Summer Vibes: This Season’s Hottest Shades

Summer is finally here. It’s time to enjoy these long, sunny days spent by the pool, evening barbecues on the patio and relaxing indoors to beat the heat. Well, try to beat the heat. Sometimes the scorching sun can be tough to escape. As temperatures rise, window treatments can make a big difference inside your home. The right shades will not only keep your home cool and comfortable but can also elevate your interior design game. Here are a few tips on what to look for in your summer shades.

a beautiful living room with plenty of incoming glare from a window that needs to be covered

What to Look for In Seasonal Blinds and Shades for Summer

Solar Protection

First and foremost, you want shades that can keep out the heat and block UV rays. Solar Shades are our top choice because they’re great at cutting back on glare, without which will protect your furniture and flooring from fading due to sun exposure. The variety of openness levels will help you keep your view outside, so you don’t miss out of the beautiful days. Cellular Shades are our second favorite category for summer, as the honeycomb design will help trap air at your windows to keep your home cooler and cut back on your energy bill. No matter which type of window covering you choose, lighter color materials will help reflect the sun’s energy to keep your home cooler and more comfortable.

Light Control

Do you like to sleep in on weekends or need a dark quiet, place to enjoy movie nights? Adjusting the amount of light coming int through your windows is key. You can look for shades with various opacity levels, like Solars, or even Banded Shade options, which allow you to alternate between blackout or light-filtering fabrics depending on your needs throughout the day. Most blinds and shades can also be customized to include either a light-filtering or blackout liner for optimal light control all year long.

Style

Your shades should be functional and match your home’s aesthetic. Consider your interior design style. Are you modern and sleek, or do you prefer a natural, textured look? There are countless options available, from classic Roller Shades to Woven Wood varieties, so you can find the perfect fit for your space. You’ll see our top choices below.

closing a roller shade with a cordloop lift in a kitchen to block glare

Our Top Picks for Summer

Now that you know what to look for, here are our designer’s top picks for summer’s hottest shades.

Harmony Solar Shades

Harmony Solar Shades are a great summer choice, offering both style and functionality. You can choose between 5% or 10% openness fabric for the perfect balance light control and view-through based on your needs. If you want added convenience, consider upgrading to the optional motorized lifts. The Rechargeable Bluetooth feature will give you simple smart home connectivity, letting you control your shades on your smartphone or tablet. Our Harmony products are some of our newest shades with the latest features available.

Blindsgalore Classic Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades

If you’re looking for maximum light blocking and insulation this summer, look no further. Our Blindsgalore Classic Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades provide complete privacy, blocking up to 99% of incoming light. This makes them great for creating a dark and cool space and perfect for bedrooms or media rooms. Cellular shades offer peak insulation. With an R-value of 5.0, they help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. And, if you didn’t know, blackout shades don’t need to be back. These cells are offered in from neutral tones like Antique Beige and Sandstone as well as bolder hues like Nightfall and Tuscan Brown.

Blindsgalore Classic Roller Shades with Light Filtering

For a sleek, modern look that gently filters light, check out our Classic Light Filtering Roller Shades. These shades provide privacy while still allowing some light through the fabric. The result is a soft, diffused glow in your windows, especially popular in living rooms, dining areas and home offices. This unique fabric can reduce glare and UV rays while still giving a view of the world beyond. These Roller Shades can also fit almost any décor style, with fabric colors ranging from neutral tones like White and Grey to bolder hues like Bark.

Blindsgalore Luxera Natural Woven Shades

Looking to go organic this summer? Consider our Lumera Natural Woven Shades. These shades bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with a sophisticated selection of natural materials like bamboo, jute, and grasses. Complete your custom look with a light filtering or blackout liner to control the amount of light and privacy in your space. These eco-friendly favorites are also stylish, durable, and easy to operate. You’ll get plenty of “wow” factor to help start the season in style.

Any and All Motorized Shades

Above all, summer should be filled with plenty of rest and relaxation. Nothing says relaxed like being able to adjust your shades with a single click from anywhere in the house. Your bed included. Summer sun rising too early? Shut it down with your motorized shades and catch a few more Z’s. A motorized lift allows you to easily open and close your shades and even connect them to your smart home. That will open up features like timers and remote controls, you can program your shades to operate on a schedule or from anywhere on the planet.

Bring home the perfect combination of energy efficiency and style with our wide selection of shades, blinds, and more. With customizable options and expert advice, we have everything you need to keep your cool this summer.

palm trees swaying in the breeze on a sunny southern california day in summer