New Homeowner’s Guide to Window Coverings: What to Buy and Why

New house. Fresh start. A whole lot of windows staring back at you. Window coverings are one of the first things you’ll want to tackle. Done right, they control light, add privacy, cut energy costs, and pull every room together. Luckily, we can help make it easy for you. This guide walks you through everything from types to rooms to types of treatments to tips and tricks. Our simple measuring guides will ensure you can hit the ground running from day one and, as always, our experts are standing by and ready to help over the phone or via chat. You’ll have all the tools you need to do it yourself and become the hero of the household. Let’s get started!

Blinds vs. Shades vs. Everything Else

Most window coverings fall into two categories. Blinds have slats you tilt for light control. Shades are made of fabric and raise or lower in one smooth piece.

Both are customizable. Both can look incredible. The right choice depends on your space, your style, and how you live. We’ll also discuss Shutters, which are very similar to blinds, but they are contained within a casing around you window frame, and Drapery that hangs over you window frame and can be paired with almost any style of window covering.

Popular Types of Window Coverings

Time to meet your options! There’s no shortage of styles, so here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular types and what makes each one shine.

Wood Blinds

Classic. Warm. Timeless. Wood blinds bring natural texture and rich, beautiful finishes into any room.

• • Real wood finishes
• • Excellent light control
• • Pairs well with drapery or valances

Faux Wood Blinds

Affordable. Durable. Effortlessly attractive. Faux wood blinds are an economical first-choice favorite.

• • Moisture-resistant for kitchens and bathrooms
• • Easy to clean
• • Budget-friendly alternative to real wood

Cellular / Honeycomb Shades

Cellular shades are energy efficiency all-stars. They’re also lightweight and endlessly customizable.

• • Traps air for energy savings
• • Light filtering and blackout fabrics
• • Top-down bottom-up available

Roller Shades

Simple. Clean. Incredibly versatile. These minimalist favorites are simple to use and incredibly versatile.

• • Wide range of fabrics and colors
• • Blackout and light-filtering options
• • Budget-friendly and modern

Roman Shades

Roman shades are rich, satisfying, and stylish. Think of them like drapery with the function of shades.

• • Soft folding fabric in multiple styles
• • Designer friendly fabrics and patterns
• • Great for layering and coordinating

Woven Wood Shades

Think bamboo, reeds, and grasses. Natural texture meets effortless style. These organic shades instantly warm up a space.

• • Eco-friendly materials
• • Warm, textured look
• • Optional liners for privacy

Solar Shades

Keep your view. Cut the glare. Solar shades filter incoming sunlight like a new pair of sunglasses.

• • Blocks harsh UV rays
• • Reduces incoming glare
• • Multiple opacity levels

Dual Sheer Shades

Dual sheer shades combine alternating fabric vanes that can be aligned to perfectly balance light and privacy.

• • Provides the best of both worlds
• • Adjustable privacy options
• • Elegant look for living and dining rooms

Vertical Blinds

Built for big windows and sliding doors. Verticals are a practical, budget-friendly solution for wide openings.

• • Ideal for large openings
• • Smooth side-to-side operation
• • Durable and budget-friendly

Skylight Shades

Let the light in without the heat. These are perfect for overhead windows where glare and temperature can get out of hand.

• • Reduces heat and glare
• • Perfect for hard-to-reach windows
• • Motorization-friendly

Shutters

With endless curb appeal and timeless style, these functional coverings are usually worth the investment.

• • Timeless architectural look
• • Great insulation and privacy
• • Adds long-term home value

Drapery & Curtains

The finishing touch that transforms a room. Drapery can add softness, color, and drama. Our top pick for sliding doors. Ooh la la!

• • Adds softness and dimension
• • Enhances window height
• • Endless fabric options

Best Choices by Room

Not every window treatment is right for every room. Here’s how to think about it, room by room.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is ground zero. It runs hot, it gets messy, and it’s where everyone ends up anyway. Go durable and easy to clean. Faux wood blinds are a top pick here since they won’t warp, won’t fade, and wipe down in seconds (even after the buerre blanc explodes everywhere). Since you’re often covering windows above sinks and stoves, you need something durable and moisture resitant. Think faux woods, cellular shades, and roller shades. Bonus points for anything that can roll up and completely get out of the way.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and your first thought should be privacy. How dark do you want it? Blackout anything is the gold standard for blocking out that early morning sun. It will also provide the most privacy. If you don’t need complete darkness, day/night cellular shades give you the best of both worlds. On one end, you get room-darkening and on the other you’ll have light-filtering. Note that light fitlering fabrics may display your silhouette at night. Add motorization and your shades practically run themselves. Pure luxury.

