Paper Blinds for Windows

Temporary paper blinds for windows are an increasingly popular home decoration option, especially among those people who choose to rent their accommodation. Made of a simple, pleated sheet of paper, they cost almost nothing, and they can be quickly and easily set up to cover any window. Although temporary, they usually look good enough to pass for ‘real’ blinds, and they’re durable to last for years if looked after carefully.

History of Paper Blinds

Paper blinds are actually not a recent phenomenon. They have been used for many centuries, especially in Asia.

Japanese paper blinds (also called Japanese Shoji Blinds) were first introduced in the 8th century. However, instead of being used to screen windows, they were used to divide different sections, or rooms, in Japanese houses. Usually made of rice paper attached to wooden frames, their simple and elegant design meant that they could be moved around the house to change its layout as necessary.

Paper blinds were also popular in China. Chinese paper blinds were also usually made from rice paper, and tended to be put to the same uses as in Japan. Chinese blinds can be differentiated though by their greater use of designs and colours on the paper itself, whereas Japanese blinds tend more towards the plain, minimalist look.

The introduction of paper blinds to the UK and USA is a relatively recent development, however. Modern western usage is also much different, focused on using paper blinds for windows, rather than for walls.

How do I install paper blinds?

Paper blinds are very easy to install. They usually come in kit form, but putting them up requires almost zero DIY skills.

Basically, all you have to do is take your temporary paper window blinds out of the box, cut them to fit the size of your window using scissors, peel the backing from the adhesive tape, and stick them to the wall just above your window. That’s it!

Once installed, temporary paper blinds are easy to use as well. Most of these binds are pleated blinds, they look a bit like an accordion. They come with a small plastic clip, and you simply fold the blinds to the height you want, and attach the clip to hold them in place.

Where can I buy paper window blinds?

If you are in the United Kingdom, there are a couple of major companies that sell temporary window blinds. Most well known are Blinds in a Box, who once appeared on the TV show Dragons Den. Another good choice are Redi Shade, an American company who recently entered the UK market and sell many types of temporary blinds for windows.

If you’re looking for more traditional paper blinds to use as room dividers or screens, you could also contact a company like Shoji Blinds.