Blockout vs Sheer: Which Blinds Are Right for Me?

Blinds are more than just a practical solution to block out light or let it in—they’re a statement piece, a mood setter, and sometimes even a lifesaver (because who wants their neighbours witnessing pyjama mornings?). If you’re standing at the crossroads between blockout and sheer blinds, you’re not alone. This is a decision that has homeowners everywhere scratching their heads.

The choice isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about function, lifestyle, and the unique quirks of your home. Whether you’re a light-loving minimalist or someone who’d happily cocoon themselves in total darkness, the right blinds can make all the difference. Let’s take a closer look at what blockout and sheer blinds have to offer—and help you figure out which one feels more you.

 

What Are Blockout Blinds?

Think of blockout blinds as the homebody of window coverings: dependable, solid, and happiest when they’re keeping the outside world at bay. Designed to eliminate light completely, blockout blinds are the go-to choice for people who value privacy and comfort in equal measure. If you’ve ever cursed the early sunrise for interrupting your Saturday lie-in, these blinds are your solution.

Blockout blinds aren’t just about darkness, though. They’re also a clever way to keep your home cooler in summer and cosier in winter. By reducing the amount of sunlight that sneaks in, they can help regulate your home’s temperature—a blessing for energy bills.

In essence, blockout blinds are a practical, hardworking option. They’re ideal for spaces where peace, quiet, and a bit of seclusion are top priorities.

 

What Are Sheer Blinds?

If blockout blinds are the homebody, sheer blinds are the social butterfly. They’re all about letting the sunshine in while still providing a little privacy. Picture a curtain of soft, natural light bathing your living space—sheer blinds bring that aesthetic to life.

Sheer blinds are designed to diffuse sunlight, which makes them perfect for rooms that thrive on brightness. Unlike blockout blinds, they won’t cut you off from the world entirely. Instead, they strike a balance, allowing you to enjoy the outside view while still filtering out harsh glare.

With sheer blinds, it’s less about hiding from the world and more about embracing it—just on your terms. They’re ideal for spaces where you want to feel connected to the outdoors while maintaining a soft, filtered light indoors.

 

How to Choose Between Blockout and Sheer Blinds

Selecting between blockout and sheer blinds isn’t always a straightforward decision—it’s about weighing the needs of your space, lifestyle, and personal preferences. To make things clearer, let’s break it down into practical considerations. Here’s how you can figure out what works best for you:

 

Think About the Function of Each Room

Different rooms in your home have different purposes, and your choice of blinds should reflect that.

  • Bedrooms: If you value deep, uninterrupted sleep (or have little ones with unpredictable nap schedules), blockout blinds are a lifesaver. They create a pitch-black environment, perfect for snoozing any time of day.
  • Living Rooms: Spaces where you relax or entertain benefit from the soft glow of natural light. Sheer blinds can brighten the room without blinding your guests or fading your furniture.
  • Home Offices: If you’re battling glare on your computer screen while trying to focus, sheer blinds can filter the light to reduce eye strain while keeping the room energising.
  • Media Rooms: For a true cinematic vibe, blockout blinds are the obvious choice. There’s nothing worse than a glare cutting through your favourite movie scene.

 

Assess Your Natural Light Situation

How much sunlight does each room get? A room that basks in sunlight all day might benefit from blockout blinds to control heat and light. On the other hand, if your space feels perpetually gloomy, sheer blinds can open it up and make it feel more inviting.

  • North-Facing Rooms: These tend to get consistent sunlight throughout the day, so blockout blinds are ideal if you want to keep things cool and dim when needed.
  • South-Facing Rooms: If your room lacks direct sunlight, sheer blinds can maximise whatever light does make its way in, keeping the space cheerful and bright.

 

Consider Your Privacy Needs

Privacy levels can vary drastically depending on your home’s layout and surroundings.

  • Street-Facing Windows: If you’re on a busy road or close to neighbours, blockout blinds provide the ultimate sense of security.
  • Second-Story or Secluded Spaces: For rooms where privacy isn’t as much of a concern, sheer blinds let you enjoy the view without making you feel exposed.

And don’t forget the time of day—sheer blinds work beautifully during the daytime, but at night, when lights are on inside, they offer little privacy. Blockout blinds or a combination of both may be more suitable for multi-purpose rooms.

 

Style and Atmosphere

Blinds do more than serve a functional purpose—they contribute to your home’s overall aesthetic.

  • Modern Minimalism: Sheer blinds fit seamlessly into contemporary spaces with their clean, light-enhancing look.
  • Cosy and Private: If you’re after a snug, intimate vibe, blockout blinds help create a sense of enclosure that’s perfect for bedrooms or dens.

 

Your Lifestyle and Habits

Your day-to-day life plays a big role in determining the right blinds.