Living Room

This is where you make a statement. Solar or other light filtering/roomd darkening shades will protect your furniture from fading while preserving your view. Roman shades bring softness and elegance to bay windows. On tall windows, or windows you want to feel tall, overlay long drapery panels for reach, drama, and a finished look that will wow every guest. Drapery plays well with anything. Natural shades are unique and easy to coordinate, and rollers and cellulars provide plenty of fabric options to match any style. I give you full permission to be bold in this room: color, pattern, mix-and-match fabrics. Make it feel like you actually want to live in it! Bring it to life!

Dining Room

This is where you celebrate, big or small. For a formal dining room, floor-to-ceiling drapery creates height and a sense of occasion. For a more relaxed vibe, coordinating roman or roller shades keep things warm and cozy. Cellular or woven wood shades are also a great middle ground for the room that sees everything from Taco Tuesday dinners to holiday feasts.

Bathroom

Moisture is the enemy here, so material choice matters. Faux wood blinds and vinyl options are your best friends because they handle humidity without warping, fading, or throwing a fit. Top Down Bottom Up shades are also a fun choice for their versatile light and privacy options.

Home Office

Your home office should work as hard as you do, and light control is everything. Too much glare can wreck your screen time, while too little light can make the space feel closed off. Any light-filtering shade would be our go-to here. They cut glare, protect your eyes, and still let in natural light so you don’t feel like you’re working in a cave. If you need more flexibility, consider layering drapery over your shade for added privacy and extra light blocking during calls or deep-focus time. Motorization, as usual, is also a game changer. You can adjust your light throughout the day without leaving the desk or breaking your flow.

Must-Have Features

Features are the most fun. These aren’t just bells and whistles, they will genuinely change how you live in your home.

Motorization & Smart Shades

The ultimate in luxury and convenience. Motorized blinds and shades can be controlled by remote, phone app, or voice through Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Set schedules so your shades open with the sunrise and close at sunset. Motorization is smooth, fast, and undeniably cool. It’s also the smartest solution for tall or hard-to-reach windows. Bluetooth compatability, motorized wands, remote controls, we have it all. Almost every window covering can be made motorized.

Light Filtering or Room Darkening or Blackout Fabrics

Not all light is created equal. Choosing the right fabric opacity can completely change how a room feels and functions. Many window treatments have different types of fabrics or liners to choose from. Light Filtering fabrics let in soft, natural light while maintaining some privacy (until it’s dark outside). Great for living rooms, kitchens, and spaces where you want a bright, open feel. Room Darkening reduces most incoming light without going fully dark. Ideal for bedrooms, media rooms, or anywhere you want less glare. Blackout fabrics block nearly all light for maximum privacy. Perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, and anyone who takes their sleep very seriously.

Top-Down Bottom-Up Lift

This one is a genuine game changer. With top-down bottom-up shades, you control the shade from both ends. Lower the top for natural light while keeping the bottom down for privacy, or operate them like normal shades. You can even adjust the shades from both ends to use it like a ceensor bar. Perfect for street-facing rooms where you want sunshine without the feeling of being on display. We think of it as the secret weapon of window treatments.

Why Go Custom?

Here’s the thing about windows: no two are exactly alike. Even windows that look identical in the same room will almost certainly have slightly different measurements. Windows are finicky. They love to throw you a curveball.

Custom window treatments are measured and made for your exact windows. The perfect fit and the perfect look. Unlike premade shades cut to a standard size, custom shades fit inside each window like a beautifully tailored dress. No awkward gaps. No fabric bunching at the bottom. No look-away moments.

Each custom covering is handcrafted by real people, fitting every component together to create something truly special. And here’s the best part: you make every single choice. Color, material, lift style, lining, hardware. It’s all yours to decide. The result is a window that looks intentional, not improvised.

Don’t let your windows be an afterthought. Let them be the finishing flourish. Start building your custom window treatment here.