Cell shades

Kitchen Window Treatment Design Ideas

/ Larry Walker

By SelectBlinds.com

What to do about your kitchen windows? Different rooms in your home have different needs when it comes to window treatments, but think about all the time you spend in your kitchen, in particular.

Treat Your Kitchen Windows

The kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of your home,” where you spend so much time with your family and friends talking, eating meals, telling stories, joking around, celebrating holidays, etc. You rely on your kitchen’s window treatments to not only serve certain functions, but also to look good while doing so. You’ll spend a lot of time seeing your kitchen window coverings, so you want to take extra care that you “treat” those windows just right.

Kitchen Window Treatments: Some Considerations

For starters, you need your kitchen window treatments to be durable and easy to clean – but remember, you also want your kitchen blinds, shutters, or shades to look good and make your kitchen feel welcoming. You can control the amount of light coming into your kitchen, as well as your privacy as needed, all to fit your personal lifestyle.

Faux Wood Kitchen Blinds and Shutters

Faux wood blinds and shutters are definitely durable and built to last, but even better, they are perfect for areas of high moisture and dampness, because they won’t warp, split, or crack over time. Plus they offer the elegant look of real wood blinds. They are also super easy to keep clean. Simply wipe down with a soapy, damp cloth or rag, and then with a dry cloth.

Roller Shades

No matter what your sense of style, there’s a custom roller shade that you’ll love. Highly functional, great at keeping the light out, and with a familiar, classic look. Get creative in the way you express your own individual aesthetic.They are also easy to care for and to clean, especially those rollers made of synthetic materials.

Solar Shades

If blocking out the harsh incoming glare is of concern to you to keep the sun out of your eyes and also to help preserve your interior furniture, you may consider solar shades as an option for your kitchen.

You can select from sheer to opaque and anywhere in-between. Solar shades are usually made from PVC, which means they’re super easy to clean and maintain, and also that they’ll last for several years.

Bamboo / Woven Wood

Another viable option for kitchen window treatments comes in the form of shades made with bamboo or woven woods. Just be careful which window you use them for (keep them away from behind the sink or near the stove), because if they get wet, they will start to gradually come apart. The materials used to make them, like bamboo, grasses, reeds and jutes, help soften the look of your kitchen appliances. Also, they’re known to hold their shape over time, even if you get a lot of sun in your kitchen. Cleaning bamboo is easy, as you can regularly just wipe off dust with a damp rag.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades (sometimes referred to as honeycomb shades) are designed to insulate against outdoor heat and cold by trapping heat inside their single- or double-layer honeycomb “pockets.” This helps conserve energy and reduce your energy bills throughout the year. Cellular shades can also insulate against and soften outdoor noise when your children are playing outside, or you’re entertaining guests.

As far as “cleanability” goes, cellulars are relatively easy to keep clean. Simply dust or vacuum them off regularly. From time to time, you may want to have your shades professionally cleaned, as they are prone to gather various scents and smells over time. Along with Roman shades, cellulars are also not the best choice as a treatment for the window over the kitchen sink, as they do not do well in moist/damp environments.

Need Some Inspiration?

To help you, here are some of Select Blinds’ most popular options for kitchen window treatments:

2” Premier Faux Woods 

Classic Sheer Weave Solars  

Classic Roman Shades  

Classic Fabric Light Filtering Roller Shades 

Lifestyle Light Filtering Cellulars 

Classic Cordless Woven Woods 

Trust your design instincts. Your kitchen windows are going to look AMAZING.

Easy Arched Window Treatment Ideas

/ Larry Walker

By SelectBlinds.com

Arched windows over doors or windows add unique dimension to an interior. They can even make your room look “taller,” and more spacious. Originally introduced by the Romans, arched windows were also popular in ancient Greece and throughout the ancient world. They represent a classic architectural finishing touch.

Forget about stories you may have heard about how difficult it is to find arched window treatments, or how difficult it is to install those window coverings, since they’re often so high up and out-of-the-way. At SelectBlinds, we’re ALL ABOUT making your life easier, so read on to learn how window treatments can be a simple project for your arches, with many options to choose from.

