Many property owners prefer wood blinds for their elegant, natural and high-end look. Wood blinds are characterized by the natural patterns and textures that are a byproduct of the hardwood material. They’re also ideal for larger windows, as they do a great job of shielding indoor environments from the sun as well as insulating properties from heat loss in the winter and heat gain during the summer.
It’s easy to see the benefits of wood blinds, but it’s not as easy to go about selecting the blinds that are right for your property. In this post, we’ll get to the bottom of this common conundrum. Read on to learn more about the natural patterns that wood blinds often show as well as how to go about selecting the colors that best match your decor (and other considerations). Here’s a closer look:
Before we get into some wood blinds selection tips, it’s first worth exploring some of the common textures and features that these types of blinds exhibit. It’s important to note that the following textures are not defects, but natural characteristics that truly make this style of window treatment unique. Here’s a look:
Featured product: ย Hunter Douglas Parkland Wood Blinds, 2″ slat in Espresso
Wood Blinds Characteristics
- Grain: Grain direction, size and overall appearance is largely dictated by where and how the wood is cut from the tree
- Tiger striping: As the name implies, wood blinds that take on this appearance are characterized by wavy, tiger-like, grain line stripes
- Burl: These unique marks are characterized by irregular tree growth and preferred for their rare look by many homeowners
- Bird’s eye: Fitting to the name, these patterns are characterized by small circular shapes on the wood board that resemble that of a bird’s eye
- Pin knots: A distinct look when it comes to wood furniture, or blinds, these knots vary in size, shape and color
- Mineral marks: These are dark or discolored areas that often help give any wood product character and definition
- Knotty pine: A more rustic wood appearance than what you’d find in normal wood products, knotty pine isn’t just used for wall paneling
Wood Blinds Selection Tips
Now that we’ve covered some of the patterns that your wood blinds may include or that you may seek, let’s dive into some of the factors you should be keeping in mind when it comes to selecting a new set:
Slat Size
Slat size, or the size of each individual blind itself, is an important consideration for how the window treatments will appear once they are hung. Wood blinds have a tendency to be larger in slat size than other types of blinds, and for that reason, they’re typically used in larger windows. However, this doesn’t mean that wood blinds don’t work well on smaller windows, especially smaller windows in the right environments.
Wood blinds are also available to hang both vertically and horizontally. Interior designers recommend sticking to horizontal blinds, except in cases where the window is wider than it is tall.
Matching Your Decor
There are a few ways you can match any wood blinds to complement the overall decor of your property or the window it is being installed on. Here’s a look at some ideas:
- Match the wood blinds to the flooring or other home features, such as cabinets and carpeting
- Match the blinds to furniture or wall colors
- Match the blinds to any accent paneling or trim (both window and flooring) that is installed in the room or on the property
Window blinds come in a variety of different colors and there are numerous stainsย that you may use to get the color just so.
Consider Contrasting Colors
In addition to the tips that we listed above, another strategy you can take with your blinds is contrasting colors. This is an ideal strategy if your room is painted either a white or neutral color, as doing so can do more than just tie the room together, but make a statement at the same time. For instance, wood blinds in dark stains in a room with light colors can really make a strong, bold impression.
Contact Us Today
For more information on how to select wood blinds that look great in your property, contact us today.