Why we think Roller Shades are Rad and why you should too!

Roller shades or window coverings in general are rarely referred to as “rad”. 

In thinking about why window shades are rad, it was necessary to do some research to confirm that this is an appropriate word for describing how we at SelectBlinds feel about roller shades.

Aaron Gilbreath in his article, “A Brief History of the Word Rad”.

Confirmed! Rad is the right word for how we feel and here’s why:

They are easy!

Given we are a DIY company, we try to keep all of our solutions at SelectBlinds easy but roller shades tend to be easier than most. Rollers are very streamlined and minimal in design so there aren’t a lot of parts to fiddle with. They have one piece of material that moves in a simple up-and-down rolling motion in comparison to the traditional wood blind with its cords, ladders, and slats. If you choose a cordless lift option, which is usually FREE at SelectBlinds, they are so easy to open. Just pull down from the bottom of the shade a little bit and they roll right up.

They are affordable!

According to Forbes, the most common window size is 32” W x 54” H. At this size, roller blinds can start at just $50 and depending on how custom you want to make your options it can go up from there.

They can be customized!

Window treatments are commonly an afterthought, but given how much they offer the home – they shouldn’t be. You can customize your roller shades appearance and functionality to create an environment that offers just the right privacy, comfort and ambiance you are looking for. 

With hundreds of different colors and materials available, you can choose between light filtering and blackout material depending on how light or dark you want your room to be. There are various styles of headrails, which is what we call the part of the shade that contains the mechanism that allows the shade to move. You can decide if you want to go with a more industrial look by choosing an exposed roll or go the classic route by selecting a cassette with a fabric insert or possibly a complimenting color or metal finish to hide the roll.

Now to customizing your lift system! SelectBlinds prefers cordless options for the safety of kids and pets. Motorization makes roller shades extra rad and so we deem it our ultimate favorite cordless lift option – especially when you upgrade to a smart hub and automate the timing through an app on your phone. Imagine waking up with your shades timed to open at sunrise … that’s rad! If you are more of a traditionalist, we offer corded options as well.

Here are a few of our favorite roller shades and why:

The Classic Vinyl Roller Shade

This shade is super affordable and can look very chic. If motorization is important but you don’t want to break the bank, choosing this shade is the less expensive option but still allows automation with a smart hub.

The Motorized Architect Blackout Roller

This shade is for that person that always wants the newest, top of the line technology gadget. Everything about this shade is rad. Motorization is baked in and is powered by Eve MotionBlindsTM Motors in tandem with Apple HomeKitTM technology. 

The Modern Architect Roller

This shade is amazing because of its unique appearance. The fabric has been sustainably procured and has very interesting patterns that create a textural aesthetic while remaining modern and sleek.

We can go on and on, but this is why roller shades are rad. They are easy, affordable, and can be customized to the max! They’re modern and streamlined, not your grandmother’s shades back in the day. If you’re not convinced that roller shades are rad, call one of our Design Consultants. It’s FREE and they are super easy to talk to! Call (888) 257-1840. 

Be Rad!

4 Favorite SelectBlinds Picks From Our Influencers

We at SelectBlinds love collaborating with, and being inspired by, designers, DIYers, content creators, and influencers.

We thought it was a great time to share some of our influencers’ top SelectBlinds product picks, as well as where in their homes they installed them, and why they like them so much.

Woven Wood Shades: Alicia, @ourvintagenest

Image courtesy of @ourvintagenest

You can strike an elegant layered look and dimension for your windows with natural, woven wood shades. Alicia, who runs @ourvintagenest, loves the woven wood shades look.

“For the main areas of our home, I chose SelectBlinds’ Designer Series Woven Wood Shades in Jute Wheat,” Alicia says.

“We chose this particular blind because of its beautiful texture and color.  It literally reminds me of a woven basket on your window and who doesn’t love an amazing woven basket?  We wanted the look of warm and cozy; I feel like we achieved that with these blinds!”

Two custom options Alicia chose for her woven woods were the no-liner option and the cordless lift.

“We chose unlined option for our downstairs blinds, because we wanted more natural light to come through in the mornings and during the day,” she says. “We chose the cordless lift option, which includes a hidden ring pull (in the middle) at the bottom of each shade.  We love this option for a clean look, but most importantly… because it’s child safe!”

Motorized Roman Shades: Chrissy, @homewithchrissym

Image courtesy of @homewithchrissym

Who knew you could be trendy and traditional at the same time? Take the classic look of Roman shades. This custom fabric window covering never goes out of style and works with the trendiest, as well as with the most traditional, interiors.

Chrissy, from @homewithchrissym, fell in love with our Classic Roman Shades in Natural Linen. 

“Our new motorized shades are up and ‘Wow!’ Why did we not do this sooner?” Chrissy tells us. “SelectBlinds makes the ordering process very straightforward and user-friendly. Once ordered, we had our new shades in a matter of weeks, not months. The best part? They are beautifully made and all you need to do is push a button to open/close them.” 

Chrissy selected the standard pleated fold option, without a valance for a cleaner look. She also decided to go with a standard white privacy liner as these shades were going in a bedroom.

Motorized Cellular Shades: Brianna, @briannabrowndesigns

Image courtesy of @briannabrowndesigns

Keep your vibe at home cool, calm, and quiet with energy-efficient cellulars. With kid-friendly cordless or motorized lifts, they’re the safest choice for homes with pets and young ones. 

Brianna was looking for a motorized window covering solution for her hard-to-reach windows. She needed them to block the glare on the TV while also providing privacy and energy efficiency. 

She went with our 2” Premier Light Filtering Cellulars in Thunderstorm, selecting the double-cell customized option for extra energy-efficiency.

“I am so happy with them!” Brianna says. “I ordered the Premier Light Filtering Cellulars with solar chargers and a remote (because I can’t reach those top shades without a scaffolding). These shades have made it so we can actually watch TV during the day without being blinded by the sun. Plus, they help block out the heat, the cold, and even noise!”

Woven Wood Shades: Jessi, @thegoodwrench 

Image courtesy of @thegoodwrench

Jessi, from @thegoodwrench also loves the natural look of woven woods.

“Sometimes taking care of three small kids just wipes me out, and in the middle of the day, I’m DONE,” Jessi tells us. “In the middle of the day, when I feel the need to take a load off, my wishes come true with my SelectBlinds automated shades in my bedroom. With a quick verbal command, I can get my shades closed, and then shut my eyes for a refreshing power nap.” 

Fun fact, she challenged her followers to vote on a few shades she liked and the winner was the Luxe Modern Woven Wood Shades in the color Aria for her bedroom.

