What are Venetian Blinds?

Abigail Sawyer | 05 Sep 2012 | Blinds

Venetian Blinds are a tried and true window covering option that’s been around for centuries (Really! Find out more about their history)

Even though many more varieties of modern blinds have come onto the market since then, let’s see why Venetian blinds are still a classic design choice for your home.

Venetian-Blinds

Photo: Levolor 2′ Premium Wood Blinds

Venetian blinds have 2″ horizontal slats made of aluminum, wood or plastic, one on top of another. In the United States, blinds with wooden slats are often listed as wood blinds, not Venetian. The slats are suspended by wide cloth tapes or cords which allow them to rotate in unison nearly 180 degrees.

Photo: Blinds.com 2″ Aluminum Blinds

Slats can be rotated so that the inner edge faces upward or downward. Between the two extremes, slats can be rotated to varying degrees of separation to allow light to enter the room. Venetian blinds can be produced with a tilt cord or wand to adjust the angle of the slats.

Wood blinds are typically selected with a lift cord and tit cord to give the treatment a more balanced look.

Blinds Lift Cord Tilt Cord

Lift cords are threaded through slots in each slat. When pulled, the lift cord moves the bottom of the blind upward causing the slats to press into one another as the blind is raised.

Today Venetian blinds are available with a variety of lift options including cordless, where you lower and raise the bottom rail by hand, and motorized, where a remote control operates on a radio frequency to adjust the blinds.

cordless blinds

Photo: 2″ Faux Wood Blinds

Ventian blinds have become a classic window treatment option because of their popularity from the 1930’s-1950’s. In their heyday they were produced with wide cloth tapes. This option can give your room a nostalgic look and additionally prevents unwanted light from entering the room through holes in the slats. However, wide cloth tapes can be harder to clean than cords, and can obstruct more of the view through the slats when blinds are tilted open.

blinds cloth tapes

Photo: 2″ Economy Faux Wood Blinds with Cloth Tapes in Night via customer @grey.loves.grey.

Why are Venetian Blinds perfect for your home?

Venetian Blinds are a timeless and durable product that will serve your home for many years to come. Blinds.com offers Aluminum Venetian BlindsFaux Wood Venetian Blinds, and Wood Venetian Blinds all for a great price.

If you already have Venetian Blinds you love, or have a window in mind that would be perfect with them, send us a picture on Facebook! We always appreciate a little window love.

  • About Author

    Abigail Sawyer is the Manager of Social Media Marketing for Blinds.com. She's a home improvement junkie who is currently restoring a 1972 cottage with the help of her husband and goldendoodle, Biscuit. Walking in the footsteps of Martha Stewart, she’s happiest when she’s crafting or whipping up a new recipe; although nothing beats curling up with a good book and some Girl Scout Cookies. Follow her on twitter + instagram at @whatabigailsaw