Would a blind instead of a curtain by the front door look odd?

[RubeusDuck]

Have just finished redecorating the hall and stairs, and am replacing the old curtain that pulled across the front door.

Although it looks much nicer without (it's quite narrow by the door), by the time we get to winter, we are going to need something there as it gets quite drafty otherwise. The problem is, a curtain seems always in the way, the kids hide behind it and pull on it (and the pole is always coming down as a result - new house, lousy plasterboard) and I wanted a light coloured curtain to keep the room looking airy but this is bound to get wet and dirty right by the front door like that.

So, I was thinking some sort of smart rollerblind might be much more practical. Only thing is, I've never seen a front door with a massive long blind - will it look really stupid? Or is it a much better solution?

My parents have a glass pannelled door on one of the bedrooms because otherwise the hall is v dark. It has a full-length cream roller blind on it and looks good from either side.

My sister has blinds on her front door. They are a beech wood venetion blinds & look nice & warm. Not sure how good they would be at keeping the heat in in the winter though

I'm with Helen, have my doubts about effectiveness of blinds in keeping draughts out.

The blind wouldn't be in the recess or just on the window part of the door, it would be full length, outside the recess if that helps?

I'd get one with blackout/thermal lining on it - wouldn't be as good as a curtain as keeping the heat in though, I agree.

If it is outside the recess does that mean you won't be able to open the door unless the blind is up? If so that would be a real PITA.

What does it matter about other people? You could start a trend! If a blind works for you, get one.

Yes, it will completely INSANE. What if the roller gets stuck and everyone has to crawl in your front door, and you have to take the package from the postman on your hands and knees?

LOL @ crawling through the door

Ah, no sorry - blind for completely different purpose. I think the blind you're describing would, as other posters say, be a complete pain in the arse.

You'd presumably have to bend down to release it every time you came in and out the door, or fiddle with strings. Pulling back a curtain takes a second but pulling up a blind would just take that bit longer and I think it would be annoying enough for the blind to end up damaged before too long.

Also don't think it would work to exclude draughts around a door frame. Sorry.

Oh well, was worth a thought.

Anyone know anywhere online that does single ready-made curtains suitable for a door? (everywhere I've found seems to only sell curtains in pairs, which feels such a waste!)

John Lewis?