If you have spent the last few years working from home, you know exactly how annoying that midday glare can be. There is nothing quite like being in the middle of an important video call only to have the sun hit your monitor so hard that you cannot see your own notes.
Screen glare is more than just a nuisance. It causes eye strain and headaches, making you far less productive. The trick to a good home office is not blocking out the sun entirely because working in a cave is miserable but controlling the light so it works with you, not against you.
When it comes to fine-tuning light, PVC Venetian Blinds are a highly practical option for a workspace. Because the slats are easy to adjust, you can tilt them just a few degrees to bounce the sun off the ceiling while keeping the room bright.
Unlike some fabric blinds that let a diffused glow through, these horizontal slats can stop direct beams of light dead. This is vital if your desk faces the window directly. By angling the slats, you can keep your view of the garden without the sun bouncing off your laptop screen.
If you want a softer, more professional look for your office, Basswood and Cedar Venetian Blinds are excellent. The natural hardwood slats provide a very effective barrier against the harsh Australian sun.
Timber has a natural way of absorbing light rather than reflecting it. While a white plastic blind might still feel a bit bright when the sun hits it, natural cedar or stained basswood keeps the room feeling calm and easy on the eyes. These are great if you spend eight hours a day staring at spreadsheets and need to keep the ambient light levels steady.
If you prefer a clean, modern look, Roller Blinds are a popular alternative. These allow you to effortlessly adjust the level of light and privacy in your room.
For a home office, choosing a fabric with the right opacity is key. A blockout roller blind will completely stop the sun, which is perfect if you have a window directly behind your desk. When you need a break or some natural light, you can just roll them up and out of the way entirely.
For home offices set up in larger rooms or those with sliding glass doors, Vertical Blinds provide a practical solution. They are excellent for controlling light and maintaining privacy while adding a touch of sophistication to your workspace.
The benefit of verticals is that you can tilt the long slats to track the sun as it moves horizontally across the sky. This is especially helpful in the late afternoon when the sun gets lower and starts to creep under horizontal blinds.
The best window covering for you often depends on where your screen sits in relation to the window.
For most Australian home offices, we usually recommend a venetian style. The ability to tilt the slats as the sun moves is a game changer. You can start the morning with the blinds wide open and slowly tilt them as the afternoon sun gets lower.
If you are looking to fit out your workspace, check out our full range of blinds to see what will work best. We have been helping locals find the right fit for twenty years, and we know exactly which products handle the glare best.