For 2012, emerging blind trends must still obey the window treatment laws of practicality, functionality and privacy. Not a lot to get excited about, I hear you say? Well this year there is a lot more going for blinds, which is great if you are considering a refresh. Together with a lick of paint, blinds are a relatively affordable way of giving your home a real makeover. What is out there in the blinds world to tickle your fancy this year?

Panel Glides

Think vertical blinds and the beige vinyl version found in practically every office of a certain vintage. Fast forward to 2012 and these have been given a serious makeover for the home. Panel glides are a stylish evolution of the vertical blind, sporting wide panels and a wide range of fabrics to choose from. Panel glides are also great for large window or door spaces and can even be used as a room divider.

Colour

While greys and neutrals are great colours for blending in with all manner of interior themes, they are not exactly bursting with personality and life. A sure fire way of cheering up a room (or a home) is to inject some serious colour. Previously your choice of roller or Roman blind treatments would have been limited to a handful of hues. Thankfully this has all changed with bold tones, updated floral, abstract patterns and contemporary inspired classics all on the menu. So why not be bold and order some samples in?

Go Eco

Manufacturers are increasingly looking to green our homes, and blinds are no exception. Here look for products with materials that are recyclable or have green certification. Blinds are an integral part of your homes energy efficiency performance, given that they are typically tasked with serving as a barrier for large expanses of glazing. Here contemporary fabrics can offer light control, shading, heat control and UV blocking – all great weapons in the fight.

Outdoor Blinds

Blinds need not only be confined to the home, hi-tech durable materials now mean they can be specified outdoors. Here you need to be looking for top grade PVC, marine grade components or materials treated for exposure to those nasty UV rays. Also look out for outdoor blinds with a track guided system – much like a sliding door -  that ensures reliable and secure functioning.  Coupled to the product specs ensure that your blind installer is well versed in fitting these to withstand the elements – especially high winds.