DIY and Interior Design Influencers: interested in collaborating with SelectBlinds? Download the Select Blinds Influencer Media Kit here.

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day.

Only at SelectBlinds.

Go window shopping for the easy, custom solutions to get you ready for the holidays!

SelectBlinds’ Best New 2022 Products that our Creative Director Loves (And Why You Should, Too)

Meet our best new SelectBlinds products of 2022. At least so far.

Our fashion-savvy Creative Director, Shannon Constance, walks us through what products and colors we released this year that she personally loves, and why she loves them. We think you’ll fall in love with some of them, too.

Best New Colors in Cellulars: Premier Blackout Cellulars

“The Premier Cellulars, in my opinion, are the perfect cellular shades,” Shannon says. “They are high-quality cellular shades for a reasonable price and with so many different options for lift styles, depending on your needs.”

She goes on to note that, “This year we launched some beautiful new colors in our blackout line that have a soft, relaxing tonal quality. They are a great first step if you want to get out of your comfort zone of ‘neutral’ space into more relaxing, sun-bleached vibes.”

As for her favorite colors in this blackout cellular shade, Shannon goes with Sand Tan.
“If we’d offered this color when I bought my own Premier Blackout Cellulars, this is the color I would have chosen,” she admits good-humoredly.

C’est la vie.

Best New Colors in Romans: Lakeshore Colors for Our Classic Roman Shades

“Our Classic Roman Shades are our most popular Roman,” Shannon says. “Like its name, it is a ‘classic,’ and perfect if you are looking for a slightly more tailored, but soft look. It is a great window covering for any room but I especially love them in dining rooms.”

Shannon references the shades’ “casual, but tailored look that allows them to dress up a formal space without making it feel stuffy or uptight.”

“This summer we launched three beautiful colors to go with our Lakeshore Stripe,” she continues. “What I love about these fabrics is that they are striped so they feel ‘nautical,’ like they belong near the water, but they have quite a bit of varied texture to them that creates a more organic, and less traditional stripe.”

“If you’re looking for a new take on nautical but are tired of the expected traditional stripe, these lakeshore colors are worth looking at,” Shannon assures. “Order samples just to see all the textures that are woven into these colors. They won’t disappoint.”

Best New Rollers: Little Dreamers Kids’ Collection

This year we launched our kids’ patterns into roller shades (previously only available in curtains).

“These rollers are great for kids’ rooms because they are easy to clean and they are only available in cordless options,” Shannon says. “Safety for those kiddos is our number one priority.”

She goes on to say that “these patterns are worth designing an entire room around what you do with the window. After all, sleep is the most important thing for any kid. Might as well pick a shade that’s functional and adorable all at once.”

Shannon’s “fave pattern is the rainbow.”

“We’ve taken the traditional rainbow and created it in an array of super cool and unexpected colors,” she says. “I mean, come on! We have a mid-century rainbow color for the cool mom that wants the vibe of her home to transition all the way to her kid’s room but which is still delightful and intriguing for the little one, too. We also have colorful kids’ curtains if you’re looking for a layered look that pairs perfectly.”

Best New Colors in Woven Woods: Classic Woven Woods

“Woven woods are all the rage this year from a trend perspective,” Shannon asserts. “If you are watching any design show these days, you are likely to see woven woods in the windows. If you’re new to wovens our Classic Woven Woods are a great choice: simple, budget-friendly, and chic. This product doesn’t have a liner option and is best for spaces where you are looking for a light-filtering, ambient effect with less concern for privacy.”

Shannon goes on to discuss how we decided to create four new colors with a tighter weave that allows for a bit more coverage than the other colors.

“The combination of this tighter weave paired with unexpected colors makes these super cool and unique in comparison to other wovens,” she says.

Best New Faux Woods: 2” Designer Faux Wood Blinds

“If you live in a humid or hot environment and are looking for a traditional approach for your windows then these faux wood blinds are for you,” Shannon says. “They look like and offer the visual feel of real wood, but are more durable for these types of climates.”

Shannon goes on to share that our 2” Designer Faux Wood Blind is one of her favorites because she “thinks every detail has been very well thought through.”

“The color palette spans a wide range, from cool to warm, for starters,” she says. “The textures captured in the slats are so close to the real thing, in my opinion, and my favorite feature of all? The color of the ladders (the cords that suspend the slats up) are perfectly paired to the slat color so that they blend in well so as to not distract from the beauty of the blinds themselves.”

Get Fall-Ready With These Greatest Hits of 2022

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your insightful take on a few of our best new products of the year to date.

Our philosophy has long held that DIY Design was never meant to be done “ALL by Yourself.” For your dream home’s design, whether for indoors our outside in your back patio, we’re here to help. 

Nothing makes an interior enjoyable than attractive window coverings. SelectBlinds is all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you all the helpful resources you’ll need to make your life (and projects) easier, because your success is our success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you will save plenty of money and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something special. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day.

Only at SelectBlinds.

Go Window Shopping for Custom Fall-Ready Solutions You Need to Start Getting Ready for the Holidays! >>

The Ways Easy Home Automation Makes Your Life Better

We get to live in a day when watching impressive new technological advances has become commonplace. Easy home automation and “smart homes” are among those perks we’ve gotten to observe and enjoy. No more analog plug-in cords or clunky jerry-rigged workarounds. Home automation is all right there at the touch of a button, and it can even travel with us in our phones to be operated from just about anywhere in the world.  

What Is Easy Home Automation?

Easy home automation, also known as smart home technology, generally references devices, appliances, systems, etc., that interconnect via a common network–these devices can be remotely controlled individually, as well as in unison. You might also be familiar with the term “connected home,’ where your home’s lights, garage door, thermostat, security cameras, audio system, etc., are synced and automated through your home network. Yes, even your window blinds and shades can be motorized and automated, so you don’t even have to remember to put that task on your to-do list. Use your smart phone to operate them and automate them as suits your personal needs best.

Enjoy your life and time with your favorite people with unprecedented ease and convenience. One built-in benefit of smart home technology is that it is constantly being updated and upgraded. Imagine the possibilities!

