need to pick roller blinds made of either PVC or vinyl.

The lift cords of Venetian blinds aren’t 100% waterproof, which is why they get off here on a technicality; but they will be suitable for most rooms other than those that get very damp or humid (or where the blind will get splashed a lot).

Not all roller blinds are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, by the way… Only PVC and vinyl ones are waterproof, and the regular polyester type are not.

For a child’s bedroom, which is better? Venetian or roller blinds?

Generally, I’d choose roller blinds for a child’s bedroom, as they’re simply made with far less to get damaged or go wrong! The fact you can choose waterproof roller blinds may be relevant too, if your child is the messy type…

Plus, you can get roller blinds for children in a huge range of different designs and styles to match their bedroom or current favourite trend, and they’re also very cost effective and hardwearing.