Just moved into a new home with plenty of light-filled rooms–and nary a window treatment to be seen? Rejoice, for this doesn’t happen very often! Think of it this way: Now, you have carte blanche to create whatever look and style you wish.
If instead of feeling like Picasso, you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, take a peek at our cheat sheet for tips on the best window treatments to get for each room.
3/4” Single Cell Cellular Shades with Cordless Lift: Light Filtering, Meringue
Great Rooms
Living room, family room, potato, potah-to. Whatever you call it, it better be great. After all, this could be the room where both first impressions–and lasting memories–are made.
This room is likely to be the largest one in your home–and the one with the most light. It could also feature unique window shapes, like arches or skylights. To that end, you’ll want a versatile, yet striking solution with options to control glare, heat, or both.
Our pick: Cellular Shades. Soft, yet striking, cellular shades gently diffuse sunlight for moderate privacy. More importantly, they provide just the right insulation and energy savings you need to keep your great room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thanks to their unique, intelligent, honeycomb design.
Roller Shades with Cordless Lift and Cassette Valance: Classic Neutrals - Room Darkening, Smooth Tusk
Bedrooms
Let’s face it, when it comes to rest, we all could use more. This boils down to blocking out the early morning sun (or pesky outside lights!). While the heat and cold air-blocking properties of cellular could work well here, our recommendation is a tried-and-true, room darkening Roller Shade.
Clean and modern, roller shades pair well with just about any décor style, while room darkening fabrics allow some light to filter in for increased privacy by night and key, laser-sun-beam eye protection at dawn.
For even more bedroom window treatment solutions, check out The Best Bedroom Window Ideas from a (Self Proclaimed) Sleep Insider.
9/16" Single Cell Cellular Shades with Motorized Lift: Light Filtering, Whitetail 36229
Kitchens
For many families, the kitchen is where it all happens. Additionally, they often serve as the entry point for those coming from the garage, so window treatments in this room need to stand up to all the hustle and bustle of a busy home.
Also, if you’ve ever baked in the summer, you’ll know that heat from a stove or oven can really add warmth to the room (and the poor chef in it). Brightly lit kitchens may benefit from the protection or efficiency offered by solar or cellular shades, but we give the edge here to solar or roller shades, due to the fact they’re easier to clean. (Hello, splattered spaghetti sauce!). Only outlier here is if you have any wide windows or sliding glass doors in your kitchen area, we’d recommend vertical blinds for reliable light control and ease of use.
2" Faux Wood Blind with Cordless Lift/Wand Tilt and Decorative Valance: Subdued Steel
Bathrooms
Hey, bathroom windows deserve your respect, too! Not only do bathrooms demand premium privacy, but they also require moisture resistance (unless you want to give up hot showers).
Our pick for this tricky little room? Functional, faux wood blinds. Ranking high in privacy and light control, these blinds are durable, easy-to-clean, and moisture- and humidity-resistant.
Solar Shades with Cordless Lift and Cassette Valance: Solar Screen 1%, White Chocolate
Home Office
Today’s modern home office could be the most complex of the bunch. On one hand, you need UV protection from glare and heat. At the same time, you’ve also earned the right to a room with a view. Other factors that come into play might include productivity, motivation, and even happiness.
Our reco? Solar Shades. Specially engineered with a see-through design, solar shades with 1% openness block up to 99% of all incoming UV light, minimizing glare and protecting your furniture–all without ruining your view.
3/4" Single Cell Cellular Shades with Bottom Up/Top Down Cordless Lift: Light Filtering, Beachy Blue
Media/Theater Room
This one’s a no-brainer. For the least amount of glare and total, dramatic, room darkening effects, your main option in this room will be any window treatment with blackout shade options (and motorized lift, for extra ooh’s and aah’s). We like cellular shades for these rooms as well, since many media rooms are in basements where comfortable temperatures can be just as important to any movie-viewing experience as the lack of glare on the screen.
Preferences at play
At the end of the day, it’s your castle, and whatever window treatments you decide to put in each room will largely be a matter of preference. That said, the best advice is always to explore all your options so you can make the right decision for you and your family.