What Color Blinds Should I Get? How to Choose The Right Color

Window blinds are an excellent choice for any space. Not only are they practical — it’s all about privacy, light control, and temperature regulation — but they’re also perfect for adding a pop of style to your room. Choosing the right blinds color is an important part of the buying process.

You need window blinds that provide all the functionality required for your unique space without taking away from the aesthetic quality and design motif of the room. We’re here to help you decide on the perfect blind colors for your home, no matter if your style is totally earthy and rustic, refined and luxurious, or somewhere in between.

The first thing to keep in mind when choosing blinds is that they’re almost always limited to solid colors or finishes. But don’t let that deter you. With the many unique hues, stains, and textures out there, you can still bring plenty of style and interest to your home décor with solid-colored or finished blinds.

Even better, window blinds splendidly balance duality. They achieve practicality via light, privacy, and heat control whilst impeccably injecting aesthetics into your decor with their varied colors, textures, and designs. It's a functional fashion for your windows.

If you’re open to finding a happy medium between fabric window coverings and blinds and want something with a fun print, then consider a set of patterned Roman shades. But remember: A set of blinds in a single color doesn’t have to be boring or low-impact. We’ll show you how!

Why Choose Window Blinds?

Before we dive into our blinds color guide, let’s take a look at the many reasons why window blinds are a great choice compared to other kinds of window treatments. The primary benefit of blinds versus, say, fabric curtains is that they provide a higher level of light and privacy control. But there are many reasons why you might prefer blinds in the grand scheme of things. Here are a few:

• Light Control — As compared to curtains, window blinds allow you to better control how much light you let through. Blinds can open and close fully or tilt to let just the right amount of light into the room. The color and material of the blinds will help to control light further.

• Privacy Control — Unlike curtains and shades, blinds may be configured in such a way that you can see out, but no one can see in. They’re ideal for easily blocking out all views into your space and, when drawn, can keep your home completely private.

• Easy Maintenance — Blinds are a good pick for low-maintenance homes, rental properties, and even RVs because they’re amazingly easy to care for. Usually, all it takes is a wipe or two with a damp cloth, and your blinds will look as good as new. Of course, deep-cleaning draperies and fabric window coverings are much more intensive and time-consuming and may require a professional service.

• Cost — In general, window blinds ring up for significantly less than fabric window treatments, so you’ll get more for your money. What’s more, they’re often made of durable materials (more on that below), so they’ll stay in great shape until you decide to replace them.

The Basics of Window Treatment Colors: Inside and Out

When we talk about blind colors, we often talk about the color that will face the interior of your home. But when you’re dealing with street-facing windows, your blinds will have an effect on the exterior aesthetic of your home, too.

For many homeowners, multiple sets of white or off-white blinds will help create a uniform look on the home’s façade. Of course, because traditional blinds are effectively reversible — regardless of whether they’re tilted, opened, or closed, the same color shows inside and outside — you need to choose a color that works well on both sides.

With this in mind, remember that considering the inside of your home isn’t always enough when you’re shopping for the perfect blind color. Take into consideration the exterior of your home, too, especially if you intend to install your blinds in front rooms and living spaces. Window shades may be a better choice for a scenario where you need a different color inside than outside, as they’re often easier to customize in terms of interior and exterior color.

CHECK OUT OUR COLLECTION OF WINDOW BLINDS

What They're Made Of: Blind Materials and Color

Another thing to consider when shopping for window blinds by color is that the material may dictate which colors are available. For example, wooden blinds are typically stained, so they have a more natural look. You can choose wood blinds stained in a cherry, oak, maple, or mahogany finish to match your hardwood or woodwork. We also carry white wooden blinds that are available painted in several shades of white and cream for a clean, fresh look.

Similarly, faux wood blinds can be stained in a range of different traditional wood hues and feature unique textures that make them look a lot like the real thing. Why would anyone choose faux wood over real wood, you ask? For one, they cost less, so they’re perfect for those who prefer the wood look but are on a budget. What’s more, faux wood blinds tend to perform better in damp areas because they’re more moisture- and swell-resistant than real wood. Get to know more about this window treatment type by visiting our faux wood blind guide.

Another incredibly popular choice is aluminum blinds, which are generally made of thick aluminum — look for 6- or 8-gauge aluminum — for a long-lasting appeal. If you’re looking for the blind material with the most varied color choices, aluminum blinds are the best choice. You can order these blinds in colors ranging from easy, light-colored neutrals to bold hues and even solid black. If you’re looking for that very specific accent or statement color, aluminum is probably your best bet.

