10 Modern Window Treatments to Enhance Your Home

Modern art, modern music, and modern industrial design — they’re all so off-putting. Who would want yet another modern trend in the home?

You would, because have you checked out the latest window treatments? They’re nothing short of stunning!

Take, for instance, natural woven wood shades. They can make a room feel so much warmer and more inviting.

And how about motorized window treatments? No need to get up from your comfy sofa or bed to adjust the shades or blinds. With a button push, you control the light and privacy in your room. Couch potato, this is your dream come true!

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty, let’s clear up one common misconception — modern doesn’t always mean new. In interior design, “modern” refers to a distinct style that emerged in the early 20th century. It stresses clean, simple lines and focuses on function over ornamentation.

Now, let’s explore some modern window treatments you might want to consider for your home.

1. Roller Shades: Minimalist Bauhaus Spirit

Sleek, simple, and elegant — that’s the hallmark of modern roller shades.

Their clean lines and minimalist design are a dream come true for a lover of contemporary aesthetics. Their functionality is similarly straightforward — just a smooth roll up or down to adjust the shade.

Pros

1. Sleek Design: Roller shades have a modern, clean look that never overwhelms the decor.
2. Space-Saving: Their compact design makes them ideal for smaller rooms or windows where bulky treatments might not fit.
3. Light Control: You can easily adjust the amount of light entering the room by rolling the shades up or down. Various fabrics and opacities, from sheer to blackout, provide different light-filtering options.
4. Privacy: When closed, roller shades block the view from the outside without completely darkening the room.
5. Versatility: It’s easy to customize shades by color, material, pattern, and size, and almost as easy to motorize them.

Cons

1. Limited Insulation: Roller shades provide less insulation than cellular shades or heavier treatments like curtains or drapes.
2. Less Texture and Depth: Most roller shades lack texture and depth, potentially making a room seem less inviting.
3. Durability Concerns: Lower-quality roller shades may be prone to wear and tear over time.
4. Cleaning Challenges: Cleaning roller shades with delicate fabrics or materials might require extra care and specific methods to avoid damage.

2. Roman Shades: Old School, New Styles

Contemporary Roman shades offer the best of drapes and shades. They have the graceful, folded look of traditional draperies and the straightforward functionality of shades.

When raised, the shade’s fabric gathers in even folds, bringing a soft, pleasing texture to your windows. When lowered, they provide excellent light control and privacy.

Pros

1. Elegant Appearance: Roman shades’ classic and sophisticated look lends elegance to a room.
2. Versatility in Style: You can customize fabrics, colors, and patterns to match almost any interior design.
3. Excellent Insulation: Depending on their fabric, Roman shades can offer good insulation, helping to regulate room temperature and potentially reduce energy costs.
4. Light Control: Different lining options and fabric opacities provide varying levels of light filtration.
5. Space-Saving: Roman shades typically hang flat when closed, taking up less space than other treatments like curtains or drapes.

Cons

1. Complex Cleaning: Cleaning Roman shades made of delicate or textured fabrics can be more intricate and time-consuming than simpler treatments like blinds. Some shades may need dry cleaning.
2. Potential for Wear and Tear: The mechanism that raises and lowers Roman shades might be susceptible to wear over time, potentially affecting their functionality.
3. Cost Consideration: Customized or high-quality Roman shades can be more expensive than many other window treatments.
4. Installation Challenges: Roman shades for large or custom-sized windows require professional assistance for proper fitting and alignment.

3. Venetian Blinds: Beauty Meets Versatility

Venetian blinds have a streamlined design that can complement any decor style, whether minimalist, chic, or somewhere in between. Their horizontal slats project order and neatness.

Pros

1. Material Variety: Choices include vinyl, metal, wood, and faux wood, giving you aesthetic flexibility.
2. Color Variety: Blinds are available in a broad color palette, making them easy to color-coordinate with decor.
3. Privacy and Light Control: The slats tilt to provide excellent light control and privacy.
4. Easy Maintenance: Blinds don’t accumulate much dust or debris and need just an occasional wipe-down.
5. Durability: Venetian blinds, particularly those made of metal or faux wood, are more durable than most other window treatments.
6. Affordability: Venetian blinds usually cost less than window treatments like custom drapes or shutters.
7. Versatility: Venetian blinds work with most interior styles, from traditional to modern.

