There’s Nothing Quite Like Real Wood
We sell every type of blind going, but there’s something about real wood that still stops people in their tracks. When I bring samples to a home visit and holds a Basswood blind up against the window, you can see the reaction — it just looks right. The grain, the weight, the way it catches the light. No printed vinyl or aluminium finish comes close.
Wooden blinds suit almost any home, too. They’re equally at home in a period cottage in Lavenham as they are in a new-build in Moreton Hall. That’s the beauty of natural materials — they don’t fight with the room, they complement it.
Basswood: The Industry Standard for Good Reason
The vast majority of quality wooden blinds are made from Basswood (also called American Lime). It’s a hardwood that’s strong enough to span a window without sagging, light enough to operate smoothly, and has a lovely, even grain that takes stain beautifully.
We’ve been fitting Basswood blinds for years and they hold up exceptionally well. They don’t warp, they don’t fade easily, and they still look fantastic a decade on if you give them an occasional dust.
Choosing Your Slat Size
Slat width makes more difference than you might think, both to the look and the practicality of the blind:
- 25mm slats — The classic, more traditional look. These work well on smaller windows and give you finer light control because there are more slats per blind
- 35mm slats — A good middle ground that suits most window sizes. This is our most popular choice
- 50mm slats (and wider) — A bold, contemporary look that’s striking on larger windows. Wider slats also give you a clearer view out when the blind is open, which matters if you’ve got a nice garden or a view worth keeping
If you’re not sure which to go for, we always recommend seeing them side by side in your own home. What looks right on a website can feel quite different when it’s next to your walls and furniture.
Light Control and Insulation
One of the real advantages of wooden blinds is how much control you get over light. Tilt the slats and you can fine-tune the brightness in a room throughout the day — let the morning sun flood in, angle it away during the afternoon glare, close them up completely in the evening for full privacy.
Wood is also a natural insulator. A properly fitted wooden blind creates a buffer between the cold glass and the room, which makes a genuine difference in winter. It’s not something people always think about when choosing blinds, but once you notice the room holding its warmth better, you appreciate it.
Customisation: Getting It Exactly Right
This is where wooden blinds really shine. You’re not picking from a limited menu — the options are extensive:
- Stain and finish — From pale, bleached looks to rich dark walnut, and everything between. We can also supply painted finishes in white, cream, or grey if that suits your scheme better
- Ladder tapes — The fabric strips that run vertically down the blind. You can choose a contrasting colour to make a feature of them, or keep them tonal for a more understated look. It’s a small detail that makes a surprising difference
- Control mechanism — Standard cord-and-wand, or cordless options for homes with young children
- Made to measure — Every blind we supply is made to your exact window dimensions. No cutting down, no gaps, no compromise
I’m quite particular about getting the details right. I’ll talk through the options properly, explain what works and what doesn’t for your specific windows, and make sure you’re happy before anything goes into production.
What About Wet Rooms? Consider Faux Wood
There’s one place we wouldn’t recommend real wood blinds: bathrooms and kitchens. Constant moisture and steam will eventually cause real wood to warp and split, no matter how well it’s sealed.
The good news is that faux wood blinds have come a long way. Modern PVC alternatives genuinely look convincing — you’d struggle to tell the difference from a couple of feet away — and they’re completely unfazed by humidity. They wipe clean easily too, which is a bonus next to a kitchen sink or above a bath.
We carry faux wood options in a good range of finishes to match the real wood blinds you might have elsewhere in the house, so you can keep a consistent look throughout.
A Blind That Lasts
In our experience, wooden blinds are one of the best long-term investments you can make for your windows. They don’t go out of fashion, they don’t degrade quickly, and they add genuine character to a room. We’ve visited homes where the wooden blinds we fitted years ago still look as good as the day they went up.
If you’d like to see what real wood blinds would look like in your home, get in touch and we’ll arrange a free visit with samples. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest advice from people who know blinds inside out.