Choosing fabrics
Colours and fabrics
Light, orientation and what you want the blind to do matter more than the swatch. Here is how to narrow down colour and fabric without regrets.
Start with the light in the room
Choosing a colour is one of the enjoyable parts of finding new blinds. If you're torn between a few shades, we'd be happy to talk about the light in your room and help you narrow down what feels right.
Before you look at swatches, it can help to notice how the room behaves through the day. A north-facing room gets even, cool light and rarely needs strong glare control. A south or west-facing room can get bright, low sun that makes screens hard to read and warms furniture. East-facing bedrooms tend to wake you early. What you would like the blind to do, whether that is soften light, cut glare or help a room get dark, can guide the fabric choice before colour does.
Tell us the orientation at the measure and we can talk it through window by window.
Plain or pattern
Plain fabrics are a lovely, easy option. They sit quietly in the window, suit most rooms and rarely date. Patterns and textures add character, and they work especially well where the blind is a feature, such as a single window, a child's room or a small space that can take some energy.
- Large patterns can look different on a narrow blind than on a wide one, because part of the repeat is cut off.
- Subtle textures often hide marks and creases better than flat, smooth colours.
Light colours, dark colours
Pale fabrics tend to feel airy and can make a small room look larger. Darker fabrics look rich, and in a bedroom they can help the room feel darker, though strong colours may show dust, and a dark fabric facing a bright window can look different from the outside than it does inside. If you are unsure, a mid tone in a natural shade is a popular starting point.
For a longer look at this, our article on how to pick a blind colour walks through the decisions in order.
Opacity groups, explained
Fabrics are usually sorted by how much light they let through. The names are not tightly standardised, so the same word can mean slightly different things in different ranges. Treat this as a friendly guide and check the sample.
- Screen. A fine, open weave that cuts glare and softens the sun while keeping a view out. In daylight you can often see out, and at night, with the lights on, people outside may be able to see in.
- Filtering. A light-diffusing fabric that gives more privacy than a screen and still lets daylight in. It softens a room rather than darkening it.
- Dim-out. A denser fabric that reduces the light noticeably and gives good privacy. It makes a room dimmer, though not fully dark.
- Blackout. The densest fabrics, designed to block most light through the material. Light can still show around the edges of the blind, depending on the blind type and how it is fitted.
Many customers ask about the difference between dim-out and blackout, so we cover it in dim-out vs blackout. If you would like help matching these groups to the type of fabric itself, see choosing blind fabrics.
Cleaning and wipe-clean finishes
Whether a fabric can be wiped clean depends on the range. Some have a coated or wipeable surface, some can be dusted or lightly vacuumed, and some prefer to stay dry. Kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms are where this matters most. Ask us which of the fabrics you like can be wiped, and what the care advice is, so you end up with a colour you will love for years.
Colour looks different in daylight
A colour on a screen, in a showroom brochure or under a shop light can look a little different on your wall. Daylight changes everything. A grey can lean blue in the morning and warm by evening, and a cream can look nearly white in strong sun. Whenever you can, look at a sample against your own window, at different times of day, and with your own walls and flooring alongside it.
Ask us about samples
If you are torn between a few options, tell us. We can talk about samples when we arrange your free home measure, so you can see fabrics in your own room rather than relying on a picture. If you would like to talk first, call 01642 424250 or use the contact page.
Browse fabrics by supplier
See the Decora fabrics and Louvolite fabrics we offer, or all fabric collections.
Once you have a shortlist, our roller blinds and Roman blinds pages show where fabric choice matters most. When you are ready, book a free measure.
Questions about colours and fabrics
Do darker blind colours make a room darker?
They can help, but the fabric's opacity matters more than the colour. A pale blackout fabric can block more light than a dark, thin one.
Will a pattern look the same on every window?
Not always. A pattern can sit differently on a narrow blind than on a wide one, so ask how it will fall on each window.
Can I wipe my blind clean?
It depends on the range. Some fabrics are wipeable, some can only be dusted. Ask us about the care advice for the fabric you like.
Why does the colour look different at home?
Daylight, walls, flooring and the time of day all change how a colour looks. Try to view a sample in your own room.
What is the difference between screen and filtering fabric?
Screen is an open weave that cuts glare and keeps a view out. Filtering is denser, gives more privacy and softens the light.
You might also like
Shall we take a look at your windows?
A quick chat can help narrow down the choices. Tell us what you need and we will be in touch about your free measure.