--- title: "Ideal Window Treatments for Every Room in Your Home, According to Pros" description: "In this guide, you’ll also find Flynn’s tips for installation, usage, and coordination of each type of window treatment." date: "2026-08-31" modified: "2026-08-31" authors: - name: "Sandi Schwartz" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/window-treatments-for-every-room/" categories: - "Exterior" - "Interior" - "Interior Design" - "Windows" --- # Ideal Window Treatments for Every Room in Your Home, According to Pros ![Solar eco performance shades in modern living room]() *Photo: Graber* Window treatments are often the defining finishing touch that pulls a home together, effortlessly balancing style with essential benefits like light control, enhanced privacy, and energy efficiency. Choosing the right option for every space can feel daunting, but tailoring your selections room by room ensures that each area meets its specific functional and aesthetic needs. We spoke with Erica Flynn, executive creative director at [Graber](), to find out the ideal window treatments for windows and [sliding glass doors]() in seven distinct areas of a home. She points out that every home and homeowner is unique, so there is no single right answer for which treatment to use in each room, but she has provided her favorite options to consider. “The choice ultimately comes down to your personal style and the desired functionality for light control and privacy in each space,” says Flynn. In this guide, you’ll also find Flynn’s tips for installation, usage, and coordination of each type of window treatment. ## Bedroom: Cellular Shades or Roller Shades Paired with Drapery ![Modern gray and pale yellow bedroom with cellular shades paired with drapery panels]() *Photo: Graber* Light control and privacy are the priorities in a bedroom, which is why Flynn prefers cellular shades and [roller shades]() there. “Cellular shades are available in blackout fabrics, which are great light blockers but also offer top-level privacy,” she notes. Similarly, roller shades are available in blackout and room-darkening fabrics. She recommends layering drapery with shades in a bedroom for the best result. “Not only does drapery provide a soft, finished look, but it also does double duty for blackout, helping to eliminate any small light gaps that sometimes occur between shades and window trim.” Tips for bedroom windows: - Choosing a blackout or room-darkening fabric for the shade is helpful in general, but especially if the room faces east or there is light coming in from the street at night. These window coverings can block out that light, giving you a more restful space. - When layering drapery, mount the rod several inches above the window frame and a few inches wider on each side. This makes the window look larger and lets the panels stack fully off the glass during the day. - For maximum blackout, choose a drapery fabric with a blackout lining, and make sure the panels are wide enough to fully overlap the shade and window when closed. - Motorized lifts for shades is an added benefit for a bedroom, both for the clean look and for the automation capabilities. You can schedule your shades to open and close on your desired timeline. ## Living Room: Solar Shades or Wood Blinds ![Modern living room with closed wood blinds.]() *Photo: Graber* Window treatments in the living room need to serve multiple purposes, such as filtering afternoon glare off the television, offering privacy from the street, and [appearing intentional]() even from the curb as part of the overall décor. Solar shades offer superior sun and heat protection, blocking out the heat while maintaining your view, says Flynn. “Depending on the opacity, they can block up to 90 percent of ultraviolet rays while still allowing natural light into the home,” she says. “Adding drapery adds warmth and frames the window, along with adding a layer of privacy for the evening hours.” As another option, [wood blinds]() provide precise light control at any time of day and offer a timeless, furniture-grade look. “If you want more softness and drama, these also pair well with drapery,” notes Flynn. Tips: - If you're layering drapery over a shade or blinds, keep the shade fabric neutral and let the drapery carry the color or pattern so you can update the look later just by swapping panels. - Motorized shades are ideal for large or hard-to-reach windows. ## Dining Room: Tailored Roman Shades and Drapery ![Dining room with Tailored Roman Shades and Drapery]() *Photo: Graber* When Flynn thinks about dining rooms, she prioritizes ambiance. Therefore, she recommends choosing beautiful fabric for this space in your home. Tailored Roman shades paired with [full-length drapery]() make a dining room feel formal and finished, she says. “The full-length drapery can frame the view and add a little drama to the space, while the tailored