How should I fit my blinds: inside or outside the window recess?
It can be particularly difficult to decide whether to fit your blinds inside or outside the recess, especially when you’re replacing a curtain with a brand new blind. What can make it easier is a straightforward guide that weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of both ways of fitting a blind. Whichever you choose, chances are you will be thrilled by your new blind and the benefits it has to offer inside or outside of the recess. To help make the decision, here are our thoughts on the subject that are informed by decades of experience fitting every style of blind.
What is a Window Recess?
A window recess is usually described by specialists as the space between the inside wall and the window glass. Blinds can be hung both inside the window recess and outside the window recess.
Outside the Window Recess
A recess is created when a window is not flush with a wall. This is the most common configuration for a window and creates what is known as the ‘sill’. The sill is rarely large enough to be a usable space, and can only hold small items such as ornaments and photo frames.
Therefore, fitting a blind outside the recess is not a problem and will come with its own advantages. The size of blind will need to be wider than the window in order to block out a sufficient amount of light, which means that a standard size blind can be bought and fitted without going to the additional trouble of cutting the blind so that it is smaller. Though roller blinds are easy to cut to size, Venetian blinds and Roman blinds (as well as many other styles) require a professional hand to ensure the blind is cut to size correctly.
By mounting blinds high above the recess, light is also maximised when compared to blinds hung inside the recess. Most light that is obstructed by a raised blind is blocked at the top of the window. For rooms that lack natural light, mounting high up and outside of the recess really will illuminate your space as much as possible.
Roman Blinds are suitable for outside the window recess fitting.
| Pros: outside the recess | Cons: outside the recess |
| When retracted more light enters the room | Objects on windowsill are hidden when blinds closed |
| When closed the blackout is more effective | Fitting requires installation of a blinds baton above the window |
| Items can live on the windowsill | |
| Colours on fabric blinds will not fade as quickly |
Inside the Window Recess
If you leave your blinds down most of the time, then fitting inside the recess can be the smarter choice. For many people, Venetian blinds and similar styles simply look better when cut to fit the recess of the window, and because Venetian blinds offer fantastic light control and privacy, raising the blinds is less of a necessity. Alter the angle of the slats and have perfectly bright light in the room whether the blinds are up or down.
Furthermore, a blind fitted within a recess often has the added benefit of leaving the sill clear at all times. If you are going to be leaving your blind down for a majority of the time, then fitting in the recess will give you a more spacious feel by leaving the sill clear, or provide more space by allowing the sill to be a focal point for ornaments or photo frames.
Vertical Blinds, Venetian Blinds and Roller Blinds are best suited to be fitted inside the recess.
| Pros: inside the recess | Cons: inside the recess |
| A neater look and finish | Less light enters the room when blinds are open |
| Blinds are a close fit to the window and can be fitted to the window frame | If the blinds have a shaped bottom, this will allow light to escape the blinds into the room |
| Window sill objects remain on show even when blinds are closed |
Humberside Sunblinds supply and install all types of blinds with a made to measure service that is sure to transform your home with the benefits of bespoke window dressing. Our stock of blinds are all from leading manufacturers and are custom finished by our in house team of professionals with over 34 years of experience. For awnings and canopies, blinds, flyscreens and every kind of window dressing, contact our team today. We are the number one choice for blinds in Grimsby, Lincoln, Scunthorpe and wider Lincolnshire areas.