The 8 Best Blinds to Buy in 2018

Combine the classic look of wood blinds with the durability of PVC blinds with the Levolor NuWood 2-inch Faux Wood Blinds. The sophisticated look and easy care of these blinds make them our top choice for blinds in any room.

Levolor is a leader in window coverings, and the innovative NuWood line shows that the company understands what homeowners want in blinds. Made from a surprisingly realistic polymer, the NuWood blinds mimic the appearance and feel of real wood but combine it with the durability of vinyl blinds. The specialized composition and texture of these blinds allow for a greater range of stains and finishes, including sandblasted and premium looks.

Unlike some other faux wood blinds that are heavy and not recommended for frequent raising or lowering, the NuWood blinds operate smoothly by standard pull cord operation or an optional cordless mechanism. Note that the cordless option adds a premium to the price, but it may be worth it if you want the cleanest look or are worried about pets or kids getting tangled in the cord. You can also opt for routeless slats. Users have found this to offer the most privacy and to be the most effective at blocking light infiltration.

The Levolor NuWood Faux Wood blinds have a premium price tag in comparison to other varieties of blinds, but their versatility and durability are worth it. They resist warping and bending due to sun exposure, moisture, and humidity and they’re also specially coated to resist dust. People find them easy to install and love the classic look of these blinds.

For simple window blinds that will add privacy and block light, these budget 1-inch Vinyl Mini Blinds available from Home Depot are hard to beat for value.

Available in either a white or beige color to blend into a variety of color schemes, these vinyl blinds are fade-resistant and washable. Despite the bottom budget price, these blinds have a cordless design that is safer for children and pets. These blinds make a good choice if you’re looking for low-cost replacement blinds, blinds for a rental home, or lightweight blinds with low maintenance.

Customers seeking a great value say that these blinds are easy to install and operate smoothly. They’re available for a wide range of window widths but are limited to a length of 64 inches. If all you’re looking for is basic blinds on a budget, these affordable blinds are the best way to go.

The potentially damp and humid conditions of the bathroom or kitchen can wreak havoc on wooden blinds. However, the Allen + Roth 2-inch Cordless White Faux Wood Blinds are a stylish solution that offers affordability and durability.

We like these cordless blinds with 2-inch vinyl slats for their easy operation. Pull them down or push them up with a smooth mechanism that doesn’t require hanging cords that can become tangled. One thing to know is that these blinds can’t be shortened, so buy the stock size that closest matches the length of your window. However these blinds are easily trimmed up to two inches on either side of the slats if you need to adjust the width.

The vinyl construction of these blinds is resistant to moisture, which is why they’re a good choice as blinds for kitchens or bathrooms. Some people have pointed out that these faux wood blinds aren’t the most realistic wood-look blind on the market since they lack a distinct woodgrain pattern, but they still have a clean, simple aesthetic that people appreciate. They also earn a lot of praise for being simple to install. It’s a quick job for most people and the crown molding-style valance gives a finished look to the blinds whether they’re installed inside or outside of the window frame.

If you’re going to splurge on blinds for any room, the living room is a great choice since you’re likely to spend the most time entertaining or relaxing in this space. The Levolor Premium 2-inch Wood Blinds are a popular pick for living room blinds.

These genuine hardwood blinds are available in more than a dozen stains and color options and while they’re a custom order blind, they’re backed by Home Depot’s fit guarantee for more peace of mind when ordering. You can opt for a cordless control system or routeless slats.

People love the high-end look of these wooden blinds and say they’re a welcome step-up from faux-wood mini blinds. Keep in mind that wooden slats are thicker than PVC versions, so when raised up the blinds will obscure slightly more of the window. Wood blinds are subject to warping from excess humidity or moisture, so they’re not necessarily recommended for use in kitchens or bathrooms. But for a warm, inviting look in your living room or entertaining space, choose these custom Levolor Premium 2-inch Wood Blinds.

Sleep well with less light creeping in thanks to the Veneta Classic Plus 2-inch Faux Wood Blinds. These blinds are our top pick for bedrooms, thanks to their routeless slate design.

Routeless slats mean that a small notch in the edge of each slat is used to run a cord that keeps the blinds together – instead of the typical holes found in conventional blinds. When closed, these holes allow light to filter through – a problem for late sleepers or anyone who wants to keep out strong sunlight. The routeless slats of the Veneta Classic Plus blinds solve this dilemma.

These blinds are available to order according to the size of your windows, and also allow you to choose from a variety of stains and colors. You can also add an optional valance. You should know that these blinds are not cordless – so keep the cords out of easy reach of children and pets. 

Sliding doors offer easy access to the great outdoors and a beautiful view, but vertical blinds will give you the option for privacy and can block unwanted sun and heat from filtering in. Hampton Bay Vertical Blinds are a popular pick for sliding doors.

Available in four neutral colors with embossed finish louvers, this set of blinds also comes with the header, valance, and installation hardware. Many people appreciate that these blinds are made from an embossed plastic rather than a texturized fabric, which can become soiled or worn easily. These vinyl vertical blinds are easy to clean according to users.

A wand is used to rotate the sliding blinds to an open position or move them to one side of the door wall, so there are no cords or chains to tangle with. A few people found that the louvers stick in the track a little as they push the blinds into position, but overall people feel that these blinds are nice looking and block the sun reasonably well. They’re also easy to install, which is a major plus.

If you’re looking for aluminum blinds, the Levolor Riviera 1-inch Classic Mini Blind offers abundant color choices and blocks the sun and heat much better than many vinyl competitors.

While vinyl blinds absorb the sun’s rays, these aluminum mini blinds will reflect the sun’s rays and better protect against heat transferring into the room. The Riviera Classic Mini Blinds are treated to resist dust accumulation, and it’s worth noting that aluminum mini blinds are often easier to repair than vinyl versions.

Choose from an abundance of color options with these sturdy blinds from Levolor. No matter which option you go with, reviewers say they look elegant and perform well in terms of blocking heat and light. 

If you’re looking to darken a room in a hurry, pull the cord tilt on these Blackout Venetian Blinds from Wayfair. With wide slats that fit tight together, these blinds will create a cozy mood for sleeping, movie watching, and more.

While these affordable room darkening blinds from Wayfair may not match the level of light blocking achieved with solid paneled blackout curtains, people are favorably impressed by the ability of these blinds to shut out light. They also come in a variety of different widths and the standard length of 64 inches can be shortened to fit your window if necessary.

For best results in darkening a room, people point out that you should opt for the darker Mahogany-colored blinds. Plan your next Saturday morning snooze or afternoon of movie watching and forget about bright sunshine spoiling the occasion, thanks to these Wayfair Basics Blackout Venetian Blinds.