While wood and aluminum are steadfast staples, don’t shy away from blinds made with synthetic materials, such as PVC. While the idea of plastic blinds may initially sound odd, this material actually has many benefits, primarily the fact that it’s extremely easy to maintain. We recommend PVC blinds to people who want unique colors and textures, as they can be ordered in sandy, pebbled, and lined textures.

What About Light Control?

If your primary goal is to darken a room for better sleep, to protect your furniture from fading, or to better insulate your home, don’t rule out blinds. Room darkening blinds come in several unique colors and configurations to match your unique décor. You’ll find styles in our selection made of faux wood, PVC, and other materials, all of which are excellent at blocking out the majority of natural light when closed. In other words, you don’t need black blinds or black-out curtains to control light. The right combination of materials and features will do the trick.

The Psychological Impact of Colors

Color, a captivating topic for scholars, shares deep connections with psychological functioning. One prominent theory, presented by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his work Theory of Colors, links color categories to varying emotional responses. 

For example, consider the “plus” colors of yellow and red-yellow (a warm hue). These colors typically evoke feelings of warmth and excitement, crafting a cozy and inviting atmosphere within a room. Therefore, warmer shades can be an excellent choice if you want to create a space that feels like a comforting haven.

As for cooler colors, such as blues and greens, they induce a sense of calmness. This makes them impeccable in creating peaceful, restful spaces that encourage relaxation and tranquility.

In essence, according to research from the National Library of Medicine, the colors of objects don’t just impact style; it can also subtly affect your mood and the ambiance of your living space. That means choosing the right color isn't just a design decision – it's also a psychological one.

Colors by Style: What Suits Your Space?

Now that you know a little bit about which type of blinds will suit your needs, let’s focus on the question at hand: how to choose the right blinds color. Of course, different colors and stains lend themselves to different applications and décor schemes. Here are some great ideas for how to choose blinds based on your décor vision.

• • Earthy and Natural — Without a doubt, the best choice for earthy interiors is wood or faux wood blinds. We’re pretty big fans of bamboo blinds in Zen-inspired spaces. Not only are they totally down-to-earth, but they’re also eco-friendly. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants and is therefore extremely sustainable, so they’re ideal for any Earth-focused interior. Shop natural bamboo blinds in beiges and tans for your neutral, natural space.
  • Utterly Ultra-Modern — Blinds naturally lend themselves to modern spaces, but you can easily catapult them further into the contemporary category with your color choice. If your space leans fresh, clean, and simplistic, you can’t go wrong with pure, white blinds. For something with a little bit of masculine, modern, or transitional flair, try integrating a set of gray blinds into your space.
  • Artsy and Eclectic — If you’ve got houseplants, Oriental rugs, and original artwork peppered throughout your space, blinds might not seem like the most obvious choice. But here’s the thing: They, too, can be eclectic in the right scenario. We always love to see our blinds in dark colors, complementing eclectic spaces. On the other hand, if you want to lighten up a moody, masculine room, then some blinds in neutral colors will do the trick.
  • Retro and Mid-Century — Love things a little bit funky and retro or sophisticated and Scandinavian? You can’t go wrong with a set of bold-colored honeycomb blinds. These window coverings honor one of the biggest design trends of the 1950s and ‘60s with their honeycomb style and come in tons of unique colors to match your space. You might also want to consider working in some red, orange, or green mini blinds for a big pop of color.
  • Totally Traditional — There are few better ways to complement your well-appointed traditional or formal living space than with real wood blinds finished in a dark mahogany stain. The luxurious yet classic look of dark blinds will suit any space that’s inherently traditional.

To Accent, Complement, or Highlight

Choosing your blinds based on your design style isn’t always enough. You also have to face the sometimes daunting task of actually integrating them into your design. That means you have to decide whether you want to pick something that’s bold, statement-making, and accent-worthy or something guided by the organic colors of the room. First, do a scan of your room to get a feel of which colors might work well to accent or highlight the space. Next, order free samples of the colors you like to test them out in the real world.

You can also use some basic design principles to guide you toward the right color. For example, you might look at a color wheel to see a visual representation of which colors look good together. Don’t forget to use technology to your advantage — a color scheme generator can really go a long way if you’re stumped. These tricks will help you pick out accent or complementary colors that will beautifully integrate into your existing design. We love the idea of looking at your flooring, furniture, and artwork to find less obvious color themes woven throughout the room.

If your main goal is to find something that just looks seamless and doesn’t necessarily draw attention, then there’s no better choice than neutral blind colors. Taupe, beige, off-white, ivory, and tan are some of the easiest colors to integrate into any design, whether it’s already colorful and funky or laid-back and earthy.

