by Jennifer Barger

Last updated May 2022

Plantation shutters. Roman shades. Good ol’ curtains. There are so many ways to cover your windows that it’s tempting to just tape newspaper over the panes and be done with it. Here are the best options to block light, keep prying eyes at bay, or just dress up the joint.

Light Control

If you want to keep out sun, streetlamp glare, or UFO landing lights, the best options are plantation shutters, curtains, shades, or blinds with a blackout lining (you’ll often see this feature in hotel rooms).

Sun Protection

You can purchase roller shades that filter light and offer varying degrees of UV protection, which will keep your rooms cooler and your furnishings from fading while not darkening the space.

Insulation

Most, but not all, window treatments that shut out light also help block winter’s chill and summer’s heat. You’ll get the most insulation from lined curtains, but cellular or Roman shades also provide some relief from the not-so-great outdoors.

Privacy, Please

Most window treatments will ensure privacy, but if you also want to let in a little light then consider: top-down shades, which allow you to lower the top portion of the shade a few inches or feet; shades made with woven materials, either Roman style or roller, which admit some daylight while obscuring what lies inside; and unlined curtains (but no sheers), although they’ll fade much more quickly than lined versions.

Damp Spaces

Laundry rooms, bathrooms, and other spaces subject to a lot of moisture require blinds that withstand water. Choices include faux-wood or aluminum blinds (no, really, some of the new ones look pretty good), and shades and curtains made with an easy-care synthetic fabric, such as Sunbrella.

Most Bang for Your Buck

If you only need to cover a window, ready-made roller shades in inexpensive materials (vinyl, synthetics) or metal blinds are usually the cheapest options. For example, vinyl slatted or simple pull-down shades often cost as little as $30 each. Such options might not land you in House Beautiful, though.

If you’re looking for more style for the money, ready-made Roman shades come in a variety of widths, and generally run less than half the price of their custom cousins. Whether they work for you mostly depends on how long your windows are; the shades generally come in multiple widths but just a few lengths. It’s fine if the shades are a little too long; you just pull them up a bit with their cord. But if they’re too short, they won’t cover your window. Ready-made curtains also come in a range of widths (buy ones at least double the width of your window) and lengths; you can simply hem them or hang them at your desired length.