You’ve just moved into a new home. The movers are gone and all of your belongings are safely encased within your new abode. As you sort through box after box in your bare living room, you get the feeling you’re being watched when you realize your windows are bare, too. Or maybe, comfy in your long-lived-in surroundings, you randomly glance up at your bruised and broken accordion shades and think, “You know, I need something new on the windows, but what blinds should I buy?”
No worries; you got this! Here’s a quick overview of our most popular window blind categories and suggestions on which rooms these products work best in.
Cellular and pleated window coverings are the most popular and cost-effective way to cover windows while also reducing heating/cooling costs via their insulating honeycomb design. Pleated’s are made from a single layer of fabric filled with tiny, insulating cells, whereas cellulars are made from multiple layers with single or double cells. The accordion-style pleats in both styles block harmful UV rays and trap incoming air and even noise. Try them in a light filtering material to illuminate living rooms or dens, wherever you need some protection but also want adequate light penetration. A blackout, or room darkening, material is recommended for bedrooms and media rooms to keep out natural and artificial lighting. Steer clear of cellular/pleated shades in areas of high moisture, though. Humidity in the bathroom or kitchen can cause the adhesive on the cells to loosen, causing them to separate or sag (and nobody likes a droopy shade!).
Which brings us to our next window covering option! Wood and faux wood window treatments are like step-brothers; same basic concept, different materials. Our wood window treatments are made of soft, light basswood whose consistent grain offers an intellectual look with a traditional feel. Although wood can be prone to warping in moisture and intense heat, available in various stains and paints, they’re an inviting option for almost any room in your home.
Faux woods, on the other hand, are made from a polymer composite in a variety of colors with either a matte finish or textured, wood-grain-like vinyl finish. This PVC-like material provides a more pliable and resistant slat that is impervious to warping. Keep in mind, these are heavier than their real-wood counterparts, so they aren’t recommended for wider windows. If you’re looking for the perfect window coverings for over your kitchen sink or bathtub, sample a slat of our faux Venetians here!
Like a well-oiled machine, rollers are smooth, consistent and dependable. The perfect foundation for popular layered looks, add a cordless lift and you have an affordable, child-safe product that’s applicable in any space. In a rainbow of brilliant colors, they’re a great transitional product in kids and teens rooms. If you’re looking at a vinyl roller shade, be leery, though, when installing in areas near condensation and vapor. It’s possible to see water spots or experience slight material distortion where splashing water is frequent.
If you have a really high or hard to reach window, add motorization to your rollers to make raising and lowering your treatments as easy as pressing a button, tapping your phone, or asking Alexa!
Take a look at the plethora of photos featuring natural woven wood and bamboo window coverings on our Instagram and you’ll see why they’re a designer favorite! With their ability to adapt to surroundings, no wonder designers call them “window chameleons.” Farmhouse, coastal, rustic, boho, you name it … these shape-shifters are real game changers. Bamboo blinds are typically a series of tiny wood slats bound together with a tough twine, or a medley of straws, grasses and woods entangled in an idyllic weave (hence the alias “woven wood blinds”). With three choices of transparency — no liner, privacy, or blackout liner — these eco-friendly products are bound to be the focal point in any bedroom, studio, or sitting room!
Do as the Romans do! Voluminous and voluptuous, roman shades are a true window dressing. With so many fabric and fold options, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration to conquer a clash with home design. Another great candidate for homes that need insulation, these Italian-inspired, centuries-old classic window treatments work great in bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas. The luxurious and elegant fabrics can be reinforced with a light filtering or blackout liner, too.
For the look of sheer luxury and intrigue, try the unique style of this 2-in-1 window treatment. Constructed with wide fabric slats between two delicate sheets of sheer fabric, they create a stunning shadow effect on windows. Open and close them like a traditional horizontal blind; raise and lower like a regular shade. Their light and airy construction in sheer and contrasting colors make an impressive design statement, particularly on extra wide windows. And most of our sheers come standard with a motorized wand for easy, child-safe operation with the touch of a button.
Vertical Wood, Faux Wood & Cellular
A long-time favorite for covering tall and extra-wide windows and doors, today’s vertical window treatments make a towering design statement in a variety of easy-care materials to fit any style. Like horizontals, verticals are available in wood, faux wood, fabric, and textured PVC vanes in popular patterns and colors. One of our newest additions to the family is the Vertical Cellular. Since windows and doors account for a third of all heat/cooling loss in homes, use them to harness the undeniable insulating quality that honeycomb window treatments bring for a modern spin on patio door window coverings. Or try a new, avant-garde wide panel vertical treatment you can also use as a unique room divider.
Solar Shades (Interior and Exterior)
Solar shades create a barrier between you and the sun, without compromising your view. Varying degrees of “openness” (1%, 3%, 5%, 10% and 14%) allow for just the right amount of light control. The lower the percentage, the more they block light.
Exterior solar shades are excellent for patios and decks, while interior solar shades help reduce glare and heat in kitchens and sun rooms. Like roller shades, cordless solar shades are easy to use and install. Free cordless operation is available with many of our solar products, or for high, hard-to-reach areas, consider a continuous cord loop or motorized lift.
Whether you want to store heat or prevent it, curtains are one of the best ways to keep your electric bills down. Use drapery to highlight a window all on it’s own, or combine forces with a horizontal blind for full room darkening, layered look! To see how to hang curtains pleat-by-pleat, watch this video from Better Homes & Gardens.
Clean looking cordless gives window treatments a more modern, streamlined appearance, and make it easier to raise and lower them (no more tangled cords!). But more importantly, we always recommend going cordless to keep your little ones safe from strangulation hazards posed by dangling lift/tilt cords. And at SelectBlinds.com, you’ll find a cordless option for every product in every category listed above.
Now that you’re well equipped to handle your own window design, it’s time to start shopping! SelectBlinds.com has a solution for any window or door in your home, even skylights, french doors and arches! Check out our Buyer Guides and watch our YouTube channel for quick tips and and answers! Your SelectBlinds.com Customer Loyalty Team is always here to help, too:
Phone: 888-257-1840
Email: customercare@selectblinds.com
or Chat online at SelectBlinds.com
