Whether you are looking for style, privacy, or both, choosing the right window treatment can be a daunting. One of the first questions to ask yourself should be, “What type of window treatment will work best for my home?”And once you have a general idea, there are other things to take into consideration like, should you shop online? Go to your local store? Are you looking for a formal or a casual look? Contemporary or with a vintage feel? And, what kind of budget do you have?
Different Types of Shades
In this series on window treatments, we’ll take a closer look at the variety of options available. For this post, we’ll explore window shades. Here are the most common types:
Roller Shades:
Roller shades come in a wide variety of colors, styles, patterns, and textures designed to complement any interior space. They are compact which helps them blend into any space. Some roller shades filter light or darken rooms to add more privacy. They are typically inside mounted, but still allow a beautiful “halo” effect around their edges.
Solar Shades:
Solar shades are great for blocking the sun while maintaining the view. They come in a variety of weaves. Generally speaking, the looser the weave, the more light that flows into the area. Since solar shades help regulate the amount of light that enters a room, they also provide different degrees of privacy.
Honeycomb Shades:
Commonly referred to as cellular shades, honeycomb shades are made from two pieces of pleated fabric that look like an accordion when unfolded. The unique shape formed between the fabric pieces resemble the look of a honeycomb or a cell, hence the name. These spaces give a layer of insulation which make the shades energy efficient, preventing heat gain during the warm months and protecting against heat loss in wintertime.
Design wise, honeycomb shades are versatile, offering a wide array of choices in terms of fabrics, colors, and textures designed to either block out light or merely filter it. They provide great privacy and give a neutral look from the outside, creating a nice curb appeal. They look beautiful in any room and work well with any home decor.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are a great choice when you want to “up” the elegance factor in a room. The understated design comes in a variety of styles from the most minimal to the fanciest. This versatile window treatment provides depth and texture that’s not overwhelming, unless they are intentionally designed to draw attention to themselves. They also allow good light and privacy control in a room and can be customized easily to fit certain needs.
Each of the shade categories described can be broken down into additional subcategories (eg. flat, waterfall, hobbled roman shades). Once you decide on the type of shade that will work best for your space, a little research will help you uncover the perfect match.
If you’re thinking about making your own, here are some helpful resources to move you forward.
Resources
How to Make Rice Paper Roller Shades
How to Make Solar Shades (Screens)
How to Make Roman Shades (Video)
Remember fabric window treatments can add an instant splash of color and style to any room no matter what style you choose.
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Comments & Reviews
I really enjoyed this article about different window shades. We are remodeling our home and this will be most helpful as I redivide each room