Roman blinds - best kind for my windows?

[meltingsugar]

I have done the obligatory search and can see most MNers prefer inside the recess, but I was hoping for outside (hear me out!). Now I've thought about it properly I don't think it will work though...

I live in a Victorian cottage. Windows are double glazed, but I worry blinds inside the recess close to the glass will cause damp/condensation and make the blinds go mouldy. So I was thinking outside the recess allows for more air to circulate preventing this. Does that make sense? Also, our windows are not very big, and I would be blocking a little less light by fitting outside the recess.

Problem is, our windows are framed with wooden edging outside the recess, so surely this will make the blinds stick out, preventing them being flush from the wall, and allowing more of a draught/radiator heat to creep up behind it?

Any wise words/thoughts on my best method of action? I don't like curtains, I really, really, really wanted Roman blinds, so I don't want both unless someone can show me theirs to allay my fears of it looking too intense

Photo of window attached to show what they're like.

I think they are going to block far too much light if you put them inside the recess but I don't think they work outside.

Which really isn’t a whole lot of help I know!

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of space between the window and the ceiling which is why I don’t think they would work outside the recess

Wahhhhh I was worried someone might say that! There isn't much, about 15cm

I don't like curtains. I hate tucking them up on the window sil to keep heat in as they get creased, but if they're the length of the window then heat still creeps up the back. Lose lose situation, isn't it?

Your best bet is to get them made to fit the outside of the window frame in width and as close as you can to the coving above. This will maximise the light and still make them reasonably good at draft proofing. If it is a drafty window get the blind interlined as well as lined. It really will make a difference. Hope that helps

Should have said the mechanisms for the blinds are quite skin so really won't project too far at all

I agree about the pain of “curtain tucking”.

Don't buy from Laura Ashley. Their mechanism is really wide protrudes on outside hung blinds quite a long way.... learned the hard way 😧

I have roman blinds on lots of my windows. I don't think the block out too much light at all. I have posted a picture of the blind on my smallest window in a north facing room to see if that helps you any. Mine are all in the recess.

I have some inside and outside the recess, though newer house

If you want to go with outside the recess you go with the older way of using a wood batten as high above the wooden surround as you can (I know you say there is only 15cm)..This should mean when the blind is up the folds slightly hang over the top edge of the window giving you more light

By using batten rather than a Pacer cartridge,which does stick out a little...Hopefully this will mean the bottom of the blind will finish on the outer edge of you windowsill