Outdoor kitchens have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but there’s nothing like finding the best outdoor blinds to really set them off.
Whether you want patio blinds to screen off the sun, or simple outdoor roller blinds to help keep out the worst of the biting insects, no outdoor kitchen is complete without the best outdoor blinds to match.
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Top Pick
Best Value
Premium Choice
Product | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. VidaXL Side Awning Retractable Outdoor Shades |  | | |
2. TANG Sunshades Outdoor Roller Blinds |  | | |
3. BONZER Waterproof Outdoor Curtains for Patio |  | | |
4. Windscreen4less Shade Outdoor Roller Blinds |  | ||
5. LIFONDER Outdoor Sheer Curtain Panels Patio Blinds |  | ||
6. RYB HOME Outdoor Curtains |  | ||
7. Great Deals Roll Down Outdoor Blinds |  | ||
8. YUYI Pergola Roller Shade Outdoor Blinds |  | ||
9. Tidyard Bamboo Roller Outdoor Blinds |  | ||
10. JulyCrab Waterproof Blackout Outdoor Curtains |  |
Outdoor Blinds Buyer’s Guide
What are Outdoor Blinds?
Outdoor blinds are designed with three things in mind; shade, pest control, and weatherproofing. It’s easy to find simple mesh blinds that do all three, but finding something that looks good is incredibly important.
Like any significant addition to the garden, it’s part of the structure and the fabric of your design, so making sure your patio blinds look good and perform well is essential because, put simply, if you don’t like them, you won’t use them.
Why do you need outdoor blinds?
Outdoor blinds are incredibly important in Australia. They’re the first defense against insects and birds flying into an outdoor kitchen and if, like me, you’ve got a house filled with pets, they give you a bit more flexibility to leave the doors open too.
Asides from keeping pests out, and pets in, the best patio blinds are designed to give shade and provide luxury to your outdoor seating area too.
In our ultimate buyer’s guide to outdoor blinds, we’ve got some of the best blinds you can buy on all budgets, and a regularly updated list of Australia’s best outdoor blind installers to help you on the way.
What to Look for When Buying Outdoor Blinds
There are some basic things to look for with outdoor blinds, but some might not be that obvious at first. Here’s what to look for when buying outdoor blinds:
- Shading
- Durable
- Ease of use (are they smooth/automatic)
- Waterproof
- Looks
Waterproof outdoor blinds are essential for longevity. Outdoor blinds should give shade, and comfort, as well as practical measures, but no matter how nice blinds look when you get them, if they start fading in the rain, or are just too fiddly to clean, you’ll stop using them.
Shading patio blinds are another thing to consider. Obviously, there might be more important things on your mind to protect your outdoor kitchen, but if you’ve got a North facing patio you’ll need some form of shade.
A lot of gardeners use trees and shrubs to block out the glaring sun in summer, but that takes time to establish, so speed things up with more solid designs.
Durable outdoor blinds are usually more expensive but for coastal areas where salty weather can rust mechanisms, it’s important to buy blinds with stainless steel parts, or even take a step back from fancy retractable blinds and consider curtains instead.
Retractable blinds for outdoors have their issues, but for sheltered spots, they add a touch of luxury, and comfort so using your outdoor kitchen, or even shading the windows becomes easier.
And obviously, looks are important. No gardener should ever make the mistake of thinking practicality trumps looks. It’s easy to do to save money, but if you’re trying to establish a beautiful outdoor haven, you need to be happy with every last fixture and fitting.
Do you need help with setting up your outdoor kitchen? See our guide on the best outdoor kitchen tips, designs, and outdoor kitchen installers here.
Different Types of Outdoor Blinds
Outdoor blinds are pretty simple to choose between because you already know where you’re going to put them, but choosing between roller blinds, curtains, retractable blinds, and even horizontal blinds can be tricky.
Below, we look at the pros and cons of each type of outdoor blind.
Outdoor roller blinds
Outdoor roller blinds are the classic garden blind, providing shade on a budget. Thanks to the typically weighted base of the blind they’ve got good structure too, so provide some wind shelter as well as shelter from the rain and pests in summer.
The downside of roller blinds is that their mechanisms can jam if they’re not made from stainless steel or maintained. Like any outdoor rollers, salty air or excessive rain or humidity (particularly in outdoor kitchens) can quickly start to degrade the moving parts.
