Contemporary Vertical Alternatives

Q: I've heard that there are alternatives available to typical vertical shades and I'd like to know more about them. I'm hoping to find something other than conventional vertical blinds since my home is more contemporary. Can you help?

A: Of course! The most popular vertical blind alternatives are composed of cellular shades. Vertical cellular shades are comprised of pleated sheets rather than traditional vanes and provide a more contemporary and modern look to large windows and sliding glass doors. And vertical cellular shades come in a variety of colors and opacities which gives you even more control over the light in your home.

Much like traditional cellular shades (or honeycomb shades as they're sometimes called), vertical cellulars are made of rows of air pockets that expand as you pull the shade closed. These unique pockets, or cells, create an insulating layer between your home and the window, providing an energy efficient yet contemporary look to your windows.

Options for Light Filtering

Q: I have wonderful windows in the front of my house that really let in a lot of light. I love the light, but my windows face the street and I'm hoping to improve my privacy with some window treatments. Do you have any suggestions for shades that let me keep the light but also shield me from the street?

A: You're in luck! There are lots of options for light filtering shades! Roman shades, roller shades, and cellular shades (probably the most popular) all come with light filtering options. If you love the look of drapes but like the convenience of shades, you may want to consider Roman shades. If your style is more contemporary or you want a low-profile window treatment, you might like roller shades (Forget the vinyl, modern roller shades come in all sorts of soft fabrics and colors).

Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are probably one of the most popular choices for light filtering shades. These unique shades have pockets of air that help insulate your window in addition to diffusing sunlight. Like roller shades and roman shades, cellular shades also come in room darkening colors and textures.

Light filtering means that you keep the soft natural sunlight but gain privacy at the same time. Keep in mind, though, that some of these shades will show your shadows at night so you may want to either consider a 2-in-one shade with room darkening benefits, or combine your light filtering shade with a drape or window treatment you can close at night.

Mini Blinds with Two Colors

Q: I want to buy new mini blinds for my daughter's apartment at college but her neighborhood requires all street-facing blinds to be white. Do I have any options besides getting her plain white mini blinds?

A: Thankfully, Hunter Douglas and Levolor make blinds that are colored on the inside and white on the outside. Like most other mini blinds, both of these blinds are made with aluminum slats that are great for creating quality shade and light control on a budget.

The Hunter Douglas lines of two-tone blinds are called Duotone and Lightlines. The Duotone blinds are standard 1” aluminum blinds with color on one side of the slat and white on the other. Lightlines are identical to Duotones except they give even more light control by eliminating the route holes in the slats. This can be especially useful for preventing unwanted glare on computer screens during late night study sessions.

Much like Lightlines, Levolor's Tiltone uses routleess slats that prevent unwanted light from entering the room. And, like their alternatives, Tiltone gives you a choice in colors for the inside of the room while still conforming to neighborhood regulations on the outside.

With Hunter Douglas and Levolor you can follow the rules and still have style!

A Different Kind of Cellular Blind

Q: I like the energy saving function of cellular blinds, but I'm not all that excited about the appearance. I have a more traditional décor and I'd like to find something that insulates like cellular but looks more conventional. Any suggestions?

A: Comfortex makes a blind that looks like a traditional blind but expands to work like cellular shades. The Odysee has soft blades that function much like a conventional blinds, but, instead of tilting, they expand to help block light. The blades (or slats) lay flat when not in use, but as soon as you want to increase your shade, light control, or privacy, simply use the appropriate controls to expand the blades to create a single-layer cellular shade.

Normal cellular shades are made from layers of fabric that create air pockets, or cells, when you expand the blind. The Odysee, however, has isolated each cell and collapsed them into slats for a more conventional appearance. Instead of tilting the slats, the Comfortex Odysee allows you to expand the cells, interlocking them to create an insulating layer between your room and the window. This way you get the look of a traditional blind and still reap the rewards of cellular shades!

Ideal Blinds for Kitchen and Bath

Q: I'm remodelling my kitchen and guest bathroom and want to coordinate the blinds in both. Any ideas for something that looks great but also resists moisture?

A: You might want to consider faux wood blinds. These blinds look and function like normal wood blinds but are made from synthetic materials that are easy to clean and resist humidity and water. Unlike older styles of faux wood blinds, manufacturers now make blinds that look and feel so close to real wood it's difficult to tell the difference!

You also have the ability to choose the stain and style of your faux wood blinds which makes them an ideal choice for coordinating with existing cabinets and fixtures. This means that you have more flexibility with choosing blinds that either match or compliment the wood in your kitchen or bath.

They're easy to clean, too. Simply dust or wipe down with a wet rag and your blinds are clean! With faux wood blinds you won't have to worry about food stains, water damage, or grease. They're easy to clean and continue to resist water for the lifetime of the blinds.

Eco-Friendly Blinds and Shades

Q: Are there any shades or blinds that are environmentally friendly or sustainable?

A: Absolutely! Blinds and shades can be made from all sorts of sustainable and renewable materials like bamboo, grasses, and reeds. Even some woven wood shades fall into this category.

There are lots of styles and options, too, ranging from more rugged woven fiber blinds to softer, more traditional shades. Bamboo, for example, can be made to look a lot like reed shades for an earthy look or stripped and woven into fabric to resemble more conventional styles.

Reeds, grasses, and woven wood blinds tend to look more like their fibers. These are great for rooms where you want to accent a natural floor or offset contemporary furniture with a natural woven shade.

These sustainable shades also come in a variety of colors and shading options. While most come in warm earth tones, there are also options for darker hues and, of course, natural unbleached colors. They range from room darkening to light diffusing and almost sheer. The huge variety in natural shades gives you all kinds of opportunities to accent your home with beautiful eco-friendly materials.

Top Down Bottom Up on Cellular

Q: I read your last post “What is 'Top Down/Bottom Up” and wanted to know more about the options for cellular blinds. Thanks.

A: Cellular shades, a popular option for those looking for light and energy efficiency, come in regular top down/bottom up designs as well as two-in-one options. The conventional top down/bottom up feature gives you the option of raising your shade from the window sill or opening it from the top (top down).

There's also a two-in-one option that works very similarly to the traditional top down/bottom up method. The two-in-one cellular shades give you the benefit of both an opaque room darkening cellular shade as well as a sheer, light filtering one. These shades literally have two shades on top of one another to give you the benefits of both worlds. Where the opaque cellular shade stops, the sheer one begins.

These are convenient and easy to use since they work the same as regular top down/bottom up shades. You can fill your window with an opaque shade and, when you want more light, simply pull down the top rail to expose the sheer shade. This is a great alternative for those who like both privacy and soft light.