Top 3 Window Covering Trends in 2021

What top three trends can you expect for window coverings in 2021? This year, design trends range from high tech motorized blinds and shades to nostalgia like retro florals and vintage prints, as well as the use of natural elements like wicker and rattan. An easy way to update your home and easily incorporate these trends into your decor are with window coverings.

Roller Shades & Drapery Panels

Where do you begin? First assess your window treatment needs. Do you need more light in the

room or less light? Do you have high windows that are hard to reach? What color palette are you considering? What is your style?

Trend 1 – High Tech – Motorized Blinds, Smart Devices

There are several choices and styles in motorized or electric window coverings.

Roller shades, cellular or honeycomb shades and drapes can be motorized and will work with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Home.   You can also motorize the tilt (motorize the louvers to open and close) with blinds and plantation shutters.

Motorizing window treatments are especially useful for high windows that can not be reached without getting on a ladder. Some people  motorize window treatments simply for the “cool factor” or if they love to make use of home automation. Motorized blinds allow you to integrate with Alexa and other “Smart Assistants.” These allow you to “set scenes” in which you can program the window coverings to open and close at certain times of the day. For example, these systems would allow you to program the drapes, shades or blinds to open in the morning and have them close automatically in the evening.

Cellular or Honeycomb Shades

Trend 2 – Retro Floral or “Granny Chic”

This trend evokes comfort, nostalgia and tradition. Think floral wallpaper, crocheted throws and vintage touches. A great way to incorporate this trend is through “soft treatments” (window treatments made from fabric) like Roman shades or drapery.

Flat Roman Shade in Vintage Floral Fabric

Roman shades come in looped and flat styles.  They can also be ordered cordless or in a “Top-Down, Bottom-Up” style that allows you to open the shade from either the top or from the bottom. There are also many styles of drapery. Drapery panels are one of the popular trends in window coverings this year.  Drapery panels are more popular today than traversing draperies.  They aren’t meant to cover the whole window. Most are used in a layered style with shades or blinds. They are more of a decoration to add a pop of color or softness to a room. One of the most popular styles for 2021 is “Grommet Top” and “Ring Top” drapery panels.

Bedroom Drapery Panels

Trend 3 – Natural Elements

Natural elements like wicker and rattan are making a comeback in 2021, as well. “Woven Wood” shades or “Natural Woven” shades are a great way to incorporate the trend.  Made from natural materials like jute, sisal and bamboo, they add a warm, rich dimension to any room.

White Cordless Bamboo Shades

They are available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics and range from lighter shades like whites and creams to darker tones of browns, grays and green, these shades come in a variety of styles, such as looped or flat roman shades with features like top-down bottom-up or cordless. Order room darkening liners where less light is needed, (like bedrooms or tv rooms) or light filtering where more light is usually needed (like kitchens or dining rooms). These fabrics are also available in a “Natural Drape” style, a great choice for patio doors or large windows).