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What Are The Best Blinds For Bedrooms?

When it comes to choosing the best blinds for your bedroom, there are a few things you may be thinking about. Not only is there the consideration of style and colour, but also the shape and size of your window opening and the level of light you want to reach your indoor space. Choosing the perfect blinds for the bedroom is imperative as the level of light in your sleeping space can play a vital role in the quality and health of your sleep.

With this in mind, it is important to understand the options in a bit more detail so that you can make an informed decision for your home. We have put together this handy blog to help you get a better gauge of what is available.

How Can Blinds Affect The Way You Sleep?

The amount of light that you let into your bedroom can have an impact on the quality of your sleep, simple as that. We all have internal body clocks that help us regulate when we go to sleep and when we wake up for the day, as we have relied on the sun to dictate this for us for thousands of years. However, with the introduction of modern technology, and glare from computer screens and mobile phones, our body clocks have shifted and it is not uncommon for many people to experience low quality sleep because of this.

With this in mind, there are a few actions we can take to improve the way we regulate our sleep, and one of these actions is controlling the level of light that enters our bedrooms during the night. Finding blinds for bedrooms that creating a darker environment can facilitate sleep and help you drift off more easily.

If you are someone who lives on a street with outdoor street lamps, finding a light blocking blind for your bedroom can be key to keeping the light out. It is also something to consider for the changing seasons when it stays lighter for longer in the summer and is darker in the winter.

Which Blind Styles Are Best For Bedrooms?

When considering your blind style for your bedroom, there are a few styles that are popular with homeowners throughout the UK.

Roller Bedroom Blinds

Roller blinds are a great bedroom blind solution. This is because they are traditionally created with a block of material rather than individual slats that may let light in more freely. They are usually operated using a cord and are very simple to operate, making them a great option for your bedroom.

Depending on the material your roller bedroom blinds are made of, you can choose from a whole host of different designs to suit the style of your bedroom. In some cases, you can even choose white blinds, so long as the material is thick enough to block light during the evening but let enough light in during the day to help you wake up.

Roman Blinds

Roman bedroom blinds are also a great option as they are very similar to roller blinds in the sense they are one block of material. The opening style is slightly different and stylish as the material folds up in a concertina fashion rather tan rolling away. However, they are a great way to reduce light in your bedroom and create a stylish space.

Vertical Blinds

Often, vertical blinds can be the preferred choice if you have large window openings in you room. They do a good job of blocking out light during the night while helping you fill your room with natural lighting during the day. By adjusting the slats to the suns positioning, you can control the angle at which light enters your space as well as the amount.

The rotating operating style of this blind style makes it a great option for homeowners looking for a little more control over the light in their home.

Perfect Fits

Perfect fit blinds for bedrooms essentially fit perfectly in your window opening. This makes them a great option if you are trying to eliminate the light that may creep in around the side of other blind styles. Perfect fits come in a range of different styles and colours, making it easy to tailor them to your room.

Other Considerations

You may also consider blackout blinds for bedrooms as these can ultimately block out the most light. However, this comes down to preference and what you are looking for. Blackout blinds can be fantastic when it comes to blocking out light, but can sometimes affect the way you wake up naturally if you don’t get enough natural light in the room.

A1 Blinds for Bedrooms

If you are looking for the best blinds for bedrooms, look no further than A1 Blinds. We offer blind styles for all room types, residential and commercial, meaning you can create the perfect window covering for all situations.
Browse our range of window styles today or book a free design home consultation to find out more!

How To Recycle Your Blinds

Here at A1 Blinds, we are keen to ensure that when buying new blinds and thinking about what to do with your old ones, they are just headed straight for the bin. Recycling or reusing your unwanted blinds is a great way to get rid of your unwanted window coverings and do your bit for the planet. As a general rule, it’s always a good idea to see if you can donate, sell or gift your old blinds before looking to recycle your blinds, as this is one of the easiest ways to recycle them.

What Are Your Blinds Made Of?

One of the biggest factors to consider is the materials used in your blinds. Aluminium, wood and fabric are some of the most common that you will find in window blinds. There are also other materials that may be involved, including plastic, or even a combination of other materials. It’s a good idea to check what materials your blinds are made of first before recycling them. Check to see if your blinds have a label that describes the materials that have been used.

