Let Light In (Or Don't) With These Three Shade Trends

Some say that window treatments are the eyelashes to the home. Especially with shades or blinds, these have the ability to transform a room while also protecting it. Ann Ewart, owner of Western Reserve Designer Fabrics, shares three shade trends you should consider.

Solar Shades
On the simpler side of the spectrum, solar shades are zero-frills but full of practicality and ease, while also sporting a minimalistic, tightly woven design. Depending on the room you’re shopping for, you can choose from a darker 1% transparency, all the way up to a 15% option. “You can go with dark ones and it’s kind of like sunglasses for your windows,”says Ewart.

Natural Woven Shades: With an organic, wicker-inspired material, these shades add a farmhouse feel while holding the right amount of sunlight in. Chosen often for kitchens to create that timeless warm ambiance, they are easy to adjust and come in a roll-up style as well. If you’re going for the full boho-chic look, these trendy shades can fit almost anywhere. “You can have bamboo, jute, that sort of thing,” says Ewart. “The natural woven ones are really popular.”

Sheer shades: Although these shades technically have the construction of traditional blinds, it’s the mixing of sheer and solid fabrics that make them versitille. “You have the best of all worlds with those because you can really control the amount of light that filters through the sheer part and they can become room darkening or just light filtering,” Ewart says.