Window blinds and shades can make all the difference in the appearance and atmosphere of a room. Every area in your home needs different qualities in a room – moisture resistance in bathrooms, blackout performance in bedrooms, etc. Here are the window treatments for each room that you can choose from to make confident and fashionable decisions.
Bathroom: Moisture-Resistant & Privacy-First
The bathroom requires window treatments that are durable enough to endure humidity, splashes and steam, and that provide privacy.
- Faux Wood Blinds: The top pick for bathrooms. Looks like wood and doesn’t warp, crack or develop mold, ticking, or dust mites and are perfect for high-moisture spaces.
- PVC Roller Shades: Waterproof, wipe down, and privacy and tone options such as frosted shades and textured shades are available when needed, without sacrificing natural light.
- Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades: These shades let out top light but block the bottom. These are an ideal choice for bathroom windows facing out to the street.
Pro Tip: No shades in the bathroom should be made from real wood or fabric, as over time moisture will cause them to warp or get mildewed.
Kitchen: Easy to Clean & Light-Friendly
It’s time to find window treatments that can be used in kitchens that will not track grease or steam around the house, that can easily be cleaned, and that will allow an amount of light to reach the interior to safely prepare meals.
- Vinyl or Aluminum Mini Blinds: Stylish, low maintenance and durable, it is an evergreen kitchen choice that is sure to take care of daily dirt.
- Cellular Shades (light-filtering): Reduce heat and keep harmful UV radiation out and scatter intense sunshine to create a warm and cooking environment.
- Roman Shades in washable fabric: If you want softness and style in your kitchen then you’ll go with machine washable Roman shades, practical beauty.
Pro Tip: Do not use long, trailing cloth at the stove. Store short window drapes or install cordless blinds to minimize fire Risk.
Bedroom: Blackout Performance & Cozy Vibes
A window treatment’s ability to block outside light out, keep noise out and out of temperature swings plays a significant role in sleep quality.
- Blackout Roller Shades: Block 99% of light for undisturbed sleep – especially important for shift workers or light-sensitive sleepers.
- Blackout Cellular Shades: Insulate in addition to blocking light – gives room a cooler touch in hot weather and a warmer touch in cold weather.
- Layered Treatment (sheer + blackout): A sheer shade can be used in the day for soft light and privacy, and then rolled down into a blackout shade at night for total darkness.
Pro Tip: Motorized blackout shades are a game-changer for your bedroom – set a timer to have the shades open up slowly when you need to wake up in the morning, so they rise as if they were an alarm clock.
Living Room: Style Statement & Glare Control
Your living room is a place of design, where it meets everyday life. The perfect window coverings need to be both beautiful and effective for blocking the light out while allowing for some flexibility in privacy.
- Solar Shades: Save screen glare and block UV rays without darkening the room – ideal for watching TV and working from the couch.
- Woven Wood Shades: Add organic, editorial quality – bamboo, jute or rattan shades are prone to obtaining natural texture and natural warmness to any living space area.
- Floor-to-Ceiling Sheer Shades: Add a luxurious, dramatic look – let sunlight fall through to provide a golden glow to your living room, as though a page had been cut from a magazine.
Pro Tip: Place shades 4-6 inches from the window and 3 inches out on each side, which instantly widens and heightens windows.
Home Office: Glare-Free & Productivity-Boosting
Window coverings on the home office are required for the purpose of reducing the glare from the computer screen, to regulate temperature, and to help maintain focus.
- Light-Filtering Roller Shades: Filter out bright sunlight for warm and even light – helps to prevent eye strain during extended work sessions without feeling cramped.
- Solar Shades (3-5% openness): Dramatically reduce screen glare and keep your view outside while preserving this open, natural outdoor look – the home office professional’s secret weapon.
- Motorized Blinds with Smart Controls: Automatically raise and lower blinds during the day to control the volume of light that is entering the desk.
Pro Tip: Turn your desk away from the window so that the window doesn’t directly shine in your eye, and then install a solar shade for any reflected glare.
Final Thoughts
The right window coverings can do more than just block light; they can help create a mood for the entire room. From moisture to blackout to glare, there’s a blind or shade just right for every need.
Design your functions first (what does this room need to do?) and then add your preference for style. Today’s range of technologies, from motorized to beautiful woven naturals, means your home’s every window can be stunning and incredibly functional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between blinds and shades?
Hard slats (wood, faux wood, aluminum or vinyl) are used to make blinds which can tilt to help block light and privacy. Shades can be constructed from one roll of soft or semi-rigid material which is then rolled up, folded or stacked. A shade provides greater control of light and more variety of styles and insulation options to blinds.
Q2: Which window treatment is best for energy efficiency?
Cellular shades (also known as honeycomb shades) are the most energy efficient shades on the market. They are air trapping and have an insulating property which can cut heat loss up to 40% during the winter season and heat gain during the summer season. If you’re looking for maximum insulation look for a double cell or triple cell.
Q3: Are cordless blinds worth it for homes with children or pets?
Absolutely. Wet sandals, foot pads (dry sandals) and shoes can cause foot irritation.Cordless blinds mean no risk of young children, or pets, getting stuck. They also are easier to handle and keep clean. Most manufacturers have switched to the cordless system for child safety compliance without any increase in cost over the cost of the corded system.
Q4: How do I measure my windows for blinds or shades?
Inside mount (when it goes into the window frame): Take the smallest measure at the bottom, middle and top of the mount. Measure in height from top of the frame to thuds. Outdoor mount (frameless): Extend the window width by 3 inches on both sides and 4 inches up from the window frame for optimum coverage/effect.
Q5: What is the best window shade for complete darkness in a bedroom?
Blackout or blackout cellular shades offer the most light blocking with an average rating of 99-100%. If you want no light leakage on the sides or bottom, choose shades made with a side-channel track system, which physically blocks light from leaking by and are favored by home theater buffs and shift workers.
Q6: Are motorized blinds and shades worth the extra cost?
If you have windows you have trouble opening and closing, large windows or anyone who wants to put the window into a smart home environment, then motorized shades are well worth your while. They can be controlled via voice or program using Alexa, Google Home or Apple Homekit. The battery powered motors have also advanced to a very high standard, and will operate for 1-2 years on battery power before requiring wiring.