do slatted wooden blinds give privacy from outside?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi, just moved into new house on Tues #exhausted. Busy main road setting is a big shock to the system. Struggling with idea that every man and his dog can see straight into our house (we took down the grubby smelly old nets on day 1!). All the windows are very wide (full width of room) and flat. I do like to see out through clear glass rather than an opaque covering so am considering slatted / venetian blinds. Will these sufficiently block the view of people looking in from outside when on the open setting? Also I'm thinking of getting white as house is very drab from outside (dull 60s style) so hoping this will brighten the curb appeal.....but will it look too clinical on all 4 windows at front?

Thanks in advance.......so tired after move can't think straight but the main road scenario is upsetting us (we knew it was the big compromise, the rest of the house has such great potential but this aspect needs improving asap)

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nmlondon

3 years ago

I ordered mine from blinds2go, 15 pieces altogether, in Alabaster. I love how i can still see my trees through the slats and that they don't take the entire windowsill like the shutters would. We had the full length Hillarys shutters for our French doors in our old ground-floor flat (our cats are indoor and we had to install the shutter doors to get the fresh air in summer). Quite pricey though!

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Comments (17)

Sonia
3 years ago
Moving is exhausting. I remember bursting into tears when I left my rental to move into this house. It needed complete refurbishing and it was so grubby and I though “What have I done?”. But it’s a cosy, lovely home now and I love it. I live just off a very busy road but you do get used to it.

Slatted blinds can be manoeuvred more than just open and shut. When the slats are fully open, you can see out and people can see in to a degree. However, you can slant the slats slightly upwards on the inside which them closes them slightly downwards outside, if you get what I mean, and that will give you more privacy indoors.

I think white gives a fresh, clean look. Are you going for wider wooden/MDF slats? Avoid cream as they can have a nicotine stained look! Wish you lots of luck in your new home, you will get there!
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Sonia, fresh and clean is what we like so I think you're probably right about avoiding cream/natural colours....i want it to look modern and stylish from outside too so think white is the way to go. Can always soften the look with curtains inside when decor is decided. Oh yes it is a full house refurb as very dated....previous owner been there nearly 50 years.

I don't want to 'waste' money on emergency measures but won't be in a fit state to make decorating decisions for a long time (planning building work for next year so not planning on decorating downstairs until after that). But going for white slatted should then be easy to incorporate into whatever style we end up choosing right?
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It is a wonderful space and the view to the garden is lovely. However I think it would benefit from some softness that only fabric can give. Roller rather than wooden would be my choice. You could try a billowy white fabric treatment, but that may make it too 'bedroomy'. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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I have always put roman blinds above any window like this; they do not get as dirty as you imagine, they can be vacuumed regularly anyway for dust. Anything slatted always attracts dust and looks a bit over functional/starter home in my view. You can get them made or make them yourself if you have any simple sewing skills, the measuring is hardest part, all the seams are straight and easy to do. I have found I have saved myself a fortune this way and they always look classy too. I would recommend washing the fabric before making up and using a less textured, more shiny fabric if possible, as they can then even be taken down to wash occassionally in the bath and hung outside; less texture on fabric retains the dirt and grease less.
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Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Slatted blinds are a pretty good option for privacy and there are some smaller companies that do really good prices. Depending on your decor they do a range of colours and a range of whites that can help things look cohesive. My mum's windows are painted White Tie so pure white blinds wouldn't have worked, they are a really good off white. The other option maybe further down the road are shutters. They are really expensive but look fabulous inside and out and are great for privacy.
Ruth House thanked Juliet Docherty
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your input colourhappy. I think the shutters look fab too and this may be where we go eventually but only been in a few days so the blinds will be a good fast fix for the privacy problem. The move has freed up some cash for building work next year (kitchen extension) and if there's room in the budget we may look to replace the bedroom windows as they are set very high up to the ceiling and give a really unpleasant feel inside. So investing in shutters will have to be a long term goal.
Sonia
3 years ago
The great thing about slatted blinds is they are sleek and can be incorporated into lots of different decor. Really like the curtains on the outside idea! My stepson got all his blinds from online company Blinds2Go, made to measure at a reasonable price.
Ruth House thanked Sonia
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
Blinds to go have been recommended to me by quite a few people so seems like the place to go for reasonably priced made to measure. I had a look, so many options and about a zillion different 'whites' to chose from but they send out free samples so have ordered a few to look at.
E D
3 years ago
I‘m a big fan of venetian blinds and had them in every home I‘ve lived in.

I actually prefer them to ‘plantation’ shutters, not just because of price and ease of installing, but also because of their more flexible adjusting and letting more light in.
Lena
3 years ago
I’ve always loved shutters and was considering to install them in our two big bay windows. However, the front of our house faces a greenery and a quiet walkway, so there was no need for them after all.

A few of my friends bought them though, and I can’t help myself but to admire their shutters every time I visit. The issue of a proximity to a busy road was sorted out in two houses by the shutters.

Hillary’s painted wooden shutters was the best, but an expensive option.
PRO
Make My Blinds
3 years ago
Hi Ruth, venetian blinds (or slatted blinds) are a great option when it comes to privacy. with the slats closed they will stop any nosey passers by looking in. They also look really stylish too, which helps!

https://www.makemyblinds.co.uk/wooden-blinds/
Sue S
3 years ago
Venetian blinds are great, we have them in our front ground floor windows (kitchen and study)
They are Hillarys, white with a slightly textured finish.
Son showed me a trick where by running your hand up the blind you can close just a few slats to have privacy but let light through. Blinds obviously block a bit of light but less than shutters I think.
nmlondon
3 years ago
@Sue S, that’s what I’ve also noticed, definitely more light is in with the blinds than with the shutters. Also helps that slats are slimmer and narrower than shutters’. I’ve selected 35 mm for mine as I found 50mm ones look quite chunky in proportion to the window sizes. I also see many “heavy” shutters with slats too wide to suit the window shape and size.
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for your advice and reassurance. I think we will be going for the white slatted blinds, have ordered some samples and will do some measuring up. Looking forward to getting it done now.
E D
3 years ago
’White’ comes in many different shades. I’d be inclined to go for an off-white or one with a hint of grey.

Brilliant white can look a little stark I think.
Ruth House
Original Author
3 years ago
Yep I agree, I've ordered 6 samples. All versions of off white. As well as gaining privacy I also want to brighten up the look from the front as it's a very dull looking 60s house, took the nets down the moment we got in, don't want to replace with something equally as dull.
LTS
3 years ago
I love our Venetian blinds. In the endings I close them with inside edge pointing up in warmer months to stop the sun sneaking through in the mornings & with inside edge pointing down when the nights get dark otherwise people can see into the upstairs bedrooms from below.
LTS
3 years ago
*evenings ;)

do slatted wooden blinds give privacy from outside?

nmlondon

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do slatted wooden blinds give privacy from outside?

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