Advantages of Easy Home Automation to Help You Get More Out of Life

Instead of thinking of keeping up with smart home technology updates as an end in and of itself, or as a way to “show off” by keeping up with the Joneses, so to speak, consider a few of the impressive and practical aspects of home automation as benefits for you and your household. Easy home automation allows you to:

  1. Maximize Home Security.
    As mentioned, you can incorporate your home security system into your smart home network. In regard to window coverings, you can manage your privacy (and your own peace of mind) easily and quickly by programming your blinds and/or shades to raise and lower at the same time of day, or whenever you need them to. Forget whether or not you closed the blinds in your child’s room before leaving the house? Just check them on your phone, no matter where you are in the world. You can also receive notifications if something unexpected is going on in your child’s room or anywhere else in your home. The potential for home security automation is endless.  
  2. Increase Energy Efficiency.
    Opportunities for efficient use of energy are also boundless using smart home technology. Manage the heating and cooling of your home via your phone, including the aforementioned ability to manage the raising and lowering of your window coverings to darken and cool rooms on demand. Program your smart thermostat to learn your schedule and home temperature favorites, and receive recommendations for how to improve your home’s energy efficiency settings. Have your home as cool or warm as you prefer before you come home, and have your house lit up with all blinds / shades shut to help you feel more secure upon your arrival. You can maximize your control over your energy expenditures using smart home technology. 
  3. Ease of Incorporating New Appliances and Devices. One impressive aspect of easy smart home automation is its ability to implement new appliances, window covering technologies, and devices as part of your smart home network. No matter how updated your devices and appliances are, you’ll likely feel the need to continue updating as time goes on. Integrating new devices, appliances, etc. only makes the process much easier and more seamless. 

Take Advantage of Smart Home Technology

We’ve shared a few benefits of living in a smart automated home, but the possibilities and benefits are endless. Home automation developers are constantly in a race to outdo one another in meeting consumer needs, and that is only of benefit to you as a homeowner. Find out for yourself how much easier and enjoyable smart home technology can make your life! 

Select Blinds Staff Recommendations for Your Easy Home Automation Needs

How about some SelectBlinds staff recommendations for you to start enjoying the convenience and benefits of smart home automation? 

SelectBlinds staff loves offering up our selections from our different product tiers for you, to offer you excellent, customizable design solutions for any taste and budget. We’ve offered some recommendations below, but we have countless customizable solutions available for you. Spend some time window shopping to see what we have to offer!

2” Room Darkening Sheer Shades (Signature Tier)*

Diffuse up to 99% of UV rays with the quality sun-control fabric in these sheer window coverings. Use with cordless lift or an optional motorized lift on taller windows.

*Our Signature Tier products feature thoughtful designs in trendy styles. Made with durable materials, Signature Tier products are the perfect place to start when looking for a beyond-basic solution that is also affordable.

Motorized Architect Light Filtering Roller (Premium Tier)*

You won’t need a WiFi hub for this one-of-a-kind ease of operation and modern, high-quality design – meet SelectBlinds’ stylish motorized light filtering roller shades powered by Eve MotionBlinds™ motors.

Motorized Architect Blackout Roller (Premium Tier)*

Hard to find better room darkening fabrics in such an eye-catching selection of colors for convenient function and timeless style. Powered by Eve MotionBlinds™ motors. All the benefits of home automation without the use of a WiFi hub! 

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

Your Easy Automated Home Calls for the Best Customized Solutions

Our philosophy has long held that DIY Design was never meant to be done “ALL by Yourself.” For your dream home’s design, whether for indoors our outside in your back patio, we’re here to help. 

Nothing makes an outdoor patio oasis more enjoyable than attractive bamboo or exterior solar shades to keep the harmful UV rays out of your face, while keeping your patio or deck area cool. SelectBlinds is all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you all the helpful resources you’ll need to make your life (and projects) easier, because your success is our success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you will save plenty of money and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something special. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day.

Only at SelectBlinds.

Go Window Shopping for the Custom Solutions You Need to Enjoy the Ease and Convenience of an Automated Home! >>

19 Years and Going Strong: SelectBlinds Celebrates Another Birthday!

We’re 19 now! And our relationship with our customers is stronger than ever.

We were thrilled recently to celebrate our 19th birthday in August!

Since our inception in 2003, when our dynamic founder, Rick Steele launched our company, it’s been quite a ride! Several years ago, Rick was on the hunt for blackout shades for his daughter to help her sleep better when he discovered only hassle and high costs in his search to find custom window treatments. He decided to create a company for people like himself who like to DIY-design their homes, and are in need of customized solutions. SelectBlinds.com (back then we were known as “Select Shops”) was born. Since then, our dedicated Customer Care Team has served well over 9 million happy customers (that’s a lot of windows covered!) as a proud Arizona-based company, with nearly 200 employees.

We couldn’t do any of this without such an amazing team, that offers one-on-one assistance and guidance to help make our customers’ journey as seamless as possible. Together, we’re bound and determined to make the world a better place. One window at a time. Our relationship with our customers is stronger than ever, and we’ve never been more excited to help people with their window covering and interior design project needs.

Trust us. You’ll love shopping with SelectBlinds! See what our customers have to say about us in their own words

In the spirit of bragging about ourselves (just a little bit), here are some more stories, landmarks, and information about our company that we like to share to help you get to know us a little better.

Related: Why SelectBlinds.com beats out Levelor

SELECTBLINDS.COM: Custom-Crafted, Not Pre-Fabricated

All our custom solutions are carefully designed and crafted.

Since 2003, we’ve focused on one thing: making online custom window décor shopping as smooth as possible. We’ve helped millions of happy customers save tons of money by letting us help them become DIY designers! We’ve become window covering and interior design experts ourselves, and love nothing more than helping you turn your house into your dream home. 

We offer an expansive and diverse selection of quality hand-crafted window treatments (over 170 customizable, carefully crafted products, in over 1,800 different colors and patterns) that can add dimension and depth in your windows, and bring out the allure for any interior. All personalized to your unique needs and specifications. To sweeten the deal for you we offer free samples shipped free to your door, free shipping on all orders (up to 15 free shipped samples daily), plenty of helpful resources along your project’s journey (including free design consultation for any size project), and Kid-friendly options for all our products. We’ll help you find the perfect “blinds you’ll love.”

Speaking of free samples, did you know you can lock in any promo that catches your eye for up to 30 days by ordering samples that day? That way you have plenty of time to make up your mind without feeling rushed.

Related: Do New Window Treatments Really Add Value to Your Home?

SELECTBLINDS.COM: Our Mission Statement

“To create an exceptional customer experience that builds confidence with the most diverse selection and helpful resources.”

SELECTBLINDS.COM: Our Vision

“Empower people to create spaces they can be proud of.”

We love helping our customers save money by tapping into their inner DIY Diva.

SELECTBLINDS.COM: Sustainability & Top-Shelf Materials You Can Feel Good About

SelectBlinds.com window treatments are crafted with care. We ensure that the best quality materials go into crafting each individual product you buy. They’re not just long-lasting, they’re also easy to care for, so you can keep them looking crisp and new for as long as you own them. Customize and reframe your home with confidence to make it all yours. See below how we make our products. 