  • Early Risers vs. Night Owls: If you wake with the sun, sheer blinds can let the morning light gently filter in. If you prefer to sleep through it, blockout blinds are non-negotiable.
  • Frequent Hosts: Sheer blinds offer a welcoming, light-filled environment that’s perfect for entertaining guests.
  • Families with Kids: Young children often nap during the day, making blockout blinds essential for keeping rooms dark and quiet when needed.

 

Ready for the Perfect Blinds?

At the end of the day, the choice between blockout and sheer blinds boils down to how you live, how your home functions, and, perhaps most importantly, how you want your space to feel. Are you someone who thrives in total darkness and values privacy above all else? Or do you prefer to welcome natural light, soft and filtered, into your home?

Whatever your answer, there’s no need to overthink it. At Total Look Blinds, we offer a wide range of expertly crafted blockout, sheer, and dual blinds to suit every lifestyle, every room, and every aesthetic.

Top Quality Custom Blinds and Shutters

Total Look Blinds has the best and most experienced people in the industry with a combined experience of greater than 180 years within the industry. If we can’t help you nobody can. We offer free help and advice when you ask us to meet with you.
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What Our Customers Say

Excellent
4.8
Jackson Whitham
Outstanding service from everyone at Total Look Blinds. Jo was incredibly helpful in quoting a sun screen blind over the phone including looking up previous work done at home to match measurements, ordered over the phone and installed in less than 2 weeks - well ahead of schedule - high quality, friendly installer. Definitely recommend using this company!
Melissa Slater
Awesome consultation gave really good ideas and pointers. Quick to manufacture and install. End result is beautiful.
nicola taylor
Amazing company, amazing team and amazing service. Totally recommend Total Look Blinds.
Parvaneh Karimi Fishani
We had double roller blinds installed in our new house. The price was much more reasonable compared to other shops, and their service was reasonably fast. The staff were friendly and helpful!I can't say much about the quality of the material since the blinds haven't been installed for long, but we hope they will be as good as the service we received!
Vaughan Ludlam
Excellent product, pricing and service from Total Look Blinds – thanks David, Lauren, Carl & the rest of the team.
Grant McFlinn
From first contact with Sales Consultant Lauren to Jo in the office and installer Carl, the entire process was nothing short of exceptional. As for the blinds themselves, thanks to Lauren's invaluable input, they look amazing and are undoubtedly high quality. Thoroughly recommend and will most definitely use again.
Peter McLeod
I enquired about a blind repair. Response was quick and friendly and when I took the blind into the factory to get it fixed, it was done immediately, with a smile and finished within 10min. Very impressive and much appreciated
David Lim
Vertical and horizontal blinds completed on time. Reliable and great people to deal. Over the years, I have engaged the services of Total Look Blinds a few times and I have always been pleased with the results. I would do it again in the future with any hesitation. Highly recommended.
WYNN RIECHELMANN
Absolutely love our TotalBlinds shutters! They have transformed our bedroom. Service from measure up and quote was excellent and communication with the TotalBlinds team was a pleasure! They took half the time than was quoted by another supplier and although they were a bit cheaper, the shutters are very good quality. Plus they are NZ made! Highly recommend!
Nerissa Attewell
Excellent service, quick turnaround the whole team were informative and helpful! We love our blinds so much :)
hong he
Love the company and the products they provided and installed. We are very grateful for their wonderful support and help!
Paula Reason
Total Look Blinds are amazing ! Fantastic fast service , top quality product, friendly, and best of all , installed early !
James B
Lovely blinds with professional service.Sincere thanks to Laren for your helpful advice and Carl for excellent installation…..much appreciated
Peter Glass
Great service from quote to install. Deliver on their promises. Multiple repeat customer. Excellent team to deal with.
Lisa Fong
Could not be happier with my new shutters - big shout out to Total Look Blinds who did a fantastic job with the measure, manufacture and installation! All done in NZ so would highly recommend!
Lanice McMillan
Thank you for your awesome service and flexibility to get quotes on very short notice. Love the roller blinds
Sally Clegg
First class service, products and support from Total Look Blinds. We have asked these guys to come three times as we add more blinds to our home. They look so good and work brilliantly. Really pleased!
Lia Wongsohardjo
I love my roller blinds from Total Look Blinds, the products are great. They have excellent customer service, the sales, the admin and the installer are amazing. I have bought from them twice for my house in Oteha and now in Orewa where I moved recently. Terry is very expert, kind and helpful, he is a talented salesman.
Katie Duffy
Have used this service for my own home and a rental. Quick efficient professional service. Highly RecommendKerry Watt
Marley Brady
We had stunning shutters installed throughout the house. The staff were great and we love the final look! 5 stars
Bhavika n Divesh Kumar
