Pros & Cons of Curtains, Roller Blinds and Roman Blinds

Curtains, roller blinds, Roman blinds… with so many window dressings to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one will suit your space the best. Each option has its own pros and cons, bringing a unique sense of character and style to your home.

At Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics, we understand that choosing the right window dressing can be overwhelming. We’ve put together this handy guide on curtains vs roller blinds vs Roman blinds to help you choose with confidence.

Full-length, interlined curtains help to retain heat and reduce draughts, Curtains are the most traditional window dressing, originally used in grand halls and stately homes to keep out draughts and add a sense of ceremony. Today, there are many different types of curtains to suit every style of home. making them a practical choice for bedrooms and living rooms. They create a snug, welcoming atmosphere, while also reducing your heating bills.

Pros

• Warmth – full-length, interlined curtains hold heat in and keep draughts out. They can help to reduce your heating bills, particularly if you live in an older home with draughty sash windows.

• Sound absorption – the weight and volume of the fabric helps to soften echoes and muffle outside noise, which is especially useful if your room faces a busy road.

• Darkness – curtains help to keep your bedroom dark and restful, particularly with a blackout lining. They also protect your furniture and floors from fading in the sun.

• Style – curtains soften your room and tie your entire scheme together, with endless choices of fabrics and heading styles to choose from.

• Flexibility – they’re much easier to alter or move than blinds, so you can rehang them in a different room or even a new home with minimal adjustments.

Cons

• Volume – curtains take up a lot of space, and they also need to stack back against the wall either side of the window when open.

• Look – they don’t give you a streamlined, contemporary feel like Roman or roller blinds do.

• Cost – curtains typically use more fabric than blinds, making them the most expensive option.

• Practicality – they’re less suited to windows above a sink, hob, or radiator, as the fabric can get splashed or trap heat.

Discover our made to measure curtains

We offer made to measure curtains in a wide variety of fabrics, delivered to your home in as little as eight weeks. You can choose from a range of headings, lining options, and finishing touches to make your curtains truly one-of-a-kind.

A roller blind features a single flat panel of fabric that is wound around a tube at the top of the window. You can lower the fabric with a cord or chain so that it covers the glass, and then roll it back up again to hide it from view. 

Pros

• Privacy and light control – you can easily adjust the level of light that enters your room, from softly diffused daylight to complete privacy.

• Neat fit – they fit perfectly within your window recess and roll up tightly at the top, letting as much light as possible into your room without taking up wall or floor space.

• Easy to maintain – roller blinds are very easy to clean, with only an occasional dust or wipe needed.

• Affordability – they use less fabric than curtains or Roman blinds, making them a more budget-friendly option.

• Easy to install – roller blinds are quick and easy to fit, usually taking around 30 minutes to install.

Cons

• Less cosy/soft – roller blinds don’t add the same warmth and softness as curtains or Roman blinds.

• Weaker insulation – they don’t reduce heat loss or draughts like curtains do (especially lined or interlined curtains).

• Little effect on sound – roller blinds have relatively little impact on sound and echo, unlike curtains.

• Size – the drop can only be made up to 180cm, making them unsuitable for taller windows.

Explore our made to measure roller blinds

Our made to measure roller blinds are available in Vanessa’s full range of fabrics, and can be made up to 240m wide. We offer three different finishes to choose from, along with a range of bespoke details to suit your interior scheme.

Roman blinds sit somewhere in between curtains and roller blinds. They give the same softness and gathered look as curtains, but with the neat, tailored finish of roller blinds – just with more fabric on show when closed.

Pros

• Elegant finish – Roman blinds fold into neat pleats as they rise, giving your room a tailored yet comfortable feel.

• More pattern on show – your fabric stays visible whether the blind is up or down, which makes them perfect for patterned designs.

• Warmth – interlined Roman blinds add insulation and depth, making them a great choice for draughty rooms.

• Privacy and space-saving – like with roller blinds, they don’t take up any wall or floor space. You can also adjust the level of light that shines through.

• Finishing details – you can add optional borders and pelmets to coordinate your blinds with the rest of your room.

Cons

• Takes up window space – the folded fabric stacks at the top and can cover a noticeable portion of your window, which reduces the clear glass area.

• Cost – they use more fabric and take longer to make than roller blinds, which means they cost more.

• Moisture – Roman blinds are less suited to steamy spots right beside your sink or shower, for example.

Browse our made to measure Roman blinds

Our Roman blinds can be made in any of Vanessa’s fabrics, with a width and drop of up to 240cm. Your blinds can be unlined, standard lined, blackout lined, or interlined with cotton wadding, with an optional border or pattern-matched pelmet.

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing curtains vs roller blinds vs Roman blinds. The best option all comes down to your room, your lifestyle, and your interior style. You could even opt for a combination of both to create a layered look that adds depth and interest to your interiors.

All our made to measure curtains and blinds are handmade to order here in the UK, in a range of beautiful nature-inspired fabrics that are created by Vanessa herself. 

Not sure which design is right for you? You can order up to five free fabric samples to see how the fabrics look in your space before you commit to a full made to measure piece.