Blinds inside or outside the recess? How to choose the right fit for your home

Author Lisa CooperHead of Product at Hunter DouglasWritten 01/05/2026

Cosy nook with mustard Roman blinds, a mustard sofa, colourful cushions, a round white table and teal chairs under exposed ceiling beams.

Choosing new blinds should feel exciting, the final touch that makes a room feel calm, polished and personal. But one question almost everyone asks at some point is:

“Should my blinds fit inside the recess, or outside it?”

It’s a simple decision, but it can make a big difference to how your blinds look, how they work and how much light they let in. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, so you can pick the option that feels right for your home.

Bedroom with taupe plaster walls, window with roman blind in cream with rust pattern, tape throw on bed, vase on wooden floor.

What do these terms actually mean?

If you’ve come across terms like recess, exact, inside mount, outside mount or recess or exact blinds, don’t worry – they all describe the same idea.

Recess fit blinds (inside mount)
The blind sits inside the window opening, neatly tucked alongside the frame.
It’s clean, streamlined and feels built-in, ideal if you love a minimalist look.

Exact fit blinds (outside mount / face-fix)
The blind is fitted on the wall or surround above or outside the recess.
This gives you more design freedom, helps cover tricky recesses and is great if you want to maximise daylight when the blind is open.

Recess fit vs exact fit: which is better?

The truth is neither is “better”, just better for different needs. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you picture what each one offers.

Bathroom window dressed with a soft blue blind above a vanity, framed by patterned tiles, with light filtering in over the sink and bath area.

Recess fit - why you might choose it

Recess fit blinds give a clean, architectural feel. The blind becomes part of the window, rather than a feature that sits in front of it.

You’ll love recess fitting if:

You want a smart, unobtrusive look that keeps the room feeling open.
Many homeowners choose recess because it blends seamlessly with the space
You like blinds kept out of the way of furniture - they stay within the recess rather than extending into the room
You value easier cleaning and maintenance. Recess-fitted blinds are naturally more protected from dust and splashes

A laundry room features a washing machine beneath a white countertop with pink cabinets. Large windows with beige roman shades provide natural light. The wooden floor adds warmth to the space.

Exact fit blinds – why it might suit you better

Exact fitting blinds are placed outside the window recess, usually above it. This is brilliant for problem-solving and for creating visual impact.

Choose exact fitting if:

You want to increase natural light when the blind is open. Outside-mounted blinds can completely clear the glass
Your recess is shallow, uneven or obstructed by handles, tiles or trims
You want a bigger, more dramatic look. This is especially lovely with Romans, patterned Rollers or statement fabrics
You want to minimise light gaps over an uneven recess. An exact fit blind can overlap the opening to help improve coverage

Which is best for each blind type?

Romans
Inside recess a tailored, elegant finish that highlights the window shape.
Outside recess design flexibility that avoids the fabric stack covering the glass.
Roman blinds
Rollers
Inside recess: sleek, minimal, perfect for everyday spaces.
Outside recess: great if you want more daylight when open.
Roller blinds
Verticals
Inside recess: good for wide and deep window recesses.
Outside recess: best for light control and privacy.
Vertical blinds
Wooden
Inside recess: the classic modern look, crisp and structured.
Outside recess: helpful for shallow or narrow recesses.
Wooden blinds
Pleated
Inside recess: a clean, minimal finish that works especially well in smaller rooms or with compact window frames.
Outside recess: a great option if your recess is shallow or uneven, or if you want the blind to clear the window fully when raised.
Pleated blinds
Honeycomb
Inside recess: creates a snug, insulating layer within the window frame to maximise their thermal benefits.
Outside recess: ideal if your recess doesn’t allow for a smooth operation or with Dim Out fabrics to reduce light gaps.
Honeycomb blinds
Venetian
Inside recess: has a neat, built-in look, can also be fitted within a secondary Perfect Fit frame.
Outside recess: can make smaller windows look bigger.
Venetian blinds
Day and Night
Inside recess: Perfect for a sleek, modern finish.
Outside recess: Best if you want maximum daylight when the blind is open, or for a more decorative look.
Day and Night blinds

A dark cosy bedroom with a large window fitted with a black Blind Screen, surrounded by soft lighting and neutral bedding.