Arched windows are a classic architectural finish that add dimension to your windows and interior.

Arched Window Treatments Should be Designed as a Focal Point

Arched windows are naturally a prominent focal point in a room due to their size and height.  It can be tricky to find “off-the-shelf” window treatments to cover them. Window treatments for arched windows are a better option and are easier than ever before. You could hire someone to cover your arches professionally, but you can just as easily “DIY it” by purchasing arched window treatments online.

Window treatments for arched windows should enhance those uniquely shaped windows as a design focal point.

Arched Window Shapes & Styles

There are several different styles of arch-shaped windows, including traditional half-moon (the half circle people typically think of in regard to arched windows) and “sunburst styles.” There are also the more “elongated eyebrow-shaped” windows and “quarter arches.” Depending on the size, shape, and location of your window, there are plenty of stationary or movable options to meet your needs.

Cellular Shade Treatments for Arched Windows

One of the most popular treatments you’ll find for arches are Cellular/Honeycomb shades. “Cellulars,” as they’re often called, come in a variety of colors, textures, and are commonly constructed in durable polyester. This makes it easy to coordinate with other window coverings in your room, along with the rest of your interior décor. Some arched window treatments can be opened and closed, while many are “fixed” window treatments, meant to stay closed all the time.

Light filtering or blackout options for your arched windows can add just what you need for privacy and light control. Plus, you can achieve that personalized, well-designed look all throughout your home.

Other Cell Shade Advantages:

  • Cellular shades are considered energy-efficient. Their unique “honeycomb construction” traps heat inside their pockets to insulate from heat in the summer, and to keep heat IN during the cold winter months. 
  • Installation is easy, once you have your arched window shades in the right size.
  • Cellulars also help insulate against outdoor noise. Need some quiet to work while the kids are outside playing? Get cellular shades for your home office windows.
  • Many arched window shades come with white street-facing backing, for HOA compliance.
arched window treatments over the front door
Control the light coming in through your arches with light filtering or blackout cellular arch shades.

Curtains and Drapery for Arched Windows

Another easy way to cover your arched windows is with curtains or drapery.

Curtains and/or drapery can be designed to cover your arched windows entirely, or partially. Sheer fabrics work well to not block out the light completely. Along with the classic look of arched windows, drapery has its own timeless appeal and flowing look, so that might be the pairing you decide upon. They also come in many patterns and colors and are a great choice if you want to display your personal style in a more prominent way.

drapery as an effective arched window treatment
There are a wide variety of ways to use curtains / drapery as arched window coverings.

Curtains and drapery fabric finishes range from cotton canvas to trending metallic and glossy sateens, sheens, and embossed satins. The choices are endless. It’s easy to enhance and personalize your drapes even more with standard and optional features like color coordinated tiebacks, privacy and blackout liners, and curtain rods and rings in a variety of finishes to enhance their look. We offer matching fabric by the yard, to tie the whole room together by using it to create your own fabric accents, like decorative pillows or a duvet, for example.

Here’s some guidance on how to measure for curtains or drapery.

Measuring Your Arched Windows

You may need a step stool or ladder to get up high enough to measure your arched windows. Proceed cautiously! It might be helpful to get someone to assist you.

Arched window treatments are almost always mounted on the inside of a window frame, so that’s where you’ll be measuring. 

To measure width for half-moon and quarter arches: Get a steel measuring tape and measure the width of the window base at the bottom of your window,, from left to right. Round down to the nearest 1/8” if you measure a 1/16” or 1/32” increment. This is the width you’ll use for ordering for your arched windows from Selectblinds.com.

To measure the height, for a half-moon arched window and for quarter arches: take your measuring tape, and, measure inside the frame from the base up to the highest center point of the arch. Round down to the nearest 1/8” if you measure a 1/16” or a 1/32” increment. This is the height you’ll use to order.

Nice and easy.

measuring arched windows
Wait until you see how easy it is to get arched window treatments.