SELECTBLINDS.COM: We’re All In

Our SelectBlinds CEO, Satya, spending some time coaching our A-team.

SelectBlinds realizes we are part of a larger community. From raising money for disaster relief, to Rick Steele personally running nearly 200 miles to collect shoes for kids in need, to donating our products to Habitat for Humanity to decorate the houses they build for families, to our employees donating their time to help charities like Feed My Starving Children, we do whatever we can to truly “show up” for our community at large.

Did You Know? 

SelectBlinds.com was the first window treatments company to make ALL of its products available with Kid-friendly cordless lift. A few years back we announced a “free cord cleats” initiative, for customers and non-customers alike. In turn, the company donated more than 82,000 window blind/shade cord cleats to families with children (Cord cleats are metal or plastic safety devices that attach to the inside of a window frame. They allow a user to wrap/tie down a loose window covering cord to prevent its being left dangling and accessible to children or pets).

SelectBlinds.com is also considered one of the pioneers in popularizing the use of online customer reviews as a marketing driver.

The SelectBlinds.com Guarantee

We offer you all the custom solutions you’ll need for your unique space and sense of style.

We stand behind the quality of all our products, and offer a free 3-year limited warranty on each one that we sell – with always the option to upgrade to a 3-year unlimited or a 5-year unlimited warranty. 

We also offer you with our F.I.T. Guarantee. If you happen to submit an incorrect measurement by mistake and your product doesn’t fit your window, your first replacement per order is on us!

We’re that certain you’re going to love our products, and that they’ll be a lovely addition to your home for a long time to come.

SELECTBLINDS.COM: The Talk of the Town

We’re proud to have been featured and highly acclaimed in many widely known publications and TV shows, including: 

See what David Ragan has to say about his experience installing his own SelectBlinds.com window coverings:

The SelectBlinds team takes an opportunity to unwind and bond over some friendly bowling.

DIY You’ll Love

In addition to our vast knowledge of interior design, we’re problem solvers first and foremost. We want you to have the most seamless experience possible throughout your home DIY projects, so we’ve created a library full of tutorials and guides to show you how to effectively measure your windows for the custom size you need, then install your beautiful new window treatments so you can enjoy them as quickly as possible. We also offer you a top-shelf group of specialists who are excited about helping you succeed, including our A-team of design consultants who are ready to assist you (for free!) with everything from quick questions to larger, more involved design projects.

SelectBlinds customer care is top-notch.
Meet our A-team of customer care!

Many Thanks to Our Customer Care Team, and to Each of Our Customers!

Thank you so much for 19 wonderful years! We’re looking forward to the next 19 years together!

Related: Ready for Fall Patio Season? Let us help you get started!

Turn Your House Into Your Dream Home

Nothing warms up an empty space like beautiful, quality window treatments. Bring your dream home to fruition, make it all yours, and save plenty in the process. DIY doesn’t have to mean “all by yourself.” We’ll be with you every step of the way.

A contemporary TV room with arch-topped windows.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day.
At
SELECTBLINDS.COM.

Why Get a Liner For Your Woven Wood Shades?

You can always expect higher quality artistry from our custom bamboo & woven wood shades.  When you compare custom-crafted woven wood shades with the off-the-shelf versions, you’ll start to notice some noticeable differences, beginning with the quality of workmanship. One factor that can add a degree of quality to your custom shades comes with adding a privacy or blackout liner. The type of liner discussed in this article is attached to the back of a window covering and is meant to face the exterior.

For starters, a liner adds a subtle, formal touch to bolster the overall aesthetic of your window treatments, not to mention a liner will enhance their functionality and how long they’ll last. Not only does a lining add some nice weight and depth to your window treatment, but it also helps it keep its shape intact and keep its crisp, unmussed appearance.  

Types of Shade Liners

Liners offer a crisper, more professional look for your window treatments, but there are also different types of liners that serve different purposes. The most common types of liners are standard/privacy liners and blackout liners. 

There are others like thermal liners, water-repellent liners, and interlining (which, in the case of fabric window coverings, like drapery or Roman shades, is inserted between the front and back of the window covering). We’ll go over standard and blackout liners here.

Standard, or Privacy Liner – A standard shade liner (often referred to as a privacy liner) usually consists of lightweight fabric (usually white or off-white) to add weight to reinforce your shade’s thickness, and create, overall, a fuller, richer window covering. The neutral white color keeps a consistent appearance for street-facing windows. Standard liners enhance the privacy offered by your window treatment, and they can also reduce incoming UV rays to help keep your furniture and interior from fading.  

Blackout Liner – These liners are ideal for bedrooms and media rooms, and are meant to block out up to 99% of incoming light and glare. Blackout liners typically come in white/off-white neutral colors, and tend to be of heavier, thicker weight. They’re great for when you want to watch your favorite movie or game, unencumbered by incoming glare, and also for weekends . . . when you might just want to sleep in!  

Room Darkening Liner – These liners are also great for bedrooms and media rooms, and you might even like one in your home office. They don’t block out as much light as a blackout liner, but you’ll still get a subdued lighting effect in your interior space. Room darkening liners also generally come in white/off-white neutral colors, and tend to be of heavier, thicker weight.

The 3 Best Things About a Shade Liner

Better Insulation

Liners on the back of your woven wood shades add an additional layer of insulation between incoming noise and your interior. This is the perfect enhancement for more quiet indoors that you’ll appreciate.

Better Light Control

More insulation on the back of your shade means fewer UV rays peeking through, and more protection for the shade itself, and for your furniture and indoor space. Keep the outside outside, and your indoors indoors.

Better Privacy Control

Shade liners are especially effective for lining window treatments made with thinner and more sheer fabrics. They can provide more privacy, especially at night.

More Personalized

In short, liners for your custom bamboo & woven wood shades (or for any other type of window treatment) add an additional degree of personalization and quality to make your window coverings more ‘yours.” 

*Related: What Is Edge Binding on Window Shades?

Select Blinds Staff Recommendations for Your Space

What would look amazing with those liners you’re considering? Some of our beautiful, custom-crafted woven wood and bamboo shades for your windows! If you’re looking for some recommendations for your home, be sure to keep on reading. We’ve made selections from each of our product tiers for you, to offer you excellent, customizable design solutions for any taste and budget. Spend some time window shopping to see what we have to offer!

Premier Woven Wood Shades (Premium Tier)*

Liven up your windows with this popular array of exotic woven woods. Naturally filter light through the unique textures, or add a privacy or blackout liner for more light and privacy control. Privacy and blackout liner upgrades available.

