Light Filtering vs. Room Darkening Shades: What’s the Difference?

Whether you’re furnishing a cozy cabin, decorating a beach house or renovating your family home, window treatments are an essential ingredient. As you work towards your design vision for each room, it’s important to think about what you want out of your blinds or shades. For instance, what level of light control do you desire? Answering this will determine whether you should choose light filtering vs. room darkening shades. Let’s explore the differences between these two opacities.

Light Filtering vs. Room Darkening Shades: What’s the Difference?

• Light filtering shades – As the name implies, light filtering shades act as a filter for natural light, making it less intense. While they offer some privacy protection, keep in mind that sheer or semi-opaque shades might not provide a full barrier. So, they’re a well-paired pick for rooms like the kitchen or living room, where you likely won’t need total privacy or darkness.
• Room darkening shades – Once again, the name is pretty self-explanatory – room darkening shades can be used to effectively darken a room whenever you want to. This makes them a fitting option for bedrooms, media rooms and any other space where you might want to block out light and enjoy some rest and assured privacy.

As you can see, the best choice – light filtering vs. room darkening shades – will depend on the specific goals you’re hoping to achieve in your space.

Discover High-Quality Window Shades That Suit Your Needs 

Beyond the opacity, there’s a lot to decide on when you get new window treatments. At Blinds Brothers, we specialize in helping home and business owners personalize their blinds for their unique space and needs. We’re highly knowledgeable on everything from the light-blocking ability of different fabrics to the best colors, designs and finishes for certain applications.

If you’d like to collaborate with our pros in NJ or the Philly area, give us a call at 215-789-4600 to schedule a free in-home consultation! We’ll come to you at your convenience, with plenty of samples in tow so you can compare our range of exquisite window covering options in your own space.