FT NEWS

From roller, Venetian and Roman blinds to shutters and frosted film, you’re never short of options when it comes to dressing a window. Plan well for a bathroom, though, as it has its own unique requirements.

Fit a Venetian
When you’re considering the best blinds for bathrooms, Venetians are a good option if you don’t want frosted glass but still need privacy. They can be adjusted to vary light levels and also bring attractive back-lit horizontal interest to a scheme.

The designers of this compact washspace have turned a tiny window into a feature by fitting a bespoke Venetian blind in dove grey.

Be aware that wooden blinds can warp in damp conditions, so if you want the look of wood, try faux versions in rigid PVC.

Say it with sheers
A voile or linen panel provides privacy without compromising light levels too much. It also keeps the whole window visible in a way that most blinds don’t.

While voiles provide privacy during daylight hours, remember that they won’t at night unless your window has obscured glazing, so if this is an issue, double up with window film or a neat white roller blind.

Go Roman
A Roman blind is a good bathroom window treatment for a space that’s not overlooked, or for a window with frosted glass.

Lots of designers avoid using traditional upholstery fabrics in a bathroom because of their high cotton content, which doesn’t always respond well to moist conditions. So if you do go for a Roman blind, make sure the room is well ventilated.

Try bottom up
A roller blind that’s fitted at the bottom of the window rather than the top can provide the effect of a café curtain in blind form.

This ensures privacy on the lower half of the window and a view out over the top. It also lets in plenty of light for applying make-up, shaving and so on.

Choose a colour that blends seamlessly with the window and wall, and, as here, this type of treatment can have an almost-not-there-at-all feel. Search bathroom roller blinds for waterproof versions.

Choose shutters
Shutter slats allow you to filter light levels precisely. Unlike Venetian blinds fitted in a recess, they can also open completely clear of the glass.

Full-height styles let you control privacy across the whole window, while café-style versions run to half height and are great options if your bathroom isn’t overlooked from higher properties.

Waterproof shutters are a good idea if your bath or shower is sited close to the window.

Consider tier-on-tier
Tier-on-tier shutters offer all the benefits of full-height designs with an added café-style function. Being able to open the top tier and leave the bottom closed provides privacy without losing light.

Find an attic space solution
Look for specialist blinds designed for the sloping windows of attic spaces.

These blinds are fitted within the window frames themselves and have no hanging cords to get in the way. Simply press the slats to adjust the angle and lift the blind up or down from the bottom.

Stick to frosted
If your bathroom doesn’t get much sun, obscured glass might be all you need. There are quite a few bathroom window glass options – choose textured, sandblasted or acid-etched designs. If you’re not going to hang a blind for night-time, make sure you go for glazing with maximum opacity.