blindguy-spokane

Window Shades 101: What are the Different Types of Custom Shades?

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:42:47 GMT

At The Blind Guy of Spokane, we specialize in all things window treatments—including exterior awnings . Continuing our guide which introduced all the different types of blinds , this month’s guide focuses on a different type of treatment:

Custom window shades

Just like with blinds, the differences between the different types of shades may seem simple, but once you dive into the details, we can share a surprising amount of nuance and variation between all of the different types of shades.

Roller Shades

Accessible, simple, classic—the roller shade is made from a single length of fabric on a roller that can be spooled into a header, on a roller or cassette, and extends to cover the window. They can be installed inside the window frame to create minimal light gaps, and when rolled up, they can disappear almost entirely into the headrail for a clean aesthetic. A wide range of fabric opacities from sheer to room-darkening in a range of colors, prints, and pattern options gives these simple shades plenty of fashionable flair as well.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades get their name from their honeycomb-shaped layer of construction: the fabric forms hidden pockets within the shade so that when it is lowered, they trap air and act as additional insulation for your windows. This makes them a fantastic choice for rooms where you’re worried about controlling the temperature, or for areas with hot summers, cold winters, or both.

Roman Shades

A classic and elegant choice, Roman shades feature the look of flowing fabrics that add aesthetic flair whether raised or lowered. When lowered, the fabric shows off its lush textures and patterns, but when raised, the fabric bundles at the top of the window and still offers a fashionable fabric accent. These shades are perfect for rooms where you really want your style to shine but are versatile enough to be worked in wherever you want an added architctural detail to any room.

Woven Shades

Woven shades are made from natural materials and bring a bit of the outdoors in with their organic textures, colors, and patterns. They filter sunlight and create unique pattens with their warming glow, and can have control over the privacy and light in your spaces with additional liners. Woven shades are a great choice for spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, or any other space where you want to create a calming atmosphere.

Sheer Shades

For the places in your home where you still want tons of sun, but maybe not so much of the glare or UV damage, sheer shades are the go-to. The namesake sheer fabric of these shades gently filters the incoming light, transforming it into a diffuse glow without the harsher rays of the sun that can damage furniture and make screens hard to see. With our sheer shades, you can control opaque vanes for privacy while still enjoying the views out.

Custom Window Shades near Spokane From The Blind Guy of Spokane

If you’re looking to learn more about shades, still have unanswered questions, or want to get a some for your own home, call us at The Blind Guy in Spokane. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your free consultation and we’ll bring shade samples and fabrics to you.

We proudly provide our services in Spokane and beyond, including Chewelah, Deer Park, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Cheney, and Sprague, Washington. Call us to speak with one of our professional design consultants.

Blinds 101: What Are the Different Types of Blinds?

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:28:43 GMT

Blinds are a versatile window treatment style—one of our favorites to offer homeowners in the greater Spokane area. One of the most common misconceptions is that the terms “blinds” and “shades” can be used interchangeably, but in fact, they are not. Blinds are a distinct type of hard window treatment, characterized by horizontal slats.

At The Blind Guy of Spokane, we specialize in all things window treatments, and window blinds offer many wonderful benefits, including precise light and privacy control, multiple color and stain options, durability, and more. Learn more about blinds and what type of blinds might be right for your Spokane Valley home.

The Different Types of Window Blinds

While there are many styles of blinds , they tend to fall into a few categories, including wood, faux wood, metal, and vertical blinds. For those looking for convenience and smart home integration, we offer motorized window blinds.

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds are the classic window blind type, featuring warm, rich wood-grain textures. Made from real hardwood, wood blinds are available in various finishes, offering a range of color choices and an added layer of protection to ensure the wood withstands daily use. Wood blinds are ideal for any room of the home and blend seamlessly with a range of interior design styles, including modern and traditional.

Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds offer the distinct look of hardwood blinds with the added durability of man-made materials. They can withstand high humidity and frequent cleaning, making them a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and any other high-traffic or high-humidity spaces.

Metal Blinds

Sleek, stylish, and modern metal blinds are known for their durability. They can withstand daily use and still look great. Most metal blinds are made of aluminum, making them lightweight, rust- and fingerprint-resistant, and available in a variety of finishes.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are the perfect blind choice for large windows and sliding glass doors. Unlike other types of blinds, vertical blinds feature slats that run up and down rather than side to side, offering expansive coverage. Easily rotate the vanes to let in light or block it out completely, giving you complete control, even with large windows.

Motorized Blinds

Motorized blinds deserve their own mention for their world-class performance combined with award-winning design. Adding this home automation to your window treatments means light and privacy control at your fingertips. The handheld remote, wall-mounted control, and smartphone app are all convenient ways to operate one or all your window treatments. Our window treatment motorization platforms also easily integrate with most smart home systems for easy voice control.

Schedule Your Custom Blinds Consultation

The Blind Guy of Spokane offers designer blinds from industry leaders such as Hunter Douglas, Alta, and Graber. Our experts are here to help you find the best blinds for your home, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to schedule your design consultation.

We proudly provide our services across Spokane and beyond, including Chewelah, Deer Park, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Cheney, and Sprague, Washington.

Window Treatment Trends 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:55:58 GMT

There have been many exciting window treatment trends so far in 2026, so we want to highlight some of the most interesting we have seen this year.

Trending Window Treatments 2026

So far, some of the most popular window treatment ideas we have seen in 2026 include a focus on biophilic design, with window treatments made of natural, sustainable materials widely included in many homes. Alongside this focus on organic materials and sustainability has been an increasing interest in energy-efficient window treatments. Together, these highlight the ever-growing interest in environmentalism, sustainability, and nature that has been quite marked in 2026. Stepping away from nature into the technological, window treatment trends 2026 have also been marked by a much greater prevalence of motorized and automated window treatments.

Based on these trends, we want to offer some window treatment ideas you can incorporate into your home.

Woven Shades and Wood Blinds

Woven shades and wood blinds are two window treatments that can fit perfectly into a biophilic design. Woven shades are made from organic materials like bamboo, reeds, jute, rattan, and natural fibers, bringing a bit of the outdoors into any space in your home. Wood blinds are, as their name suggests, made from natural hardwoods with rich wood grain. Either of these window treatment ideas is perfect for building out a home’s nature-loving interior design style.

Cellular Shades

There is no better window treatment for energy efficiency than the time-tested cellular shade . This shade’s cellular construction traps pockets of air against the window, providing an additional layer of insulation for superior energy efficiency and reducing your home’s energy consumption, which in turn decreases your home’s carbon footprint. Combine this with the wide range of stunning style options, and it becomes clear why cellular shades are among the trending window treatments in 2026.

Motorized Window Treatments

Taking a step aside from the natural influences trending in 2026, motorized window treatments and their modern technological innovations are becoming increasingly popular, especially now.

Motorized window treatments bring your home into the 21st century, letting you adjust all of your home’s window treatments at the push of a button. Plus, like cellular shades, motorized window treatments can also help to increase your home’s energy efficiency by adjusting themselves automatically throughout the day - closing during the hot parts of the day to keep your home cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter.

Custom Window Treatments near Spokane from The Blind Guy of Spokane

If you want to incorporate some of these exciting window treatment ideas into your home and take advantage of current trends, let us help! We can help you find the perfect window treatment for your home from our expansive catalog, and our professional team of window treatment installers near Spokane has years of experience, ensuring a perfect fit the first time. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your in-home consultation.

The Blind Guy of Spokane is proud to provide our services across Spokane, Chewelah, Deer Park, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Cheney, and Sprague, Washington.