Roman shades underneath can help adjust the light or privacy of the space depending on the time of day.” Tips: - If the table sits near the window, avoid pooling drapery on the floor where it can catch on chairs. - Consider a rod pocket or pinch pleat drapery header for a more traditional, tailored look in this space. ## Bathroom: Composite Blinds or Cellular Shades ![Blue and white decorated bathroom with blue cellular shades]() *Photo: Graber* Humidity is the deciding factor when choosing window treatments in a bathroom, along with the ability to wipe them clean. “Composite blinds shrug off moisture, wipe clean easily, and the slats adjust for both light and privacy control depending on the needs of the moment,” explains Flynn. Another great option for a bathroom is a top down/bottom up cellular shade. These shades can be adjusted from the top and the bottom, offering both privacy and light control. “You could also consider sun-up/sun-down cellular shades, which are two cellular shades with different light control properties paired together on one headrail (think one sheer, one blackout) for flexible light control and privacy,” suggests Flynn. Tips: - Mount blinds or shades inside the window frame when possible for a cleaner, more built-in look. This also keeps fabric away from a lot of ambient moisture that may collect near the sill. - Look for fabrics that also resist microbes and fungi. ## Kitchen: Faux Wood Blinds or Café Curtains ![Tan kitchen with wood blinds]() *Photo: Graber* Kitchens require window treatments that can withstand many different elements, so [cleanability matters]() as much as light control, says Flynn. “Faux wood blinds are made from PVC for fire and moisture resistance and are easy to clean, making them a perfect solution for a kitchen,” says Flynn. For a softer solution away from a stove, such as over the sink, she loves the look of café curtains. “They keep fabric away from water and dishes while still adding softness and personality to the space. Plus, they add privacy while still allowing in an abundance of natural light.” Tips: - Avoid heavy drapery in high-traffic prep areas. - Keep window treatments short and out of the way if near a stove. ## Home Office: Natural Woven Wood Shades, Layered Shades, or Solar Shades ![Home office with layered shades]() *Photo: Graber* In a home office, [managing natural light]() and glare throughout the day is extra important, but having beautiful window treatments that might show up in the background in video calls certainly doesn’t hurt, either, says Flynn. Natural woven shades, layered shades, and solar shades all fit these requirements, each with a slightly different strength. Natural woven shades are an elegant way to incorporate the colors and patterns of nature into your décor, says Flynn. “Layered shades are a streamlined, modern solution with their alternating bands of sheer and opaque fabrics, and depending on how you place these bands, they allow you to gently filter light, block it completely, or let it all in—the ultimate in versatility.” If you are working at a screen, then solar shades are worth considering. “They cut glare and block a significant amount of UV light without sacrificing your view outside, which makes them ideal for keeping harsh light off a monitor without leaving the room feeling dim or closed in,” explains Flynn. Tips: - Position a desk perpendicular to the window if possible, so light isn't hitting the screen straight on. - [Motorized shades]() are especially handy in a home office since you can adjust light levels during or between meetings without leaving your desk. - If privacy on calls matters, a shade with a slight room-darkening option for the background wall is worth considering too. ## Basement/Bonus Room: Cellular Shades or Roller Shades ![Home gym with cellular shades]() *Photo: Graber* Cellular shades are highly durable and versatile, while offering added energy efficiency. This can be especially beneficial in basements that generally tend to run cooler, says Flynn. “For a bonus room, such as a media room, a blackout cellular shade would be a great way to control glare, give complete darkness (think movie theater vibes), and [control privacy](),” notes Flynn. Similarly, roller shades also offer blackout and room-darkening options that could also be a great solution for these spaces. Tips: - For multipurpose bonus rooms, choose motorized shades to make it simple to switch between "movie night dark" and "bright and open" without physically walking to each window. ## Author Sandi Schwartz is an environmental author and freelance journalist with over 20 years of extensive experience communicating science-based information to diverse audiences in the areas of sustainability, home/garden, green living, nature, and wellness. Sandi began writing for BobVila.com in June 2022. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()