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Window Treatments for Every Room: A Seattle Homeowner’s Guide

  • Writer: Marsel Gareyev
    Marsel Gareyev
  • Oct 23, 2025
  • 5 min read

Seattle homes are wonderfully varied—Craftsman bungalows with character windows, mid-century gems with quirky casements, and new condos with wall-to-wall glass and jaw-dropping views. The right window treatments can dial in comfort, privacy, energy efficiency, and style for each space—without fighting your home’s architecture or your daily routine.


“Seattle home collage showing window treatments by room: solar roller in living room with Space Needle view, blackout cellular in bedroom, composite shutters in kitchen, and light-filtering roller shade in a small workspace.”

Below is a room-by-room guide to help you choose blinds, shutters, or shades that actually work for how you live—plus smart add-ons (motorization, liners, side channels) that make a real difference in our climate.


The Seattle Factor (read this first)

  • Afternoon glare (2–6 pm): West-facing windows need serious glare control—think solar shades or shutters.

  • Cool, damp winters: Draft mitigation matters. Cellular shades and composite shutters shine here.

  • Early summer sunrise: Bedrooms benefit from blackout or dual-layer solutions.

  • Mixed architecture: From Ballard Craftsman trim to SLU glass walls, fit & mount choices change by room.


Living Room: Keep the View, Tame the Glare

Primary goals: Comfortable daylight, screen-friendly light, evening privacy, preserve views if you have them.

Best picks

  • Solar roller shades (3–5% openness): Cut glare and UV while keeping your view of Elliott Bay or the skyline.

  • Layered look: Add tailored drapery panels (lined) over solar shades for nighttime privacy and winter warmth.

  • Composite shutters: For street-level living rooms, shutters provide architectural polish and help with drafts.

Seattle tip: Automate west-facing shades to lower before peak sun; raise at dusk. It’s the simplest way to prevent afternoon heat spikes without thinking about it.


Primary Bedroom: Quiet, Dark, and Draft-Free

Primary goals: Sleep, temperature stability, privacy.

Best picks

  • Cellular (honeycomb) shades: Top-down/bottom-up for privacy with daylight; choose blackout for true darkness.

  • Dual roller (sheer + blackout): Daytime softness + instant lights-out at night.

  • Shutters: A great call in draft-prone older bedrooms; add curtains for softness and extra insulation.

Seattle tip: If your room overheats in late afternoon, schedule shades to lower 2–6 pm in summer, then auto-close at sunset in winter to retain heat.


Kids’ Rooms & Nurseries: Safe, Soothing, Nap-Friendly

Primary goals: Cord safety, blackout naps, durable fabrics.

Best picks

  • Cordless cellular shades (blackout): Reliable darkness for early summer sunrises.

  • Top-down/bottom-up: Daytime privacy with sky light.

  • Performance fabrics: Stain-resistant rollers for easy wipe-downs.

Safety note: Always choose cordless or compliant motorization for kids’ spaces.


Kitchen: Light, Steam, and Splash Zones

Primary goals: Easy cleaning, moisture resistance, glare control at prep areas.

Best picks

  • Composite shutters: Moisture-tough, wipeable, crisp lines around tile and trim.

  • Moisture-friendly roller fabrics: Simple, sleek, easy to clean near sinks and ranges.

  • Faux-wood blinds: Budget-smart and durable—tilt to reduce glare on counters.

Seattle tip: If the kitchen faces west, use solar shades at 3% openness for late-day glare without cooking in the dark.


Bathroom: Privacy + Steam + Small Windows

Primary goals: Privacy, humidity tolerance, compact functionality.

Best picks

  • Composite shutters: Excellent in humidity; tilt for privacy while letting steam out.

  • Moisture-rated rollers: Choose privacy or blackout depending on layout and neighbor proximity.

Mount tip: An outside mount can cover imperfect tile lines and reduce gaps.


