light filtering window coverings

The Ultimate Guide to Cellular Shades (And Why You’ll Love Them)

/ Alicia Chan
Cordless Blackout Top Down Bottom Up Shades in Classic White

Cellular shades are the most popular customer choice here at SelectBlinds. The purpose of this high-level guide is to break down the basics of cellulars and answer any questions you have about them. We’ll help you understand the different terms and features so that you’ll feel more confident throughout your journey. And if you have more questions, you can always call our Design Consultants!

What Even Are Cellular Shades?

Cellular shades are constructed by several soft-spun lace fabric “cells” that resemble a honeycomb. (Some people also call them honeycomb shades.) They act similarly to an accordion in that they expand or compress when you raise or lower them. The cell construction traps air and heat and provides insulation, which makes them the most energy-efficient window covering. In addition to their functionality, cellular shades come in a variety of colors, and they can be framed with curtains or drapes to create dimension.

Types of Cellular Shades

Single Cell vs. Double Cell

SelectBlinds cellular shades come in single- or double-cell constructions. Double cells simply means there is twice the amount of cells. It traps more air and adds another layer of insulation.

Light Filtering vs. Blackout

Both light-filtering and blackout shades block harmful UV rays. Light-filtering shades softly filters in light and creates a soft glow in the room. For blackout shades, the inside of the of the cells are lined with mylar, and it blocks up to 99 percent of incoming light.

Customer Review

“It was a cinch! Measurements were perfect, and they look so classy. We slept so much better in the dark, and to our pleasant surprise, it kept the rooms warmer!”
– Donna from Colorado

Pictured: Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades in Pebble

Top Down Bottom Up

Top Down Bottom Up cellular shades maintain your privacy while allowing incoming light. They utilize a mounted top rail along with a second floating rail that can be operated independently. To adjust them, you pull the tab down to lower the top of the shade and up to raise the bottom of the shade.

Trishades

Eliminate the need for multiple coverings with this two-in-one custom window treatment. Trishades can both filter light or black it out entirely, depending on how you adjust the sections. Simply pull down the light-filtering handle to let light in, or pull up on the handle for the blackout feature.

Why You’ll Love Them

  • Energy efficient – The “cell” construction traps air and provides insulation from the heat and cold. In addition to insulation, the soft fabric diffuses light and reduces heat from entering the room, saving you money on electricity.
  • Noise reduction – Their layers block out not only light, but also outside noise. Put them in rooms by busy streets to block out extra commotion.
  • Light Control – Blackout cellulars can block up to 99% of incoming light.
  • Cordless or Motorization Lifts – Like all our blinds, you can choose if you’d like a Continuous Cord Loop Lift or one of our Cordless Lift options. Motorization is another feature that customers love. Choose from a remote control, motorized wand, or home automation system.
Premier Light Filtering Cellulars in Thunderstorm

How to Choose the Right Cellular Shades for Your Home

When choosing the shade, factor in the climate where you live, where in the home the shade is going, and the size of your window.

If you’re somewhere temperamental, a double-cell shade will keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If you live somewhere warm, a single-cell shade may provide enough insulation for you.

SelectBlinds cellular shades come in a variety of pleat sizes, from ⅜” to 2” wide. Typically, double-cell construction means smaller pleats, and single-cell means larger pleats. Smaller pleats will look more natural in shorter window frames; while the wider pleats are more proportional for larger sized windows. 

Wider pleats are also lighter per square foot, which makes them ideal for large sliding doors and wider windows. This principle also applies when using them for skylight blinds and arches and window arches.

Because of their fabric material, cellular shades can absorb moisture and even odors. They’re not ideal for rooms exposed to condensation, such as kitchens or bathrooms. They are great though for rooms by busy streets because they reduce sound, and blackout cellulars help support a better night’s sleep.

Customer Review

I have installed dozens and dozens of shades during my lifetime, both personally and professionally. This blind was the easiest install I have ever done. It took longer to remove the old shade and hardware than it did to install the new unit.
– Bob from North Dakota

Pictured: Cordless Light Filtering Top Down Bottom Up Shades in Stone Wall

What’s Next?

Our process is 100% do-it-yourself! We’re a DIY company, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be there for you every step of the way when you need us. Along with our Design Consultants, we also have instructional guides and/or videos on how to measure, install and even clean your shades!

Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn more about cellulars! Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

What’s So Great About Light Filtering Shades?

/ Super Admin

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! >>

Do New Window Treatments Really Add Value to Your Home?

