Why Paper Blinds Make Great Temporary Blinds

Paper blinds have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. There are a number of reasons for this. Not only are they cheap, but they are also easy to install, and can work very well as a temporary covering for any window.

But although the paper temporary paper blinds that you can now buy online from manufacturers like Redi are a fairly new innovation, the history of paper blinds goes back over 1000 years.

Japanese Shoji Blinds

The Japanese were one of the first to discover the beauty and efficiency of paper blinds. Around the eighth century, Shoji screens and blinds were starting to be used around the Japanese home. Made of rice paper in a wooden frame, these Shoji screens were used to separate different areas of the house. This was necessary because Japanese homes at that time rarely had internal walls. So with their simple design, the Shoji blinds could be folded and moved around, enabling them to be used as temporary window blinds as well as room partitions.

Chinese Rice Paper Blinds

The Chinese have also used rice paper blinds through the ages. Whereas the Japanese generally kept their designs fairly simple and understated, the typical Chinese rice paper blind would be much more colourful. Even now, if you were to take a trip to your nearest ChinaTown, you would see many blinds on sale with all kinds of striking designs, patterns and motifs. Although some of these blinds are factory produced, if you are looking for a hand painted paper blind, you will probably find a good selection amongst the various blinds on offer.

As a temporary solution for covering a window, or for putting in place a partition to section off a room, these paper window blinds cannot be beaten if you want something stylish and a little bit different.

Modern Paper Window Blinds

For something a little less ornate, there are now many manufacturers who produce paper window blinds that can be cut down to size and installed in a matter of minutes. These companies make blinds that are cheap (less than $10 per blind), very easy to fit, and offer a good short term solution while you’re waiting for your new curtains to arrive for example.  I have used a set in my den, where they look especially good on the window behind my leather corner settee and armchair.

Redi Shade produces a wide range of temporary blinds in both a traditional pleated design and a cellular design that is more energy efficient. They offer simple white blinds, translucent blinds with a touch of colour and black blinds which can blackout most of the light coming in through a window (great for baby and toddler rooms, for example).

In conclusion, whether you are looking for a simple covering for your window (such as the Redi shade), a tasteful partition for a section of room (such as a Japanese Shoji screen) or a more decorative feature (such as a Chinese hand painted rice paper blind), paper blinds make great temporary blinds and screens, not just in the home but also in the office. And if you’re a student on a tight budget, they can really spruce up your accommodation!