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When considering window coverings, there’s a lot to think about. If you’ve weighed the benefits of curtains, shutters, and blinds, and settled on blinds, you’re in good company. According to a study conducted by research firm Market Research Future, the size of the window blind market was estimated to be $71.15 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to grow to $128.52 billion by 2034. Another research firm, Global Market Insights, found that blinds and shades dominated the window treatment industry in 2023.
But with so many different types of blinds available, it’s hard to know which one will look best in your home. Both roller shades and vertical blinds have unique features that make them more suitable to certain situations, and that’s barely scratching the surface. So whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern or traditional and classic, one of these 14 blind types might be the right pick for your windows.
What are blinds?
Blinds are a type of window covering composed of numerous slats, vertical or horizontal, that can be tilted or rotated to adjust the amount of light entering a space. Blinds made of aluminum or vinyl are typically the most cost-efficient types, but there also are blinds crafted of fabric and wood.
They can be installed inside the window frame or above it. Window blinds are typically mounted with specially designed brackets that are sold with the blinds.
Parts of Blinds
Blinds consist of many parts. The headrail, for example, is the top part of the blind that contains the operating mechanisms such as the cords, pulleys, or tilt wands. The headrail provides structural support for the blind. The valance is the decorative cover that hides the headrail and its workings.
Depending on the style of the blinds, there may be a cord that draws the slats up and down. A wand adjusts the tilt of the louvers, which are the collection of narrow horizontal slats that tilt to adjust the amount of light that passes into the space.
1. Vertical Blinds
Not only are they stylish and easy to operate, but vertical window blinds also offer an efficient way to control the amount of light and privacy in a room. They can be made from a variety of materials, including fabric, vinyl, aluminum, or composite wood. The material, color, size of slats, and other design options allow for complete customization of the look and feel of your windows.
The slats are suspended from a track that runs along the top of a window frame. This style of blinds collects less dust than other types of blinds and is easy to clean. The slats just need to be wiped down with a damp cloth.
Best For: Affordability and minimal maintenance
Our Recommendation: Vinyl Vertical Blinds at Blinds.com, priced from $52.99.
These vertical blinds are available in a wide variety of heights and widths and in a rainbow of colors.
2. Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds have been used for centuries as an attractive and effective way to regulate the amount of light coming into a room. They are made of horizontal slats, which can be adjusted by rotating them around their midpoint using either a pull chain or a cordless wand. This allows the user to control the amount of light filtering between the blinds and also adds privacy by blocking exterior views. While Venetian blinds have traditionally been made from wood, modern versions are also made from materials including aluminum, vinyl, and plastic, and they can be found in abundance at most major home retailers that sell blinds.
Best For: Flexibility
Our Recommendation: Home Decorators Collection White Cordless Room Darkening Faux Wood Blind at The Home Depot, priced from $35.98.
These faux-wood Venetian blinds are cordless, making them safe for households with pets or young children.
3. Mini Blinds
Mini blinds are similar to Venetian blinds, with some minor differences. Like Venetian blinds, they are typically made from aluminum or vinyl instead of wood or bamboo. However, mini blinds feature smaller slats than Venetian blinds—mini-blind slats are generally 1-inch-wide or smaller. While the two types of blinds perform the same way, mini blinds tend to appear more modern and contemporary due to their sleeker design.
Best For: A streamlined, modern look
Our Recommendation: Achim Cordless Light Filtering Mini Blinds at Amazon, priced from $22.98.
With a minimal design and cordless operation, these mini blinds are safe and stylish.
4. Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are a popular choice for those looking to add an element of luxury to their window treatments since wood blinds offer a natural, timeless look that never goes out of style. Not only do they exude sophistication, but they are also incredibly durable and can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. They can be painted or stained to match any color palette, and different slat sizes are available to accommodate shoppers’ specific needs. Wooden blinds tend to be horizontal—or Venetian—style, though vertical wooden blinds are also available.
Best For: Homeowners who are in it for the long haul—these are built to last
Our Recommendation: Levolor 2-Inch Real Wood Blinds at The Home Depot, priced from $157.62.
These genuine hardwood blinds come in a wide range of heights and widths and are available in 31 finishes.
5. Aluminum Blinds
Aluminum blinds are one of the most popular types of window blinds because of their affordable price and lightweight yet durable design. A sleek, modern look that can complement many decor styles, they are easy to install and incredibly long-lasting. Aluminum blinds also come in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures, allowing homeowners to customize the look of their windows to suit many different aesthetics. In terms of energy efficiency, aluminum blinds help keep a home’s interior cooler by reflecting the sun’s rays away from the window. This helps reduce air conditioning costs since less energy is required to maintain steady temperatures inside the house.
Best For: Easy installation and durability
Our Recommendation: 2-Inch Aluminum Blinds at Blinds.com, priced from $26.99.
Available in 10 colors, including brushed aluminum, brown, and black finishes, these metal blinds are sleek and affordable.
6. Panel Blinds
Those looking for blinds to cover sliding doors or large windows may want to consider panel blinds. These window treatments are composed of several panels affixed to a headrail at the top of the window. Each panel is attached to a carrier that slides along a track in order to open or close the blinds. They offer a unique look that differs from standard vertical blinds, making them a great choice for decor-forward shoppers.
Best For: Tall windows and sliding doors
Our Recommendation: GoDear Shimmering Adjustable Sliding Track Panel Blind at Amazon for $169.99.
