Choosing the Right Window Shade Design for Your Space

About Me
Planning new home

I'm finally moving out of my share house stage and into my own home. It's a great feeling to be a little more grown-up, and I want to able to look around my home and feel proud of having a great looking home. I am using an interior designer, as I spend a lot of time working, and I don't feel like my current furnishings are quite as sophisticated as I'd like for my first solo house. This blog has tips for first home buyers who are looking for ideas on how to decorate their home in a classy and sophisticated way.

Choosing the Right Window Shade Design for Your Space

28 March 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Indoor roller blinds are a good choice for any room of the home; they're compact so they don't get in the way of furniture or foot traffic and can add some colour and fabric to the space, making it seem more cosy and homey. When you start to shop for window shades, you may be surprised to see how many different styles are available; note a few tips for making the best choice for your home.

Roman shades

Roman shades are made of fabric and have sections or panels that fold under each other, creating a large pleat or flap design. This can make the shades more dramatic looking and can keep the look of some fabric in the space even when the shades are fully opened, as they don't simply roll around a spindle. Roman shades can also be made of jute or bamboo if you want a natural and rustic look.

Cellular shades

Cellular shades are sometimes called honeycomb shades because they come in two layers that have small sections stitched together, creating a honeycomb-shaped opening between those sections and rows of stitching. These shades can add some depth to the windows because of two separate panels and the thickness of the honeycomb shape, so they're good for windows that might otherwise look a bit drab and dull. The air between the two panels can even add to the insulation of the space, keeping out drafts in wintertime.

Pleated shades

Pleated shades have folds along a single panel, so they don't just roll around a cylinder but close up like an accordion. The pleats add some depth while not being too large and overwhelming. Pleated shades are good for using behind drapery if you want a bit more visual interest in the space. They're also good for when you want just a small amount of light filtering, as the light will be blocked out along the pleats but then come through the area that is not folded.

Roller shades

Roller shades are standard shades that roll around a cylinder, but note that a plain vinyl material is no longer your only option. You can find a wide range of fabrics that can make the windows look softer and not so industrial, and you can choose from a variety of weaves and densities to help control how much light you actually want to block. Motorized shades and side tracks on the window frames can keep them from curling around the edges and keep you from struggling to lift and lower the shades to your desired height.