We used Total Look Blinds in 2005 for our family home. After 19 years of wear and tear we needed some parts and couple of vertical blinds track needed fixing. Took a drive to Takanini and was greeted by the office lady Jo who was very helpful and was amazed when she pulled out our 19 years old invoice from their record. The team manage to fix the track within a day and got the parts i needed at a fair price. Highly recommend them if you want quality products and a fantastic after sales service. Great company to deal with 😊
Trudi Stevenson
Total Look blinds were an outstanding company to work with. They installed both shutters and blinds in our home at competitive prices and using high quality materials. Timing and installation were faultless. We are thrilled with the service and the result.
John Trotman
We had Total Look Blinds install blinds in our House they were very professional and efficient,from when Terry first measured and Quoted until the blinds were installed,would recommend them for all your blinds and curtains you may need,Thanks again for a great service.
Tracy-Ann Willcock
Thank you Jo and Roger at Total Look Blinds. Your service and after service and products are absolutely fantastic. From 3 years ago when Roger installed the Blinds to the fantastic after sale service today, absolutely brilliant. Jo and Roger are just such nice people. Thank you!
Vicki Landon
Cannot fault Caroline and the team from Total Look Blinds. Very professional and accommodating. Friendly people from the measuring, advice on product and installation. We have used them in several houses and will continue to do so. Highly recommend Total Look Blinds.
Antoinette Cooney
Happy to recommend the service and products provided by Total Look Blinds recently.Terry did the initial measuring with helpful suggestions. Roger the installer was great and a perfect tradesman to help us ‘oldies’ - no rushing through the job or explanations. Pleased with our vertical and roll up blinds👏
K R
TLB was recommended by a friend in Auckland who had used them twice. I had blinds installed at my new house in Raglan, excellent quality, service and communication. Highly recommended.
Mark Jeus Buenavista
Great company to deal with. Terry is very knowledgeable. Happy with the outcome of our kitchen windows with shutters. Next project would be shutters in our living room windows. Thanks Total Look Blinds team!
Tina Smith
Have used Total Look Blinds for a number of years and always outstanding service. Jo had my blind repair turned around in less than 3 hours. Highly recommend them.
Ant MacLean
Had an old vertical blind that was manufactured by them, that was broken. Excellent cheery and quick repair service and great value too.Support kiwi jobs stay local. If you buy something NZ made you can get spares.
Alisha Dodds
This is the second time we have used total look blinds and they are amazing! So simple to get a quote, easy ordering process and arrived much sooner than we thought! The installer was super lovely and I will be getting my blinds through this company again!
Jim Richardson
Total blinds were Totally Professional. Excellent service from measurements to advice given through to the final fitting and the blinds look great! The price was also very reasonable and far better than competitor's. I totally recommended Total Blinds. Thanks! Jim
Kambiz Radman
Could not be happier with my new sun screens and blinds, look awesome. The material seems nice and hopefully durable (I'll update you on that later)."Terry" is a positive Rep who speaks clearly. He measured well but didn't explain some installation details, which confused me afterward. However, "Carolyn" came to the site and explained everything very well. Roger is a professional installer who did a quick and clean job. Thanks "Jo" for admin updates and following up. 101% recommended.
Eve O-R
A five star company to deal with, accurate, quick, professional and reasonably priced. Definitely will return. Highly recommended!
Jayne Steele
Loving my new blinds, awesome service, great advice with colour selection , soooooo glad went for the motorised option, so simple and at the end of the day not really that much more for convenience, no cords and fun
Heidi Reid
Great service and wonderful blinds, thanksJo in the office was helpful and available Roger was superb with his installation and communication thanks
Leila El-yassir
I cannot recommend Total Look Blinds enough. From start to finish, their professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail were truly commendable. The quality of their blinds is exceptional.The customer service provided was second to none. Brent and David were knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to assist. They patiently answered all my questions and helped me make informed decisions that perfectly matched my style and requirements.They went above and beyond to ensure that I was completely happy with my blinds. Any concerns or issues I had were promptly addressed and resolved to my utmost satisfaction.I highly recommend Total Look Blinds to anyone in need of high-quality blinds and outstanding service. I am extremely pleased with my blinds and the overall experience. Five stars all the way!
Anwar Sadat
Excellent piece of work and commitment from the team to get the blinds delivered and installed on time.
Niall Robertson
Excellent service quality product from this company who consistently delivers a great personal experience to its customers.Comes highly recommended. Thank you Team!
Stephen Ball
Very happy with result, beautiful appearance. High quality, efficient and effective at a good price.
Gaye Heywood
Total -Look BlindsWould recommend them they are organised, friendly, great communication, quick installation. Nothing is a problem. Very happy with their service from start to finish.
Reema Prasad
Total blinds highly recommended good service excellent job very happy using them from 10yrs .
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