If you want to add a touch of sophistication to your home, vertical blinds will do the trick. Vertical blinds consist of a series of vertical slats, or 'vanes', which may be made from various materials. The angle of the vanes can be adjusted to control the amount of light entering the room, and the blinds can also be drawn back completely. Since they can be precisely positioned they can help to prevent sun damage to your carpets and furnishings. Vertical blinds can be used alone, or combined with curtains for an attractive look and greater light reduction.

Their stylish appearance makes them popular in living rooms, and they are also very effective at combating glare from televisions and computer monitors. They are a great choice for bedrooms too; dark-colored vanes will block out light quite well, or you could combine paler vertical blinds with curtains.

They can also be a good option for smaller rooms. They are normally available with vanes of two widths, so you could opt for the smaller size if space is limited. If your windows are non-standard sizes, they can easily be adjusted if necessary. Vinyl blinds are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and conservatories as this type of material is easy to wipe clean and can be safely exposed to moisture.

Conservatories are one of the most common locations for this type of blind. As well as looking appealing and providing lots of privacy, they reduce bright sunshine while still allowing in plenty of light. Blinds can easily cover very wide windows, they're an excellent choice for use with patio doors too.

Vertical blinds are also very popular in offices, and if you have a home office or study, a vertical blind will help you to create a professional feel, while at the same time eliminating glare from your monitor screen.