How To Recycle Aluminium Blinds

If you old blinds are made of 100% aluminium, then they can be taken to a tip or recycling centre that accepts aluminium. It is important to understand that many centres will require you to dismantle your aluminium blinds before recycling them. Often, this is because there are other components that may not be recyclable within them.

To dismantle your blind, cut the lift cords and ladder cords to free each of the aluminium slats. You will also need to remove any other parts that are not aluminium.

How To Recycle Wood Blinds

More often than not, wooden blinds are made of treated wood. One of the predominant ways to recycle wood is to turn it into compost of mulch. As there are often other products in the mix on treated wood such as varnish or paint, it makes it unsuitable for this type of recycling.

Only wood that has not been treated can be recycled in the conventional way. If you are looking to recycle your wooden blinds, it is worth absolutely double checking your blinds for the materials used.

There are plenty of ways that you can upcycle or reuse your blinds if they are not suitable for traditional recycling. For example, you can try selling your blinds or donating them. If you are feeling extra creative, you can explore other ways to repurpose your blinds at home, such as customising them to make plant markers.

How To Recycle Plastic Blinds

You can recycle your plastic blinds depending on the plastic they are made from. If they are made of PVC, it is easy enough to recycle your blinds. You can take these to a recycling site, but make sure you call ahead to see if they will be accepted or not.

It is worth dismantling your blinds by removing cords and freeing the slats of other materials which may not be recyclable.

How To Recycle Roman Shades and Curtains

There are a few options to consider when recycling your shades or curtains. As with everything, the first option is always to see if you can gift or sell them. Some popular or branded patterns may have more value than you think.

However, if you cannot sell your shades or curtains, they can usually be taken apart and recycled. You will need to take a look at the materials in your curtains and cut or pull each part away. The fabric itself can be taken to a clothing or fabric donation centre or bins. Some suggestions we have are The British Heart Foundation, Salvation Army and The Air Ambulance Services.

Any metal hardware can be recycled as well as PVC parts. It is also worth reaching our to your local blind or curtain company as mainly manufacturers or retailers will often accept used headrails.

Ideas If You Can’t Recycle Your Blinds

We’ve got some other ideas for ways you can reuse instead of recycle your blinds if you don’t want to just throw them out:

• Use them as plant markers in your garden
• Create bookmarks that you can gift to friends or even sell
• Create picture frames to decorate the house
• Weave storage baskets using the vertical vanes
• Create some artwork or Christmas decorations

New Blinds from A1 Blinds

If you are looking for new blinds once disposing of your old ones, A1 Blinds have an amazing range of blind options available for all homes.

How to Clean Venetian Blinds

If you are lucky enough to own a set of Venetian blinds, cleaning them often will ensure they look as fresh and stylish as the day they were first bought. Dust can build up quite quickly on Venetian blinds, so it is important to keep on top of it so they don’t get too dirty. As they have a slanted, slatted design, it can be easy to miss them when cleaning your house, but they are just as important as any shelf or table!

Most of the time, you can easily get away with some light cleaning on your Venetian blinds to keep them looking clean and fresh. However, on occasion is it worth giving your Venetian blinds a deeper clean to really get into those areas you could’ve missed with a lighter clean.

Look After Your Venetian Blinds

Taking proper care of your blinds means that not only will they serve your space for many years, but they will be easier to clean and look better for longer. They are a stylish window covering option and, when kept in good condition, can look fantastic.

As with anything, taking good care of your product means it is less likely you will need to replace it in the future any time soon.

What Material Are Your Venetian Blinds?

There are various different Venetian blind styles available on the market in a range of different materials. For this reason, cleaning your blinds can vary depending on the blind material you have in your home.

How To Clean Wooden Venetian Blinds

Wooden Venetian blinds are an ever popular blind option among homeowners, certain to enhance the appearance of any space. Keeping this particular blind material regularly cleaned is key to seeing your blinds look their best for many years.

As with any product you own that is made of wood, a lot of moisture, such as water or heavy cleaning products, can be very damaging as it is a natural material. If the wrong products are used, this can cause your blinds to warp or snap. For this reason, we would recommend avoiding the use of any liquid when giving your wooden Venetian blinds a light clean or a deep clean.

