While it’s great to be able to look out of your caravan window and enjoy the view, there are going to be times that you want a little more privacy. Not all caravans come with blinds and if they do, they’re probably going to be a basic design that many people choose to change.
But if you’ve recently been shopping for caravan blinds then you’ll have noticed that there’s a vast choice. This can leave you feeling as though you’re never going to find the right ones. But don’t worry, we’ve put together this guide to show you exactly what to look for.
We’ve also curated a list of the very best caravan blinds helping you to narrow down your choices and make selecting the right blinds so much simpler.
Do I Really Need Caravan Blinds?
You’ve already spent a small fortune buying your caravan and there’s probably a whole host of other things you have had to buy. So, for smaller items, like caravan blinds, you might be wondering if they’re really worth the investment. Let us tell you that they really are worth buying. Not just for aesthetic reasons but because of how practical they are.
Of course, they are a great way of allowing you to add a bit of personal flair to your caravan. There’s an astonishing number of styles, colours and patterns to choose from so you really can put your own stamp on your accommodation. But just consider these other reasons to buy caravan blinds.
Privacy is instantly improved and blinds often do a much better job than curtains which can sometimes gap. If you’re staying on a site where there are other caravans close-by, you’ll want to ensure the utmost privacy and blinds can help you to achieve that.
It’s great to let some natural light into your caravan but you don’t want the sun blaring in at all hours of the day. For example, if you want a lazy morning in bed, having blinds will let you control the light so you aren’t disturbed as soon as the sun comes up.
If you’re camping in cooler weather, you want to make sure that inside the caravan is as cosy as possible. By leaving the windows exposed, heat is much more easily able to escape. By adding some blinds, you can limit heat loss and stay toasty even when the mercury is dropping outside.
When you’re not in your caravan, leaving items on display can encourage thieves to break in. And believe us, it does happen on caravan sites. With the addition of blinds, you can prevent people from looking in and spotting something that takes their fancy, reducing the risk of falling victim to an opportunist thief.
Caravan Blinds - Our Top Picks
No matter what you’re looking for, our list of the best caravan blinds will point you in the right direction. We know that everyone has different needs so we have included a range of different types of blinds so there’s something for everyone. But one thing you can guarantee that they all have in common is the quality and performance!
OUR TOP PICK
Affordable, easy to install, excellent light control and so much more makes these blinds from AmazonBasics a brilliant choice for caravan owners. They come in a fantastic range of sizes so it doesn’t matter how big or small your caravan windows are, you’ll find something that fits.
But what’s really great about them is the toolless installation. There’s no need to drill as the blinds are fitted with clips so you can put them up in minutes and then get on with your day. A lot of blinds require some pretty fiddly installation and while we have tried to avoid listing those here, these blinds are definitely one of the most user friendly to fit.
We would recommend these for a living space in the caravan as they’re great for letting in just the right amount of light and with dual layers, you can adjust this to your liking. However, they are a light colour so they might not be ideal for use in a bedroom. They are UV protected so they’re not going to fade.
Pros | Cons |
Easy to install | Not suitable for blacking out bedrooms |
Adjustable | |
Good aesthetic | |
Fabric won’t fade | |
Choice of sizes |
EDITORS CHOICE
If you’re looking to let your inner interior designer out when choosing caravan blinds then you’ll love these wood grain effect blinds. They’re actually made from PVC so they’re lightweight and easier to care for than real wood but have that beautiful aesthetic that is pretty convincing.
The Rutland Blinds are made to measure and come in a very good selection of sizes. There’s also plenty of other colours to choose from if you aren’t keen on this particular one. Installation is super simple and you don’t even need a drill! However, there have been some reports that these aren’t the most durable choice. If you’re happy to install them and leave them then they would be OK but if you’ll constantly be adjusting your blinds then we would suggest going for something a little sturdier such as the Furnished PVC blinds that we will look at later in this guide.
What’s really great about these is that when you order them, you can adjust both the length and width so you can get a perfect fit for your caravan. If you’re looking to block out light, you’ll have no problems especially since the overlapping slats are incredibly effective.
Pros | Cons |
Made to measure | Not as durable as some other blinds |
Adjustable | |
Blinds look great | |
Easy to install | |
Choice of colours |
BEST VALUE
If you’re looking to block out light in the sleeping quarters of your caravan then you need a good quality blackout blind. AmazonBasics is a brilliant brand that gives the perfect balance between quality and cost. If you’re not looking to spend a fortune then this product will suit you down to the ground.
But the way that these blinds block out light will allow for an undisturbed sleep. However, there is a slight problem in that the blinds do let in light from the edges owing to the fact that the measurements appear to be out a little. The material itself does exactly what it says on the tin but that minute mismeasurement does let it down slightly.
That said, these are great blinds if you want something that’s quick to install. There’s no need for screws because the blinds just clip into place. It can be a little fiddly but once they’re installed, they remain very secure.
The blinds are UV protected and lock in warmth so they’re great for use in the winter. What’s more, they come in a good range of sizes making them ideal for many different caravans.