Home Office: Screen Glare and Zoom-Friendly Light

Primary goals: Cut glare, maintain natural light, low maintenance.

Best picks

  • Solar shades (5–10% openness): Reduce eye strain and reflections while keeping you connected to daylight.

  • Wood/faux-wood blinds: Fine-tune tilt to steer light off screens; easy dusting routine.

Seattle tip: If you hop on calls all day, motorize shades with a “Work Mode” scene so the light is consistent at meeting time.


Media Room / Den: “Movie Night” on Demand

Primary goals: Darkening, acoustic softness, clean look when open.

Best picks

  • Dual rollers (sheer + blackout): One space, two moods—daytime living vs. instant theater.

  • Blackout cellular shades with side channels: Serious darkening + insulation.

Seattle tip: Add lined drapery for sound absorption and winter coziness.


Dining Room: Architectural Focal Point

Primary goals: Timeless style, comfortable evening light, privacy from the street.

Best picks

  • Plantation shutters: Architectural, long-lasting, easy to clean around gatherings.

  • Roman shades: Soft, tailored look with the option for interlining for warmth.

Seattle tip: In older homes, shutters read like built-in millwork and add value.


Entry, Stairwells & Odd Windows: Tricky Angles Solved

Primary goals: Safety (cordless), privacy, minimal clutter.

Best picks

  • Top-down/bottom-up cellular shades: Great for half-privacy while letting in sky light.

  • Shutters with custom shapes: Tame arches, triangles, or porthole windows cleanly.

Mount tip: In narrow stair landings, a precise inside mount keeps lines tight and safe.

Link from here: Free In-Home Consultation


Patio Doors & Big Glass (Sliders, French Doors)

Primary goals: Clear operation, durability, view management.

Best picks

  • Vertical cellular shades or vertical rollers: Smooth movement, insulating benefit.

  • French door rollers or slim Romans: Low-profile, handle cutouts for easy use.

Seattle tip: Motorize tall glass banks so you actually use the treatments daily (and protect floors/furniture from UV).


Older Seattle Windows? Fit & Mount Matter More Than You Think

Craftsman and mid-century frames aren’t always perfectly square. That’s normal—and exactly why professional measuring and choosing inside vs. outside mount matters.

  • Inside mount: Clean lines, smaller light gaps if frames are square.

  • Outside mount: Better darkening/insulation on wavy frames; hides imperfections.

    Add side channels for blackout cellular or media rooms; consider returns on drapery to block side light.


Materials & Maintenance Cheat Sheet

  • Best for insulation: Cellular (honeycomb) shades.

  • Best for moisture: Composite shutters; moisture-rated roller fabrics.

  • Best for glare while preserving view: Solar rollers (lower openness = more glare control).

  • Easiest to clean: Shutters and faux-wood blinds (wipe), roller fabrics (spot clean).

  • Most motorization-friendly: Roller, solar, and cellular shades.


Budget & Value (without listing prices)

  • Budget-friendly workhorses: Faux-wood blinds, standard rollers.

  • Mid-range crowd-pleasers: Cellular, solar, Romans.

  • Premium/permanent feel: Custom shutters, layered shade + drapery, whole-home motorization.

The best value is the one you’ll actually use—motorization and thoughtful scheduling often outperform “set it and forget it” manual products.


FAQs


Will solar shades kill my privacy?

By day, they’re excellent; by night with interior lights on, pair with drapery or a room-darkening shade.


Do shutters help with drafts?

Yes—quality shutters create a rigid barrier that helps buffer older windows.


Can I automate everything?

Roller, solar, and cellular shades are automation naturals; we can set schedules and scenes for different rooms.


Are cordless options safe for kids and pets?

Yes—choose cordless or motorized lifts to meet current safety standards.


Want a tailored plan for your rooms?


Book a free in-home design visit and we’ll bring samples, measure precisely, and recommend the smartest treatments for your Seattle home.


 
 
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