Retractable Outdoor Blinds
Retractable blinds are more complex than outdoor roller blinds in some ways, but they are often sold as the same thing. True retractable blinds are automatic though, either with a pull mechanism so you don’t need to manually wind them in and out, or a remote.
They are generally manufactured well and are less likely to wear in poor conditions.
Outdoor Curtains
Outdoor curtains are less secure than blinds, as they flow with the wind, and won’t stop pests from coming into the kitchen through the joins. On the plus side, outdoor curtains are more luxurious, adding a cosier feel to the garden that appeals to more informal gardeners.
Custom Outdoor Blinds
Custom outdoor blinds might not be a thing in themselves, but if you’ve splashed out on a custom outdoor kitchen, or a new patio with a custom-built pergola, it’s definitely worth considering. Standard blinds come in a few select sizes, so you’ll need a custom blind installer to help out and install your new patio blinds.
Where to Use Outdoor Blinds
Patio Blinds
Keep in mind that not everyone needs outdoor blinds. They can be an added extra that just pushes the budget too far, but if you’ve got a North facing garden you’ll need sun protection.
If you’re near the coast, they protect you from winds, so positioning patio blinds against the prevailing wind adds immense amounts of comfort to the garden.
And if you know your garden suffers from pests and biting insects you need some form of protection on the patio. Any Australian with a patio should at least consider patio blinds.
Outdoor Window Blinds
Patio blinds are typically what people mean when they talk about outdoor blinds, but outdoor window blinds can be a great summer alternative to curtains, shutters, or indoor blinds.
They keep pests out of the house, let airflow while the windows are open and don’t take up space indoors.
Best Outdoor Blinds for 2024
1. VidaXL Side Awning Retractable Outdoor Shades
Source: amazon.com.au
What I really like about these retractable shades from vidaXL is that they just look effortless.
If you want shade without a patio, they work as standalone features in the garden and are great for breaking up a space without any big landscaping jobs.
VidaXL’s sun shades are fully waterproof and easy to clean too, with completely weather resistant mechanisms that require almost no maintenance.
Pros
Cons
2. TANG Sunshades Outdoor Roller Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
TANG’s sunshades manage to be classic and contemporary at the same time, with a crisp finish that’s hard to beat.
These blinds are primarily sunshades but can be installed closer together for a decent insect barrier.
Like most large roller blinds they do need some assembly when they arrive, but the process is pretty straightforward, and they’re great value compared to similar outdoor blinds online.
Pros
Cons
3. BONZER Waterproof Outdoor Curtains for Patio
Source: amazon.com.au
For that extra bit of luxury, curtains are always going to win out over blinds. Their flowing folds and their basic installation makes them infinitely more attractive to most gardeners.
While most curtains lack the crispness of blinds, these waterproof curtains from Bonzer are really effective barriers against the sun and rain, so are useful right through the year.
Pros
Cons
4. Windscreen4less Shade Outdoor Roller Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
For a stylish finish to your patio, these mesh fabric blinds are great for blocking the breeze, and give 90% UV protection too, making your patio a comfortable place to sit all year round.
The powder-coated mechanisms on these roller blinds are well suited to most conditions too, and their fine mesh makes an effective insect barrier too.
Pros
Cons
5. LIFONDER Outdoor Sheer Curtain Panels Patio Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
If you’re looking for elegance then these sheer curtains with their water repellent material will keep you dry, and add privacy to your space, whether you’ve gone ultra-modern or completely classic.
These sheer curtains are great as outdoor window blinds but work best as a patio screen.
Pros
Cons
6. RYB HOME Outdoor Curtains
Source: amazon.com.au
Most outdoor curtains look plastic and feel pretty industrial, so it’s great to see (and feel) these beautiful fabric curtains with a waterproof membrane. They feel cozier than typical curtains, but they will need washing once a year to keep any dirt at bay.
Thankfully though, they’re mildew resistant so are suitable for coastal spaces, and wetter parts of the country too.
Pros
Cons
7. Great Deals Roll Down Outdoor Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
If you want a simple look to your patio, and prefer crisp contemporary gray features then looking for budget brands like this might be worth it. They’re a little more expensive than your average blind, but so come with a winding rod that makes them easy to put up and down.
