Earth-Friendly Shades

Q: After witnessing Earth Hour, I began thinking more and more about small changes I can make around my home to be more environmentally friendly. So, on my quest for new window shades, I've decided to go “green”. Any suggestions?

A: Now is the perfect time to look for more sustainable window shades and blinds. Woven wood, bamboo, reeds, and grasses are all sustainable fibers that work beautifully as shades. In fact, manufacturers have come up with new and innovative ways to use these fibers to give you even more variety in natural woven shades.

Most people associate woven shades with open weaves that accentuate the natural grasses from which they're made and let in a fair amount of light. Although standard “earthy” shades are still available and work perfectly for creating a warm atmosphere, there are more tightly woven shades and blinds that create a slightly more modern look while still maximizing light control and privacy. And they're available in a wide range of colors and textures that will match any decor!

So why not extend Earth Hour to Every Hour by using woven wood shades!

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.