Ask The Experts: Your Top Ten Questions Answered

By Andrew Peacock

Content Creator at Blinds Direct

Tue 8 Apr 2025

Last updated Tue 14 Apr 2026

Curtains and blinds are excellent ways of adding beauty and style to your room while also improving the functionality of your windows. That said, there are a lot of questions people have to help them find the best item for their home. In this blog, we’ll be answering the top ten questions about curtains and blinds to give you peace of mind when making your decision.

DIY vs professional fitting blinds

Fitting blinds yourself may seem daunting, but it shouldn’t. Blinds are very easy to fit and a professional finish can be achieved with minimal DIY experience. By fitting blinds yourself, you avoid additional installation costs, and the intrusion of a stranger in your home. Simply unbox your new blinds and follow the simple instructions. If you’re unsure as to what to do, you can always contact our friendly customer services team.

Can you see through blinds during the day?

Most blinds are totally opaque and can’t be seen through during the day. Illusion blinds however are made using two layers of translucent fabric which filters daylight softly into your room whilst allowing a view to the outside world. With a twist of a wand, this blind will deliver complete privacy and security.

Do blinds have to fit exactly?

For best results, make sure your blind fits your window perfectly. Properly fitted blinds look beautiful and will best manage the light entering your home – after all, a halo around your window kind of defeats the object. Having your curtains and blinds made to measure ensures the perfect fit as each blind and curtain is made to your exact specifications. Measuring a window is also very easy, you can learn more in our measuring guides.

What are the best blinds for privacy and light control?

All blinds will give you at least some light control, but the best blinds include wooden and metal Venetian blinds – which you can angle to let in the perfect amount of light – and Day & Night blinds which feature alternating strips of sheer and blackout fabric. These can be raised or lowered as required to let in the right levels of light.

Can I mix blinds and curtains?

Yes, and to great effect! Mixing blinds and curtains is an excellent way to add a cosy, gentle finish to your windows, making them more luxurious and stylish. What’s more, you can maximise the functionality of your windows by combining thermal and blackout fabrics. This is especially beneficial for bedrooms as reduced light and a pleasant temperature improve sleep quality.

Are wooden blinds or faux wood blinds better?

The answer depends on the room. Wooden blinds offer an organic elegance to a space, improving its style. At Blinds Direct, we only use wood sourced from responsibly managed forests which makes our wooden blinds and shutters more sustainable. Faux wood blinds are a better choice for humid parts of the home. Natural wood can warp or crack when wet so for bathrooms and kitchens, faux wood blinds are better.

Are smart blinds worth it?

Smart blinds – also known as electric blinds – are an excellent upgrade which will improve the comfort of your home. With smart blinds you can set timers for when they open, which is ideal for waking up with the sun, or when you’re away, and even programme it to be voice controlled. Many styles of blinds can be motorised including roller blinds, Roman blinds, Day & Night blinds and and double roller blinds. You can learn more in our electric blinds buyer’s guide.

How do I measure for blinds?

Measuring for blinds is much easier than you might expect. With just a tape measure, you can accurately measure the height and width of your window which is all you need before ordering a quality, made to measure curtain on blind. The trick is to measure both the height and width of the window in three places and provide the smallest number.

How to fit your blinds

Fitting blinds is very straightforward. If you’ve chosen a classic blind, such as a Roman, roller, vertical, wooden or pleated blind, you can simply fit it in place with common DIY tools including a drill, tape measure and pencil. Each order is delivered with easy-to-follow instructions but if you’re not confident with DIY and drilling holes, no drill options exist. Perfect Fit® blinds simply clip into the beading of a uPVC window and our designer no drill roller blinds can be fitted in seconds.

What are black-out blinds and curtains?

Blackout blinds and curtains are the best way to limit the amount of light entering your home. Helping to create a dark, peaceful environment, blackout blinds and curtains are ideal for bedrooms but also living rooms when you want to relax with a movie. You can find a selection of blackout roller blinds, and vertical blinds, made from special blackout fabrics, but at Blinds Direct, you can add a free blackout lining to any Roman blind or curtain to enjoy better sleep for no extra cost.

There you have it, your top ten most asked questions answered. Stay tuned for future blogs where we’ll answer your questions about specific products. In the meantime, if you have any burning questions about a particular style of blind or curtain, let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!