Most Loved Window Treatments for Arched Windows :

Premier Light Filtering Arch

Premier Blackout Arch

Luxe Modern Light Filtering Arch

Luxe Modern Blackout Arch

Luxe Custom Drapes/Curtains

Lifestyle Custom Drapes/Curtains

Designer Fabric By The Yard

The perfect arched window treatments are waiting for you at SelectBlinds.com.

The Best Reasons to Choose Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades

/ Larry Walker

by SelectBlinds

Top-down Bottom-up shades … perhaps you’ve heard of them or seen them in someone’s home. This unique style of window treatment offers some advantages over more common ones.

Top Down Bottom Up Shades from SelectBlinds
Classic Top Down Bottom Up Light Filtering Shades function in two directions.


In a nutshell, Top-down Bottom-up (TDBU) window coverings are great for privacy, while maintaining effective control of your outdoor view. Plus, they just look really great in your windows!

Advantages of Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades

Some noteworthy things to consider if you’re thinking about TDBU shades in your own home:

  • Light and privacy control

    Normal window blinds and shades are meant to help reduce incoming UV rays and glare, but their ability to control light is limited to just what can be managed on the bottom part of the covering. Top-down Bottom-up shades allow you to open up to ample incoming light, while still maintaining quite a bit of control of the view into your home from the outside. Neither functionality nor aesthetics have to be sacrificed. 
  • Versatile View

    Speaking of privacy and light, you’ll find that Top-down Bottom-up window coverings are a perfect fit for rooms in need of privacy, but also needing light. They also can help maintain a clear view outside in a way that regular shades can’t. With the top half of your shades open and the bottom part covered, you effectively maintain your privacy and incoming sunlight, but can still maintain your own open view to the outside. You won’t find this kind of light/privacy/view control in other types of window treatments.

  • Energy-efficiency

    No matter what type of Top-down Bottom-up shades you prefer, you can always rest assured that you’re getting top-notch temperature control. Block out the top part of your windows during the hot weather months, but then keep that top part open during the winter to let the sun’s warmth flow in and help heat your rooms. Honeycomb/cellular Top-down Bottom-up shades also provide additional insulation from heat and cold.

How to Use Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades

What is the best way to manage your light and privacy with your TDBU shades?

Because of the stylish way they help you manage your view, light, and privacy all at once, Top-down Bottom-up shades are the best for bedrooms and bathrooms – plenty of natural incoming light, with very effective privacy management.

Any color complementing you can do with other types of window coverings, you can also do with your Top-down Bottom-up shades. There are also plenty of textures and styles available to help you achieve and enhance just the right feel in any of your rooms.

Another benefit of honeycomb/cellular Top-down Bottom-up shades, is that they also provide a nice sound-proofing effect to block/fade out exterior noise. 

How do Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades Work?

To function in the unique way they do, Top-down Bottom-up shades utilize a mounted top rail along with a second floating rail that can be operated independently. You can find yourself Top-down Bottom-up shades with both corded and cordless lift.

Top Down Bottom Up Roman Shades at SelectBlinds
Select Roman Shades w/ Optional TDBU Lift

To open/close/adjust them, you can pull the tab down to lower the top of the shade and up to raise the bottom of the shade.

Corded Top-down Bottom-up shades have a cord on either side of the window covering, one for the top and then the other for the bottom. You can also upgrade your Top-down Bottom-up shades to enjoy motorization. 

Are Top-down Bottom-up Shades Worth it?

Privacy. Light control. Open outdoor view. You will find yourself loving your Top-Down Bottom-up shades. You can also save on energy bills, and protect your floors and furniture from the harsh effects of UV glare. 

What are the best Top-down Bottom-up Shades?

You can purchase Top-down Bottom-up shades in a variety of types of window treatments: Roman shades, bamboo/woven wood shades, honeycomb/cellular shades, etc. Get the improved fashionable function in a wide range of styles. You’re sure to find some that go perfect with your own sense of interior décor.

We recommend:

Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades at SelectBlinds
Classic Top-Down Bottom-Up Light Filtering Shades

You’ll have a wide variety of colors, fabrics, opacities (e.g. light-filtering, blackout, etc.) and pleat sizes/styles to choose from. Create a knockout look at home with a different kind of shades. Sample online today and start your Spring interior makeover!

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