/ Super Admin

If you talk to several different real estate agents, you’ll probably get at least several different answers regarding things you can do to help increase the value of your home. One thing they’ll all likely agree on, is that one of the critical factors in maximizing your home’s resale value is to make sure your interior is bathed in good, adjustable lighting. 

Zillow.com directly mentions lighting on its “Best Home Improvements to Increase Value” list, asserting that: “Good lighting is crucial to showcasing your home’s features…” Zillow continues by stating that one of the best ways to invest in a better resale value for your home is to “Spruce up the décor with window treatments.”

But new window treatments can be an expensive endeavor for your home – not to mention a seemingly overwhelming task. And the cost can add up quickly if you’re paying someone to do your measurements and installation for you. Window installation can start at $20 per window, or for “by the hour” cost, up to $40 per hour. It might even cost you more if you don’t have your window treatments installed by the same company you bought them from.

But you can take better control of the costs if you do things right. You can find budget-friendly blinds and save yourself a ton if you’re willing to “DIY” it. And DIY doesn’t mean “all by yourself.” Select Blinds is here to help, for every step of your design project journey! 

Consider that window fashion for your home is actually a very worthwhile investment. Read on for reasons why new, stylish window treatments will not only add a breath of fresh air to your home’s interior décor, but why they’re also a smart way to add curbside appeal and increase the resale value to your home (especially louvered shutters).

Why Are Window Treatments a Good Investment?

Why are fashionable window treatments such a sought-after feature in a home? Nothing adds a welcoming sense of warmth and comfort to a space like beautiful custom window treatments. They’re the finishing touch of personalization on a well-designed space that you put your heart and soul into. A space you can be proud of!

Here are some more key reasons window treatments are such a great investment:

  1. Style

Window treatments are a perfect way to add color, depth, visual appeal and a personal sense of design style to any space. They can complement and accent your interior design motif. 

  1. Light Control & Privacy

We’ve mentioned how important lighting is to highlight features in your home. And from a functionality standpoint, maybe you want blackout shades to help you or your children sleep in when you want to. Or maybe you want to watch your favorite movie without an annoying glare shining in. 

Then there’s privacy. You should be able to easily and conveniently manage how well you can see outside, and prevent others from looking in from your home’s exterior. 

  1. Energy Efficiency

Regardless of what type of climate you live in, or what time of year it may be, you can always find energy-efficient window covering options for your home that will help you reduce your energy bills significantly. What a great return for investing in your windows!

According to the United States Department of Energy: “In heating seasons, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, which equates to about 10% heating energy savings. In cooling seasons, cellular shades can reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 60%, reducing the total solar gain to 20% when installed with a tight fit.” 

Any type of window treatment blocks out the incoming heat from the sun’s rays and heat during warm weather months to help keep your indoor space nice and cool. For colder months, window treatments can keep the cold drafts out, and in some cases, like cellular / honeycomb shades, they can trap the heat to keep it indoors.

  1. Convenience

For homes with several windows, it can be time consuming to spend each day raising and lowering them all. Why not try motorized window treatments, or better yet, try automated ones. Tie all of the shades in an area of your home to a single remote control button, or better yet, all of your window treatments to an app, so you don’t even have to think about it.

  1. Protect Your Furniture and Interior

Everyone loves sunny weather. However, the sun’s harmful UV rays can inflict lasting damage on your furniture and on your home’s interior. Excessive UV exposure can cause premature drying, cracking, and fading. Keep your furniture and interior looking their best for a long time to come with protective window treatments (especially solar shades for your interior and exterior solar shades for your outdoor areas).

We Can Help You Find the Perfect Solutions for Your Home Upgrade Projects

Don’t let a home design upgrade project intimidate you. You got this! And we’re here to support you all the way from start to finish with helpful resources to make your life easier. Make your house ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home. No need to break the bank to do it, either. Sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, and save yourself plenty of money in the process. And we got you! Free interior design consulting is just another way we can support you in all your home upgrade projects. Call us today at (888) 314-1133 to tap into our free design consultation resources.

With custom window treatments easily and smartly installed, you will help your home be a calm sanctuary to live in, and to stand way out over the competition when you need to sell.

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

Go Window Shopping for Some Trendy New Select Blinds Window Treatments! >>

Selecting the Best Kitchen Window Treatments: Over the Sink

/ Larry Walker

By SelectBlinds

The kitchen and dining room are the heart of any home. Holidays, laughter, Sunday dinners, cooking, homework, late night chats, etc. That’s why so many of your best family stories start in the kitchen.

Custom window treatments provide a fashionable finishing touch that accents and complements the way you design your own interior spaces. Lots of opportunities to highlight with colors, patterns, and texture. Window coverings provide light control, privacy, and peace of mind.

