Apart from making your rooms look super stylish, window shades help block out natural light and provide bedroom privacy. Not to mention, window shades come in a wide variety of styles and materials.
On top of that, you can choose from several hundred vibrant colors and remarkable patterns. It means no matter your taste. You can rest assured you’ll spot one that perfectly matches your room’s decor. One that’s well within your budget as well.
However, this extensive range makes finding the best window shade a rather daunting task. Luckily, we’ve made a list of top window shades alongside easy-to-understand buyers guide down below.
What are Window Shades?
Window shades refer to a type of soft window treatment. Typically, brands manufacture shades from a single piece of materials as opposed to individual slats. It means you can adjust the window covering up and down. Plus, dust doesn’t accumulate in these shades because of their horizontal design.
Moreover, shades are available in an extensive range of materials and measurements. You even get to enjoy a wide range of designs, patterns, and color options.
Blinds vs. Shades
Despite the difference in their functionality, blind and shades are two words often used interchangeably. Read down below to find the difference between blinds and shades.
Blinds are hard window treatments comprising individual slats. Moreover, you can raise or lower them according to your needs. Upon lowering the shades, you may rotate it to block out light or allow vast amounts of natural light inside. Typically, blinds offer a wider range of materials and sizes. Here you’ll find window coverings using either wood or metal, or an amalgamation of those two, to ensure the ‘hard’ look blinds provide.
On the flip side, shades utilize a single panel of either woven wood or fabric. Instead of moving sideways, you can move shades horizontally to lessen light entering your room. You may even lower during the night to achieve bedroom privacy. Manufacturers typically make shades using specific fabrics that give a soft look. Moreover, shades allow you to choose from various opacity levels depending on your needs and preferences.
Factors To Consider When Purchasing Window Shades
Finding the right fit for your window requires thorough planning and consideration. Here are a couple of factors to think about before finalizing your purchase:
1. Privacy and Light Preference
Depending on whether you want your room to bathe in sunlight or just want a light filter, you’ll have to look for different materials. Moreover, each material boasts different opacity levels, so be sure to look into that.
Typically, shades go from a light-sheer to a blackout. Plus, you may pull your shades down to ensure maximum bedroom privacy.
2. Cleaning
Shades are prone to collecting dust and grime. It means you’ll have to wash them every once in a while. However, based on your chosen material, the cleaning process may either be easier or harder.
Textured weaves conceal dirt and dust comparatively better than other materials. However, cleaning your shades includes vacuuming and spot cleaning.
3. Safety
You shouldn’t buy shades with cords and strings, especially if you have small kids at home. Instead, look for cordless window shades.
4. Budget
The price of a window cover may vary depending on the size of your window. Thus, larger windows are comparatively more costly. Moreover, if you opt for special fabrics, patterns, add features or order a custom size, you’ll have to add those expenses as well. Besides this, count the number of windows that require window shades.
5. Your Room’s Decor
Purchasing a window shade that doesn’t match your room’s decor will ultimately make your room look odd. Alternatively, one that complements it will beautify your house.
Moreover, you may choose a color that suits your taste. If you prefer neutral tones, go for subtle colors. However, if you wish to make your room look sleek, go for softer, pastel colors. Lastly, bold and vibrant colors will make your room look bright and cheerful.
Top Window Shades Ideas
To assist your window shade purchasing journey, we’ve added a couple of top ideas down below:
Roller Shades
Simple yet classy, if this is the combination you’re looking for, then roller shades are the way to go. Available in a plethora of plain tones, these cost-effective shades help diffuse and increase sunlight in a room.
Moreover, roller shades include a super convenient control comprising a shade you can pull up or release with an innovative cord. Not to mention, these shades feature a variety of material options; burlap, bamboo, and so on. The best part? You can modify the shades by adding marvelous painted designs, tassels, and much more.
Honeycomb Shades
Honeycomb shades, otherwise known as cellular shades, come in multiple materials, textures, sizes, colors, and even opacities.
These shades combine two different pieces that result in a luxe shade featuring a honeycomb structure. These comprise airy pockets that offer excellent insulation, i.e., you stay cozy during winter and cool during the summer. A bonus is that honeycomb shades are sound insulated.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are considered to be a fantastic blend of balloon shades with roller shades. Typically these use jute, seagrass, or bamboo. However, these are available in a plethora of different styles.
Furthermore, the horizontal pleats of roman shades stack up on lifting. Thus, it takes up a little space on your window even after you raise them completely. You may look into additional features like temperature-regulation, blackout, and so on. You can even inspect the array of colors and sizes available.
The Takeaway
If you’re stepping into the window treatment market as a novice, making the right purchase can be challenging. From searching for a window shade that matches your room’s decor to ensure it features the perfect height, there’s a lot you have to consider before making your purchase.
With the above mentioned easy-to-follow tips and top five window shades lists, however, it’ll be easier for you to find the perfect window shade for your living space.
