Vinyl Mini Blinds – An Affordable Stylish Window Treatment
It can be difficult to decorate your windows if you are on a tight budget, but it is easy to get the look you want by choosing vinyl window blinds. Blinds are available in a wide range of styles, sizes and colors, making them an affordable option to more expensive window treatments. Mini blinds are a good first choice that gives you the light and privacy control you need and come in slat sizes from 1/2″ to 2″. Mini blinds with 2-inch slats are also called Venetian blinds, while blinds with 1/2-inch slats are also called micro blinds.
There are several reasons why vinyl mini blinds are a great window treatment option:
- Vinyl blinds are a practical choice for humid areas of the home such as bathrooms or kitchens. Unlike fabric and other materials, they are mold and mildew resistant and easy to maintain. They are durable and resist staining, scratching and tearing, getting you more for your money.
- Unlike other window treatments, blinds give better light control as they can be opened, partially opened or closed. When closed, blinds block out more light than drapery or valences. You can add swags or curtains for a more decorative look.
- The affordability of vinyl mini blinds allows you to spend more money on other home decor such as furniture and flooring.
If you have nonstandard windows, you can find blinds that can be shortened to fit. Learn how to shorten Levolor blinds in this Blinds.com video:
There are many different types of vinyl mini blinds available on the market, so you do not need to be concerned about being limited to anything cheap and unattractive. You can find blinds in colors to match your rooms as well as faux wood materials or embossed textures. Well-known manufacturers include Bali, Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Kirsch and Graber. Cloth tapes, routeless slat design, cordless mechanism and motorization are optional upgrades. Before making a purchase decision, make sure to measure your windows to ensure a good fit. If you have pets or children at home, you should also install safety devices to the cords.
Bali LightBlocker 1-inch Vinyl Mini Blinds have an exclusive headrail design that minimizes light leakage and eliminates the need for a valance. Their designer look is enhanced with color-coordinated components and hidden mounting brackets. The vinyl lead-free slats are easy to clean, child-safe and come in seven colors; high gloss colors are more opaque while standard colors are more light filtering. LightBlocker blinds are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
If you have a little more money to spend, Bali also sells Vinyl 2-inch Horizontals with optional battery-powered motorized operation and cloth tapes (available in 23 colors) that not only add a decorative touch but also improve light control and privacy. The Foundations line comes in six colors, while the Dazzle line comes in three colors. Be aware that remote control operation will cost an additional $300 or more; however, it may be worth the investment if you have hard-to-reach windows or if you have an elderly or disabled family member who may find it difficult to operate corded blinds.
A more affordable alternative to the Bali Horizontals are the Blindsgalore 2-inch Horizontal Blinds with a remote control option that costs around $100 and optional cloth tapes in 10 colors. These blinds come in cocoa butter, eggshell, French vanilla and white colors.