A kitchen is a unique space, and you may have different considerations for how you decorate the windows, based on where each window is located. Your choice of window treatments offer additional opportunities for touches of softness and style in the middle of bulky, metallic appliances and smooth, hard surfaces.

Select Blinds bamboo / woven wood shades for the kitchen window
Select Blinds bamboo / woven wood shades look great in your kitchen sink window,
but be careful about water and moisture in the area.

Maybe you want kitchen window curtains. If you only have one window in your kitchen, you’ll want window coverings that let as much light as possible filter in, while still being able to maintain privacy. You may consider sheer shades. If you have a kitchen window that faces the street, privacy might be a primary concern, with incoming light also being important, but perhaps slightly less so. You may want window coverings that offer a unique view, like Top-down Bottom-up shades. Then there are those windows immediately over the sink. What looks best over them? Time to get cooking. Read on as we serve up a deeper dive into kitchen window ideas and considerations as you find what fits best with your personal style and sense of décor.

Decorative Window Coverings

If you’re thinking about a covering for a kitchen window over the sink, be extra careful that you keep the right kind of materials in mind. You can still go with stylish bamboo/woven wood shades or Roman shades, but be aware that because this area over the sink often involves water splashing, spills, etc., you might have to be extra careful to avoid water damage. Wood blinds are also at risk for getting wet and possibly warping or discoloring, but you might just love the way they look in that window over your sink. It’s always up to you, just be aware of the risks that are involved if you decide on a material that doesn’t take well to water.

Select Blinds light filtering roller shades for the kitchen window
Select Blinds light filtering roller shades allow just the right amount of light
and view into your kitchen, without compromising your privacy.

Privacy

As mentioned, privacy may be a concern if your kitchen sink window faces the street or a neighbor’s home. Roller shades may be what you’re comfortable with in terms of providing privacy, and perhaps with some light filtering functionality.

Light Control

If your kitchen sink window faces the east or west, you’ll especially want to take account of direct incoming sunlight. Direct UV rays can be harsh on your eyes, your skin, your furniture, and they can definitely crank up the heat in a room. A stylish, but heavy-duty solar shade may be what you want to employ over your sink to protect yourself and your interior while you’re doing dishes after evening summer cookouts. Solars are typically constructed of durable PVC materials, so they’ll look great and maintain that “brand new” look for a long time to come. You can also custom order them with the degree of UV blockage of your choice.

Also, consider aluminum mini blinds for your kitchen sink window. Aluminum shades built to last, with plenty of light and privacy settings.

Select Blinds Solar screens for the kitchen window
Select Blinds Solar screens help block out harsh UV rays,
while keeping your kitchen cool. They look great, too!

Functionality and Longevity

In addition to durable solar shades and aluminum blinds for your kitchen sink window, there is another excellent option for a food-prep, dishwashing area. If you love the look of real wood blinds and shutters, but can’t bear the thought of them getting wet and warped, faux wood blinds and shutters might be just the perfect find.  

Not only do they perform amazingly at maintaining light and privacy, they also look great, they’re also super easy to care for, and they’ll last forever. You can clean them with little more than soap and water as needed. Many faux wood slat constructions also feature insulation against heat and cold. The lush look and feel of real wood in your home, and their resilience ensures they’ll never warp, crack, chip, or discolor when exposed to water, food stains, or steam. And much less expensive than real wood. Low-maintenance, and no worry.

Select Blinds Faux Wood Blinds for the kitchen window
Faux wood blinds give any kitchen window a crisp look and feel,
along with privacy and light adjustments.

SelectBlinds’ Staff Recommends:

Here are some of our favorite suggestions for the window above your kitchen sink.

Remember, kitchen window treatments can serve a design/decorative function to go with your kitchen’s décor, but especially for the window over the sink, it should also be durable, provide privacy, and block out harsh UV rays. Choose whatever kind of blinds work best for you, but remember that the most functional ones for that particular window are moisture- and mold-resistant. Happy decorating!

#BlindsWeLove     #kitchenblinds

Layers of Light: Filtering with Sheer Shades

/ Larry Walker

by SelectBlinds

There are a handful of different types of window treatments out there, from simple roller-style shades to intricate patterns of bamboo / woven woods, but we often get the question, “What do you have that can block light, but also allow me to see through during the day?” Sheer shades are the answer!

Select Blinds 2 and a half inch sheer shades
Farmhouse Kitchen Coverage with 2 1/2″ Classic Light Filtering Sheer Shades.

Why Sheer Shades?