Premier Modern Natural Wood Shades (Premium Tier)*

Upgrade your interior aesthetic, starting with these window coverings to go from basic and boring to exotic and exciting. These lovely woven woods come in beautiful, natural materials and patterns to match any design you can dream up for your space. Privacy and blackout liner upgrades available.

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

Designer Series Woven Wood Shades (Luxury Tier)*

Level-up your interior design skills by featuring these dazzling woven woods. Choose from a wide selection of gorgeous woods ranging from light to dark neutrals. Room darkening and blackout liner upgrades available.

Designer Ultimate Woven Wood Shades (Luxury Tier)*

Create the ultimate escape in your own interior space. These timeless woven woods are just the ticket to finish off your latest home reno project, regardless of your personal sense of style and design. Room darkening and blackout liner upgrades available.

*Our Luxury Tier products include superior design in distinct styles. Made with unique materials and quality craftsmanship. Luxury Tier products are for the homeowner looking to indulge in sophisticated customization. Some upgrade features are included.

Create the Home You’ve Always Dreamed About

So you’ve decided to do a home redesign, and your vision is to create a dream home you’ll be proud of. Or, maybe you just want to redesign a single room in your house. Never fear! DIY Design never meant “Do it ALL by Yourself.” For any space, a home design upgrade should never feel intimidating. 

Nothing makes a space look warmer and more inviting than beautiful new window treatments, and Select Blinds is all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you tons of helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier, because we’re invested in your success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping Today for Custom Window Solutions to Complete Your Dream Home! >>

What’s So Great About Light Filtering Shades?

Any well-designed home features plenty of natural light. Incoming light from outside adds a touch of soft comfort and energy. It does wonders to make a space feel larger and more welcoming.

Too much light all the time, however, can mean too much of a good thing. Incoming sunlight in the summer can add heat to your space (and boost your energy bills), and maybe you don’t want every room in your house to feature too much light. Yes, your window treatments of choice can also help with “mood lighting.” That’s where light-filtering shades can help!

Shades to Enhance Incoming Light

Layer light-filtering curtains over your shades to create more depth for your windows

There are blackout shades and room-darkening shades, whose opaqueness offers a full to partial darkened effect for your space. But bringing more natural light indoors doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your privacy. You can bask in the natural incoming light while making your interior space more alluring with shades that enhance this incoming outdoor light. 

Semi-opaque light-filtering shades offer an even brighter degree of incoming light while still maintaining your privacy by diffusing harsh incoming UV rays into a softened glow. This light-filtering effect keeps your space plenty bright while reducing the need for electric-powered lighting. It can also balance out a room’s light more evenly and plentifully, instead of featuring brighter areas vs. darker corners.  

Because of these shades’ ability to filter out too much brightness and glare, they are ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, rooms with large windows or sliding glass doors that let substantial light in, and just about any front-facing window. 

SelectBlinds.com Staff Light-Filtering Window Treatment Recommendations:

Cellular & Honeycomb Shades

While keeping the vibe at home cool, calm, and quiet with energy-efficient honeycomb & cellular shades, bathe your interior with soft, diffused natural light. With Kid- and pet-friendly cordless lifts, they’re the safest choice for homes with little ones.

Cordless Light Filtering Cellular Shades (Essential Tier)*

Imagine all the possibilities! Clutter-free, kid-safe, budget-friendly and simply stylish, these energy-efficient cordless cellulars are the perfect finishing touch to any window and design aesthetic. 

Tranquil Cordless Light Filtering Cellulars (Essential Tier)*

Filter outdoor light in beautifully! In homes with small children and pets, kid-friendly cordless custom window treatments help you keep a clean, uncluttered look on windows and doors, and cut energy costs, too. 

Sheer Curtains

Sheer Curtains (Essential Tier)*

Soft, delicate light. All day long. These budget-friendly, light grommet-style panel curtains add an airy look all by themselves or combine with other window coverings for a full layering effect. 

*Our Essential Tier products include simple designs in familiar styles. Made of materials known for strength, and easy cleaning, Essential Tier products are a great starting point for first-time homeowners or renters that are looking for budget-friendly solutions.

Sheer Shades

Few window treatments filter in light more effectively than sheer shades. For the trendsetting home decorator, nothing beats the sheer elegance of sheer shades. Impress your guests with this high-impact, light-filtering, custom flat sheer roller style window treatment.

2” Light Filtering Sheer Shades (Signature Tier)*

These luminous, custom-made sheer light-filtering fabric window treatments block up to 99% of UV rays when closed and up to 88% when open to help protect interiors and gently diffuse light.

*Our Signature Tier products feature thoughtful designs in trendy styles. Made with durable materials, Signature Tier products are the perfect place to start when looking for a beyond-basic solution that is also affordable.

Dual / Zebra Shades

Dual / Zebra shades are unique and stylish! Show off your personal interior design style and unique taste with sheer zebra shades. Enjoy the ease of a roller with the look of a horizontal blind to add dimension and texture to windows.

Premier Light Filtering Dual Shade (Premium Tier)*

Light filtering made easy! Enjoy custom light-filtering control with dual roller zebra shades. Get two types of light control in one simple shade to reduce glare and UV rays. Easy to install, too.

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

Designer Light Filtering Dual Shade (Luxury Tier)*

Style, and then some. Seamless, easy operation along with the light-filtering functionalities of a horizontal blind and the privacy control of a roller shade.

*Our Luxury Tier products include superior design in distinct styles. Made with unique materials and quality craftsmanship. Luxury Tier products are for the homeowner looking to indulge in sophisticated customization. Some upgrade features are included.

Filter More Light Into Your Beautiful Interior Space

We at SelectBlinds.com offer you personalized, custom solutions that can beautifully help you get that soft, balanced diffused light glow in your space. And still maintain all the privacy you need.  

Nothing makes a space look warmer and more inviting than beautiful new light-filtering window treatments, and we are all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you tons of helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier because we’re invested in your success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Try before you buy! Order up to 15 FREE samples daily, shipped FREE to your door, and lock in any promo for up to 30 days.

Also, check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping for Custom Light-Filtering Window Solutions You Can Be Proud Of! >>

What Are The Most Popular Types of Window Treatments? Part 1 (Blinds & Shutters)

Whether you prefer a traditional window style, or something more modern, we at SelectBlinds have the perfect custom solution for you. We offer you more than 170 different customizable products, in over 1800 colors, with countless feature combinations, upgrades, and add-ons available. Did we already say that we can make any budget happy? 

