As window coverings go, it’s the two most-wanted boxes to check off on most people’s wishlists.
Something private that will keep passersby from gawking into your inner sanctum, yet unobtrusive enough to allow daylight to flood in.
Typically, you’ll get one or the other, with thermal curtains shielding you from view and trapping precious heat inside but cutting off natural light supply - which, in the depths of winter, is hard enough to come by as it is.
Meanwhile, lighter drapes or blinds mean that you can enjoy the sunshine (when it’s there, that is) but have to accept that some element of your home life may be on show from the street outside.
If you’re hoping for both privacy and light, a roller blind could be up to the task more than a set of drapes. Aside from the obvious rolling up and down when you want to shut the rest of the world out, there’s the fact that patterned ones offer extra screening while still allowing the best of the sunlight to filter through.
Another option is adding privacy film onto glass windows to distort the view while still allowing light to flood in. It’s a great alternative if you’ve got a small window that won’t fit standard blinds.
Blinds are versatile too, with options for every room of the house, from the bedroom and bathroom to the kitchen. They come in all colours and patterns and are made from materials including vinyl, which will be extremely helpful in a high spill or splash environment.
Best blinds for privacy and light at a glance
- Best for maximising light: Dunelm White Stripe Cordless Vertical Blind - £30, Dunelm
- Best for natural textures: John Lewis Jute Effect Daylight Roller Blind - £22, John Lewis
- Best for bespoke blinds: 24/7 Blinds Roma, Sage - Vertical Blind - £7.26, 24/7 Blinds
- Best for jewel tones: Paradys Tumeric Roman Blinds - £63.98, Graham & Brown
- Best for diffused light: Dunelm Textured White Panel Blind 210x244 - £150, Dunelm
- Best for subtle colour injection: bluebellgray Lomond Roller Blind - £35, John Lewis
- Best for smaller windows: Amazon Basics Double layer rollo blind - £27.94, Amazon
- Best for easy care: Little Black Book 50mm Venetian Blind - £31, Amazon
- Best for high-impact style: Habitat Mid Century Geo Blackout Roller Blind - £20, Argos
If you’re considering heading down this route to dress your windows, there’s no need to go into your search feeling blinded by the swathe of options available.
We’ve rounded up the very best options to choose from right now.
Shop now
Dunelm White Stripe Cordless Vertical Blind
Best for: maximising light
If light is a big priority, white blinds are the obvious option. The colour will pinball light around your space, making the most of natural daylight, even if the blinds are only slightly ajar.
Dunelm's vertical blinds offer an extra benefit to homes with kids or pets as this set is cordless, so there's no chance of getting caught in wires. Instead, a tilt wand is used to adjust light opacity.
Buy now £30.00, Dunelm
John Lewis Jute Effect Daylight Roller Blind
Best for: natural textures
With natural materials like rattan, straw and jute continuing to thrive in interior trends, why not extend the look up to the windows? John Lewis has used jute, usually seen on rugs, for its roller blind.
The effect offers a pleasing holiday vibe, with light allowed to filter in while still offering a decent level of screening.
Available in five sizes, prices start at a not too shabby £22.
Buy now £22.00, John Lewis
24/7 Blinds Roma, Sage - Vertical Blind
Best for: bespoke blinds
Vertical blinds at 24/7 Blinds are made to measure meaning you'll get the perfect fit for your home, however awkward the window size. While there are options across the colour wheel, we're into this sage hue for its elegant feel. When they're opened, filtered light is allowed into your space, but close them and you'll hide away anything outside of your cocoon.
Blinds come with a slimline white aluminium head rail that is easy to self-install, although there are helpful pointers on the website if you've never done it before.
From £7.26.
Buy now £7.26, 24/7 Blinds
Paradys Tumeric Roman Blinds
Best for: jewel tones
Rolling up and down, a Roman blind offers the best of both worlds; that is light when you want and privacy when you need it.
This botanical print comes on a rich turmeric-coloured background, light enough to allow daylight to stream through without sacrificing your modesty (especially prudent if you're looking for something for bathroom windows).
Made from 100 per cent cotton, the blinds are easy to care for and promise to bring colour and pattern to any interior space.
Buy now £63.98, Graham & Brown
Dunelm Textured White Panel Blind 210x244
Best for: diffused light
Frosted windows are perfect for allowing in light while still shielding you from view but they can be a costly change to make whether you rent or own your home.
Dunelm's textured panel offers a happy middle ground; when closed, light can enter in a diffused way, while pulling back allows you to enjoy the sunshine in all its glory.
It's a great option for large windows as well as patio and bifold doors. All fittings are included to allow for self-installation.
Buy now £150.00, Dunelm
bluebellgray Lomond Roller Blind, Multi, W61cm
Best for: subtle colour injection
Gentle washes of colour are a soothing addition and offer a way to introduce colour without picking up a paintbrush. This roller blind can be fitted inside the window recess, above it, or even onto the ceiling, offering plenty of options to best suit your space.
The chain mechanism that lifts and lowers the blind also can be installed on the left or right-hand side, making it leftie-friendly. If you’re confident, this is an easy DIY job, especially as the purchase includes easy-fit universal brackets.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
Amazon Basics Double layer rollo blind, White, 56 x 150 cm
Best for: smaller windows
Perfect for the back door or a small kitchen window, this double roller-style window offers privacy and darkness when needed and light when opened. It's made from 100 per cent UV-resistant polyester fabric that won't fade in the sun and mounting clips come included so you can get to work installing it right away. Available in a range of sizes.
Buy now £27.94, Amazon
Little Black Book 50mm Venetian Blind - Natural - 70x130cm
Best for: easy care
Prefer a neutral look? Get these slim Venetian blinds in cream, natural wood and black options to best fit your kitchen style. All it takes is a microfibre cloth to keep them clean, making maintenance over the long term easy as pie.
Buy now £31.00, Argos
Habitat Mid Century Geo Blackout Roller Blind - 3ft - Black
Best for: high-impact style
Don't have the space to do a feature wall in the kitchen? Let your blinds do the hard work; it's easy when you pick a style covered with a statement print. This retro look fuses Art Deco and Mid-century styles with a timeless monochrome palette that looks good in any room of the house. The blackout lining means you'll have a full shield when it’s rolled down over the windows.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