Using Tools and Samples for Decision-Making

For those who find picking a color scheme a daunting task, you're in luck – there are various tools designed to help! One such instrument is the classic color wheel. This circular tool presents an array of colors, illustrating how they relate to and contrast with each other. Using a color wheel can guide you in identifying complementary, analogous, and even triadic color schemes for your window treatments and overall decor. 

Online color scheme generators are another wonder of technology you can leverage. These tools allow you to experiment with different combinations digitally before making a decision. Input a base color, and they'll generate harmonious combinations instantly, saving you time and effort.

Here are some useful software tools that can help you to choose a color scheme for your window blinds and overall décor:

1. Adobe Color CC: This tool helps create color palettes from color wheel principles or from your own chosen images.
2. Coolors: With just a press of your spacebar, Coolors generates beautiful color schemes for your interiors. It also allows you to adjust and fine-tune colors to your preference.
3. Colormind: This tool uses artificial intelligence to generate sophisticated color schemes based on your initial inputs.
4. Canva Color Palette Generator: If you have an image that encapsulates the mood or theme you're going for, Canva's tool will generate a color palette based on that image.
5. Paletton: Paletton allows you to create, save, and share color schemes, with a focus on shades, tones, and tints for better precision.

Using these tools can provide a good starting point and help guide your color decisions, ensuring your window blinds and living space harmonize seamlessly.

Note: The significance of ordering samples when choosing window blinds cannot be overstated. color swatches allow you to observe how specific hues will transform under your home's unique lighting conditions. 

Natural and artificial light can both dramatically alter a color's appearance, a reality that is often hard to predict. Thus, by ordering samples, you can avoid potential disappointments and ensure the blind’s color perfectly complements your interior aesthetics in all lighting situations. It’s a small step that can make a world of difference!

Finishing Touches

The perfect color can transform your space into one that’s both stylishly designed and doesn’t compromise functionality and longevity. With all these great tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a well-designed living space, bedroom, office, or sunroom with zero compromises. Remember, when you partner with Factory Direct Blinds for your custom blinds, you can count on excellent prices, free samples, and quality customer service.

Real-life Examples and Testimonials

There's nothing quite like hearing the real-life success stories of individuals who have transformed their spaces with the right choice of blinds. 

Karla Dreyer, a celebrated interior designer, firmly believes in the power of colour to influence a room's mood. She advises, "Knowing how you want your place to feel will help you in that fabric choice." Dreyer encourages thoughtful contemplation, "Do you want your window to be a focal point?", emphasizing that a solid colour has the propensity to act as the room’s main feature, thus influencing its overall mood.

For practicality and versatility, The DIY Mommy, a known YouTuber, suggests neutrals like white. Highlighting their benefits, she expresses "They match with everything; they're light; they're bright," pointing to how white or off-white blinds effortlessly enhance a room's brightness and mood.

We all want a color that we like, but why not combine it with energy efficiency?  A study by the US Department of Energy found that cellular shades offer significant savings – up to 20% on heating energy and 15% on total energy from heating and cooling. So why not find a color you love in this efficient blind style? You'll enjoy style, comfort, and savings simultaneously. Find out more by checking out our cellular blinds buying guide.

BROWSE OR RANGE OF CELLULAR SHADES

Conclusion

Simply put, the ideal window blinds strike a perfect balance between practicality and aesthetics. The shade you choose can control light, maintain privacy, add to the room's ambiance, and even impact your mood. Don't shy away from playing with colors and experimenting with various shades. 

If you're unsure, there's always a spectrum of experts and tools available to aid in your decision-making. So, delve into the colorful world of window treatments, and filter the world outside through the lens of your chosen color.

FAQs

What color of blinds are best?

The best color of blinds depends on your room's aesthetics and the mood you wish to create. It's pivotal to balance your preference with other elements such as wall colours or furniture.

Should blinds be lighter or darker than walls?

Generally, blinds should contrast with the wall colors. If you have light walls, opt for darker blinds, and vice versa. However, matching blinds with the window trim can maintain a clean, streamlined look.

Should blinds be lighter or darker than the floor?

The choice is stylistic. Lighter blinds can add freshness and a feeling of spaciousness, whereas darker ones create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Ultimately, choose what suits your personal taste and the style of your room.

What is the best color for bedroom blinds?

Consider soothing, calming colors for bedroom blinds, like pastel hues or neutral shades. These colors promote relaxation and a peaceful environment for restful sleep.