The Top Features to Consider When Shopping for Motorised Blinds

Blinds might not cross your mind often, but if you’ve ever cursed at tangled cords or awkwardly stretched to block out the sun, you know how quickly they can become one of life’s little annoyances. But here’s the thing—the right blinds can be a total game-changer. From effortlessly controlling light to adding a sleek touch to your home, motorised blinds turn those small frustrations into smooth, simple solutions. With just a bit of thought and research, picking the perfect blinds can be a surprisingly satisfying experience.

Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you. Motorised blinds, (already the most hassle-free option), are about to get even easier to choose! We’re breaking down the top features to consider, so you can make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits without the headache.

 

Why Motorised Blinds Are Becoming Popular in New Zealand Homes

Motorised blinds are the tech-savvy solution that’s taking New Zealand homes by storm. But why are Kiwis jumping on this trend?

For starters, life is busy. No one wants to run around adjusting blinds in every room. With motorised blinds, you can open or close them from your phone or remote without leaving your comfy spot on the couch. It’s the simple pleasures that make a big difference in your day.

It’s not just about convenience, though. Let’s be honest—watching your blinds glide open or shut with zero effort is just plain cool. And in a world obsessed with sleek design and smart homes, motorised blinds fit right in. Whether you’re all about energy savings, improving privacy, or adding a touch of modern style, these blinds are an easy upgrade. Kiwis everywhere, from Auckland to Invercargill, are loving them, and it’s easy to see why.

 

Understanding How Motorised Blinds Work 

So, motorised blinds sound great, but how do they actually work? Don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as setting up a Wi-Fi router.

There are two main types of motorised blinds: battery-powered and hardwired. Battery-powered blinds are the simplest to install, which is great if you want to avoid drilling holes or hiring an electrician. You just pop in the batteries, and boom—your blinds are up and running. This is especially handy for renters or those who like to keep things easy and flexible.

On the other hand, if you’re a homeowner looking for something more permanent, wired motorised blinds might be the way to go. These connect directly to your home’s electrical system, which means you’ll never have to worry about swapping out batteries or charging them. Of course, you’ll need an electrician for the installation, but once they’re set, you’re all good for the long haul.

 

Top Three Features to Consider When Shopping for Motorised Blinds

 

1. Quiet Operation 

Let’s be honest: no one wants a noisy home. And while it might not be the first thing you think of when shopping for blinds, how quietly they operate can make a difference to your comfort. Imagine trying to enjoy a peaceful Sunday morning, but every time you open your blinds, you’re greeted with an irritating whirring noise. Annoying, right?

Luckily, modern motorised blinds have come a long way in terms of noise reduction. Most brands understand that customers don’t want a loud motor interrupting their morning coffee or disturbing their sleep. 

That said, not all motorised blinds are equally quiet. Cheaper models can still produce a noticeable hum, which might not be ideal if peace and quiet are a priority. It’s worth investing in high-quality blinds to ensure smooth and silent operation. At Total Look, we use Wire-Free Li-Ion Motors, known for their reliable, low-noise performance, ensuring that your blinds move seamlessly without disturbing your space.

 

2. Customisation Potential 

One of the biggest myths about motorised blinds is that you have to choose between convenience and style. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, motorised blinds come in a wide variety of fabrics, colours, and designs, so whether your home has a minimalist vibe or a bold, eclectic feel, there’s a perfect option to suit your style.

For example, if you’re looking for blackout blinds to keep the sun out and enjoy a few extra hours of sleep on the weekend, you’re in luck. There are plenty of blackout fabrics specifically designed for motorised blinds. Or maybe you prefer something a bit sheer for the living room, to let natural light in while still maintaining your privacy—no problem, there are options for that too.

However, it’s important to connect with potential suppliers and ask about their specific range. Just because motorised blinds can come in all sorts of fabrics and customisations, it doesn’t mean every provider offers every option. Setting clear expectations with your provider will help you avoid any disappointment and ensure you get exactly what you’re after.

 

3. Smart Home Integration 

For those who love the convenience of a fully automated home, motorised blinds that integrate with smart home systems are a great option. However, smart systems offer a lot of variety, so it's important to consider a few key features when shopping around.

Firstly, make sure your blinds can sync with popular platforms like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or even Siri. This integration will allow you to control your blinds with simple voice commands, or through an app on your smartphone, adding a whole new level of convenience.

At Total Look, we take it a step further with our Pulse Hub, which allows full customisation of your blinds. Using sunset and sunrise technology, you can program your blinds to rise or lower based on your local conditions. Plus, the Pulse Hub offers built-in Wi-Fi or the option of a LAN connection for stable, reliable control. This hub integrates effortlessly with Apple HomeKit, Siri, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, responding to your natural spoken commands—so no extra setup is required.

 

Your Motorised Blind Experts

Whether you’re looking for seamless integration with your smart home, quiet operation, or a custom design that fits your style, there’s a motorised blind option out there to suit your needs. By considering the right power source, ensuring quiet performance, and checking for smart home compatibility, you’ll make a choice that not only elevates your home but simplifies your daily life. With options like those from Total Look, upgrading to motorised blinds is easier than ever—why not add a touch of automation to your home today?

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
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!
nicola taylor
Amazing company, amazing team and amazing service. Totally recommend Total Look Blinds.
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.
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!
Melissa Slater
Awesome consultation gave really good ideas and pointers. Quick to manufacture and install. End result is beautiful.
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!
Heidi Reid
Great service and wonderful blinds, thanksJo in the office was helpful and available Roger was superb with his installation and communication thanks
Lanice McMillan
Thank you for your awesome service and flexibility to get quotes on very short notice. Love the roller blinds
James B
Lovely blinds with professional service.Sincere thanks to Laren for your helpful advice and Carl for excellent installation…..much appreciated
Paula Reason
Total Look Blinds are amazing ! Fantastic fast service , top quality product, friendly, and best of all , installed early !
Nerissa Attewell
Excellent service, quick turnaround the whole team were informative and helpful! We love our blinds so much :)
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!
Diane Andrew
Recommend this company highly. Efficient and quality service. Very happy with my blinds. Very reasonably priced
Emily Anderson
Love my new shutters - they have transformed our guest room and bathrooms! From the sales visit to the installation, so easy to work with the great people of Total Look Blinds! Love that they are made here in NZ too! Thanks!
Alisha McDougall
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
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 😊
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!
Anwar Sadat
Excellent piece of work and commitment from the team to get the blinds delivered and installed on time.
Marley Brady
We had stunning shutters installed throughout the house. The staff were great and we love the final look! 5 stars
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.
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!
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👏
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.
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.
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.
Katie Duffy
Have used this service for my own home and a rental. Quick efficient professional service. Highly RecommendKerry Watt
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.
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.
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!
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!
Stephen Ball
Very happy with result, beautiful appearance. High quality, efficient and effective at a good price.
hong he
Love the company and the products they provided and installed. We are very grateful for their wonderful support and help!
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.
Vaughan Ludlam
Excellent product, pricing and service from Total Look Blinds – thanks David, Lauren, Carl & the rest of the team.
Eve O-R
A five star company to deal with, accurate, quick, professional and reasonably priced. Definitely will return. Highly recommended!
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.
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
Peter Glass
Great service from quote to install. Deliver on their promises. Multiple repeat customer. Excellent team to deal with.
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.
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!
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