The Blind They Asked For Wasn't the Blind They Bought
Why the Best Blind for a Window Isn't Always the Best Blind for the Person Using It
Earlier today, I stopped a customer from buying the blind they originally wanted.
Not because it was a bad blind.
In fact, it was a very good blind.
The problem was that nobody had stopped to ask whether it was the right blind for the people who would be using it every day.
I was visiting a home in Thurmaston where a son was helping his elderly parents choose new blinds for their home.
The French doors were straightforward.
They had already chosen INTU Venetian blinds and, to be honest, I couldn't improve on that decision. They fit neatly within the door frame, move with the doors, have no loose cords, and provide excellent privacy and light control.
The interesting conversation happened when we reached the lounge window.
His parents had seen wooden Venetian blinds and loved the look.
And it's easy to see why.
Wooden Venetians offer fantastic privacy, excellent light control, and a timeless appearance that works beautifully in many homes.
The window itself measured 2400mm wide by 1500mm drop.
A large window.
As we talked, the son mentioned that three other blind companies had already visited and every one of them had quoted for wooden Venetian blinds.
So I asked a simple question.
"Has anyone mentioned how heavy the blind will be?"
The answer was no.
His parents looked surprised.
The son looked surprised too.
And that's when the conversation changed.
Because choosing blinds isn't just about how they look on installation day.
It's about how they feel to use every morning, every evening, and every year afterwards.
Sometimes the Product Isn't the Problem
One of the biggest mistakes I see in the blinds industry is focusing entirely on what the customer asks for rather than understanding who will actually be using the blind every day.
A wooden Venetian blind measuring 2400mm wide isn't a small blind.
It's a substantial piece of window shading.
The wider the blind, the heavier it becomes.
For a younger homeowner, that weight may never be an issue.
But for somebody in their seventies who will be raising and lowering the blind , it can become frustrating surprisingly quickly.
What starts as a beautiful blind can eventually become a blind that stays permanently down because it's simply too much effort to use.
Nobody spends hundreds of pounds on a blind expecting that to happen.
But it happens more often than people realise.
And when it does, the customer hasn't bought the right blind.
They've bought the blind they originally asked for.
Those aren't always the same thing.
The Three Options We Discussed
Rather than simply supplying what had been requested, we looked at the alternatives.
Option 1: Wooden Venetian Blind
This was the original choice.
Excellent appearance.
Excellent privacy.
Excellent light control.
But also the heaviest option by some distance.
For a large window and elderly homeowners, it would require the most effort to operate.
Price installed: £330
Option 2: Bamboo Venetian Blind
Bamboo offers a very similar appearance to wood but is naturally much lighter.
In many cases, bamboo Venetian blinds are around 40% lighter than equivalent wooden blinds.
On larger windows, that reduction in weight can make a noticeable difference.
Price installed: £367
Option 3: Fabric Venetian Blind
This was the option that changed the conversation.
Fabric Venetian blinds still provide the adjustable slats and privacy people love about Venetians, but they're dramatically lighter to operate.
The difference is immediately noticeable.
The blind feels smoother.
Lighter.
Easier to manage.
For somebody opening and closing it every day, those small differences quickly become important.
Price installed: £567
Comparison Table
Feature |
Wooden Venetian |
Bamboo Venetian |
Fabric Venetian |
Appearance |
Traditional wood look |
Natural wood appearance |
Soft contemporary appearance |
Light Control |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Privacy |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Weight |
Heavy |
Around 40% lighter than wood |
Very light |
Ease of Operation |
Hardest to lift |
Easier |
Easiest |
Suitability for Older Users |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
Daily Use on Large Windows |
Can become tiring |
Better |
Best |
Price Installed |
£330 |
£367 |
£567 |
The Most Expensive Blind Isn't Always the Most Expensive Choice
At first glance, the fabric Venetian looked expensive.
After all, it cost £237 more than the wooden Venetian blind.
But then we stopped looking at today's price and started thinking about the next ten years.
The son summed it up perfectly.
If his parents struggled with the wooden blind and eventually stopped using it, or if they later wanted something easier to operate, there was a good chance it would need replacing.
Suddenly the cheaper blind becomes the expensive choice.
The fabric Venetian wasn't selected because it looked better.
It wasn't selected because it was fashionable.
It was selected because it was the blind most likely to work for his parents every single day.
That's a very different reason for buying.
And it's exactly how buying blinds should work.
The Question More People Should Ask
When choosing blinds, most people ask:
"What blind would you recommend for this window?"
It's a reasonable question.
But there's a better one.
"Who will be using the blind?"
Because age, mobility, strength, daily routines, and even how often the blind will be operated can completely change the recommendation.
The right blind for a young family may not be the right blind for retirees.
The right blind for a rental property may not be the right blind for a forever home.
And the right blind for a window is not always the right blind for the person standing in front of it.
At Barlow Blinds, we've always believed our job isn't to sell the blind a customer asks for.
It's to help them find the blind they'll still be happy using years from now.
Sometimes those are the same thing.
Sometimes they aren't.
But the best blind isn't the one that looks best on installation day.
It's the one that's still easy to use five years later.
And that's a detail worth thinking about before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wooden Venetian blinds heavy?
Yes. On larger windows, wooden Venetian blinds can become surprisingly heavy. The wider the blind, the greater the effort required to raise and lower it.
Are bamboo Venetian blinds lighter than wood?
Yes. Bamboo Venetian blinds are typically around 40% lighter than equivalent wooden blinds, making them easier to operate.
What are the easiest Venetian blinds to operate?
Fabric Venetian blinds are generally much lighter than both wood and bamboo, making them easier to raise and lower, especially on large windows.
What blinds are best for elderly people?
This depends on the window and individual needs, but lightweight products such as fabric Venetians, cellular blinds, motorised blinds, and some roller blinds are often easier to use than heavier wooden products.
Can large wooden Venetian blinds wear out more quickly?
The weight of large wooden blinds places greater strain on the lifting cords and mechanisms, particularly when used daily. Choosing a lighter product can help reduce wear over time.
Do fabric Venetian blinds provide the same privacy as wooden blinds?
Yes. Fabric Venetian blinds provide excellent privacy and light control while offering a softer appearance and easier day-to-day operation.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
