Blinds Material Fabric Guide: Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Home

Thinking about new blinds but not sure where to start? From easy-to-clean options for busy households to elegant fabric blinds that enhance your living space, this guide will help you understand how different materials affect light control, durability, privacy, and insulation.

Not sure if blinds are even the right option for your space? See how blinds compare to curtains in terms of style, privacy, and energy efficiency.

Why Fabric and Material Matter When Choosing Blinds

Blinds aren’t just decorative. They play a major role in insulation, privacy, and managing how much natural light enters a room. Choosing the right fabric blinds means your window coverings will not only look beautiful but also function well in different conditions—from full sun in the living room to moisture in the bathroom.

The right blind fabric will also impact UV protection, glare reduction, energy efficiency, and maintenance. Whether you’re installing blinds in a master bedroom, open-plan kitchen, or street-facing windows, your material choices matter.

Common Types of Blinds and Their Materials

Each type of blind works best with specific materials, depending on where they’re installed and how they’re used. Below is a breakdown of popular blind types and the fabric or material options they use.

1. Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are one of the most versatile and stylish window coverings. Made with fabric that rolls up neatly onto a blind tube, they come in a variety of finishes to suit any room.

Typical materials include:

• Blockout fabric for bedrooms and media rooms
• Light filtering fabrics for soft daytime privacy
• Sunscreen fabric for UV protection without losing your view

Roller blinds are a favourite for their simplicity, low maintenance, and range of fabric choices. You can even pair them as double blinds for complete day and night flexibility.

Explore our roller blinds collection

2. Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are ideal for large windows and glass sliding doors. Made from vertical flat panels that rotate to control light, they’re available in both fabric and PVC styles.

Fabric vertical blinds offer a softer, more elegant finish and are available in sheer, screen, or blockout fabric depending on your needs. They provide:

• Excellent light control
• Flexibility for wide windows
• Compatibility with both modern and traditional interiors

3. Faux Wood or PVC Venetian Blinds

Faux wood blinds mimic the look of timber blinds but are made from moisture-resistant materials like PVC or composite wood. They’re perfect for wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry spaces.

Benefits include:

• High durability and resistance to warping
• Easy to wipe clean
• Available in natural or painted wood finishes

They bring warmth to your interiors while standing up to moisture and humidity.

4. Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Aluminium blinds are a low-maintenance and affordable choice. Often used in offices, rental properties, and kitchens, these are lightweight and practical for areas with high use.

• Reflect light and heat
• Available in a range of neutral colours
• Offer precision light control with tilt mechanism

They’re not as insulating as fabric window coverings, but they’re highly durable and easy to clean.

5. Roman Blinds

Roman blinds are made from fabric that folds neatly when raised. They suit living rooms, bedrooms, or any space where you want a more refined window covering.

Choose from:

• Light filtering fabric for daytime softness
• Blockout fabric for complete privacy and darkness
• Soft fabric blends for texture and elegance

Roman blinds add a tailored, architectural feel to your windows and are ideal when you want the fabric to become a focal point of the room.

Browse our Roman blinds collection

6. Panel Glide Blinds

Panel glide blinds use wide fabric panels that slide smoothly across a track. They’re best for large windows, sliding doors, or open-plan areas.

Available in:

• Sunscreen roller fabric
• Light filtering fabric
• Blockout fabric

These blinds are ideal when you want to cover large areas with a minimal, clean-lined look.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Blind Fabric

Light Control

Consider how much light you want in each room. Use blockout fabric in bedrooms and media rooms to prevent light from entering completely. Choose sheer or translucent fabric blinds for living rooms and street-facing windows where you want privacy without darkness.

For help deciding between curtains and blinds in your bedroom, read our comparison of what works best for bedrooms.

Daytime Privacy

For daytime privacy without sacrificing light, light filtering or sunscreen blinds are perfect. These allow sunlight in while obscuring the view from outside. They’re ideal for open-plan areas, kitchens, and workspaces where balanced lighting is important.

Fabric Choices for Style

Choose blind fabrics that match your décor. Lighter fabrics reflect more light and make a space feel open, while darker fabrics create contrast and cosiness. Textured fabrics and woven blends can add interest and sophistication, especially in neutral colour schemes.

Durability and Maintenance

If you’re furnishing high-traffic or wet areas, consider materials that resist moisture, are easy to clean, and won’t fade in direct sunlight. Faux wood, PVC, and aluminium blinds are excellent for bathrooms and kitchens.

Fabric blinds in dry rooms should be spot cleaned and dusted regularly to maintain their look. High quality fabrics are more likely to resist fading and hold their shape over time.

Window Size and Function

For large windows, glass sliding doors, or expansive living rooms, use panel glide blinds, vertical blinds, or roller blinds. These styles allow smooth operation and wide coverage.

For smaller rooms or statement windows, Roman blinds or sheer roller blinds offer style and functionality without overwhelming the space.

Need Help Choosing the Right Fabric?

Choosing the right blinds involves more than just picking a colour or fabric. It’s about balancing privacy, light, temperature, and design across your living spaces.

Whether you’re after sunscreen blinds to reduce UV rays, blockout fabric for better sleep, or a soft sheer fabric that lets in more light, the team at Rivage Curtains and Blinds can help you choose the right blinds for your home.

At Rivage Curtains and Blinds, we specialise in premium roller blinds, Roman blinds, and outdoor blinds, all available in a range of high-quality fabrics. Whether you’re after light filtering options for living rooms, blockout solutions for bedrooms, or durable outdoor blinds for your patio, our expert team is here to help you choose the right fabric and functionality to match your lifestyle.

Ready to find the right blinds?

Contact Rivage Curtains and Blinds today for personalised advice and high-quality fabric blinds tailored to your space.