Guides
Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Guides
Practical advice on choosing, measuring and caring for made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters, from Blinds of Balham.
Buying Guides
How to Measure Your Windows for Made-to-Measure Blinds
A step-by-step guide to measuring for recess-fit and face-fit blinds accurately, so your made-to-measure order fits first time.
6 min read
Buying Guides
Blackout Blinds vs Curtains: Which Is Best?
Comparing blackout roller blinds and blackout-lined curtains on light control, warmth, cost and style — and when to use both together.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Child Safety Regulations for Blinds and Curtains in the UK
What UK child-safety regulations require for corded blinds and curtains, and how made-to-measure window dressings are designed to comply.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Interior Shutters vs Blinds: Pros, Cons and Costs
How plantation shutters compare to blinds on cost, durability, light control and maintenance — and which rooms suit each best.
6 min read
Buying Guides
Curtain Poles vs Curtain Tracks: What's the Difference?
How to choose between a decorative curtain pole and a curtain track, including when to use each and how they affect the way curtains hang.
4 min read
Buying Guides
How to Choose the Right Curtain Lining
Blackout, thermal, interlining or standard cotton sateen — what each curtain lining actually does and how to pick the right one.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Roman Blinds vs Roller Blinds: Which Should You Choose?
Comparing Roman blinds and roller blinds on style, light control, cost and practicality to help you pick the right one for each room.
5 min read
Buying Guides
The Best Window Treatments for Bay Windows
How to dress a bay window well, including pole vs track, per-pane vs full-span options, and the products that work best around the angles.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Motorised Blinds & Curtains: Worth the Smart Upgrade?
What motorised blinds and curtains actually offer beyond convenience, how they work with smart home systems, and whether they're worth the extra cost.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Made-to-Measure vs Ready-Made Blinds: Worth It?
What you actually get for the extra cost of made-to-measure blinds over ready-made — fit, fabric choice, mechanism quality and longevity compared.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Allusion Blinds Explained: A Vertical Blinds Alternative
What Allusion blinds are, how the soft fabric vanes work, and why they suit large windows and patio doors better than traditional vertical blinds.
4 min read
Buying Guides
Venetian Blinds Buying Guide: Wood, Faux Wood or Aluminium?
Comparing real wood, faux wood and aluminium Venetian blinds on look, cost, moisture resistance and the rooms each suits best.
5 min read
Local Guides
Blinds and Curtains for South London Homes: A Local Guide
What to consider when choosing blinds, curtains and shutters for South London homes, from Balham to Clapham, Tooting and Wandsworth.
5 min read
Buying Guides
How Much Do Made-to-Measure Curtains Cost in London?
What actually drives the cost of made-to-measure curtains — fabric, lining, heading style and fitting — and what to budget for a typical London room.
5 min read
Care & Maintenance
Caring for Your Curtains and Blinds: Cleaning Tips
Simple, practical cleaning and maintenance advice for curtains, roller blinds, Roman blinds, shutters and Venetian blinds to help them last.
5 min read
Buying Guides
Voile and Sheer Curtains: A Complete Guide
What voile and sheer curtains are for, how to layer them with heavier curtains or blinds, and how to choose the right weight and fullness.
4 min read
Buying Guides
Roman Blind Systems Explained: Chain, Motorised or Crank?
How chain-operated, motorised and crank Roman blind systems differ, and which mechanism suits your window, weight of fabric and budget.
4 min read
Buying Guides
Curtain Heading Styles Explained: Pleat, Eyelet & Wave
How the four most popular curtain heading styles differ in look, fullness and cost, and how to choose the right one for your room and pole or track.
5 min read
Room Guides
The Best Blinds for Kitchens
Which blinds cope best with steam, grease and splashes in a kitchen, and how to choose between roller, Venetian and shutters near a sink or hob.
4 min read
Room Guides
The Best Blinds for Bathrooms
How to choose blinds and shutters that cope with condensation and humidity in a bathroom, without compromising on privacy or style.
4 min read
Room Guides
Choosing Blinds and Curtains for a South-Facing Room
How to protect fabric from sun fade and manage heat and glare in a south-facing room, without sacrificing brightness.
4 min read
Buying Guides
Tiebacks and Trimmings: How to Style Your Curtains
How tiebacks, trims and braids finish a curtain, the main styles available, and how to choose ones that suit your fabric and room.
4 min read
Buying Guides
How Long Does Blinds or Curtains Fitting Take?
A realistic timeline for made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters, from consultation and measure through to manufacturing and fitting.
4 min read
Room Guides
Nursery & Kids' Room Window Dressings: Safety Guide
How to choose blinds and curtains for a nursery or child's bedroom, balancing blackout for naps and sleep with child-safety cords and fabric choices.
5 min read
Room Guides
Blinds and Curtains for French and Sliding Doors
Which blinds and curtain set-ups work best for French doors, bifold doors and sliding patio doors, without blocking access.
4 min read
Buying Guides
How to Layer Blinds and Curtains Together
Why combining a blind with curtains on the same window works so well, common pairings, and what to check before ordering both.
4 min read
Local Guides
Blinds & Shutters for Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas
What to consider when choosing window dressings for a listed building or a home in a conservation area, and when planning restrictions actually apply.
4 min read
Room Guides
Blackout Blinds for Shift Workers: A Complete Guide
How to get genuinely dark, quiet daytime sleep as a shift worker, with the right combination of blackout blinds, curtains and lining.
4 min read
Buying Guides
The Full Cost of Motorised Blinds and Curtains
What actually drives the cost of motorising blinds or a curtain track — battery vs mains, per-window pricing, and where it's worth the extra spend.
4 min read
Buying Guides
Wood vs Metal Curtain Poles: Which Should You Choose?
How wood and metal curtain poles compare on look, weight capacity, finish options and cost, and which suits different rooms and curtain weights.
4 min read
Buying Guides
What Is a Pelmet, and Do You Need One?
What a pelmet does, how it differs from a valance, and when it's genuinely worth adding one above your curtains.
4 min read
Room Guides
Curtains and Blinds for High Ceilings and Tall Windows
How to get proportions, fullness and hardware right for tall sash windows and high-ceilinged rooms, common in Victorian and Edwardian South London homes.
4 min read
Local Guides
Blinds and Curtains for Wimbledon, Putney and Richmond Homes
What to consider for window dressings across Wimbledon, Putney and Richmond — from period village houses to riverside apartments.
4 min read
Room Guides
The Best Blinds and Curtains for a Home Office
How to cut screen glare and video-call distractions without losing natural light, and which blinds and curtains suit a home office best.
4 min read
Buying Guides
A Renter's Guide to Blinds and Curtains
How to get made-to-measure quality window dressings in a rented home, without drilling into walls you don't own or losing your investment when you move.
4 min read