Cons

1. Limited Insulation: Venetian blinds offer scant insulation compared to window treatments like curtains or cellular shades.
2. Noise Concerns: Blinds also provide little sound insulation and are noisier to operate than shades or curtains.
3. Maintenance Challenges: The individual slats of Venetian blinds can be delicate and susceptible to damage. If a slat breaks or bends, it may be complicated to repair or replace without affecting the overall look.
4. Light Leakage: The overlapping slat design can result in some light leakage, potentially affecting sleep quality or room ambiance.
5. Lack of Texture: Venetian blinds have less texture than most other treatments, which might make a room feel sterile.
6. Aesthetics: Some people may consider Venetian blinds outdated compared to modern shades.
7. Safety Concerns: Cords that operate the blinds can pose a safety hazard for children and pets if improperly secured.

4. Sheer Shades: Blending Elegance & Functionality

These beauties have delicate fabric vanes suspended between two sheer fabric facings, giving them the refined look of drapes and the soft glow of light-filtering shades.

Sheer shades work brilliantly in modern interiors. The vanes and sheer components lie flat against each other, creating a minimalist profile, while their supple fabric lends warmth and grace to sometimes arid modern decor.

Pros

1. Light Control: Sheer shades control the light entering your room while maintaining a soft, diffused aesthetic. Tilting the vanes adjusts light levels.
2. Elegant Aesthetic: The delicate, soft fabric of sheer shades gives them an upscale look.
3. Versatility: Sheer shades blend seamlessly with various decor styles, from modern minimalistic to more traditional settings.
4. View: They offer a diffused view of the outdoors, balancing privacy and visibility.

Cons

1. Fragility: Sheer shades’ delicate fabric can be more susceptible to damage than more robust materials like faux wood or metal.
2. Cleanliness: Dust and dirt can accumulate on the fine fabric, requiring regular cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning can be tricky.
3. Privacy: Privacy is not absolute, unlike Venetian blinds or roller shades.
4. Cost: Sheer shades can be more expensive than other window treatments.

5. Motorized Shades: Ultimate Comfort & Convenience

And now, the window treatment you’ve all been waiting for (drumroll, please!). Motorized shades are the modern game changers — comfort and convenience at your fingertips.

Looking to impress the guests during a lull in the conversation? Lower the shades with a voice command! Want to sleep in on the weekend? Schedule your shades to open at noon!

Motorized shades offer a futuristic feel and eliminate cords or chains, making them an excellent choice for homes with children or pets. Or the Jetsons.

Pros

1. Convenience: Control your window treatments with a button press or voice command. No more struggling with cords or wands.
2. Safety: Cordless operation ensures safety for children and pets.
3. Energy Efficiency: Automatically manage sunlight to maintain a comfortable temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.
4. Furniture Protection: Automated shade control can protect your furniture, carpet, and artwork from harmful UV rays.
5. Added Value to Property: Motorized shades can add value to your home, making it more appealing to tech-savvy buyers.

Cons

1. Cost: Motorized shades cost considerably more upfront than standard window treatments.
2. Installation: They usually require professional installation, adding to the overall cost.
3. Maintenance: If anything goes wrong with the motor or controls, fixing these motorized shades is more complex and usually more expensive.
4. Power Source: Depending on the type of motorized shade you buy, you might need access to a power source or be forced to change batteries regularly.
5. Compatibility Issues: Not all window shapes are compatible with motorized shades.

6. Cellular Shades: Energy Efficiency Meets Style

Cellular or honeycomb shades boast a superb blend of style and energy efficiency. Their unique construction mimics a honeycomb, hence the name. Each ‘cell’ traps air, creating a barrier between the window and the room and significantly boosting your home’s insulation.

Why are they a good choice for modern interiors? Not only do they reduce energy costs, but their streamlined look aligns with modern aesthetics. They never clash with other design elements in your space.

Pros

1. Energy Efficiency: The honeycomb design of cellular shades creates an insulating barrier to reduce energy costs and help regulate the room’s temperature.
2. Style: Cellular shades have a modern, refined look that blends with most decor styles.
3. Customization: Various sizes, colors, and opacities let you tailor the look of your shades to your preferences and needs.
4. Light Control: Choose light-filtering shades for a soft, diffused light effect or blackout shades for complete privacy and light control.
5. Dual Color Options: The color of the shade on the window side can be different from the room side, allowing you to match both your interior and exterior color schemes.

Cons

1. Cost: Cellular shades can be more expensive than other window treatment options.
2. Maintenance: Cleaning can be a challenge. Dust and dirt can get trapped in the cells and may be difficult to remove.
3. Durability: Rough handling can damage the shade’s material. Repairs may be complicated and potentially costly.
4. Installation: Installing cellular shades can be tricky and may require professional assistance.

