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Interior designers know that one of the important factors to consider when designing a space is natural light. Light changes the whole function and tone of a room, and so your choice of window treatments will give you control over how light enters a space. Window treatments include curtains, blinds, and shades.
Blinds and shades are the most popular modern options due their ease of use and the wide variety of types. We’ve compiled a list of the major types of blinds and shades and some high quality North American manufacturers, so you and your client can use this guide to confer about style, convenience, and material.
Venetian Blinds
(Horizontal Slats)
Venetian blinds are the best known type, featuring horizontal slats around 2″ thick. Easy to use, and available in many types of materials with customizable hardware, these blinds allow you to quickly change the amount of light in your space.
Featured Brand
American Blinds and Shutters
Orlando, Florida
American Blinds and Shutters creates horizontal blinds with 2” and 2 ½ inch slats, or 100% custom made-in-the-USA from wood or faux wood. You can choose from many colors of painted or stained finishes. They even offer a warranty that covers the duration of home ownership!
Featured Brand
Windows West
West Valley City, UtahWindows West’s bestselling Westwood Collection features traditional bass wood blinds in 22 colors from natural whites to rich, dark browns.
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Mini Blinds
Like Venetian blinds, mini blinds feature horizontal slats, but with a narrower width of 1″ each. Aluminum mini blinds are popular in offices, but may look a bit old-fashioned in homes.
Featured Brand
Blinds Chalet
Mesa, ArizonaBlinds Chalet creates a variety of aluminum mini blinds that can feature a cord, come cordless, or with a motorized feature. You can order free samples of their slats in gold, bronze, silver, steel blue, or transparent aluminum to test how the colors look in your design.
Source: Blinds Chalet
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds feature thicker slats which hang from the top of the window to the floor, and open from side to side. They are most popular as a covering for sliding glass doors, like those that open onto a patio.
Featured Brand
Bali Blinds
Middleton, WisconsinBali Blinds offers a wide range of custom blinds, including wood, faux wood, and vertical blinds, designed for both style and functionality. Their vertical blinds come in fabric, vinyl, or sheer materials with options for split or one-way openings—ideal for large windows or sliding glass doors.
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Cellular Shades
(Honeycomb)
Cellular, or honeycomb, shades feature layers of material, with a cross section of pleated fabric between them. Like blinds, they fold flat together when drawn up.
Featured Brand
EcoSmart Shades
Williston, Vermont
EcoSmart Shades manufactures cellular shades with superior insulating properties to cut down on energy costs. Their blinds come in 9 colors and 8 different fabric types, including linen and bamboo with varied levels of light filtering and room darkening.
Source: EcoSmart Shades
Roman Shades
Roman shades are made of fabric or other woven materials and are designed to fold up over themselves when opened. Available in semi-sheer or blackout materials, these shades add a cozy feel to any traditional, transitional, or farmhouse interior.
Featured Brand
Oxford House
Fowler, IndianaOxford House creates some truly unique Roman shades, offering an incredibly large range of materials including with natural woven woods and reeds. You can customize your product with liners that filter or blackout light.
Source: Oxford House
Dual Shades
Transitional or Zebra
Transitional shades, also known as zebra or dual shades, contain horizontal slats like standard blinds, but with gaps between each, filled by a light filtering layer. This softens the light as it enters the room, while still partially blocking it.
Featured Brand
Superior Blinds Mfg
Riverside, CaliforniaSuperior Blinds MSG’s shades are built to last. Perfect for covering large windows, transitional/zebra shades combine bands of translucent and room-darkening fabrics for a mix of diffused light and privacy. Choose from dozens of fabric colors and textures.
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Source: Superior Blinds Mfg
Roller and Double Roller Shades
Roller shades are comprised of a single roll of material that hangs in a smooth layer over a window. With a gentle tug at the pull cord, the shade will roll upwards into its attachment.
Double roller shades feature two shades which layer over each other. This is a great option if you want both a light-filtering shade and a blackout shade on the same window. You can leave either one, or both opened or closed to control the light in your space.
