Everyone who has ever owned a set of venetian blinds has experienced how painful it is to keep them clean. Horizontal wood or plastic slats seem to be magnets for dust and provide tons of space for allergens to accumulate. Also, your tow rope is always getting tangled, which takes time and effort to straighten out again. But today’s venetian blinds have started to get better as blind manufacturers have embraced the change with new technologies that make blinds work better, look prettier and clean easier.

If you are thinking of installing blinds, you need to make sure you do it correctly. That is, hang the blinds correctly. If your blinds are not hung level then the pull cords will not work properly and then you will get tangled.

You shouldn’t use any of the old venetian blinds unless you’re doing it for a specific reason. A retro style can be one, or the fact that you just want it that way. If you’re opting for a retro look, you may want to think about using silver-painted or anodized aluminum slat blinds. These materials seem to collect less dust and will also complement your old school style.

Modern Venetian blinds come in a wide selection of colors and textures. Manufacturers can offer these options by varying the finishes applied to the blinds. So, if your decor calls for a textured neon purple slat blind, then you can get it. Or, if you want a bit of sparkle, you can even get a gold finished venetian blind.

Office blinds no longer have to be boring. Today’s blinds offer a wide selection of office-friendly colors, all of which are available to choose from. Earlier office decorators were overly utilitarian and chose a soft tan or white so as not to clash with office colors, but now office blinds can be had in many different colors from burgundy to olive green. And, if you want something a little stronger, you can even get a cherry red. Be different, get expressive blinds.

Blinds are the perfect way to liven up a room, especially if you’re on a budget. You can change the blinds, which will add a bit of zing. If you resist blinds because you think they’re old-fashioned, remember that blinds are easily adaptable and modular. Drape a curtain or drapes over the blinds and you’ve got a whole new look. Or, choose one of the brightest new colored blinds available.

Finally, for the creatively inclined, blinds can be a blank canvas. Paint a picture on your blinds, inside for you to appreciate, or outside for everyone to see. Show the world your talent!