The most common type are known as slat or Persian blinds. These consist of multiple horizontal slats, usually made from vinyl or metal, attached together with a string so they can rotate to allow light to pass through, usually the slats can rotate up to around 170 degrees to either entirely show the light, or entirely hide it. Persian blinds are very good for controlling how much exterior or natural light enters a room.

Venetian patio door blinds are made from horizontal slats. These blinds use basic materials like plastic or metal. Wood can also be used but the style is usually referred as wood or bamboo blinds. They are suspended by cords or strips of cloth which allow the slats to rotate almost 180 degrees. They can be rotate so that they overlap with one side facing outward and then in the opposite directions so they face inward. These extreme angles allow light to be completely blocked or completely shown. Venetian blinds used in the 1700’s in England, but the French were thought to have used them long before then. In the 19 and 20th centuries, they became popular to regulate air and light in office buildings.

Cellular blinds, or Honeycomb blinds get their name from their unique shape of having multiple cells glued together. When viewing from a side angle, it distinctly resembles a honeycomb. These blinds are very energy efficient and get their efficiency from small pockets of air created by the cells. Cellular blinds can come in two main types, these are room darkening fabrics and light filtering fabrics. Honeycomb blinds can come in several configurations, top down only, standard corded, and continuous cord loop. They are often referred to as a softer alternative to wooden blinds.

Choosing the right patio door window treatment is important from both a decorating and energy efficiency perspective.

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Interior designers rarely work with matching sets because they know that they need to be a bit more creative to set their designs apart. When thinking about a window, they will often start with a very simple backdrop such as a plain roller blind or a roman shade and then add layers such as dress curtains and/or valances.

The best window treatments will incorporate several toning or contrasting fabrics, some plain, some patterned to add a lot of interest unless the windows themselves are interesting enough to stand unadorned.

If you want to create something similar to the designer look, you can avoid making things complicated for yourself by choosing a plain blind in a color you love and a soft fabric with lots of draping qualities, which contains the color of the blind, for your valance. Choose the fabric based on the style of the room – perhaps stripes or plaid for a smart town house living room or a filmy sheer fabric for a soft bedroom look.

Choose a drapery rod or pole which is in keeping with the style of the room and fix it to the wall slightly above the top of the window. Then drape your valance fabric over the pole in soft folds letting it hang down to one side. You will have to experiment a bit to get a look you like but once you do, make sure it stays there with a couple of stitches or pins in strategic places.

In this way you will have a designer look valance window treatment without having to pay designer prices and your valance will stand apart from the crowd.

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