The short answer
For a nursery, the safest approach is usually a blind with no cord or chain within a child's reach. That means a cordless blind, a motorised blind, or a blind where the control is fixed and kept well out of reach. No single choice suits every room, and no blind replaces sensible placement of the cot. Our child safety page explains the thinking behind this in more detail.
Why cords matter in a child's room
Looped cords and chains can be a strangulation hazard for young children, who can climb, reach and explore sooner than expected. Babies are not mobile for long, and a cot or bed that was safely away from the window can be moved. The aim is to remove the hazard rather than rely on remembering to tie something up every day.
In the UK, BS EN 13120 is the standard for the safety of internal blinds. It is worth asking any supplier how a particular blind relates to it, and reading the product details and safety instructions supplied with it.
Option one: cordless blinds
A cordless blind is raised and lowered by pushing or pulling the bottom of the blind, or the bottom rail, rather than by a cord. There is nothing to loop, and nothing to tie off. That makes the style popular for children's room blinds.
The trade-offs are practical. A cordless blind needs to be reached and held by an adult, so very tall or wide windows can be awkward. Some types of blind and some sizes are better suited to a cordless mechanism than others, and heavier blinds may not be offered that way. Ask at the measure whether your window and your chosen blind can be made cordless.
Option two: motorised blinds
A motorised blind is operated with a remote, a wall switch or an app, depending on the system. Somfy is one of the motor makers used in this field, and the detail depends on the blind it is paired with. A motor can be a very good fit for a nursery, because you can lower a blind for a nap from across the room without disturbing a baby or reaching up.
It is worth knowing that motorised blinds need power, either from a battery or from a mains supply, and that affects installation. Remotes are best kept out of a small child's reach, as with any household device. Read more on our motorised blinds page.
Option three: fixed chains and cord safety devices
Many blinds are operated by a chain or cord, and in some rooms that is the practical choice for the window. If you go that way, the safety device matters. The loop should be fitted so it cannot be pulled out into a hazardous loop, and the control should be fixed at a height that is well away from where a child can reach, including from furniture. Ask exactly what devices are supplied with the blind and how they are fitted.
A fixed device only works if it is fitted properly. It can also be forgotten, removed or moved by accident. For a baby's room we would normally suggest a cordless or motorised option where one is possible, and chain controls where a cordless or motorised option is not possible.
Furniture placement helps too
- Keep cots, beds, changing tables and chairs away from windows where you can.
- Keep anything a child could climb on well away from beneath a blind control.
- Check all blinds in the house, not just the nursery, because children love to explore.
- Read the safety notices that come with each blind, and keep them.
Light control matters too
A nursery blind is often asked to do two jobs, keep out the evening sun and give a calm, dim room for naps. A blackout blind can help, although the amount of light that gets around the edges depends on the fit, so ask about side gaps at the window. If you want to see what a fabric looks like in your own light, sampling it in the room first, at the times of day you would use it, is a lovely idea.
Questions to ask yourself
- Can this window take a cordless or motorised blind?
- If not, where can a chain control be fixed so it is out of reach?
- Is the cot or bed safely away from the window?
- Will a grown-up find it easy to operate every day?
If the answers are unclear, it helps to talk them through at the window itself. It also helps to remember that your needs will change. A baby's room becomes a toddler's room, and a toddler becomes a climber, so choose something that stays safe as the child grows.
Talk it through with us
We can advise on your specific windows and what can be made cordless or motorised. Book a free measure and we'll look at the room with you.
