Window blinds are used to cover windows, and are typically made from fabric, wood, metal, or plastic. The term window blinds is commonly used to describe a large range of window coverings, including awnings, shutters, and shades. However, in strict usage window blinds describe a specific type of window cover that can be adjusted through the rotation of slats, although there are some exceptions. The use of individual rotating slats allows window blinds to be adjusted into a variety of positions, which is one of the major advantages of blinds over traditional window curtains. There are a wide range of different styles of blinds on the market, including Persian blinds, slat blinds, Venetian blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds, cellular blinds, and others. Each of these styles can also differ in terms of the materials used, meaning there are literally hundreds of unique variations available for consumers to choose from.

Most window blinds function through the use of individual rotating sections, which can be configured in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. The obvious exception to this definition is roller blinds, which are a single fabric sheet that does not feature any slats at all. However, most other styles of window blinds do feature slats, which are commonly made from fabric, wood, plastic, or metal. The most obvious way to distinguish window blinds is whether the slats are configured in a vertical or a horizontal manner, with horizontal products using a thin woven ladder system to suspend and control the slats. In contrast, vertical blinds generally have wider slats and also include the ability to be pulled to one side much like a curtain.

The most popular window blinds of all are slat blinds, consisting of many horizontal slats that are made from vinyl or metal. Because the individual slats can be manipulated and pulled up out of the way, a variety of lighting and privacy conditions can be easily created. Venetian blinds are a variation on slat blinds, featuring overlapping slats that can be suspended by strips of cloth. Other popular styles include cellular blinds and vertical blinds, which have some advantages over horizontal products. However, while vertical blinds require less effort to open and are better in windy conditions, they are also more likely to break down than horizontal products.