When planning for your window treatments, there’s a lot to consider! Start by making a plan that outlines the most important decisions you’ll need to make.
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Plan your budget
How many windows are in your room?
What is your all-in budget?
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Consider durability and light needs
How often will you be adjusting your shades or blinds?
Do you need something sheer or room-darkening?
What material quality are you looking for? Should they be easy to clean?
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Consider safety and privacy needs
Do they need to be child and pet proof?
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Explore designs and desired room aesthetic
What’s your style?
Is there a color or finish that you want to highlight?
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Measure right size and dimensions
Do you have the correct measurements, or do you need expert guidance and installation?
When to Choose Different Types of Window Coverings and Features
There are so many types of window treatments that it can be hard to know what to choose! Ultimately, it’ll come down to your budget, personal style, and the needs of your space. Learn more about your options to pick the right window treatment for you!
Window Shades and Shadings
All types of window shades and sheers offer a clean, classic design that are easy and convenient to use. Choose between Roman, roller, and screen shades, all of which offer elegance, privacy, and UV protection. With so many fabrics, designs, and opacities to choose from, you’ll find a shade that works in any space in your home.
Ideal for:
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Living spaces
• Kitchens
Window Blinds for Energy Efficiency
The two main types of window blinds are horizontal, for a traditional style, and vertical, for a sleek, contemporary look. Blinds offer privacy and light blocking, are easy to maintain, and offer an unobstructed view when open. Choose between fabric, vinyl, aluminum, and wood for every taste and budget.
Ideal for:
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Living spaces
• Kitchens
Interior Window Shutters
Window shutters are a timeless and long-lasting window treatment that provide light protection, privacy, and can even help keep your home cool in the warmer months. Choose between genuine wood, UV-resistant polysatin, and wood composite to meet your taste and budget. Another benefit of window shutters? There are no cords or strings that could be a danger to your children and pets, and no fabrics that could get snagged or stained.
Ideal for:
• Bedrooms (including kids’ rooms)
• Bathrooms
• Living spaces (especially for those with pets)
• Kitchens
Window blinds vs. shades vs. shutters...who knew window treatment shopping could be so confusing? If you’re still struggling to narrow your options, continue reading to shop by window features, window or door type, or popular ideas by room.
Window Treatment Features
When shopping for the perfect window treatment, you should also consider features that will add value to your home and peace of mind.
Motorized Smart Blinds
Smart blinds are convenient, energy efficient, and safe for children and pets. Operate your shades by remote, voice activation, smart home devices, or on a set schedule.
Cordless & Child-Proof
Cordless window treatments are a safe bet for your children and furry companions. By choosing cordless options, you’re protecting your little ones from potential harm while still getting the style and privacy you’re looking for.
Tips for making child-proof window treatments even safer
Energy-Efficient, Versatile Roller Shades
This contemporary yet classic look is versatile enough for any style or room in your home.
SHOP ROLLER SHADE WINDOW TREATMENTS
Insulated & Sound-Absorbing Honeycomb
Honeycomb shades provide superior insulation , along with privacy and light control.
Learn more about honeycomb shades
UV Protection & Low Maintenance
Compared to other window treatments, shutters do not collect dust like other window treatments and block up to 99% of harmful UV rays when the slats are closed.
Learn more about shutter benefits
Window Treatment Ideas by Room, Door and Window Type
Your best treatment options vary based on your room and application. Here’s how to find the right treatment for every part of your home.
Window Treatments for Doors
No matter what kind of door you have, there’s a window treatment to meet your needs.
Front Doors
Whether you have small door windows or long, thin side windows, you have options for your front door. For small windows, consider honeycomb shades or Roman shades. Longer windows can be covered by roller shades, blinds, or shutters.
Sliding Doors
Prioritize vertical options for sliding glass door window treatments. This can include honeycomb shades, vertical blinds, or shutters.
Sliding door window treatments
French Doors
Consider your biggest needs with your French doors: insulation? Light and privacy control? From there, you can choose from options like Roman shades, solar shades, shutters, blinds, and more.
Living Room Window Treatments
Your living room is one of the most-used rooms in your home. That makes it even more important to pick the right window treatments to make the space perfect for you and your family.
Insulating Honeycomb Shades (cellular shades)
Honeycomb shades offer better insulation by trapping air in distinct pockets, making your living room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Versatile Roman Shades
With so many fabric, design, and style options to choose from, Roman shades fit any aesthetic.
Protective Screen Shades
Screen shades keep your view of the outdoors while providing UV protection, helping to prevent your living room photos, art, and furniture from fading.
Cozy Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are warm and inviting, bringing in light while still offering you privacy.
Durable Shutters
Shutters are beautiful, durable, and most importantly safe for children and pets, making them a great option for shared living spaces.