These semi-sheer panel blinds offer privacy but don’t block out light entirely, making them a great choice for living and dining rooms with large windows and sliding doors.
7. Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are technically a type of window shade, making them different from many of the other types of blinds on our list. An alternative to curtains, these shades are made up of a single piece of fabric material that rolls up and down to control the amount of sunlight that enters the space. Roller shades can be made from a variety of fabrics, ranging from sheer materials to opaque options. While roller blinds might have a reputation for being low quality and not performing well, their design has actually come a long way in recent years.
Best For: Creating a blackout effect
Our Recommendation: Chicology Cordless Snap-N-Glide Roller Shades at Amazon, priced from $32.89.
This blackout roller shade has a cordless design and is made from hypoallergenic polyester that won’t attract dust.
8. Matchstick Blinds
Matchstick blinds are a great option for those who are looking to add a beachy or rustic charm to their windows. Made from bamboo or reed, matchstick blinds are eco-friendly and provide insulation while offering privacy. Matchstick blinds, also known as bamboo shades or reed shades, consist of tightly woven wood strips that give off a natural texture. Choose from a range of colors and finishes like natural brown, stained mahogany, or painted white.
Best For: A rustic aesthetic
Our Recommendation: Seta Direct Natural Bamboo Matchstick Roll Up Window Blind at Amazon, priced from $38.99.
Made from bamboo, these natural matchstick blinds partially filter sunlight and come in a variety of sizes and finishes.
9. Motorized Blinds
Motorized blinds are a modern window covering solution that allows users to open and close their blinds using a remote control, phone app, or voice command. Some models come with sun sensors that automate the opening and closing of your blinds at certain times of the day. Unlike traditional blinds that must be adjusted manually, motorized blinds use either electric or battery-powered motors to raise and lower them. This makes it easier to control the lighting in a room without ever having to leave your seat. Today, many window blind types can be motorized.
Best For: Convenience, smart homes
Our Recommendation: Custom Home Collection Designer 2-Inch Wood Blinds at The Home Depot, priced from $105.70.
Featuring a traditional Venetian aesthetic, these motorized blinds offer both familiarity and convenience.
10. Outdoor Blinds
Outdoor blinds allow you to enjoy your sun-soaked deck or patio in the shade. These versatile window treatments come in a variety of styles, materials, and sizes to fit any outdoor space while offering privacy and light filtration. The most common style of outdoor blinds is a retractable roller blind. As their name suggests, these shades can quickly and easily be rolled up or down with a simple pull or push of the cord. They’re available in an array of materials, including canvas, PVC vinyl, aluminum mesh, and more–all designed to provide maximum durability in wet and humid climates.
Best For: Decks, patios, and sunrooms
Our Recommendation: Coolaroo Exterior Roller Shade at Amazon, priced from $35.25.
This exterior window treatment is affordable, cordless, protects against UV rays, and comes in a wide range of finishes.
11. Zebra Blinds
Sometimes called layered or dual shades, zebra blinds consist of two layers of fabric, each with alternating horizontal bands of sheer and opaque fabric. You can adjust, or roll, the fabric to line up the stripes on the two layers of fabric, meaning opaque is lined up with opaque, and sheer with sheer; this allows light to enter. If you roll the shade such that the opaque stripes on one layer are lined up with the sheer strips on the other layer, the effect is that of an opaque shade, and no light comes through.
Best For: A modern look
Our Recommendation: Chicology Zebra Blinds at Amazon starting at $36.58.
These cordless, pull-down zebra blinds are available in four colors and numerous sizes.
12. Honeycomb Blinds
Also called cellular blinds or cellular shades, honeycomb blinds are constructed of two sheets of fabric that are seamed together horizontally at regular intervals. When looking at these blinds from the side, the resulting pattern somewhat resembles that of a honeycomb. Highly insulating, the design is considered one of the most energy-efficient, and the cellular construction is also good at noise cancellation
Best For: Energy-efficiency; they also offer a modern vibe
Our Recommendation: BlindsAvenue Cellular Honeycomb Cordless Shade at Amazon starting at $32.85.
Made of polyester, these cordless, pull-down blinds are available in 10 colors and a wide variety of sizes.
13. Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds are made from a single length of woven fabric that is pressed into sharp, horizontal pleats at regular intervals, yielding a zig-zag appearance. The blind is raised or lowered to adjust the amount of light entering the room. While they’re often compared to honeycomb blinds, pleated blinds don’t offer the same insulating properties as cellular blinds. Pleated blinds offer a clean, modern look.
Best For: Decorators in search of an elegant, minimalist look.
Our Recommendation: Calyx Interiors Pleated Fabric Window Shade at Amazon, priced from $30.97.
Semi-sheer and cordless, these pull-down blinds are available in four colors and several sizes.
14. Blackout Blinds
“Blackout” is a descriptor applied to a number of types of blinds and shades that are designed to block out all light. Not only do they work to block light from entering a room, but they’re also typically made of thick, dark-colored materials that absorb light. Blackout window coverings might be cellular blinds or roller shades.
Best For: Rooms in which someone needs to sleep during the day.
Our Recommendation: Persilux Custom, Cordless Blackout Cellular Blinds at Amazon starting at $63.99.
These cordless, pull-down blinds are available in five colors and numerous sizes.
The prices listed here are accurate as of March 31, 2025.