The easiest way to clean your wooden Venetian blinds is to close the slats in one direction and wipe across each slat with a dry cloth or a feather duster. If you make sure to clean your blinds in a downwards direction, this will help ensure that the slats don’t shift or change position. Once you have dusted the tops, open the slats and close them again in the opposite direction so that you can clean the undersides.

Any stubborn marks on your wooden blinds can be removed using a damp cloth. However, do not rub the cloth too vigorously as this could damage the blind itself.

How To Clean Metal Venetian Blinds

Metal Venetian blinds, similarly to wooden Venetian blinds, can gather dust if not cleaned or looked after. Regular dusting and cleaning practises can ensure that your blinds continue to look as good as the day you first got them.

With metal Venetian blinds, you can use cleaning products such as washing up liquid to remove any marks or stains. Once you have removed marks, you can carefully dry them off with a paper towel or dry cloth.

From there, you can dust your blinds similarly to the way you would wooden Venetian blinds. Move your blinds to a closed position and use a duster ot cloth to remove excess dust and dirt from the slats. Once they have been cleaned on this side, they can be moved to the open position and clean the other side of the slats.

For a deeper and more effective clean, a handheld vacuum cleaner can be an effective way of cleaning your Venetian blinds. It is, however, important to keep the suction level low and be gentle when moving the cleaner over your blinds to prevent damage.

Similarly to metal blinds, plastic and synthetic blinds can be treated with a mild detergent and then dusted in the same way.

Deep Cleaning Your Venetian Blinds

Occasionally, your Venetian blinds may be in need of a deeper clean. For metal, plastic and synthetic blinds, you can deep clean these with mild detergent and warm water.

Remove your blinds from the fitting and lay them down fully opened over a ground sheet or blackout down to eliminate the chance of scratching or damaging them. You can then use a bucket filled with warm water and detergent and a soft brush or sponge to gently run the solution over each slat. For more stubborn marks, you may need to repeat the process a few times over, but always be gentle with your Venetian blinds so as not to break them.

Venetian Blinds from A1 Blinds

Here at A1 Blinds, we provide market leading blind solutions for customers in the North East of England, as well as delivery for customers throughout the UK.

Do you want to find out how to clean vertical blinds? Then A1 is the number one for advice and information on blinds. We make made-to-measure blinds with leading quality, and we have 35 years of experience. However, that experience has also given us the knowledge to help you maintain slightly older blinds. Your blinds can go through a lot over the years, meaning dirt and dust can collect on them. As a result, they might need a clean. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean your vertical blinds, and tips to make the process much quicker. And, if you want vertical blinds that are effortless to clean, A1 offers high-quality blinds that are machine washable!

How To Work Out When To Clean Vertical Blinds

If you have vertical blinds in your home, then they might start to look past their best over time. However, it isn’t an issue you can’t fix. Over time, dirt and dust can collect around your blinds, causing their vivid colours to fade and the rest of your home to look less vibrant. By cleaning your blinds, though, you can refresh the look of your living space and prolong their lifespan. But when is the right time to clean your blinds?

While vertical blinds usually attract less dirt than other designs, a layer of dirt and dust can emerge over the top of the blinds slowly. As a result, if you begin to notice it on your blinds, then it could be time to clean them. Should you clean your vertical blinds, though? If you have wooden blinds, then you definitely shouldn’t. Wooden blinds aren’t washable, as detergents and water can harm and damage the timber inside. Because of this, we’ll be focusing on how to clean vertical blinds made from fabric.

You can usually clean fabric blinds, although you should check the manufacturer’s notes before you start. Many older fabric blinds, though, are only hand-washable. As a result, the process of cleaning them up can take a lot of time which you’d rather spend doing something else. At A1 Blinds, though, we’ve designed durable, innovative blinds that are machine-washable!

How To Clean Vertical Fabric Blinds

The first thing to do when cleaning your vertical fabric blinds is to remove their slats from the handrail. Dust them down – so you only need to focus on stains during the cleaning process – before carefully detaching them from the rail. From there, you can wipe the handrail down, ensuring that dirt doesn’t collect there. You could also use a can of compressed air to get to dirt you can’t reach. Once you’ve dusted down the blinds and removed them, it’s time to wash them. All you’ll need is some lukewarm water to soak them in, or you can put them in your washer if they are machine-washable.