Pros | Cons |
No drilling needed | Measurements are off |
Dense material | Fiddly to install |
Range of sizes | |
Affordable | |
Great for keeping in heat |
BEST FOR ADJUSTING
Finding caravan blinds that perfectly fit your windows can be a hassle. So having blinds that can be trimmed and adjusted makes life so much easier. These ones are not only super easy to trim down to size but are also mega affordable at under a tenner for the smallest size. Even when you go larger, you still won’t be paying over the odds.
These are venetian blinds so are ideal if you want better control over the light as the slats can be adjusted giving you almost full brightness, total darkness and everything in between. What’s more, they come in a range of colours which can also go a long way in determining how much light they block out.
What we really love about these blinds is how high quality and robust they are. They’re made from PVC which is lightweight yet durable so you won’t need to worry about them breaking after a few weeks of use. The only real problem with this design is that while the slats being made from PVC is great, the supporting part at the top would be better made from something stronger.
Plus, fitting the blinds is super easy, even if you don’t have the best DIY skills and they’re child friendly.
Pros | Cons |
Choice of colours | Support is not as strong as it could be |
Very easy to install | |
Durable | |
Great value for money | |
Adjustable and trimmable |
BEST FOR OCCASIONAL USE
Maybe you’re staying in a friend's caravan without blinds, or perhaps you don’t want to permanently install blinds in your own van. Whatever the reason for needing temporary blinds, these won’t let you down.
One of the main attractions of the Ready Steady Gro blinds is how easy they are to use. They attach using velcro and can be cut to size very easily. This allows you to get a perfect fit to your caravan windows and the blackout material is incredibly effective so they work well in a bedroom.
You might think that velcro wouldn’t allow you to hang the blinds as neatly, ruining the look of the caravan. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. When hung correctly and cut properly, these blinds look just as good as a permanent fixture but without any of the hard work. The downside is that they cannot be adjusted; it’s either full sun or nothing at all.
Pros | Cons |
Can be cut to size | Not adjustable |
Easy to install | |
Great for temporary use | |
Very good at blocking out light | |
Comes with a travel bag |
How To Choose The Best Caravan Blinds
You could be forgiven for thinking that choosing caravan blinds is easy, right? After all, they’re just blinds, there can’t be that much difference between them, can there?
Well, no. At the end of the day, they’re all designed to do the same thing; block out light, improve privacy and several other things. But there are some intricate details between blinds that set some apart from others. If you’re going to get the very best, you’ll need to consider the following points.
Materials
One of the most important things to think about is the thickness of the material. Naturally, a more high quality, thicker material is going to perform better. It’ll give additional protection and better block out light as well as improving privacy to a much higher degree.
Fit
There’s very little point in buying a blind that doesn’t fit your caravan windows properly. Caravan blinds come in all shapes and sizes so before you hit ‘buy now’, you’ll need to make sure that you have taken accurate measurements.
Normally, you can get away with having a blind that is slightly too long as you can adjust the length. But it’s very important to ensure the correct width. Too small and you may as well not have a blind in place at all.
Controlling Privacy and Light
One of the things that people buy caravan blinds for is to block out light. But depending on your needs you may just wish to block a little or you might want it totally dark in there. If you’re looking for the latter, perhaps as a blind for night time then you should go for darker colours and thicker materials.
However, if you still want a good amount of brightness and a light and airy feel inside the caravan then lighter blinds are the way to go. It can also help to get tilted or adjustable blinds that can be opened and closed allowing you to better control the light and privacy levels.
UV Protection
Keeping light out is one thing but you might also want to ensure that your blinds are able to withstand the UV rays from the sun. We are all familiar with the damage that they can do to us and our skin but did you know that they can also cause damage to material?
One of the first things you will notice if your blinds are UV damaged is that the colour will fade. However, there are blinds that are treated so that they can resist UV damage and won’t wear as quickly over time.
Moreover, you want to make sure that the blinds are able to filter UV rays so they don’t get inside your caravan. You can still get sun damage through a window so having blinds that can prevent this is an excellent idea. Typically speaking, a darker colour will perform better in this area.
Ease Of Use
If you have young children staying in your caravan then you will need to first make sure that the blinds are safe for them. Those without cords are incredibly safe as the risk of strangulation is removed. For older children who may operate the blinds, and for us adults who want something less complicated, simple controls are best.
Moreover, you’ll want to make sure that the blinds are easy to maintain. Since they will be sitting in your caravan without any kind of cover, they will get a build up of dust if they aren’t kept clean. Remember that lighter coloured blinds will show up stains and dirt more easily so choose materials that can be wiped down.
Cost
You don’t need to spend a fortune on caravan blinds but you also need to make sure that whatever you choose is going to be good quality. So finding the balance is important. It’s also worth remembering that, if you have a larger caravan with more windows, you’re going to need to spend more to cover them all.
The good news is that if you’re shopping on a tight budget, there are plenty of excellent cost effective options that still offer everything you would expect.
Conclusion
Choosing the right caravan blinds can feel like a trying task due to the number of options. You have a wide choice of materials, styles, colours, sizes and much more. However, with these simple tips on how to choose the best caravan blinds and our selection of top products, you’ll find choosing your new caravan blinds just got a lot easier.
