There are many types of blinds and there are variations in styles, sizes and materials. Many people consider shades to be just another form of blinds. This is indeed true. Both blinds and shades have the same purpose and certain styles may even look similar. However, blinds have slats whereas shades have one large piece of the chosen material. Shades do not have the kind of individual slats that are the quintessential characteristic of blinds. While you can move blinds up or down, sideways or tilt them, shades cannot move sideways but they can be adjusted up or down and there can be a tilt feature.