Being homeowners ourselves, we understand that versatility plays a huge part in home design, no matter the niche. In the world of window decor, our customers love privacy, enhancing aesthetics and protection against UV rays. But also, we want to be flexible throughout all of the glass in your home. On one hand providing window treatments for sliding glass doors, and on the other is a suggestion for kitchen window treatment ideas that sync with your sink (*wink wink!*).

City Girl Meets Farm Boy used our 2″ Premier Faux Woods in Snow over her kitchen sink.

5 Benefits of Sheer Window Shades

1. Room Darkening or Light Filtering options are available, if you’d like to have a more transparent or opaque base material for your sheers.

2. Customizable with cordless and motorized controls that are great for hard-to-reach and high up windows.

Control these 3″ Room Darkening Sheer Shades with the press of a button.

3. All of our sheer shades can be hung or mounted safely inside a window frame with a minimum depth of just one inch. This is great for shallow windows found in older homes, trailers, and RV’s.

4. Integrate with your home automation software, like Google Home or Amazon Echo, by choosing sheers with an optional WIFI Hub.

5. Sheer roller shades have a traditional roller-style draw, so they smoothly lift and lower every time.

Now that you’ve got some new window treatment options and inspiration, take a moment to grab some free samples of sheer window shades and other custom coverings online at SelectBlinds.com!

Your Next Renovation Project: A Spring Windows Update!

/ Larry Walker

by SelectBlinds

After a seemingly long and sometimes dark winter, spring returns to the northern hemisphere on Saturday, March 20, 2021. The earth tilts on its axis, and the North Pole leans back toward the sun once again.

What’s not to love about spring? More hours of daylight and a sense of rejuvenation.

‘Tis the season for spring cleaning and organizing, and also for spring home renovation projects (“reno,” for short)! Time for reorganizing your bookshelves, repainting one or more of your rooms, sprucing up your closets, or refreshing your organization pieces (shelves, baskets, etc.).

Get your list ready!

Spring cleanup and renovation projects
Ready for Spring cleaning and renovation projects?

Spring Cleaning and Other Projects

One of the top suggested spring renovation projects involves your window treatments. Color options, textures, and an added dimension of “feeling.”

Energy-efficient honeycomb / cellular shades. Wood or faux wood plantation shutters. Natural bamboo / woven woods. Aluminum mini blinds.

Just the right window coverings can be the perfect finishing touch for any room. They help you manage incoming light and indoor privacy at home. They should also reflect and complement your personal sense of style and indoor décor.

Do Something Inspiring at Home This Spring!

One aspect of any home renovation project everyone takes into consideration is budget. You can find new, sharp-looking, and budget-friendly window treatments that are perfect for your living space. Functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Now that you’ve prioritized the rooms in your home for your “windows refresh” project, would you like some suggestions?

Bedroom / nursery spring windows update
Bedroom / Nursery Spring windows update

Bedroom / Nursery

Your bedroom is your one refuge that you crave more than anything else, especially after a long day. Maintain your privacy, while filtering in some soft light. How about blacking out the light entirely when you want to sleep in?

Get creative with how you illuminate and decorate this quiet, comfy space. It’s your bedroom, and should showcase your personal taste! For nurseries and homes with children and pets, consider the safety of cordless lift window treatments.

For your bedroom or nursery, we recommend:

Living room / Family room spring windows update
Living room / Family room Spring windows update

Living Room / Family Room

You love the way your new Select Blinds window treatments control the incoming light, while also providing privacy. Now consider window décor possibilities for your main living space. This is the first room of your home that guests typically experience, and you want it to complement the décor in the rest of your home.

For your living / family room, we recommend:

Kitchen / dining room spring windows update
Kitchen / Dining room Spring windows update

Kitchen / Dining Room

Your kitchen. The hub of your home, where all the best stories begin. You make so many memories here, along with delicious meals, laughter, and holidays. You need your kitchen window treatments to be versatile, good looking, and built to last.

For your kitchen / dining room, we recommend:

Bathroom spring windows update
Bathroom Spring windows update

Bathroom

Aromatic soaps. Warm water. Your self-care spot, where functionality and beauty meet. Your bathroom windows deserve all the style and personal touch you take pride in all over your home. Open up to what you can do with your private wellness sanctuary!

For your bathroom, we recommend:

Home office spring windows update
Home office Spring windows update

Home Office

Your home office. When you’re working from home, productivity and comfort are important. Take this opportunity to make your home work space an extension of your well-designed home!

We recommend:

Spring is worth getting excited about, along with your home renovation projects. Make the rooms in your home truly yours, and spruce them up with your own unique flair.