It’s important, though, not to wash some blinds in water that’s over 30 degrees, as it could damage their adhesives. If you’re washing your blinds in a machine, it’s crucial to protect them, too. To do it, you could roll the blinds up and wrap them in a pillowcase, making sure the fabric inside them won’t fray. Also, if you’re washing by hand, you can use washing-up liquid or stain remover to get at more resistant marks. However, you shouldn’t use bleach, as this could damage the fabric. After you’ve cleaned your blinds, you can leave them out to dry while they look shiny and new. And, if you need to put them back up quickly for any reason, you can accelerate the process with a hairdryer. Once they’re dry, rehang them on the handrail, and you’ll have clean blinds.

How To Get Clean Vertical Blinds

However, if your blinds don’t clean that easily, it could be time to replace them. You might have vertical blinds that stain easily, get dirty and dusty in a matter of days, and take a lot of time and effort to wash by hand. As a result, you might want to find out how to get clean vertical blinds that stay clean and don’t take up too much of your time to maintain. When you choose A1 Blinds, though, you’ll guarantee a quality investment. Our innovative blinds are highly durable, meaning they won’t get dirty or stain as easily as older designs. Not only that, but they are machine washable, making them much easier to maintain.

We’ve spent 35 years refining our vertical fabric blinds so that you get a great deal for a great design. If you’d like to explore our full range of vertical fabric blinds, then browse our range using our website today. We also offer Roller, Venetian and Roman blinds too, meaning it’s easy to update the look and feel of your living space. Get in touch with A1 today to find out how to get clean vertical blinds that stay clean for years to come!

What are the best blinds for skylights? Skylights can let natural light shine into your living space, but they could let the cold in during the night. Due to this, adding blinds to your skylight or roof window could help you take more control over your home’s climate. With your blinds, you can block out excess sunlight or cold air in an instant, while you can still benefit from your skylight in full. However, there are plenty of types of blinds out there that could work for skylights. As a result, it’s not easy to tell which ones are the best. But when you invest in blinds for skylights with A1 Blinds, you’ll get a broad selection of quality options, all designed to keep you in control of your home.

The Benefits of Blinds for Skylights

Blinds can make a big difference for skylights. That’s because you can get all the benefits of skylights without the drawbacks. With the option to pull the shutters down over the glass section, you’ll be able to stop cold air from entering your home as much. Durable blinds provide an additional layer of insulation, keeping you warm when the winter months come, or the nights draw in. Additionally, blinds can help you control the light in the room more effectively. If you have a skylight in your bedroom, then you might find that the light coming through makes it more difficult to sleep.

With durable blinds, though, you can block out any glow from distracting you at night. With A1 Blinds, you can invest in a clever new design for skylights that makes them more convenient. We offer a wide variety of options which each use durable fabric, ensuring they keep their quality for years to come. Also, we work with leading companies like VELUX to offer their skylight and roof window-oriented designs for your home. Not only that, but you can get blinds for skylights that require no effort at all.

Our fabric blinds, for example, are machine-washable, meaning it takes almost no effort to remove dust and stains. And, if you’d rather not get out of bed to shut your blinds, you can get remote-controlled designs. That way, you can take full control of how your skylight benefits your home.

Blinds for Skylights

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are a brilliant option for skylights. With these easy-to-use designs, you can pull your blinds down with ease over your skylight, insulating your home and reducing glare. Our roller blinds are durable, thanks to the specialised fabric they use – not only that, but you can choose from both patterned and plain designs to get the right look for your living space. A1’s roller blinds also come loaded with little features that make our blinds even better. For example, they contain eyelets, a co-ordinated braid, a selection of bottom edge finishes and control chains that guarantee they’ll operate smoothly. You can also invest in bespoke designs to suit any skylight.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are also an option for skylights. They’re a functional all-rounder, ideal for almost any window or glass area. Venetian blinds use slats that you can alter the angle of, helping you better control the light that enters your home. Not only that, but they come with an aluminium coated finish, making your new blinds resilient to stains, even on hot summer days. Inside your home, you’ll feel the benefits too. At A1 Blinds, we only use the highest quality aluminium and components in our Venetian blinds, ensuring peak performance. You can get a made-to-measure installation, and our blinds are available in gorgeous colours and finishes.

