Venetian blinds are blinds made of horizontal slats joined by ladder strings, so you can tilt the slats to control light and privacy, or raise the whole blind to clear the window. Our metal venetian blinds have 25mm aluminium slats, are made to measure to your window and come in around 100 colours, from classic white and silver to metallics, wood tones and bright shades.
Metal venetian blinds are slim, light and wipe clean, and they are not affected by steam. That makes them one of the most practical blinds for kitchens, bathrooms, offices and any room where you want fine control over daylight.
Venetian blinds: the quick answer
- What they are: horizontal slats that tilt and lift.
- Slats: 25mm aluminium, the classic slim venetian slat.
- Fitting: screw fit inside or outside the window recess. For uPVC windows with no drilling, choose perfect fit metal blinds.
- Best for: kitchens, bathrooms, home offices, small windows and modern rooms.
- Light control: tilt from fully open to fully closed. Not fully blackout.
- Colours: around 100, including whites, silvers, metallics, wood-look and bright colours.
Types of venetian blinds
| Type | Slat | Fitting | Best for |
|---|
| Metal venetian blinds | 25mm aluminium | Screw fit, in or outside the recess | Kitchens, bathrooms, offices, any room |
| Perfect fit metal venetian | 25mm aluminium in a clip-in frame | No drill, clips into uPVC window seal | Tilt and turn windows, French doors, renters |
| Easy Stick metal venetian | Aluminium | No drill, sticks to the frame | Frames with no rubber seal, renters |
| Wooden venetian blinds | Real wood | Screw fit | Living rooms, bedrooms, warm interiors |
| Perfect fit shutters | Wide louvres in a frame | No drill, clips into uPVC window seal | The plantation shutter look without drilling |
Metal vs wooden venetian blinds
| Metal (aluminium) | Wooden |
|---|
| Look | Slim, modern, wide colour choice | Warm, natural grain |
| Weight | Light, easy to lift | Heavier, especially on wide windows |
| Moisture | Not affected by steam | Can warp in steam; avoid bathrooms |
| Cleaning | Wipe clean | Dust; avoid water |
| Best rooms | Kitchens, bathrooms, offices | Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms |
Full comparison: metal vs wood venetian blinds and aluminium vs faux wood venetian blinds.
How do venetian blinds control light?
| Slat position | Effect | Use it for |
|---|
| Slats flat (open) | Most light and a clear view | Bright daytime |
| Slats tilted up | Light bounces to the ceiling, people outside cannot see in easily | Daytime privacy with daylight |
| Slats tilted down | You can see out, light comes in lower | Upstairs windows with a view |
| Slats closed | Privacy, room much darker | Evenings and night |
| Blind raised | Full daylight, window clear | Opening or cleaning the window |
Choosing a colour
| Colour group | Examples | Effect |
|---|
| Whites | Classic White, Gloss White, Polar | Bright and clean, matches white frames and walls. See white venetian blinds |
| Silvers and greys | Antique Silver, Brushed Silver, Mercury | Modern, hides marks |
| Metallics | Copper, Brushed Copper, Gold Copper, Bronze | Warm shine for a feature window |
| Darks | Pitch Black | Bold, suits industrial and modern rooms |
| Wood tones | Walnut, Soft Brown | Wood look that wipes clean |
| Bright colours | Scarlet, Indian Yellow, Fresh Apple, Pretty Pink, Orange | Adds colour to kitchens and children's rooms |
Venetian blinds for every room
| Room | Why venetian blinds work |
|---|
| Kitchen | Wipe clean, not affected by heat or steam |
| Bathroom | Aluminium is moisture-resistant. Read venetian blinds for bathrooms |
| Home office | Tilt to stop glare on screens and keep daylight |
| Small windows | Slim headrail and stack, neat in small recesses |
| Bay windows | One blind per window for a neat line of slats. See venetian blinds for bay windows |
| French doors | Choose perfect fit so the blind moves with the door. Read venetian blinds for French doors |
How to measure for venetian blinds
- Inside the recess: measure the width at the top, middle and bottom and use the smallest. Measure the drop on the left, middle and right and use the longest.
- Outside the recess: measure the area to cover and add about 50 to 100mm each side and above the window.
- Check for handles: make sure window handles will not stop the slats from closing. If they do, fit outside the recess or choose perfect fit.
Step-by-step: how to measure for venetian blinds.
How to clean venetian blinds
- Weekly: close the slats and dust with a microfibre cloth or duster, then tilt them the other way and repeat.
- Marks: wipe metal slats with warm soapy water and dry.
- Kitchens: a drop of washing-up liquid lifts grease.
More tips: how to clean venetian blinds.
Frequently asked questions
What are venetian blinds?
Venetian blinds are blinds with horizontal slats that tilt to control light and lift to clear the window. They are made from metal, wood or faux wood.
What size are venetian blind slats?
Our metal venetian blinds have 25mm slats, the classic slim size that suits most UK windows.
Are metal venetian blinds good for bathrooms?
Yes. Aluminium is not affected by steam and wipes clean, so metal venetians are one of the best blinds for bathrooms and kitchens.
Are venetian blinds blackout?
No. Some light gets through between the closed slats and at the edges. For a dark room, choose a blackout blind.
Can I get venetian blinds without drilling?
Yes. Perfect fit metal blinds clip into uPVC windows, and Easy Stick metal blinds stick to the frame. Read no drill venetian blinds.
Should venetian blinds go inside or outside the recess?
Inside the recess looks neater and shows the window sill. Outside the recess covers more of the window and makes the room darker, and is better if handles get in the way.
Are venetian blinds good for privacy?
Yes. Tilt the slats upwards and people outside cannot easily see in, while daylight still reaches the ceiling.
What is the difference between venetian and vertical blinds?
Venetian blinds have horizontal slats that lift up, so they suit standard and small windows. Vertical blinds have long slats that draw to the side, so they suit wide windows and patio doors.
Are venetian blinds the same as shutters?
No. Venetian blinds have thin slats on strings that lift up. Shutters have wide louvres in a fixed frame. For the shutter look with no drilling, see perfect fit shutters.
How do I clean metal venetian blinds?
Dust the slats weekly and wipe marks with warm soapy water, then dry.
Explore more: waterproof blinds and no drill blinds.
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