At the start of the UK lockdown, nearly 50% of people in employment were asked to work at home. We spent 12-18 months turning dining tables, bedroom side units or even our laps into offices. Zoom calls with digitally enhanced backgrounds and half-dressed uniforms became the norm. And, it seems that this home working situation may be sticking around for longer. Of the UK’s 50 biggest employers, nearly all of them had no plans to ask their workers to return to the office on a full-time basis. In response to this, the need for home offices has increased significantly and so is the need to find practical and effective ways to boost productivity while you get through the latest items on your To-Do list.
Why are window blinds important in home offices?
While they may not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to styling your home office, the right window blinds will help to promote productivity. Natural light is essential in any room. It allows you to work effectively, reduces the strain on household bills and makes the most out of any sized space. And, yes – you do want to make the most out of it in your new working environment. However, harsh sunlight from exposed windows can have a detrimental impact on your activities too. Some common complaints include:
- Excessive light directed towards computer screens can cause glare
- Build up of excess heat will make a room uncomfortable to work in
- Equally, no protection over windows during Winter causes more heat loss, making a room too cold to work in
- Lack of privacy from passers-by
Excessive heat in a room will impact your metabolic rate. When this happens, it’s common to feel tired and lethargic – hardly the recipe for a productive working day. Equally, if you’ve got a group meeting planned on Zoom, glare or harsh sunlight streaming in behind you can obscure your vision or that of other people’s. The right window blinds help to recreate a good working environment in your own home, reducing distractions and improving your ability to focus.
What to consider when buying home office blinds
If we look at the common complaints listed below, we can begin to get a clearer understanding of the features that our office blinds need to have. It pays to consider areas such as:
- Is my office south-facing or likely to have high levels of natural light flooding in during the day?
- Do I have other appliances that can help to control heat during warmer months, such as air conditioners or fans?
- Will the angle of my computer or desk increase the risk of glare?
- Can my office be viewed by passers-by? Does this put the safety of my at-home office equipment in danger of theft?
- Are any of the soft furnishings in my room (office chair, armchair etc) likely to be exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period during the day?
- Will I need to get extra privacy for confidential meetings?
Having a clearer understanding of what you need your home office space to do will enable you to choose the right window blinds for your needs.
Types of home office blind
So, we’ve spoken about the things you need to consider when choosing your blinds. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most popular options out there to help you make the right decision.
Roller Blinds
The most classic and well-recognized of the window dressings, roller blinds are ideal for office spaces. They are versatile, can be made-to-measure, and come with a host of features. If you’re looking for complete privacy and don’t mind being more reliant on internal lighting options, blackout roller blinds provide the ultimate in light control. If, instead, you need a solution that manages light but still allows you to work with natural sunlight, opt for sheer or voile roller blinds. With a unique woven material, these blinds offer protection against the harshest rays. They help to minimize the impact of glare on computer screens and offer a level of protection against sunlight-related fabric fading.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a staple in office design and it’s not hard to see why. The individual vertical slats can be rotated individually to allow as much or as little light in as you need. For heightened durability, the fabric bottoms are sewed and come with weights and chains to keep the fabric taut throughout use. As with roller blinds, they come in a variety of fabric types including blackout and sheer. You can also find thermal and solar vertical blinds that allow you to manage temperature and keep your working environment at a comfortable level
Venetian Blinds
If you’re looking for something durable and exceptionally easy to clean, opt for Venetian blinds. Made with slim vertical slats and manufactured from lightweight aluminium. This provides a wipe-clean surface that can withstand multiple uses and sits perfectly across the window. As with the other blinds in our range, they are made-to-measure for the perfect fit and come with a free 3 years guarantee. The options for colour aren’t limited here either – you can have anything from Aluminium through to something more unique, such as Atomic or Cerise.
A home office needs to be a welcoming space that allows you to focus on the jobs at hand and work productively without interruption. This is what the right window blinds will help you to achieve. If you’re looking at a future of working at home (even if it’s on a part-time basis) and are looking for the right blinds, please do get in contact with us here at Shop4Blinds.