Looking for new window shades? Shades come in many different styles, each with its aesthetic and functionality. So, with so many types of window shades to choose from. How do you know which is best for your space?

While there’s no wrong answer. Choosing the right shades for your home will depend on your individual needs and wants for each room. To help you narrow your search, we’ve created a list of all types of window shades.

Different Types of Window Shades

Explore all types of shades for windows, from sleek functional options like Cellular or Roller Shades, to more decorative options like Tulip or Pleated Roman Shades to find the right one for your space.

As you consider your options, keep in mind that you don’t have to choose just one shade. Many types of window shades can be layered for a multi-dimensional effect that also gives you greater functionality without sacrificing the aesthetics you want.

Roller Shades

Roller Shades are a sleek, modern option with lots of design versatility. Just as their name implies, Roller Shades feature simple functionality: The shade fabric is rolled up at the top of the window and is easily unfurled to whatever height you desire. Get some inspiration here.

Benefits of Roller Shades

• Ease of Installation: Thanks to their compact size, these types of window shades can work in nearly any window, either inside or outside mounted. Inside or outside mount refers to whether the shade fits inside your window frame or is installed outside of the frame on the wall or window trim.
• Material Options: Choose from blackout materials ideal for room darkening to light-filtering options that reduce glare to sheers that soften the light, to suit your light and privacy control needs.
• Design Versatility: Roller Shades are chic and modern, providing an unassuming aesthetic that fits in with nearly any aesthetic style from traditional to contemporary.
• Ease of Use: Regardless of the control type you choose, whether a continuous loop cord option, cordless or motorization, functionality is a breeze.

When to Choose Roller Shades

These types of window shades are ideal for rooms where you’ll frequently be adjusting your window treatments. Choose Roller Shades for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and dining rooms where you spend a lot of time throughout the day and need to control your light and privacy frequently.

Solar Shades

Solar Shades are very similar to Roller Shades in style and functionality. The main difference between the two types of window shades comes down to material. Solar Shades feature innovative material that blocks UV rays while still allowing you a view of the outdoors. These types of shades for windows come in four different transparency levels: 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%, with 10% being the most transparent, while still blocking 90% of UV rays.

Benefits of Solar Shades

Solar Shades feature all the benefits of Roller Shades listed above. Also, they block harmful UV rays, which gives them even more benefits:

• Transparency: With four different transparency levels, you don’t have to sacrifice your great view for a bit of privacy and light control.
• Reduces Fading: By blocking harmful UV rays responsible for causing fading, Solar Shades help protect the rich color of your furniture, décor and flooring.
• Softens Glare: Solar Shades soften any harsh natural sunlight, so you can view your TV and monitor screens without a glare.
• Minimizes Heat Buildup: By blocking most of the UV rays entering your home, which are responsible for heat generation, Solar Shades help regulate your interior temperatures during the day.

When to Choose Solar Shades

Solar Shades are ideal for full-sun rooms where you want to maintain natural light while softening the glare. Consider these types of window shades for your living room and dining room. And add them to any media or office rooms where you need to cut glare on TV and monitor screens.

Roman Shades

Roman Shades are a soft, tailored, versatile shade option with a range of both functional and decorative styles. 

Specific benefits of these types of shades for windows include:

• Ease of Use: These styles of Roman Shades are easy to lift and lower, whether you’re using a continuous loop control option, have cordless shades (only available for Flat and Cascade) or you upgrade to motorization (available for all functional styles of Roman Shades).
• Design Versatility: Between these four styles, you’re bound to find the right look for your space. Flat Roman Shades and Cascade Roman Shades offer a modern, minimalist look with crisp, clean lines, Aventura Roman Shades add a touch of Zen to an otherwise modern look, and Pleated Roman Shades are luxurious and elegant with their full-body pleats.
• Blackout & Privacy Lining: Lining will not only help you achieve better privacy and greater room darkening, but also provide the shade with protection from the sun and greater stability so the folds form and hold better over time.
• Soft Look of Drapery with Greater Functionality: These types of window shades offer the softness of drapery but with greater functionality, especially in windows where drapery may not be ideal (like bay windows).

When to Choose Functional Roman Shades

These functional Roman Shades are ideal for rooms where you want to soften and elevate the look of your windows. While still being able to easily control your light and privacy. Choose them for any room where you need occasional or constant privacy or a room darkening effect.

Woven Wood Shades

Woven Wood Shades are made with sustainable, eco-friendly fibers like bamboo, reeds, and grasses. They deliver a decidedly natural, organic look to any space. These types of window shades come in four styles. Waterfall, Standard and Cascade Woven Wood Shades resemble Roman Shade styles like Flat and Cascade Roman Shades. The fourth style, a Woven Wood Roller Shade, operates just like a Roller Shade, but features a woven fiber material.

Benefits of Woven Wood Shades

Woven Wood Shades, with their multiple styles and boho-inspired look have several benefits:

• Natural, Organic Look & Feel: Made from environmentally friendly fibers, Woven Wood Shades bring a natural look and texture to your space, ideal for boho, coastal or Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
• Work Well Alone or Layered: All styles of Woven Wood Shades look and function well on their own or layered with other window treatments like drapery, giving you install versatility.
• Blackout & Privacy Lining: With blackout or privacy lining, you can achieve the right light control and privacy for your space. Lining can also protect the delicate natural fibers from UV light streaming in through your window.

When to Choose Woven Wood Shades

Add Woven Wood Shades wherever you want to bring a natural element to your space. The bamboo, reed and grass fibers add inviting organic color and texture to your room. Keep in mind that, as a delicate natural material. These types of shades for windows operate best in low-moisture. They may not be ideal for a bathroom, basement or child’s room.

Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades are a highly functional, chic shade option. With a unique honeycomb design, these types of window shades are excellent at insulating your room and regulating interior temperatures. Cellular Shades come in single and double cell options ranging from light-filtering to blackout options. Or you can get the best of both with Day/Night styles.

Benefits of Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades, with their honeycomb design, feature multiple unique benefits:

• Superior Insulation: The honeycomb cells trap hot and cold air alike — and possibly helping to lower your energy costs over time.
• Easy Functionality: Cellular Shades are very easy to lift and lower, making them ideal for your most-used rooms.
• Versatile Installation: With their compact size and small minimal depth requirement. Cellular Shades can be installed in nearly any window.
• Minimalist & Versatile Design: minimalist design that will look right at home in nearly any interior design style, whether classically traditional or boldly modern.

When to Choose Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades are ideal for windows that receive a lot of sunlight, are drafty, or both. These types of shades for windows can help mitigate heat buildup, creating a more pleasant indoor environment year-round. From bedrooms to living rooms, media rooms, basements, and more, these shades are truly versatile and can work anywhere.

If you’re convinced shades are right for you. We offer a free consultation so we can help you choose right now.