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Choosing Between Shades or Blinds

It’s an interior design tale as old as time: should you choose shades or blinds for your home? Both are classic window treatments for homes, and both have several benefits that can enhance your window’s power to filter light, offer privacy, and create a beautiful look that ties a room together. So, how does one choose between the two? We are here to break down the differences and help you decide!

Hunter Douglas Vignette® Roman Shades installed in a contemporary home near Rehoboth Beach, DE

Choosing Blinds

Choosing between shades or blinds comes down to functionality, style, and aesthetics.  

Shades and blinds are similar in functionality—both can be raised or lowered to achieve your lighting or privacy goals. The main difference comes in their construction. Blinds have adjustable louvers or slats that you can angle to direct, block, or adjust the light coming into your home.

Known as “hard treatments,” blinds offer a more rigid structure than fabric shades. This is because they can be made from genuine wood, faux wood, or metal to meet your aesthetic goals. Their material can also provide as much or as little maintenance as you’d like. For example, genuine wood blinds need more upkeep than metal blinds that withstand heat, moisture, and daily wear and tear.

While blinds have a variety of colors, cuts, and materials for you to choose from, they don’t quite reach the thousands of aesthetic variations you will find with shades. If you love the idea of having a moderate number of styles, then this isn’t a problem. However, if you don’t even want the sky to be your limit when it comes to design, shades may be better.

Hunter Douglas has a variety of wood, faux wood, and metal blinds that we are happy to introduce you to!

Choosing Shades

As mentioned, picking between shades or blinds can be broken down into categories, starting with functionality. Shades from Hunter Douglas can be operated in various ways, including hands-free automation, cordless options, wands, corded loops, and more.

Made with soft fabrics, shades cannot be tilted to achieve your lighting and privacy goals. However, this doesn’t mean you should kick shades to the curb!  

As mentioned, shades can be custom-tailored to a T through unique cuts, layering, fabric opacities, and colors. You can choose from beautiful neutrals, unique patterns, or bold hues that make a statement. No matter your style, you will find or create something you love with shades.

Hunter Douglas has an extensive collection of Roman, roller, cellular, sheer, and woven wood shades, allowing you to easily achieve a window treatment that satisfies your home’s needs.

Contact Us Today

Choosing between shades or blinds may seem overwhelming, but our Dreamweaver Interiors & Fabrics team at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is here to help make the process a breeze. Be sure to contact us today to get started!

We also have several promotions throughout the year to help you save on your new window treatments.

Dreamweaver Interiors & Fabrics of Rehoboth Beach is located in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and proudly serves Milton, Broadkill Beach, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Millville, and the surrounding areas.