Venetian blinds are one of the most popular blinds on the market and consist of horizontal slats of either wood, aluminium or PVC that are raised or lowered by string running vertically through the slats. These slats can raise or lower in unison to let light in or block it out. The slats can also swivel up to 180 degrees to further control the light and privacy. By closing off the slats so they sit vertical, the light can mostly be blocked out. Opening the slats so they sit horizontal, will let the light in. The amount of light or privacy you experience will depend on how many degrees the slats have swivelled in either direction. The slats can be swivelled to be fully closed, completely open or anywhere in between. Tilt the blades down to block the sun but still see out. Tilt the blades up to let in light but give privacy from anything directly outside your window or door.

There are various speculations as to where Venetian blinds are thought to originate from - some say Southwest Asia and some even believe they originate all the way back to Ancient Egypt where horizontal slats were woven for sun protection out of reeds. However, their namesake came from Italy and growing international trade with Italy allowed for these blinds to be rebranded Venetian blinds and introduced to the world in the 18th century.

Interestingly, the American artist Edmund Charles Tarbell depicted the Venetian blind in this painting aptly named 'The Ventian Blind' in 1898.

There are many benefits to having Venetian blinds in your home, they are:

• Very durable window furnishings that stand the test of time

• Versatile and can be located in both wet and dry areas of your home and various different types of windows and decor

• Have a similar aesthetic appeal to Plantation Shutters but are more affordable

• Allow you to have a high level of control over your light and privacy

• Are easily installed and operated

• Are not made of fabric and therefore do not accumulate dust and dust mites

• Are easy to clean and maintain by wiping down each slat with a damp cloth

• Help insulate your room and save of energy bills

Ladder Tape

Ladder String

When choosing your Venetian blinds (excluding Aluminium Venetian blinds), you can opt to add a Common Fascia. A Fascia conceals the Venetian blinds front and top of the mounting hardware and the inner workings of the blind. A Common Fascia is a Fascia that runs across multiple blinds allowing for a more streamlined and coordinated look of multiple Venetian blinds located in one line on the same window. The maximum common fascia width is 3m. Some products may only go up to 2.7m. If this is the case, we will call and advise following receipt of your order.

Timber Venetian blinds, otherwise known as Wooden Venetian blinds provide a classic natural look to your blinds. They often come at a higher price point due to the quality Timber used such as premium and sustainably grown Cedar. Timber Venetians are popular in Australia due to the lightweight nature of Timber, ensuring easy lifting and tilting of the slats. They are also popular thanks to the innate insulating ability of Timber and its ability to withstand the harsh Australian climate. Blinds on the Net also offer custom stained and custom painted Timber Venetian blinds thanks to the blinds being locally manufactured and having access to paint colours available on the Australian market. Simply state the paint brand and name when customising your order and Blinds on the Net will be able to source and custom paint your Premium Cedar Venetian blinds to the exact colour you want. If you are looking to add Venetian blinds to your wet areas such as your bathroom, we recommend only using Premium Cedar . The other Timber options are probably not your best option. Condensation can pool on the slats and can cause them to warp over time. Aluminium or PVC blinds would be better suited to these environments.

Blinds on the Net offer 46mm, 50mm, 60mm and 63mm Timber Venetians blinds.

PVC Venetian blinds, otherwise known as Faux Wood Venetian blinds are a great alternative to Timber Venetian blinds. PVC Venetian blinds are durable and have a high heat deflection temperature making them perfect to withstand the heat in Australia’s warmer areas and during the hot Summer months. They have a similar aesthetic to Timber Venetian blinds but they are water resistant, making them better suited to wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries. They are also super durable and resistant to scratches, warping and cracking. In addition to this, PVC Faux Wood Venetians are sold at a lower pricepoint than their more expensive counterparts, Timber Venetians, thus making them more desirable for those on a tighter budget.

Blinds on the Net offer 50mm and 63mm PVC Faux Wood Venetian blinds.

Aluminium Venetian blinds are the most budget friendly style of Venetian for those looking for blinds at the lowest cost. They are incredibly versatile, durable and will also withstand the harsh Australian climate. As with PVC they work well in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries due to their ability to resist water. They are also commonly used in caravans, holiday cabins and offices. Available with 25mm blades, they are also perfect for people with narrow window reveals.

Blinds on the Net offer Aluminium Venetian blinds with slimline 25mm and 50mm blades.

Venetian blinds offer a classic design that has lasted in popularity through the decades. Most likely due to their versatility, durability and ability to suit many different decors. Their ability to give you control over both light and privacy also ensures they continue to be popular in Australia.

A room's perceived size can be impacted by the way in which plantation shutters are used or the design and style of the Shutters. The presence of Plantation Shutters in a room can make it look smaller to some people, while larger and more spacious to others.

Shutters with large, wide blades, for example, can make a room appear spacious and open by creating the illusion of height and width. As a result, more light enters the room, giving the impression of depth and space. Conversely, using shutters with small blades or heavy, bulky frames will tend to make a room look smaller and cluttered.

Venetian blinds offer good privacy with the ability to control light. If you tilt the slats up, you can get privacy from prying eyes while still letting the light in. If you tilt the blades down, you can get a good view outside and privacy, while blocking out the light or sun outside. If you add Woven Tape ladder, this will also increase your ability to gain total privacy by covering the routing holes.

Venetian blinds are very practical for both commercial and residential applications. They are durable, versatile and have good control over privacy and light. Depending on the material used, they can have practical applications in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries, as well as main living areas such as living rooms and kitchens etc. They can also be used in Caravans and on windows with narrow window reveals, making them incredibly practical for use across a whole home or commercial premises.