Buying blinds isn’t exactly complicated, but it’s also not something most people do regularly. That’s often where the trouble starts. It’s easy to underestimate the details, assume one size fits all, or focus on appearance without thinking about how a blind will actually perform in a real home.
We’ve worked with plenty of customers who’ve been through it before: blinds that didn’t fit quite right, styles that didn’t suit the room, or materials that wore out far faster than expected. In most cases, the frustration could have been avoided with a bit of planning and the right questions at the start.
This blog isn’t here to scare you off. It’s here to help you avoid the common mistakes that lead to second-guessing, reordering, or living with blinds that don’t really do the job. Whether you’re fitting out one window or the whole house, here’s what’s worth thinking about before you buy.
It’s a common assumption: order blackout blinds and your room will be completely dark. In reality, the fabric may block light, but if the blinds are mounted with gaps at the sides, and most are, especially with inside-recess fits, light will still creep in.
This is particularly frustrating in bedrooms, nurseries, or shift-worker sleep spaces where controlling light is a top priority. A properly installed face-fitted blind can help reduce edge gaps, and some products can be paired with side channels to block even more light. Layering options, like combining a sheer and a blockout roller on a double bracket, also gives you greater control across the day.
The main takeaway here is that light control isn’t just about fabric type. Fit, installation style, and surrounding light sources all play a role. Think about how you want the room to function (and when) before choosing the style.
A few millimetres might not seem like much, until your blinds arrive and they’re either too short, too wide, or sitting awkwardly in the frame. Measurement errors are easily the most common mistake people make when ordering blinds, and they’re usually the first thing they regret.
Most windows aren’t perfectly square, which means you can’t just measure the width once and assume the rest will follow. You need to measure in three places (top, middle, bottom for the width; left, middle, right for the drop) and use the smallest measurement. It’s also important to decide whether you want your blinds sitting inside the window recess or mounted on the face of the wall, because the approach changes how you measure.
It’s tempting to rush through this part, but small errors here can’t be fixed once the blinds are made. And while we always recommend professional measuring, which we offer for free, we also provide clear guidance if you’d rather do it yourself. Either way, getting this step right makes everything else easier.
It’s easy to fall for the look of a blind. Clean lines, beautiful texture, the perfect neutral tone. But if it doesn’t meet the demands of the space, the style quickly stops being worth it.
Different materials perform differently in different environments. For example, fabric roller blinds can soften a bedroom beautifully, but they’re not ideal for moisture-heavy areas like kitchens or bathrooms. In those cases, PVC or aluminium tends to hold up better. Likewise, if your room gets full sun most of the day, it’s worth choosing a fabric that’s UV-resistant and won’t fade or degrade over time.
You don’t have to choose between form and function, but one without the other rarely works out long-term. We always recommend starting with what the blind needs to do, then narrowing down your material and colour choices from there. That way, you get something that looks good and holds up to everyday use.
Price always plays a role in decision-making, especially when you're fitting out an entire home or juggling a renovation budget. But one of the most common regrets we hear about is going for the lowest-cost option without considering long-term durability. Cheap blinds can look fine at first, but they often start to show their true quality within months.
Materials can warp, discolour, or sag. Components like chains, brackets, or spring mechanisms might become stiff or break altogether. In some cases, replacements aren’t even available, meaning the whole blind has to be removed and replaced, which usually costs more than doing it properly the first time. And if the sizing was off or the fit was average to begin with, it’s unlikely you’ll want the same thing again.
We’re not against keeping things affordable. In fact, we offer a wide range of options to suit different budgets. But there’s a big difference between cost-effective and just plain cheap. If blinds are something you’ll use every day (which they usually are), it’s worth choosing materials and fittings that are made to last.
The blinds you choose have a big impact; not just on how your rooms look, but how they function, how comfortable they feel, and how well they hold up over time. Most of the regrets we see aren’t the result of bad taste or rushed decisions. They come from small oversights, missing details, or not having the right information at the start.
That’s exactly why we do what we do. At Total Look Blinds, we help you get it right the first time, with expert advice, made-to-measure products, and a free in-home consultation that takes the guesswork out of the process. We’ll talk through what matters to you, what each room needs, and what will actually work in the long run.
Ready to choose blinds you’ll be happy with for years to come?
Get in touch with our Auckland team today and let us help you turn “hope these are right” into “these were the perfect choice”.