Budget-friendly. Long lasting. Easy to clean, maintain, and take care of. Start the spring cleaning and home renovation season off right by making Select Blinds your windows update go-to!

Watch our brief video on how window treatments help you control incoming light.

#BlindsWeLove

Media Room Ideas: The Best Window Coverings for Gaming Rooms and Movie Night

/ Larry Walker

by SelectBlinds

Gamers and home theater buffs: Does your gaming or media room have windows? When you’re online, on a roll playing your favorite RPG, or relaxing with your favorite film, you want nothing to do with the sun’s harsh glare. You might be considering window blinds or shades for your room’s windows to block out exterior light and glare, as well as to help insulate and soundproof your room. More fabric-style window treatments, like blackout cellular shades or Roman shades, also assist with dampening background noise and improving your gaming / media audio quality, too!

Gamer playing a video game in a darkened gaming room.
Gaming and media rooms with windows should have good lighting control for the best entertainment experiences.

Window treatments can also provide plenty of privacy, day or night. They can also help insulate against the heat or cold, to help save on your energy bills.

If your gaming/media room windows face the north, there’s a good chance you’ll rarely, if ever, have to worry about direct sunlight coming in. If your room’s windows face any other direction, you’ll likely get some direct sunlight coming in at some point during the day. Window treatments are specifically designed to control incoming light, but keep in mind there are different degrees of light blockage.

What Is the Difference Between Blackout and Room Darkening Shades?

Blackout shades, or room darkening blinds? Blackout shades are made with an opaque fabric intended to block out ALL incoming light. “Room darkening” window treatments typically block out between 95 to 99 percent of the outdoor light. Window coverings that block less than 95 percent of incoming light are commonly known as “light filtering” blinds or shades.

Maybe you prefer a total blackout effect. Maybe you like the incoming light most of the time, but just want to block out the setting sun’s glare for movie night. Knowing what you need and prefer can help you in your selection.

Window with blackout curtains to keep out sunlight glare.
Window coverings can protect your interior from harmful UV rays and annoying glare.

Consider some of these options for blackout or room darkening effects for your entertainment room:

What Are the Best Blackout Shades?

We take pride in all our products and customer service, and stand by them all. Consider the fact that from a 2020 review of the “best blackout shades,” The New York Times review considers Classic Cordless Blackout Shades among its top three picks.

The review panel “unanimously agreed that the Select Blinds Classic Cordless [Blackout Shades are] the [ones] they’d most like in their homes,” citing the quality polyester shades’ look and feel being “noticeably better in quality than other shades [they] considered.” In addition to top-notch look and feel, the NYT review also cited the shades’ wide color and customizable size selection, and the longest warranty of any other shades they reviewed. 

Regardless of what kind of window treatments you go with, keep in mind that your entertainment space is yours and should meet your needs, while reflecting your personal sense of style.

Jordan H. Is a Happy SelectBlinds.com Customer!

/ Larry Walker
“AMAZING! HUGE VALUE! BEAUTIFUL! 

I replaced some LEVOLOR blinds that came with the house and after at least 15 years, finally a string broke in the largest living room window. So I replaced the living room set and added to a newly remodeled laundry area window. Will for sure buy these for every other window in this and our rental house! 

Here is a picture of our bay window in the living room! What a huge difference they’ve made!”

Signature Light Filtering Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades in Taupe hang in bay window

Customer hung same Signature Light Filtering Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades by Select Blinds in hall window. Color is taupe.

Can’t thank you enough for the kind words (and review!), Jordan! So happy to hear and see how great these Signature Light Filtering Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Cellular Shades (in Taupe) look. Please be sure to send us more photos when you redo the rest of the house (and rental). 🙂

Bruce W. Is a Happy SelectBlinds.com Customer!

/ Larry Walker
“I am extremely pleased and happy with my custom cord-free pull-down Signature Light Filtering Cordless Cellular Shades that I purchased from you! I replaced ALL the blinds in my camper trailer with them in Cool Silver (they really are!), giving my trailer a nice, clean, modern look and feel. The sizing process was extremely easy, and the included hold downs work great when we’re on the road. Your customer service was GREAT, and I really appreciated the military discount I received. I HIGHLY recommend SelectBlinds.com for all your quick and easy window treatments!! Check out my photos. 😊 Excellent value and quality, smooth ordering, fast delivery!!”

Thank you, Bruce, for your service! What a sweet ride! So glad they look so good and gave you the quick update you were looking for. Happy motoring!

cordless-cellular

cordless-cellular