What are the most popular types of window treatments? You might not want window coverings that are merely functional. You might want something stylish, as well. It should come as good news that you can enjoy window treatments that are stylish and also that function smoothly, the way they’re supposed to! So, what would work best in your home? In the second installment of this article, we’ll go into more detail regarding window shades and curtains. For now, let’s discuss some of the most popular types of window treatments, blinds in particular, and how they function.

What Is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?

First, though the two terms are often used interchangeably, let’s distinguish blinds from shades.

Basically, blinds are hanging window treatments, that can have either horizontal or vertical slats that can be tilted open or closed, usually with some sort of mechanism. Different kinds of blinds are made with a wide variety of materials, including wood, faux wood, aluminum, and PVC. Shades, on the other hand, also hang down from the top of a window to the bottom, but they feature a solid, continuous surface that covers the window, and which can be raised or lowered to open up the view outward or to cover up for privacy. Shades can be made from fabrics, bamboo/woven woods, lightweight cellular material, or sheer fabrics, to name a few.

What Types of Blinds Are In Style?

Let’s talk about blinds first. Here are some examples of popular styles of blinds, ranging from traditional to less traditional.

  • Wood Blinds – Solid, natural-looking wood blinds can add real value and style to your home. They are custom quality-crafted to be long-lasting and to add texture, depth, and dimension to your windows and interiors.
  • Faux Wood Blinds – Custom faux wood blinds are more budget-friendly, yet still, high-quality window treatments that don’t look like fake wood! Try faux woods out and get that real-wood look without stressing out your budget! Note that faux wood and aluminum blinds work exceptionally well in damp environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where they won’t get warped or get moldy. If you decide to install wood blinds or fabric shades in your kitchen (i.e., over your kitchen sink) or bathroom, know that you might need to replace them sooner.
  • Aluminum Mini Blinds – If you’re looking for solid, durable, all-purpose custom window treatment, that also looks great, you should give aluminum mini blinds a chance. Mini aluminum blinds feature slats that measure about half the width of the slats of regular size blinds. They are not only budget-friendly, but they also add a modern, crisp, clean touch to your space. Note that aluminum and faux wood blinds work exceptionally well in damp environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where they won’t get warped or get moldy. If you decide to install wood blinds or fabric shades in your kitchen (i.e., over your kitchen sink) or bathroom, know that you might need to replace them sooner.
  • Shutters – Louvered shutters, a traditional framed blind with an exposed vertical tilt bar in the middle of the panel for opening and closing, are the peak of posh for window treatments. Easily hang them yourself to transform your house with the unsurpassed style and quality found only in this coveted take on slat blinds. Either in wood or faux wood, they are an excellent investment in your home’s resale value!
  • Vertical Blinds – A trendy twist on these classic coverings for sliding glass and patio doors provides an excellent solution for covering wide doors and windows. Our versatile vertical blinds come in updated colors, fabrics, and textures to complement your interior design anywhere in your home.
  • Panel Track Blinds – Get your window design right on track with trendsetting, smooth custom sliding panel track blinds. Just choose the number of wide vertical panels you prefer to make a stunning statement for covering sliding glass doors, as well as for large windows.
  • Fabric Blinds – A much softer version to the eyes and to the touch of the classic blinds made of solid materials? Soften up any room with the flexible fabric slats (or solid slats wrapped in fabric) of these fresh-looking, custom fabric blinds for your windows.

How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Window Treatments?

Quality blinds, shades, shutters, curtains, or any other types of window treatments can last you for many years (particularly when installed correctly and maintained regularly). There really is no rule of thumb regarding how often you should replace them. Basically, replace them according to your personal preference, as trends and fashions change and evolve.

Just be sure to follow manufacturer directions when using blinds or shades, in order to preserve them as long as possible. Dust and/or wipe them down on a regular basis. Thoroughly clean your window treatments at least twice annually in order to reduce heavy dust accumulation. Curtains tend to be somewhat easier to maintain, as they can be removed for laundering, dry cleaning, or steaming as you need to. 

Select Blinds Staff Recommendations for Your Space

If you’re looking for some recommendations for your home, be sure to keep on reading. We’ve made selections from each of our product tiers for you, to offer viable design solutions for any budget. How about spending some time window shopping to see what custom solutions we’ve got for you?

2” Classic Cordless Wood Blinds (Essential Tier)*

Few things say “classic sophistication” quite like natural wood blinds in your windows. They’ll look amazing from indoors and out, for years. 

Classic Fabric Vertical Blinds (Essential Tier)*

Cover your large windows and patio doors with the subtle textures and soft color palette of these soothing fabric verticals. Amazing for almost any space! 

*Our Essential Tier products include simple designs in familiar styles. Made of materials known for strength, and easy cleaning, Essential Tier products are a great starting point for first-time homeowners or renters that are looking for budget-friendly solutions.

2” Traditional Cordless Faux Wood Blinds (Signature Tier)*

Budget- and kid-friendly cordless faux wood blinds are exactly the solution your family and home need. The printed wood grains give the horizontal slats a realistic, wood-like look and feel. 

1” Single Touch Cordless Aluminum Mini Blinds (Signature Tier)*

These versatile, modern-looking cordless aluminum mini blinds are amazingly affordable and simple to install and use. No wand needed. Just tilt and lift with the bottom rail. 

*Our Signature Tier products feature thoughtful designs in trendy styles. Made with durable materials, Signature Tier products are the perfect place to start when looking for a beyond-basic solution that is also affordable.

Refined Fabric Vertical Blinds (Premium Tier)*

Take your décor up a notch with these high-quality fabric vertical blinds, available in a trendy selection of relaxing colors and patterns. Perfect for patio doors and wide windows.

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

Designer Elements Blackout Panel Track (Luxury Tier)*

Forget those traditional verticals and deck out your large windows and sliding glass or patio doors in ultimate style with these blackout panel tracks. 

Stained Basswood Shutters (Luxury Tier)*

Upgrade your windows with the classic, elegant look they deserve. These beautifully hand-crafted natural basswood shutters will astound for years to come! 

*Our Luxury Tier products include superior design in distinct styles. Made with unique materials and quality craftsmanship. Luxury Tier products are for the homeowner looking to indulge in sophisticated customization. Some upgrade features are included.

Take More Control Over How Your Dream Home Turns Out

DIY Design never meant “Do it ALL by Yourself.” For any space, a home design upgrade should never feel intimidating. 

Nothing makes a space look warmer and more inviting than beautiful new window treatments, and Select Blinds is all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you tons of helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier because we’re invested in your success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping For Custom Solutions to Get Your Dream Home Looking Exactly As You Dreamed It! >>

Unraveling Common Design Project Obstacles

We at Select Blinds take pride in offering personalized window update/interior design solutions for any budget — over 170 customizable, quality-crafted products, in over 1800 beautiful colors, for starters.