Roman Blinds

You can add some charm to your skylight with the addition of Roman blinds. Roman designs make use of soft, plush fabrics, giving your living space a more homely feel. They’re ideal for a child’s bedroom with a skylight, too, as they can come in a range of colours and fabrics to suit even the brightest, boldest palettes. However, Roman blinds make any room feel as good as it will look. Your new blinds will be able to protect your room not only from cold temperatures at night or in winter but also from light coming in when you’d rather it didn’t. Roman blinds are blackout -lined, meaning they can help you sleep more easily at night.

VELUX Blinds

With A1 Blinds, you can also invest in leading quality blinds for skylights from some of the top manufacturers in the UK. As part of that desire, we’ve partnered with VELUX to offer their blinds. VELUX creates stunning roof windows and skylights, and they design their blinds around them. As a result, you can get shutters which are tailor-made for these situations. VELUX’s designs can be automated, meaning you don’t have to reach your roof to pull the blinds down. Not only that, but they’re chain-free, making them child-safe. Also, they’re fully customisable, meaning you can style them around your living space with ease. They even have a tie-in with Disney, perfect for giving your kids something to look up to.

Invest in Blinds for Skylights with A1

Whichever blinds you think would be best for the skylights in your home, A1 is the number one. Contact us today to find out more about our blinds, or explore our site to discover our full range.

What are the best blinds for bathrooms? Finding the right ones could help you make your home warmer, dryer, and prevent issues developing over time. Blinds play a crucial role in your home, helping you control the light that gets into it, and helping to insulate your living space too.

However, in bathrooms, they could be even more important. Bathrooms get hot and humid, especially after you use them for long baths and showers. As a result, the room can become damp and moist, creating the conditions for condensation to thrive. At A1, though, we’re the number one for a wide range of blinds that are best to protect your bathrooms.

How Do Blinds Protect Bathrooms?

The best blinds can prevent condensation from developing in your bathroom. When you take a bath or shower, the moisture and heat they create can collect inside the room. Because of this, the room becomes humid and damp, which means your windows steam up. Over time, that could develop into condensation, or even mould.

By installing A1’s innovative blinds, you’ll be able to stop the condensation from building up on your windows. That way, they’ll be able to last longer, and you won’t have to worry about health risks or rising repair costs.

Additionally, the best blinds can make a bathroom more private. You’ll be able to tilt the blinds down whenever you need to, meaning no prying eyes will be able to look inside. Not only that, but blinds create another layer of insulation for your bathroom, minimising the amount of cold air that can travel into the room.

As a result, you’ll be able to improve the performance of your home. When you keep the blinds down, you’ll get more warmth and privacy, but you won’t have to lose out on light. You can always open them back up to light your bathroom, and they can improve air circulation to reduce the risk of condensation even further.

Roller Blinds For Bathrooms

Roller blinds are one of the best choices for bathrooms on the market today. Roller blinds use fabrics in the majority of their designs, which can deal with moist conditions. That means, when the room heats up and dampness begins to develop, the fabric can absorb it and prevent that moisture from collecting.

Additionally, A1 offers blackout roller blinds: robust designs that shut out the world around you when you need it. As a result, you’ll get total privacy and peace of mind whenever you go to your bathroom.

Vertical Blinds For Bathrooms

Vertical blinds also provide sufficient protection for your bathroom windows. They use a range of fabrics in their design too, but you’ll be able to benefit from a greater level of choice. For example, you can select vertical blinds with PVC fabrics and chainless weights.

Blinds like these are incredibly resilient, and they can withstand even the hottest, most humid conditions without a hitch. Vertical blinds are also easy to use and open for years to come, giving you total control over the performance of your space.

Venetian Blinds For Bathrooms

Venetian blinds are a design classic from A1, adding leading quality designs to any bathrooms. However, if you have a bathroom that can become damp and wet, these timeless options may not be the right choice. Venetian blinds have slats in their design which aren’t as resilient as other options.