What about blackout?

Blackout blinds block most external light, but recess fit blinds can still show small light gaps at the sides. If you want a deeper blackout, an exact fit blind helps the fabric overlap the opening and reduce light seepage.

You could also consider a total blackout solution like Blind Screen, fitted within the recess.

Frequently asked questions

Should blinds be inside or outside the recess?

There’s no “right” answer; choose recess for a neat, integrated look and stronger light control, or choose exact for flexibility, daylight and design freedom.

Do Roman blinds look better inside or outside the recess?

Both look beautiful. Inside recess is tailored and understated; outside recess is softer and often more practical where the recess is shallow or uneven.

Can you fit Roman blinds outside the recess?

Yes, and many people do. It offers more freedom in size and style and avoids issues with tight recesses or bulky fabric stacks.

Which option gives more light?

Outside-mounted blinds allow more light in when raised because they can fully clear the window. Inside mounts sit in the frame and therefore cover some of the glass even when rolled or folded up.

Which looks more modern?

Inside recess tends to look sleeker, especially with Venetians and Day and Night blinds. Or outside recess makes more of a statement with patterned Rollers and Romans.

Decision helper quiz

If you're still unsure, take our quiz to help you decide.

1. What look are you drawn to?
A: A tidy, built-in feel that sits neatly in the window frame
B: A fuller look that frames the window and makes more of a feature
2. How important is natural daylight when the blind is open?
A: I’m happy with a little less daylight if the look is clean and simple
B: I want as much light as possible; the blind should clear the whole window if it can
3. What’s your window recess like?
A: Deep enough, straightforward and easy to work with
B: Shallow, uneven, or tricky because of handles, tiles or frames

4. How do you feel about light control?
A: I want a snug fit that helps minimise light seeping in at the sides
B: I’m more focused on flexibility than precision light control
5. Which feels more like “you”?
A: Simple and subtle
B: Stylish and statement-making

Your results

Mostly A: Recess fit is your perfect match

A recess fit gives you that calm, tailored look that blends beautifully into your window frame. It stays out of the way, keeps things feeling open and uncluttered, and can help reduce light seepage, great for bedrooms and cosy spaces.

Mostly B: Exact fit is the way to go

An exact (outside) fit gives you flexibility, more daylight when the blind is open, and the chance to make a design statement. It’s also brilliant for awkward recesses or if you want your blind to look more like a feature than a fixture.

Still not sure which fit is right for your windows?

You don’t need to decide alone. During your free in-home appointment, your local advisor will measure your windows, check your recess depth and talk you through how recess or exact blinds will look and feel in your space.

It’s the easiest way to feel confident you’ve made the right choice, with blinds that fit beautifully and work effortlessly for years to come.

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Blinds inside or outside the recess? How to choose the right fit for your home

What do these terms actually mean?

Recess fit vs exact fit: which is better?

Recess fit - why you might choose it

Exact fit blinds – why it might suit you better

Which is best for each blind type?

Romans

Rollers

Verticals

Wooden

Pleated

Honeycomb

Venetian

Day and Night

What about blackout?

Frequently asked questions

Should blinds be inside or outside the recess?

Do Roman blinds look better inside or outside the recess?

Can you fit Roman blinds outside the recess?

Which option gives more light?

Which looks more modern?

Decision helper quiz

1. What look are you drawn to?

2. How important is natural daylight when the blind is open?

3. What’s your window recess like?

4. How do you feel about light control?

5. Which feels more like “you”?

Your results

Mostly A: Recess fit is your perfect match

Mostly B: Exact fit is the way to go

Still not sure which fit is right for your windows?

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