Source: Stoneside
Source: Bali
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Solar Shades
Solar shades are designed specifically to block UV rays and insulate your space, saving energy costs. Solar shades are rated according to the percentage of UV rays they block, usually in numbers of 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 14% and 28%.
Featured Brand
Stoneside Blinds and Drapes
Denver, ColoradoStoneside Blinds and Drapes creates solar shades that come in hundreds of colors, patterns, and textures. They are available in widths from 8″-168″ and heights from 12″-168.” They protect your furniture and floors from sun rays and more effectively block glares.
Source: Stoneside Blinds and Shades
Source: Bali
Window Blind and Shade Materials
Most styles of blinds can be manufactured with a variety of materials. Some materials like fabric or plastic are semi-transparent, allowing some light to enter the room even when the blinds are closed. Other materials like wood or metal block a majority of light, and some fabrics feature blackout properties to ensure complete darkness.
Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are a great option for traditional or transitional homes, and those with a rustic, farmhouse, or Japandi flair. Popular types of wood include basswood, oak, maple, bamboo, and abachi. Hardwoods hold up better under their own weight without warping.
Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood is a great option if you’d like to save a bit in your budget, and fit with almost any interior. Faux wood blinds can be made from PVC, Composite, Vinyl, or HDP (High Density Polyurethane).
Plastic Blinds
Plastic blinds such as PVC or Vinyl are popular for their affordability and accessibility.
Metal Blinds
Blinds can also be made from metal, particularly aluminum, and will set off a modern interior sharply. Though you may wish to avoid this option in hot climates where the metal can become hot and warp in the sun.
Woven Wood Blinds and Shades
Woven woods add a rustic authenticity to any space with rich materials such as bamboo, reeds, and grasses. Consider pairing woven wood blinds with a southwest or Mediterranean styled interior.
Fabric Blinds and Shades
Fabrics are incredibly versatile and can fit with almost any interior design style. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton can match well with boho or transitional interiors, while thicker fabrics like wool or brocade can set off a traditional interior.Window Blind and Shade Hardware
When choosing the right window coverings for your client, it’s important to understand how different hardware options affect functionality, safety, and convenience. As of June 1, 2024, new federal regulations require all US window coverings to be cordless or equipped with approved safety features to prevent child and pet injuries.
By understanding these hardware choices, you can help your clients balance safety, style, and functionality while meeting modern standards. Here’s what you need to know about the available options:
Corded (Standard Corded or Continuous Cord Loop)
Traditional corded options are now equipped with safer, tensioned devices to comply with federal standards. Continuous cord loops provide smoother operation for large or heavy blinds.
Cordless
Cordless blinds are a sleek, modern option that improve safety while maintaining a clean appearance. They operate by gently pushing or pulling the bottom rail. Keep in mind that if windows are high, your client may need a step stool or extension tool.
Motorized
The ultimate in convenience, motorized blinds allow you to control light and privacy with the touch of a button or through a smart home system. Ideal for large homes or hard-to-reach windows, they’re a popular choice for modern and luxury interiors.
Top-Down, Bottom-Up
Blinds with this feature offer the flexibility to open from either the top or bottom, allowing for customized light control. This makes them perfect for spaces like kitchens or studios, where light levels may need frequent adjustment throughout the day.
Vertical Tracks
Commonly used with vertical blinds or panel track blinds, vertical tracks are ideal for large windows or sliding glass doors. They offer smooth operation and easy customization for wide openings.
Twist Rod (Tilt Mechanism)
A classic option found on many horizontal blinds, twist rods allow for easy tilting of the slats to control light and privacy. Combined with cord or cordless systems, they ensure versatile and precise adjustments.Style Tip:
We’re seeing a slight departure from ultra-minimalism, with a greater emphasis on natural materials, colored or patterned fabrics, and multiple types of window treatments layered together to add more texture and dimension to a space.
What type of blinds do you use most heavily and do you see new trends coming in this year? Share your tips and with Built for Home on social. You may even get featured in a future Built for Home article!