Pros
Cons
8. YUYI Pergola Roller Shade Outdoor Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
I didn’t think I’d like these at first (they’re that classic glossy plastic which always makes me feel like I’m trapped in a punnet or fruit) but they’re actually really effective as rain barriers, and if you don’t want to block out the sun are completely perfect.
PVC does tend to wear with age and can scratch easily, so consider that when you’re choosing what plants to put next to it, but if you love the summer sun and just want to keep the wind and bugs out, this is a really nice patio blind.
Pros
Cons
9. Tidyard Bamboo Roller Outdoor Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
Classic bamboo blinds aren’t to everyone’s tastes but they suit Australian gardens so well, letting just enough dappled light into the patio and providing just enough weather protection so you still feel connected to the garden, without getting soaked.
The fittings on these blinds are gorgeous too, with a lovely patina on the mechanisms. The best compliment you can give to a patio blind is that it wouldn’t look out of place inside the house.
Pros
Cons
10. JulyCrab Waterproof Blackout Outdoor Curtains
Source: amazon.com.au
These outdoor drapes by JulyCrab are a lavish feature for a pergola, providing complete privacy and full sun screening, so you can enjoy cinema nights on the patio in the middle of the day.
And like all the best patio curtains, they’re double lined, so they’ve got a natural feeling surface with a waterproof membrane, so you feel wrapped in luscious fabric, rather than PVC.
Pros
Cons
Outdoor Blinds Top Picks
Outdoor Blinds - Our Top Pick
Source: amazon.com.au
There’s just something really clever about this side awning, which gives perfect shade and actively creates new spaces in the garden without even needing a pergola to attach to.
For me, that’s what earns the VidaXL side awning our top spot of the best outdoor blind. This blind is easy to install, comes in a range of colors and sizes, and doesn’t cost the earth.
For anyone wanting privacy and screening without the big structures that usually come with it, this is a perfect choice.
Premium Choice Outdoor Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
TANG sunshades are really beautiful, making light work of fitting into both contemporary and classic designs with breathable fabric patio blinds that stand up to all weather conditions, and block out 90% of UV without ever making your patio seem dark.
Best Value Outdoor Blinds
Source: amazon.com.au
There are going to be some purists who just can’t agree with using a curtain instead of a blind, but curtains add a comfort than blinds never will.
For informal gardens, or gardeners looking to add some style into the equation, these waterproof fabric curtains from Bonzer are the ideal choice and costs less than half the price of most roller blinds.
Best Outdoor Blind Installers in Australia
Brisbane Outdoor Blinds Installer
Australian outdoor living serves Brisbane and Queensland with outstanding reviews and tons of trusting customers. They offer full service, from measuring to design, and fitting. Learn more about Australian Outdoor Living here.
Melbourne Outdoor Blinds Installer
Bravewood are the leading Blind installers in Melbourne, offering indoor and outdoor blinds including custom outdoor blinds, and design consultations. Contact Bravewood here.
Perth Outdoor Blinds Installer
Outdoor Blinds Perth focuses entirely on outdoor blinds, offering services for commercial and residential customers in Perth and beyond. As well as premium custom blinds, they offer consultations and customisable motorized awnings. Know more about Outdoor Blinds Perth here.
Newcastle Modern Outdoor Blinds
Modern is one of the leading installers of outdoor blinds in Newcastle. This company offers various types of exterior blinds, free measurement and on-site consultation, and professional installation services to ensure you have the best feature for your outdoor space. Explore their lineup of outdoor blinds in Newcastle and services here.
Adelaide Outdoor Blinds Installer
Open N Shut offers full service and installation of outdoor blinds in Adelaide and South Australia. They offer to match any price and have years of experience in the trade.
For trusted outdoor blind fitters in Adelaide they are the go-to fitters. See Open'N'Shut's website here.
Choose Only the Best Outdoor Blinds for Your Garden
Whether it's for that final flourish of luxury on the patio, or for a practical touch in your outdoor kitchen, fitting outdoor blinds is a good way to finish off any new garden. Our guide to buying the best outdoor blinds, and outdoor blind installers should point you in the right direction at least.
Published on May 28, 2022 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on January 11, 2024
