How to Choose the Right White Blinds
White is just white, right? Wrong! White can be bluish, reddish, yellowish, grayish, and every color-ish in between. White blinds and paints that have warm undertones will have some combination of red, orange, pink, yellow or brown undertones. Whites with cool undertones will have a combination of green, blue, purple, or even gray.
On top of that, lighting affects the color too! A pure white looks best in natural light, but with mechanical light, the pigments in white like to come out and play more.
Though it can be tough to find the right white, white is a truly dynamic color choice. It will match with all of your decors and has a timeless appeal. It’s also amazing for insulation, as white helps keep heat out of your home.
The cons of white, however, is that it showcases dirty. It’s impossible to hide dust, dirt, or fingerprints on white, no matter the undertones and placement. However, with regular cleaning (that’s suitable for your specific type of blinds) this should not be an issue.
So how do you choose the right white for your blinds?
Understand Undertones
The undertones are how you tell one shade of white from the rest. They’re the reds, the blues, and the grays we mentioned before. To find undertones, compare your colors to a sheet of white printer paper. The difference in tones will be more obvious when against a true white background.
How to Pick the Right Undertone
The right white blind is dependent on your home and the color of your windows. When in doubt, find the white with the undertone that best matches the color of your window sill.
If you want to match it to the walls, compare the white swatches to the paint. If you have mostly cool-toned decor (grey, blue and green) you’ll want to go with a white that has cool undertones or it will look yellowed and old. On the opposite end, if your decor is warm (browns, reds, and oranges) you need a white with matching undertones or it will look too cold and clinical.
If you want more info, you can get more information from Chris Loves Julia Podcast: In Living Color Theory.
Order Samples
To fully understand undertones and the differences in each white, you’ll need something to compare side by side. Order some samples or color swatches, or have the design consultant bring a few options to your home during your free consultation from Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix.
The key to choosing the right white is to see colors in person, next to your decor, and up against your windows. Take out the guessing game!
Tape Up Samples to Get a True Look at Colors
Once you receive your samples, tape them up in the window to see what color looks best with the trim and the different lighting throughout the day. Really ask yourself if the undertones are right for the room — are they too red or too yellow? You want to play Goldilocks here and find one that’s just right.
Leave them up for a few days and then make your decision. Make a point to look at them at 9 a.m, 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. so you can see how different levels of light affect the color. Light filtering shades in particular can look different at different times of the day.
Don’t Go Too Yellow
The biggest mistake you can make is going too yellow. Your blinds will look dirty in comparison to your walls and the trim if you do. Go with the color that looks cooler or more neutral.
When in Doubt, Call the Experts
Can’t choose? Give us a call at Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix or visit us online. Simply complete the form below to request a free in-home consultation with your local Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix Style Consultant. As a locally-owned business, we're focused on supporting the community as caring and giving back are in our DNA.
That means being involved in the community and taking the time to get to know you, your needs, and your home needs. Explore some of the beautiful window treatment projects we've completed throughout the community here in Tempe & Central Phoenix. At Budget Blinds, we do it all for you so you can relax and enjoy your new window treatments.