Get more living room window treatment inspiration
Dining Room and Kitchen Window Treatments
For kitchens, you’ll want to select window treatments that are durable to moisture and temperature while being easy to clean. This makes wood or faux wood great options.
Resilient Wood or Faux Wood Blinds/Shutters
Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Shutters
Both wood and faux wood are easy to wipe down after even the messiest meals. Faux wood is particularly durable, making it less likely to bow or warp when exposed to heat from a stove.
Sturdy Woven Wood Shades
Woven wood shades use weaving techniques that are engineered to minimize stretching, bowing, and breaking. This durability makes them a desirable choice for kitchens.
Get more kitchen window treatment ideas
Bathroom Window Treatments
For bathroom window treatments, you’ll want to prioritize two things: moisture resistance and privacy. Wood and faux wood blinds and shutters, along with privacy sheers, are among the best choices for bathroom windows.
Humid-Friendly Everwood® Alternative Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are guaranteed not to fade, yellow, warp or bow-perfect for humid bathrooms or rooms with full sun.
Resilient Faux Wood Bathroom Shutters
These stylish shutters stand up to moisture and sunlight, promising no bowing or fading.
Illuminating Privacy Sheers
Sheers offer light control and privacy, so you can enjoy your bathroom in peace without sacrificing sunlight.
Get more bathroom window treatment ideas
Bedroom Window Treatments
Your top priorities for a bedroom are privacy, light management, and temperature management. Roller and honeycomb shades can offer all three.
Relaxing Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades
These shades are made with an extra layer of insulating fabric to keep your room at a comfortable temperature while offering light diffusion and room darkening.
Innovative Cellular Honeycomb Shades
Get the perfect night sleep with honeycomb shades that are room darkening and energy efficient in both cold and warm weather.
Get more bedroom window treatment ideas
Playrooms and Children’s Rooms
The safest window treatment in any children’s room is a cordless option. There are a few for you to choose from.
Cordless Soft Blinds
Bring natural light to your playroom without sacrificing safety with these cordless soft blinds.
Programmable Smart Blinds & Shades
Smart blinds and shades give you precise and convenient control over your window blinds and shades without ever needing a cord.
Stylish Custom Shutters
All Hunter Douglas Cellular Honeycomb Shades are cordless by design, making them a safe, energy efficient, and stylish choice.
Window Treatments for Office Spaces & Commercial Projects
Make annoying glares on your screen a thing of the past with the right window treatments for your office space.
Stunning Silhouette Window Shading
These fabrics filter out brightness, glare, and UV rays, so you can see your screen while still enjoying your room’s natural light.
Functional Gliding Window Panels
These window panels give your workspace privacy while still providing natural light.
Smart blinds and shades provide privacy, convenience, energy efficiency, and security — all things you need in your office.
Get more window treatment ideas for the home office
Frequently Asked Questions
What are window treatments?
Window treatments are coverings for your windows. There are tons of options for different window treatments, including blinds, shades, and shutters. The purpose of window treatments is to provide you with privacy, give you greater control over how much light comes in, increase your energy efficiency, and of course, look great in your space!
What’s the difference between blinds vs shades vs shutters?
Blinds are the most affordable window treatment option. They offer light control and privacy but may need to be replaced sooner.
Shades can vary in price and come in a wide array of fabrics and styles. They’re durable, but don’t offer quite as much light control as blinds or shutters.
Shutters are the most expensive of the three, but the most durable and long-lasting. They provide great light control and are also energy efficient.
How much do window treatments cost on average per window?
The average cost of window treatments per window is around $1,000, but prices can vary based on the treatment option you pick. Blinds, for example, won’t be as expensive as shutters, and motorized options will cost more than manual ones.
How much do motorized blinds cost per window?
The cost of motorized blinds will vary based on factors like the size of your windows, the brand you choose, material quality, and more. Typically, though, they can cost between $200-$1,000 per window, with installation.
How do you measure for window blinds?
How you measure for window blinds will depend on whether you’re using an inside mounted window treatment or an outside-mounted treatment. For an inside-mounted treatment, measure both the width and height inside the window frame from top of window to sill. For an outside-mounted treatment, measure the height from the top of the window frame to the sill and the width from the edges of the frame. Not sure how to measure for window treatments? We can help! Check out our measuring guide and learn about our shutter, shades, and blind installation services.
What are the most popular window treatments today?
Some of the most popular window treatments today are Roman, roller, and screen shades; horizontal and vertical blinds; and shutters. Each come in different fabrics and materials, and many options can be motorized. There are so many ways to customize your window treatments to meet the needs of your space!
Are blinds out of style?
Blinds will always be a popular choice because they’re affordable, offer privacy and light blocking, are easy to maintain, and provide an unobstructed view when open.
Are shutters outdated?
Shutters are a timeless option that never go out of style. They provide light protection, privacy, and can even help keep your home insulated in cooler months.
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