Because of this, dampness and water can corrode each slat over time, meaning the blind wears down over time. If you’d like to find out more about Venetian blinds in bathrooms, though, you can always consult one of A1’s experts.

Roman Blinds For Bathrooms

If you’d like to fit roman blinds for your bathrooms, it may depend on the size of the room. If you have a larger, well-ventilated bathroom, then Roman blinds add real class and complete protection. However, in a smaller room where the humidity can be more intense, Roman blinds aren’t as useful.

However, their sophisticated look is ideal for any room, especially traditional spaces. You’ll bring blinds to your bathroom with a softer design, giving you an ideal balance of light and privacy when you pull them down.

Choose A1 For The Best Blinds For Bathrooms

With A1, finding the best blinds for your bathroom is straightforward. Explore our full range of Roller, Vertical, Venetian and Roman blinds today from the comfort of your own home, and find the ideal option for your home.

With our blinds, you’ll be able to protect your bathroom’s windows from dampness and humidity, as well as provide your home with a little more brightness or privacy. That way, you’ll have more control over the look and feel of your bathroom, whether you’re using it or not.

Get in contact with A1 Blinds today if you’d like to find out more!

Adding a roller blind can quickly and cost effectively transform the look of any room, adding a stylish finishing touch to any design scheme.

What is a Roller blind?

A roller blind is a piece of fabric which fits into the top of your window frame. This can be within or outside of your window recess. They are operated by a side-winding chain attached to the blind casing at the top.

Motorised controls and smart controls are also available giving you the option to open and close your blinds remotely or by speaking to your smart device, for example, your Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

What type of windows are best for roller blinds?

Roller blinds are suitable for almost any type of window and can also be used on doors like patio or bi-fold doors. They are also perfect for bay windows because you can position individual blinds into each window frame. These blinds are also great for Velux roof windows or skylights. They are simple to use and can be operated by using a hook in the mechanism or operated remotely. 

They can be made to measure so that they fit your windows and doors perfectly. Roller blinds can be made very wide or narrow so you can be sure of the perfect fit.

Why choose Roller blinds?

Roller blinds are one of the most versatile blind types and come in a range of designs and finishes that make them perfect for use in different environments.

Blackout, anti-microbial, flame-retardant and moisture repellent options mean they are extremely practical and versatile and can be used in a number of specialist situations.

Roller blinds come in a huge range of different fabrics and designs for you to choose from. Browse our range to see what best suits you.  

What are the benefits of Roller blinds?

Perfect Fit Roller Blinds

Perfect fit blinds allow for easy operation of your uPVC doors and windows. A Perfect fit frame clips into place onto your uPVC window and the made-to-measure Roller blind sits within the Perfect fit frame. There are no cords or chains and no need for drilling into your uPVC window frames.  

To find out more about our perfect fit blinds ask a member of our team.

Motorised blinds

If you have hard-to-reach windows, or multiple Roller blinds for a large room or conservatory, you’ll be pleased to know that Roller blinds from A1 blinds can come with the option of motorised controls. There’s no need for complicated wiring with our motorised roller blinds. Brilliantly efficient rechargeable batteries, last six to twelve months of daily use. Simple & easy to charge, via USB cable with no need to take the blind down.

Link your window blinds to your smart home controller like Amazon Alexa or Google home and control them with your voice. You can even set your blinds to open with your morning alarm and play your favourite tune to help you start the day.

Blackout fabrics for roller blinds

Choosing a roller blind in a blackout fabric can help you get a restful night, every night. It’s often disruptive to your sleep when you wake up early in the summer months and the sun is already shining. A blackout blind can help you get the perfect nights sleep.

Roller blinds with blackout fabric are perfect for nurseries or just anyone where a good sleep routine is important.

Ask your home consultant for more information on our blackout fabric range. 

Are Roller blinds suitable for Kitchens and Bathrooms?

Yes, Roller blinds are extremely suited for Kitchens and bathrooms. In these room’s blinds need to be able to withstands the extremes of the in-house elements, including heat, damp and wet, also spills and staining.

Roller blinds from A1 blinds are available in a choice of performance fabrics including flame-retardant, anti-microbial, wipe clean and moisture resistant, so you can be sure your blinds are up to the job.