Along your design project journey, we also love making things as easy for you as possible. We give you all the helpful resources you’ll need, like videos for how to measure your windows, downloadable, easy-to-follow installation guides and videos, etc. We even offer you FREE one-on-one design consultation help with one of our design consultants.

“Life happens,” as they say, and design project problems and obstacles tend to find you no matter how easy we make it for you and how well-prepared you are. Not to worry, though, as we’re with you every step of the way. We’ve got you (and your windows) covered!

By the way, have you tried this free design consultation service out? Call us today at (855) 235-3120 for quick questions or for help with bigger issues whenever you might get stuck.

Keep reading for three common design problems our Select Blinds customers have run into and how our design consultants have helped them get resolved.

Related: Mapping the Journey of A SelectBlinds.com Shopper

Common Problem #1: Arched Windows

We have customers calling in all the time asking for help and guidance with arch-topped windows. How to mount, where to mount, what kind of solutions we offer that will work for them, etc. 

Where do the difficulties arise? One common problem spot arises when an arch is the actual top part of a window, with no flat surfaces for mounting (see below).

There are a few solutions for this issue: 

  1. Side Mount
    If a window is narrow enough (e.g., less than 36″), some solutions include:
    *A product that utilizes box brackets that attach to the sides of the window.
    *Cellular shades, as many of our cellular products, offer side-mounting up to a certain width (e.g., our Select and Premier products), but even that is dependent on the lift system selected.
    *Roller shades ordered with the “exposed roll” option also offer side-mounting – but you’ll sacrifice the ease of installation that comes with a cassette since cassettes cannot be side-mounted.
  2. No-Tools Headrail (NTH)
    Select Blinds products are famous for their ease of installation. We offer an even easier installation option, the No-Tools Headrail (NTH). Line your headrail up, and click it right into place. No tools, no hassle. We have expanded our selection of NTH options since we first introduced this option. At first, customers could only get the NTH option with inexpensive cellular or Roman shades. This was a good offering but made the No-Tools Headrail option exclusively available for inexpensive products. We have since introduced NTH for some of our higher-end roller shades, and then more recently with the Little Dreamer and Little Adventurer roller shades for kids. All things considered, No-Tools Headrail is a very viable option for arch-topped windows! 
  3. Drapery / Curtains
    If you can’t fill your window, then cover it! Unless the window in question isn’t too wide (i.e., less than 48″ wide), curtains or drapes can do a great job covering unusually shaped windows. Plus, you can keep the functionality of the window while adding style, as well as bonuses like temperature insulation and noise dampening. Drapes are a more traditional option – so there might be style conflicts with this option. 
  4. Palladian Shelves
    A Palladian shelf is a “floating shelf” that can be installed at the bottom of the arched part of a window. Palladian shelves are great for creating a physical separation (and a flat surface) between the main, rectangular part of the window and the arched part. Select Blinds doesn’t currently offer Palladian shelves, but we will recommend them if we feel it’s the solution that will work best for a customer. These shelves are good for wider windows, as shades can be mounted to the bottom of the shelf as if it were the flat, level top of a window. Palladian shelves also create a surface to mount an arch shade for the top arched part of a window. Palladian shelves are also quite easy to install, not to mention visually pleasing. 

Common Problem #2: Brackets and Depth Visualization

Our website doesn’t always answer every question, so, for example, some of our customers will call in trying to get an idea of what our brackets and hardware look like, how they mount, and how they will fit into their windows at home. Most people are visually driven, so we have a few ways to cater to that need. 

Our solutions for this common customer question include reference materials for the customer, along with a few tips and tricks: 

  1. Specifications Tab (on each product page)
    We can guide customers to and/or through our specifications tab(s) for any products in question. On this tab, we have our depth and deductions numbers listed in a very easy-to-read format. At this point one of our Design Consultants can take all the time needed to talk a customer through these specifications – that’s what we are here for!
  2. “Measure & Install” Tab (on each product page)
    Each product page also includes a “Measure & Install” tab where customers can view installation videos and also look over our installation PDF files. Sometimes getting a visual of the shape and form of a bracket can help customers overcome any uncertainty and get a clearer picture of how our mounting systems really work. Saying that our installation is easy is much different than actually showing it – this helps build our customers’ confidence and answers many questions that customers may not have even known they had. 
  3. Depth Templates
    By taking the flush mount measurements and tracing them out on paper or cardboard, a template can easily and quickly be made. Templates are super useful when it comes to special situations like covering bay windows or windows that meet at 90-degree angles, but they can also be used to visualize simple things like depth. If a blind has a 3.5″ flush mount depth, and you want to know how far that will protrude out from your window, simply cut out a 3.5″ template and hold it up at the top of your window! This will give you a very clear image and help you set accurate expectations.

Common Problem #3: Blinds (or Shades) for Windowed Doors

The uncertainty of how to handle doors with windows has also become a common question from customers. 

  1. Q: “I have a big, protruding handle on my door. Will the blinds have to hang over the handle?”
    Solution: We can suggest you get custom blinds with a “cutout,” or suggest you get a smaller door handle.
  2. Q: “I don’t want door blinds, and I don’t want to get a smaller handle. What now?”
    Solution: We’d probably recommend a roller shade or a cellular shade, in that case. If you order a roller shade, for example, with the “standard roll” option, it can tuck nicely and neatly behind the door handle. If you like “reverse roll” better, it would hang in front of the handle. We could also suggest adjusting your shades’ width so that it hangs to the side of your door handle or knob.
  3. Q: “Can I get a shade so I can still see outside?”
    Solution: Let’s suggest a solar shade, in that instance.
  4. Q: “I don’t want to install hardware into my door. What now?”
    Solution: We’d definitely suggest our Adjustable Roman Door Shades, which can be installed with strong velcro tape, without tools or hardware.
  5. Q: “I don’t want my shade to make noise when I open and close it. What do I do?”
    Solution: Roller shades and Roman shades won’t have this problem, but for blinds, we offer hold-down brackets to attach the bottom of your blinds to your door to prevent them from swinging loosely.
  6. Q: “How do I measure my door’s window?”
    Solution: It depends on the window, so we suggest sharing a photo with us so we can give you the best direction. Generally speaking, for a vertical measurement, if the window is centered in the door, you’ll likely need up to a few inches above the top of the window for mounting, and up to a few inches below the window to ensure ample coverage. Any additions to the width will depend heavily on where your handles and knobs are positioned. 

