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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to get why anyone has vertical blinds?

155 replies

Moulesfrites · 08/04/2011 19:46

They are ugly things, no? Just been on a walk and noticed how many houses there are with them round here, often in every window. Why would you have them when there are so many nice fabrics around? Or am I missing something?

OP posts:
HouseOfBamboo · 08/04/2011 20:20

Upside-down blinds totally make sense, like them. Shame you can't get a set for £30 in B&Q though (well not the last time I looked, anyway).

HouseOfBamboo · 08/04/2011 20:22

I hate the way vertical blinds swing about, rattling their nasty plastic beaded chains.

Groovee · 08/04/2011 20:24

I love mine. We have black out ones and we have them over the patio doors. as they cover the door up giving us privacy from the path along the back of the house. I find they stop the sun from blazing in and making the house too hot.

I have a massive front window and massive patio doors and they cost me less than £100 custom made. Curtains and me don't go at all.

RubberDuck · 08/04/2011 20:26

Love mine too - we have them as well as curtains, but it's great for filtering the light so you can see the computer screen while still having a lovely light and cheerful room!

southeastastra · 08/04/2011 20:27

blardly hell wtf does it matter to you?? judget freaks

EdithWeston · 08/04/2011 20:28

PILs got theirs following a recommendation from a crime prevention officer.

southeastastra · 08/04/2011 20:28

vile?? crikey

easterbunnyhopsback · 08/04/2011 20:30

I agree - ugly, but we had to have them in a previous house because we couldn't fit curtain poles after the double glazing was put in! We learned to love them...... and then moved Grin

wobblyweeble82 · 08/04/2011 20:31

We have them, and they ARE hideously ugly and somewhat naff ... BUT ... they keep the room cool in summer, and stop the old dears over the road (three houses, all full of oap's who comment on my new wall pictures, choice of floorlamp etc) having a gawp at me in my dressing gown and things. If we weren't being buggered left right and centre by the taxman, we might change them to venetians, but at the moment, it's naff 80's doctor's surgery chic for us Grin

TheMonster · 08/04/2011 20:31

Edith, why were they recommended?

HouseOfBamboo · 08/04/2011 20:31

I am traumatised by sitting for years and years and years in 80s and 90s offices looking at beige computers and beige vertical blinds.

That's my justification for judginess.

itssnotfunny · 08/04/2011 20:33

I bought some a few month ago as they were the only option at the back of our house to cover a patio door and a full length window. We are south facing and the room gets unbearably hot and bright so now i can sit in the nude and watch the tv without glareon the tv and the neighbour out the back perving on me. My back room is a really simple contemporary room and lots of people have commented they look great. They now come in oodles of designs too - open your minds instead of narrowing them please Smile.

EdithWeston · 08/04/2011 20:35

EEyore: IIRC, it was because you could easily angle them to prevent a clear look into the premises (whilst still letting in light etc).

They were though to be better then nets , but I can't remember why they were better than venetians or louvred shutters. That might have been PILs preference, but all this happened shortly after a burglary and I'm pretty sure they'd have been taking it all very seriously (even though I'm vague on details, sorry).

EdithWeston · 08/04/2011 20:37

And further to my last, they did have a big picture window and patio doors to cover, and I think verticals might have been the only option on those, and them the rest were done to match.

MamaVoo · 08/04/2011 20:38

I used to think they were vile and officey too but got them for our two large sets of doors at the back of the house as it was the most affordable and easiest way to get a bit of privacy. I'm actually really pleased with how good they look and think I'd have to add a rickety old table with a big pile of out of date magazines to even approach doctor's surgery chic.

Don't we all have things in our homes that someone, somewhere would find hideous?

Flowerpotmummy · 08/04/2011 20:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edam · 08/04/2011 20:44

There are occasional stories about children being strangled by vertical blinds.

itssnotfunny · 08/04/2011 20:45

mine came fitted with standard cord shorteners which my surestart centre were handing out for free also.

emmy12 · 08/04/2011 20:46

YANBU you should see my mothers lace style ones.

TattyDevine · 08/04/2011 20:49

Ah verticals! I didn't even think they had them in England, (or UK I should say) apart from offices.

My parents (in Australia) had some in their (city, uber chic in every other way) apartnment, and now have them in their inner-city townhouse.

I dont like them - agree about the plasticy chain and clinky noise about them banging together etc.

There is a certain type of window where curtains would look wrong and verticals look right - sort of long lofty style windows but uber modern (which is why my parents have had them twice to be fair, its a different style of architecture)

Having said that, I have some wooden venitians and they are a bitch to dust. You cant' just dust them, you actually have to wash them arghrrrrrrrrr

Though an ex con knocked on my door and sold me a very handy tool for in betweens.

Anywoos, I am with you OP YANBU

TattyDevine · 08/04/2011 20:50

That said I'm sure there are exceptions and to be fair I'm not a fan of nets.

MyLifeIsChaotic · 08/04/2011 20:51

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Message withdrawn

annapolly · 08/04/2011 20:51

I have them in the games room. They split in the middle and fold to almost nothing on either side of the french windows.

To each their own.

thebestisyettocome · 08/04/2011 20:52

I hate them. They are awful.

GrimmaTheNome · 08/04/2011 20:54

We have a vertical blind on our patio window. Can't think of anything else that would work there.