Light Filtering Shades and Blinds

Q: I need shades that will filter light instead of blocking it but I only know of a few styles. Could you give me some of the most popular (and maybe some not-as-well-known) styles that come in light-filtering styles?

A: Yes! The most common shades styles with light filtering options are cellular shades, roller shades, solar shades, roman shades, and sheer horizontal and vertical shades. Yes, believe it or not, roller shades and roman shades both come in styles that let diffused light into the room. In fact, all of the above styles come in lots of different colors and textures for light filtering. Darker colors, of course, will block a little more light while lighter colors will certainly brighten up a room.

Sheer horizontal and sheer vertical shades also look great! In fact, these provide extreme versatility in light filtering options. These shades combine very sheer and light-diffusing fabrics to give you multiple options in how much light you want to let in. Lots of colors make these a great option, too!

Opacity of Roman Shades

Q: I love the look of roman shades but really want soft light, too. I'm so used to seeing roman shades in really thick fabrics that darken rooms and wanted to know if they come in more light-filtering styles. Can you tell me what kind of varieties there are in roman shades? Thanks

A: You can get roman shades in all sorts of colors, fabrics, and thicknesses, even light-filtering. Most people associate these drape-like shades with dark rooms and lush fabrics but they can also appeal to lighter rooms, too! In fact, light-filtering or sheer roman shades are great for bedrooms and dens where you might want to keep the soft look of drapes but still have the convenience of shades.

The amount of light filtered will depend on the make and style of the shade you choose and can also be affected by the color and style of fabric as well. For example, light-colored sheer roman shades won't block much light but they'll certainly cut down on glare and still give you the roman shade look. The light-filtering roman shades will block a little more light but are great when you want natural light without the bright sunshine. There's a lot of variety in fabrics and weaves and the combination of colors, makes, and textures gives you huge range of lighting options!

Very Durable Shades and Blinds

Q: I have a house full of young boys and who have managed to destroy a few shades on their voyage into adolescence. Although the older ones are growing out of the rowdy stage, I still have two more to go. I need “unbreakable” shades that still look decent but won't cost me a fortune. Can you help me?

A: Of Course!! In fact, faux wood blinds not only look fantastic, they're also made to be durable under a huge range of conditions. There are two types of faux wood blinds: wood composite and PVC. Both are extremely durable, and very easy to maintain. Since they're not real wood, they're easier to clean and can withstand the bumps and jars of everyday life. They're also more dense which makes them heavier than wood blinds and you can get them in all kinds of colors (including ones that look like real wood!)

You might also want to consider roller shades. They are simple, flat and can withstand lots of traffic. They come in a wide range of colors, textures and styles that give you a lot of flexibility on looks, too. Different materials need different maintenance, though, and you might want to look into vinyl shades. A lot of people are turned off by the word “vinyl”, but these shades are very different than the ones from decades ago. You can even dress them up with trims and hem styles.

Trims and Edges for Roller Shades

Q: I'm planning on putting roller shades in my condo but wanted to dress them up a bit. Can you tell me a little more about trim options?

A: Of course! While you can dress up roller shades by choosing different fabric options, you can also choose different trims and shapes for the bottom edge. Most roller shades come standard with a flat (horizon) hem but Hunter Douglas lets you spruce up your roller shades by offering seven other hem styles: Horizon with trim, half moon, scallops and shells, breakers, wave, broken scallop and seagull. Each of these hem styles also comes with trim options that resemble the decorative trims on expensive curtains or pillows.

If you want a more modern design, I'd recommend the more contemporary decorative tape trims. These follow the same horizontal style as traditional roller shades but have nice clean lines that fit a more modern style. They look great on big windows and work really well in almost any space. Hunter Douglas does a great job of giving you lots of options for colors, fabrics, and light filtering, too!

Shades with Cordlesss Controls

Q: I have three young children and just redecorated their bedrooms. I was hoping to get some sort of shade or blind with cordless controls for safety. What styles are available with this option?

A: That's a great idea to put cordless shades in your kids' rooms since they're designed for easy control and safety. Cellular blinds, wood blinds, and roller shades all have cordless options available. Cellular blinds (also known as honeycomb shades) are soft to the eye and soft to the touch and come in all kinds of light filtering and room darkening options. Their pockets of air also make them great for insulation.

The cordless function of cellular blinds is the same on wood blinds. All you have to do is push up or pull down on the bottom rail to lift or lower the blinds. Not only is this very safe and functional, it also gives the windows a clean cord-free look!

I'm personally a big fan of roller shades for kids' rooms, though. Not only are roller shades flat and soft, most are incredibly durable. You can also dress them up with decorative trim! The cordless controls on these are composed of a spring lift system. It's easy to control and still very safe.

Control Options for Cellular Shades

Q: I'm about to order cellular shades but I wanted to know what control options were available. I have a few tall living room windows as well as some in bedrooms where my little niece often sleeps. Thanks for your help!

A: There are four main control types for cellular shades: Ultra glide, cordless, continuous cord loop, and remote controlled. If you're planning on installing cellular shades in a guest room or bedroom for small children, you may want to think about getting the cordless or ultraglide options. Cordless shades are just that: cordless. They let you lift and lower the shade by gently guiding the bottom bar. Ultraglide is the Hunter Douglas safety blind that keeps the control cords at very short lengths. Continuous cord loops are also good since they also maintain a consistent cord length.

As for your tall living room windows, go motorized! It can be really difficult to reach some of the controls if your windows are really high. Remote controlled blinds are great for this and also perfect for skylights if you have any. Simply sit back and push a button!

Matching Specific Colors

Q: I'm pretty picky about my home and am having a hard time finding shades and blinds that match my color scheme. I'm open to different styles and types, I just want a certain color. Is there anywhere that can help me do this? Any help would be appreciated.

A: Great question! Color schemes are important and there's a really cool color finder here that can help match types of shades to your existing palette. While some people have an idea of the type of shade they want (ie roller, cellular, mini blinds, vertical, etc), others know the color or stain they'd like and are flexible with styles. If you know the general color you'd like, just pick the color and the color finder will help you find a shade or blind that matches that category.

Keep in mind that some of these shades come in both light filtering and room darkening styles. Once you choose the color and styles, you might also want to decide on the type of light control you'd like, too. There are lots of options, but the color finder is a good place to start if you're looking for a good match to your décor.

If you need an exact color, just ask for free samples. That way you're sure to get an exact match!