#How to Buy Blinds and Shades - Window Blinds and Shades Shopping Tips

Today, with so many styles of blinds and shades to choose from, finding the right one for your needs isn't always a quick open-and-shut deal. Here, we've gathered our best advice to help you see your way through the process. Thankfully, we do windows!

Good Housekeeping Blinds and Shades

Blinds are best if you want tiltable slats that can be adjusted to let the sun shine in (or not). They offer a handsome, clean-looking custom fit and plenty of privacy. Prices for blinds generally climb in this order: vinyl, aluminum, faux wood (or textured vinyl) and wood. Here's what to know about some types.

Wood blinds come in light and dark hues and polished or painted finishes our GH line ranges from white Country Cottage to rich Peruvian Walnut and they're perfect for offices and dens. They're not the best choice for kitchens or baths, where moisture could do damage (choose polymer or faux wood instead), or for bedrooms or living rooms where you want a softer, more romantic effect.

Insulating blinds help conserve energy and filter or block light, so they work hard for your money. Our GH branded selection of insulating blinds come in 15 colors, from Natural Linen to Sage.

When choosing blinds, keep in mind:

• Wider horizontal slats create the illusion of bigger windows and more space in apartments and small rooms. Slats in the GH line range from 1 inch to 2 3/8 inches.
• Vertical blinds work for windows that are wider than they are tall. They're an ideal pick for picture windows with a sweeping view or across sliding glass doors.

Upside: You don't have to put blinds at half-mast to let in light, as you do the with shades the full length of the window pane can always be covered for a finished look, even when slats are open. Handy for bathrooms and bedrooms because you can leave blinds down for privacy but adjust as needed for light.

Downside: Blinds generally require more of a commitment to keep clean, because the slats attract dust and grime.

Shades are the answer if you're looking for tremendous versatility and style. They provide more ways to create different looks and moods using texture, pattern, and fabric weight. Our Good Housekeeping line includes everything from sheer horizontal to energy-saving cellular to blackout roller shades and more, in either traditional bottom up or with top down designs for more light-entering options. Some standouts:

• Woven wood (such as bamboo) offers full, natural-looking coverage. It works well in garden rooms and breakfast nooks, where you often need to filter out the sun to read the newspaper or see your iPad screen.
• Tight weaves like twill or microsuede offer optimal privacy because they're opaque. These work well in bedrooms and bathrooms and don't forget the guest room.
• Roman shades have soft, wide pleats that fold flat when raised by a cord. These are lovely for the dining room, living room and family room. Balloon, where the fabric is gathered into billowy poufs make a high-style statement and are a dressy touch for formal living rooms or sitting rooms.
• Honeycomb. aka cell or cellular, are designed with horizontal rows of air pockets (like the tight, neat rows in a bee's honeycomb) which work to keep heat in during winter and out during the summer. These energy savers are a favorite for all around the house.
• Blackout. with a room-darkening fabric, block out up to 100 percent of light (they cost more than conventional styles) are ideal for bedrooms, home theaters, and media rooms.
• Solar are made from a sheer weave that offers protection from harmful UV rays but don't completely block your view. They are a good option for sunrooms, kids' rooms, dining areas, and light-drenched offices.

Upside: Shades are a versatile way to easily refresh any room and can lend a warmer, softer look than blinds.

Downside: To keep them fresh and clean, you'll need to hand-wash vinyl shades. Fabric shades (especially if they're a light color) should be vacuumed with a hand tool regularly and either spot-cleaned or sent out for professional cleaning.