Not every window is a neat rectangle; and many times, the ones that aren’t are the most eye-catching. From sweeping arched windows to dramatic gable ends, they’re wonderful features to have in your home… right up until the moment you try to dress them.
Standard, off-the-shelf blinds simply won’t cut it for shaped windows. You need something made to measure. At Solihull Blinds, we’ve been finding solutions for unusual window shapes for over 50 years. Here’s a look at what we have available, and which options might work best for your home.
First, what counts as a shaped window?
Broadly speaking, any window that isn’t a standard rectangle falls into the shaped category. The most common types we see are:
- Triangular windows are often found at the apex of a room or in A-frame-style properties. These are probably the trickiest shape to cover well.
- Arched windows feature a curved top, either as a full arch or a smaller curved section above a rectangular frame. They’re common in older and period-style properties.
- Circular or porthole windows are commonly found in bathrooms and sometimes in hallways.
- Gable end windows are built into the pointed end of a roof. They’re often triangular or trapezoidal and can be quite substantial in size.
Each of these comes with its own challenges, but none of them is unsolvable, especially with made to measure blinds.
The most versatile option: shaped pleated blinds
If there’s one type of blind that handles unusual shapes better than almost anything else, it’s the pleated blind. Because of the way the fabric folds and the mechanism operates, pleated blinds can be made to follow the exact contours of a shaped window, including triangles, trapezoids and angled frames.
They’re particularly well-suited to gable end windows and triangular windows, where other blind types simply can’t follow the sloping sill. The result is a clean, tailored look that covers the glass properly without any awkward gaps or bunching.
Pleated blinds are available in a wide range of fabrics, including blackout options. That’s great news if you have a shaped window in a bedroom or a south-facing room that gets a lot of afternoon sun.
The energy-efficient option: shaped Duette blinds
Duette blinds, sometimes called honeycomb blinds, are a premium option that works brilliantly in shaped windows, including arched and angled designs. They’re made from a distinctive fabric with a honeycomb cell structure, which gives them excellent insulation properties as well as a really elegant appearance.
As a Luxaflex® specialist, we offer shaped Duette blinds that are made to measure for your exact window. If you’ve got a large gable window or a statement arched window in a living room or hallway, shaped Duette blinds are one of the finest finishes you can choose. They look considered and intentional rather than like an afterthought, which is exactly what you want when you’ve invested in an interesting window in the first place.
Bespoke shaped roller blinds
Roller blinds might not be the first thing that springs to mind for shaped windows, but bespoke shaped rollers can look stunning. Rather than a standard rectangular roll, the fabric is cut to match the exact profile of your window, whether that’s a gentle arch or a sharper angled edge.
This works particularly well for arched windows where the arch sits above a rectangular section. A shaped roller can follow the curve of the arch, giving full coverage without compromising the architectural character of the window.
We also offer zip roller blinds for shaped windows. These use a guided channel system along the sides to keep the blind taut and flat, which works especially well for larger openings.
What about venetian or vertical blinds?
In most cases, traditional venetian or vertical blinds aren’t well-suited to shaped windows. Their slatted or louvred design means they work best in straight, rectangular frames.
That said, if your angled window has a rectangular section with an angled surround rather than an angled glass pane itself, a venetian blind fitted within the rectangular portion can sometimes be a practical and cost-effective solution. It’s always worth having a conversation with a specialist before ruling anything in or out, as the right answer often depends on the exact dimensions and orientation of your particular window.
Electric blinds for hard-to-reach shaped windows
One thing that often catches people off guard with shaped windows is how awkward they can be to access. Apex windows and high gable end windows are a good example. If your triangular window sits at the top of a double-height stairwell, manually adjusting a blind every day isn’t exactly practical.
The good news is that many of our shaped blind options, including Duette and pleated blinds, are available with motorisation. Our electric blinds can be operated via a remote control, a wall switch, or integrated with your smart home system through platforms like Somfy or Luxaflex® PowerView. It’s one of those upgrades you won’t want to be without once you have it.
Why made to measure is the only real option
Shaped and unusually sized windows aren’t something you can solve with a trip to a DIY store. Getting bespoke blinds for unusual windows requires accurate measuring, the right expertise and access to products that are designed specifically for the task at hand.
We see a fair number of customers who’ve tried a workaround first. A curtain rail rigged up at a strange angle, a standard blind that doesn’t quite reach the edge, or a piece of film stuck to the glass. These might do the job in the short term, but they rarely look great. With properly made to measure blinds for shaped windows, the difference is significant.
Come and see us in Solihull
If you’ve got a tricky window that’s been driving you mad, we’d love to help. Our showroom in Solihull is the best place to start. You can see the fabrics and mechanisms in person, describe your window to our team of experts, and get an honest view on what will work best.
We cover Birmingham, Solihull and the surrounding areas, and we carry out all our own measuring and installation. Whether you need blinds for a single tricky window or you’re dressing an entire property with shaped windows throughout, we’re well used to the challenge.
Pop into the showroom, give us a call on 0121 733 1001, or get in touch via our website. We’re always happy to talk windows.
