50 Shades of White: How to Find the Right White for Your Blinds
BWS Marketing • January 20, 2021

In an age where everyone is trying to outdo everyone else, it’s surprising that most people end up choosing some shade of white for their window blinds. They aren’t wrong either, because white is timeless and adds a light airy touch to the room. Best of all, it matches your window trims.

However, you are unlikely to find printing-paper white for your shades. Blinds usually come in neutral white or off-white, which consists of all the various shades between pure white and grey. Various other colors such as blue, green, brown, or yellow are also represented.

These shades of white are called undertones and are best seen when contrasted against a sheet of printing paper. If you are looking to outfit your house with new white blinds, these six steps will help you choose the right one and still get your house to stand out.

1. Outline Your Goal

The first rung on the ladder is visualizing the result you want. Will you play safe and go by the rules of white, or are you feeling rebellious and want some contrasts? The various undertones available for white blinds can introduce a lot of playfulness in an otherwise boring color.

Some people want to highlight their windows and make them pop, especially in a smaller room. Others want to add depth and let the windows fade softly while the interior stands out, in which case cooler undertones are perfect.

2. Match Your Walls or Floor

You want the shade you choose to complement your walls. One small mistake and you might end up with a tired-looking yellowed look or an austere clinical one. To avoid both these extremes, compare what colors your walls are then go for blinds with the same undertones.

Walls with cooler colors such as blue, green, or grey need similar cool undertones. Warmer colors such as brown, orange, or red need warmer undertones to maintain the theme. If you have hardwood floors and want to maintain the same earthy look, a shade with a warm earthy undertone is perfect.

3. Match Your Decor

Sometimes you want to highlight something else in the room – like a rug, couch, or even the cushions on your seats. In this case, you will want the blinds and windows to fade into the background so that the object you want to stand out can be highlighted.

This usually works with lighter shades. If it is your walls you want to stand out, make sure to have subtle shades in the same color. Otherwise, opt for a more neutral shade of white so that the windows and blinds get out of the way.

4. Match Your Trim

If you can’t seem to figure out what shade of white will work for your room, go the safe way and match the window trim. These are almost always white or off-white, and you are guaranteed a shade that matches your particular trim perfectly.

5. Order Samples

The most important thing is to order a set of samples so that you can see how the various shades fit in. That way, you can experiment with the various options in real life.

For example, if you want to match your trim, simply place the samples on the window sill and see which one matches. If you want to match the walls, tape them up on the walls, take a step back, and see which one you like best.

Be sure to wait a day or two and observe in the morning, afternoon, and evening to see how the light plays on the different shades.

6. Talk to an Expert

It’s always a good idea to talk to an expert when you can’t figure out what will work for you. Colors and shades are complex, especially for something as ubiquitous as window blinds. Talk to a designer, preferably one working with a company that manufacturers window blinds, and get their advice.

Conclusion

White is not just white when it comes to window blinds. A lot of factors come into play when making your choice. With all said, you remain the boss and get to choose how you want your window blinds you want for the next few years.

Get your set of samples and take your time to review how the blinds will look before making the order. So long as you get the right undertone, white blinds will never disappoint.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.