Whether you’re moving into a new home or redecorating your existing one, choosing window treatments can be a fun, yet challenging, part of the process. To help you get started, we’ve put together this introduction of the most common window treatment styles and the type of spaces they flatter.

Categories of Window Treatment Styles

For the most part, window treatments fall into one of three categories:

1.Hard window treatments like shades, shutters, and blinds

2.Soft window treatments like curtains, Roman shades, and drapes

3.Layered window treatments that combine both soft and hard styles

There’s no right or wrong style for your space – it all depends on your taste and the needs of your household.

Hard Window Treatments

Don’t let the name fool you – “hard” window treatments can be as cozy and welcoming as any curtain setup. They’re called “hard” because they’re made of firm materials like plastic or wood. Two popular examples include:

Shutters, a classic window treatment style that has been revamped for the 21st century. Made with fixed or adjustable slats, you can control light and visibility without sacrificing style.

Bamboo shades, also known as matchstick or woven wood shades. These stylish textured window treatments evoke an exotic island holiday and are ideal for rooms with neutral and natural color schemes.

Soft Window Treatments

Soft window treatments go way beyond “curtains” – though there are many of those to consider as well.

Roman shades, designed to fold up from a flat piece of fabric into horizontal layers with the pull of a cord. They tend to be highly effective at blocking out light and protecting privacy, and they’re particularly good for small rooms because they open vertically. They look particularly great in a minimalist or modern space.

Roller shades, similar to Roman shades or blinds, but instead of folding into themselves, they are a solid sheet of material that rolls up when the cord is pulled. Today’s roller shades can effectively block out light without sacrificing style.

Solar shades, have the same characteristics as roller shades, but are designed to be translucent window coverings. They’re available in a range of “openness factors” – the more openness, the more light and view of the outside you’ll get.

Draperies and curtains, which come in as many colors and styles as you could imagine.

Layered Window Treatments

You can pair any hard window treatment with any soft style to add visual interest, privacy, and light-blocking to your space. For example:

Combine draperies with roller shades to soften the finished look

Add curtains to windows with solar shades to frame your view

Layer curtains over shades in your bedroom to block even more light.

How to Decide

Choosing the right window treatment means balancing considerations of style and function. Think about:

Whether you need your window treatments to block out light and if so, how much

What kind of window treatment will let you regulate your home temperature and save money on energy bills

The level of privacy that you need in different rooms

Keep in mind that you’ll probably want different window treatments for different rooms in your home. People usually worry less about light-blocking in living rooms and dining rooms, where style tends to be more of a consideration. Kitchens usually look best when they have as much natural light as possible, but you also want to think about whether cleanup is a concern.

Light control and privacy tend to matter more in bedrooms and bathrooms. If your sleep schedule does not align with sun's schedule, you may want to invest in window treatments that block out light and allow you to sleep in. For your bathroom, you may want to choose window treatments that allow sunlight to enhance the space while still allowing for privacy.

Adding Barn Doors

Whatever type of window treatment you prefer, a barn door can complement your selection and tie the whole room together. Our more traditional styles, like our Shaker 5-Panel Barn Door or Full Plank Barn Door , look great with indoor shutters and other hard-material treatment styles.

Maybe you prefer a sleeker style, like Roman shades or solar shades. If that’s your aesthetic, consider one of our more minimalist styles like the Beverly Modern Barn Door or Modern French 8 Lite Barn Door .

Remember, none of these matches are hard-and-fast rules. Check out all the options and then decide which barn door you like best. After all, it’s your home!