7. Panel Track Shades: Modern Solution for Large Windows & Patio Doors

Are you lucky enough to have large picture windows? Or sliding glass doors? They can be a blessing and a curse — the curse being that they’re tough to cover with anything but oh-so-boring vertical blinds.

Panel track shades to the rescue! These broad panels of fabric or woven wood slide on a track system and present a stylish and practical solution to cover expansive windows or glass doors.

Pros

1. Design Appeal: When closed, panel track shades lie flat against the window or door — clean and uncluttered. When pushed aside, they stack neatly, allowing a clear view of the outdoors.
2. Versatility: Thanks to their sliding design, panel track shades are an excellent choice for large windows or glass doors. They can also be used as a stylish room divider.
3. Light Control: When open, they allow maximum natural light; when closed, they offer privacy and light filtering or blacking out.
4. Ease of Use: Panel track shades glide along a track for effortless opening and closing.
5. Customizability: With a wide range of fabrics, colors, and patterns, you can customize panel track shades in many ways.

Cons

1. Cost: Panel track shades can be more expensive than traditional blinds or curtains.
2. Installation: They may require professional installation, which can add to the overall cost.
3. Cleaning: Cleaning panel track shades can be tricky due to their size and the nature of their materials. Also, tracks must be kept free of debris.
4. Space Requirement: When opened, panel track shades take up space on one side of the window or door.
5. Not for Small Windows: Their design overwhelms small windows. Consider them for large windows and sliding glass doors only.

8. Solar Shades: Modern Design Plus Sun Protection

Solar shades use a unique screen that reduces glare, blocks harmful UV rays, and preserves your view. Also called sun shades, these modern marvels are tailor-made for rooms with picturesque vistas or lots of natural light.

Their graceful character sometimes makes you forget that they’re also highly functional. The solar screen fabric significantly reduces heat transmittance, keeping your room cooler and contributing to energy efficiency — a fundamental principle in modern design. And their UV protection helps preserve all that contemporary furniture you spent a year’s salary to purchase.

Pros

1. UV Protection: The primary advantage of solar shades is their ability to block harmful UV rays, protecting your furniture and interior from sun damage.
2. Heat Control: Solar shades significantly reduce heat transmittance, contributing to a cooler room and enhanced energy efficiency.
3. Preserve View: Unlike other window treatments, solar shades preserve your exterior view while providing desired privacy.
4. Modern Aesthetic: With their minimalist, understated design, solar shades complement modern decor schemes perfectly.
5. Light Control: Solar shades offer excellent light control, reducing glare and admitting natural light.

Cons

1. Cost: Solar shades can cost more than other window treatments due to their special UV-blocking and heat-control features.
2. Limited Blackout Options: Although they offer excellent light control, solar shades don’t provide complete blackout capabilities like other options.
3. Cleaning: Cleaning can be tricky as their fabric may require special handling.
4. Professional Installation: Installing solar shades is more complex than traditional blinds or curtains and may require professional help.
5. Not Ideal for Privacy at Night: Solar shades become more transparent from the outside when the lights are on.

9. Plantation Shutters: Classic Appeal with a Modern Twist

Plantation shutters have a timeless charm that easily adapts to modern interiors. Made from broad wooden or faux-wood slats — or louvers — mounted in a solid frame, they offer a classic and elegant look.

Their simple lines make them an excellent choice for modern interiors, as they can blend with and enhance numerous decor motifs. You can have them painted or stained to match any color scheme.

Pros

1. Aesthetically Pleasing: Plantation shutters have an elegant, classic look that can enhance any decor style, modern or traditional.
2. Durability: They often last for several decades, and are easily among the sturdiest window treatments.
3. Light Control: Their adjustable louvers provide superior light control from bright sunlight to near-blackout.
4. Privacy: Plantation shutters also offer excellent privacy due to their thick, adjustable louvers.
5. Insulation: As permanent window fixtures, plantation shutters serve as an additional insulation layer.

Cons

1. Cost: Due to their materials and more complex installation, quality plantation shutters tend to be expensive.
2. Not Ideal for Small Windows: On small windows, plantation shutters appear bulky and overwhelm the space.
3. Limited Flexibility: Because plantation shutters are fixed, they don’t offer the same flexibility as curtains or blinds that can be fully opened or removed.
4. Cleaning: Each slat needs to be dusted individually.
5. Installation: Plantation shutters require professional installation, adding to the overall cost. Overall, they’re an investment but provide long-lasting value.

10. Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shades: A Dynamic Duo of Privacy & Light Control

Top-down/bottom-up shades let you adjust the shade’s position from the top or the bottom. Unlike traditional window shades that move up and down from the bottom only, these shades give you the flexibility to let in natural light from above while maintaining privacy below, or vice versa.

They balance function and style, two tenets of contemporary design. Their simple lines and streamlined appearance complement a minimalist aesthetic, while their flexible light control conforms to the practical requirements of a modern home.

Pros

1. Versatility: Top-down/bottom-up shades offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to adjust the shade’s position from the top and the bottom for optimal light control.
2. Privacy: These shades let you maintain your privacy while letting in natural light, which is a winning feature in any home.
3. Light Control: With the ability to raise or lower the shades from either end, you can control natural light based on your needs and time of day.
4. Modern Aesthetic: Their simple design complements modern and minimalist aesthetics.
5. Energy Efficiency: Top-down/bottom-up shades can improve energy efficiency by allowing in natural light while keeping out heat or cold.

Cons

1. Complex Operation: Some people may find operating top-down/bottom-up shades harder to operate.
2. Cost: These shades are pricier than some traditional window treatments due to their advanced features.
3. Professional Installation: Top-down/bottom-up shades usually require professional installation, adding to their overall cost.
4. Light Leakage: There may be slight light leakage at the points where the top and bottom bars meet, which could be annoying for those who prefer complete blackout options.

Where to Buy Modern Window Treatments

Ready to make your home the pinnacle of modern style? Then head to your nearest window treatment store or shop online for shades, blinds, and shutters that meet your vision.

If you live in metro Los Angeles, call us at Aero Shade. We’re LA’s most trusted supplier of window treatments, and we specialize in customization.

Unlike the window treatments you might order online, everything we install is of the highest quality and guaranteed to fit. We’re an authorized dealer of Hunter Douglas and Lutron, two of the most respected names in window treatments, and we make custom shades and drapes in our local factory.

We’ve worked with top architects, designers, and contractors, as well as thousands of homeowners in metro Los Angeles, and installed window treatments in the homes of numerous Hollywood celebrities.

Call us today for a free, in-home, no-obligation estimate. 323-457-2835.

FAQs: Answering Your Queries about Modern Window Treatments

Q: Are modern window treatments energy-efficient?

Many modern window treatments, such as cellular shades, provide insulation, reducing the need for heating or cooling.

Q: Can I install window treatments myself?

While some window treatments are DIY-friendly, we recommend consulting a professional for precise measurements and installation, ensuring a perfect fit and appearance.

Q: What are the best window treatments for large windows?

Panel track shades are an excellent choice for large windows. They are broad, stylish, and practical.

Q: Can modern window treatments protect my furniture from UV rays?

Solar shades, for example, block harmful UV rays, helping to preserve your furniture.

Q: Which window treatments work best for privacy?

Top down/bottom up shades are a great choice. They allow you to adjust light intake while maintaining privacy.

Q: Are there eco-friendly window treatments?

Options like woven wood shades are made from natural, renewable materials.

Q: Can I have different colors on the interior and exterior of my shades?

With cellular shades, the color on the window side can differ from the room side, allowing for color coordination with both your exterior and interior color schemes.

Q: Are there window treatments that allow for a clear outdoor view?

Solar shades preserve your view while reducing glare and blocking harmful UV rays.

Q: Can I customize my window treatments?

Yes, many modern window treatments, such as panel track blinds, can be customized in terms of fabric, color, and pattern.

Q: Are there window treatments suitable for a home with kids?

Yes, cordless or motorized window treatments are a safe choice for homes with children.

Q: Can I use window treatments to enhance the acoustics of a room?

A: Certain window treatments like cellular shades can help dampen sound.

Q: Can all window treatments be motorized for ease of use?

Most modern window treatments offer a motorized option for added convenience. Check with your local window treatment store for details.

Q: What window treatments are best for a home office?

Solar shades are an excellent option for a home office as they reduce glare, making it easier to work on computer screens.

Q: What are the best window treatments for a bathroom?

Faux wood blinds or shades are a good choice for bathrooms as they resist moisture and offer privacy.

Q: Do window treatments come with a warranty?

This varies by provider, but most reputable companies offer window treatment warranties. Always check with the supplier when purchasing.