Take Control of Taking Your Home to the Next Level!

DIY doesn’t have to mean “all by yourself.” For indoor spaces or outdoor spaces, a home design upgrade should never feel intimidating. 

Select Blinds is here to support you all the way from start to finish with tons of helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier. We’re just as invested in your success as you are! Make your house ALL YOURS as you personalize it just for you, without breaking the bank. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

With custom window treatments easily and smartly installed, you can help turn your living space into a calm, inviting sanctuary to enjoy with friends and family.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping and Find Solutions to Take Your Home From Drab to Fab! >>

Taking Your Kitchen Windows From Drab to Fab: A Select Blinds Q&A

Thinking of sprucing up your kitchen a bit to the next level of style? Consider updating your traditional kitchen curtains or blinds for newer, more modern window treatments that can instantly liven up your kitchen space

What sort of things should you consider when making a decision?

Q: What is Best to Cover Your Kitchen Windows?

A: You can select from a variety of different types of modern-looking window treatments for your kitchen windows, including cellular shades, Roman shades, sheer shades, dual/zebra shades, solar shades, curtains, or faux wood blinds or shutters.

Have you considered mini aluminum blinds? Aluminum blinds are built to last, with ample light and privacy management potential.

Like other modern window treatments, mini blinds can draw some nice attention to your kitchen windows, and can even tie those windows in to other design features you’ve selected for the room. The classic elements and modern details of mini blinds can offer a much needed balance to your kitchen, and still be budget-friendly. Whatever window treatments you end up selecting, make sure to create a kitchen space you’ll be proud of by enhancing its unique style, colors, and design. 

Drab to Fab.

Q: Are Blinds, Shades, or Curtains Better in the Kitchen?

Open plan kitchen area with kitchen units and amenities around, with a counter/dining top surrounded by barstools in the middle of this bright kitchen space.

A: Blinds, shades, and also curtains are well-established window treatments for kitchens. You may consider that blinds, particularly mini aluminum blinds, might be a better choice to meet your damp, potentially messy kitchen space’s needs. 

Also, blinds don’t “overcrowd” windows the way curtains sometimes can (with curtains’ fuller look and feel), and they’re much easier to keep clean. 

For the sake of easier privacy and light management, consider layering curtains over your mini blinds.

Q: What is the Difference Between Blinds and Mini Blinds?

A: You might be familiar with the term “mini blinds,” but what does it really entail? Mini blinds are window blinds with slats that are about half the width of standard blinds. 

Q: How Much Light Do I Need In My Kitchen? What About Colors?

A: Natural light can be an integral part of your kitchen space, and definitely brightens things up for your kitchen’s every day use. Regarding color selection, If your kitchen is smaller, consider light, cool colors to make it look larger and brighter. Darker, warmer colors can help larger kitchen spaces feel more cozy. 

Keep in mind that modern design (if that’s what you’re going for) is based in the rejection of mainstream appeal to make way for a more minimalist design aesthetic. You might also consider implementing elements of modern abstract art designs that infuse bold colors. Primary/bold colors can also serve as handsome accents in your kitchen space.

Q: What Other Things Should I Consider Regarding My Kitchen Window Treatments?

A: Consider all the dampness, and sometimes spattering that goes on in your kitchen as a natural part of day-to-day use. The ease with which you’ll be able to keep your kitchen window treatments clean, will depend on the material they are made of. Man-made materials like aluminum and faux wood can be wiped down regularly (use water and some soap … go light on the cleaning solutions).  

As far as a design theme is concerned, the Farmhouse/Cottage design aesthetic is popular for kitchens, and curtains/drapes, as well as wood blinds or faux wood blinds can lend themselves nicely to this look and feel. Aluminum mini blinds are not only durable and long-lasting, they also  lend themselves well to a warm, inviting café look and feel. 

Modern design themes tend to favor straight, “clean” lines, using materials like aluminum, stainless steel, chrome, etc. Note that a lack of clutter/adornments will also contribute to a minimalist look and feel.  

Q: What Type of Window Treatment is Easiest to Clean?

Aluminum blinds are easy to clean, as are just about any window coverings crafted with man-made materials. A damp cloth (even with a little soap) is all you’ll need to regularly keep them free of dust and kitchen grease. Wood blinds are also a great option, but keep in mind that for damp environments like the kitchen (or bathroom), the moisture can cause warping and cracking of natural materials like wood or bamboo/woven wood.

Select Blinds Staff Recommendations for Your Kitchen

If you’re looking for some mini blind recommendations for your kitchen, take a look at these. We’ve made selections from each of our product tiers for you, to offer viable design solutions for any budget.

1” Classic Cordless Mini Blinds (Essential Tier)*

These all-aluminum, custom cordless mini blinds resist the kinks and cracks and work without the cords you’ll find in old-school vinyl mini blinds.

*Our Essential Tier products include simple designs in familiar styles. Made of materials known for strength, and easy cleaning, Essential Tier products are a great starting point for first-time home owners or renters that are looking for budget-friendly solutions.

1” Single Touch Cordless Aluminum Mini Blinds (Signature Tier)*

Versatile, modern looking cordless aluminum minis are amazingly affordable and super simple to use and install. No wand needed. Just tilt and lift with the bottom rail.

*Our Signature Tier products feature thoughtful designs in trendy styles. Made with durable materials, Signature Tier products are the perfect place to start when looking for a beyond basic solution that is also affordable.

1” Premier Aluminum Blinds (Premium Tier)*

Replace your outdated vinyl minis with fresh, modern metallic-looking, all-aluminum custom mini blinds. Dust, dent and scratch resistant, they stand up well to everyday use. 

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

1” Designer Aluminum Blinds (Luxury Tier)*

Dull plastic minis in your home missing the mark? Put a shine on your windows and doors with these high quality, 1″ aluminum mini blinds in a variety of colors.

*Our Luxury Tier products include superior design in distinct styles. Made with unique materials and quality craftsmanship. Luxury Tier products are for the homeowner looking to indulge in sophisticated customization. Some upgrade features are included.

Take Control of Designing Your Dream Home

Time for some DIY. For indoor spaces or outdoor spaces, a home design upgrade should never feel intimidating. 

Select Blinds is here to support you all the way from start to finish with helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier. We’re invested in your success! Make your house ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home, without breaking the bank. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (888) 314-1133 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

With custom window treatments easily and smartly installed, you can help turn your kitchen space into a calm, inviting space to enjoy with friends, family, and for every day cooking.

Free samples. Free shipping. Free design consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping and Find Solutions to Get Your Kitchen From Drab to Fab! >>