Fed up of boring beige curtains and blinds in every room of your home? Looking for innovative window treatment ideas to add flair and function to your windows without using traditional curtains and blinds? Here are clever window covering ideas to improve upon drab drapes and blinds, along with the pros and cons of each. Many homeowners opt to not use curtains or blinds due to their cost, hassle of installation, and maintenance. If you are one of them, you might be wondering how to cover windows without these traditional options. There are many creative choices available, including cafe shutters, Roman shades, and tinted window film. How Can I Cover My Windows Without Curtains or Blinds? Creative Ideas 1. Tinted Window Film – Add Privacy and Visual Interest to Your Windows Tinted window film When you’re looking to increase privacy of your room or home, a tinted window film is a great way to go. Tinted window films have privacy-enhancing qualities that can block out outside views and are attractive visual elements. One-way window films can be installed on single-paned windows for an added level of privacy. There are many different kinds of tinted window films on the market, including ones that block out sunlight from the inside. A tinted film is easy to apply. After you have purchased the film, you can simply cut it to fit your windows. Then, you can simply apply water to the film to make it adhere. The film doesn’t stick to the window so you don’t have to worry about damaging your walls or tearing it off. Window film is easy to take off once it’s been installed. Here are some of the pros and cons of tinted window films as an alternative to curtains and blinds. Pros Privacy: Tinted window films can provide privacy by blocking the view into your room. Energy Efficiency: Window films can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, which can lower the need for air conditioning and, in turn, reduce your energy costs. UV Protection: Window films block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can help protect furniture and other items from damage or fading. Safety: Some window films are shatter-resistant. It can prevent injuries from broken glass in case of an accident. Aesthetics: Window films come in a variety of colors and designs. So, a suitable choice can enhance the appearance of a building and add a decorative touch. Cons Installation: Window films may be a bit difficult to install, and they may require professional installation to ensure a perfect fit and avoid air bubbles. Maintenance: Window films may require periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking good and functioning properly. Limited Lifespan: Window films may not last as long as other window coverings, like blinds or curtains, and may need to be replaced after a few years. Heat Retention: In some cases, window films can trap heat inside your room or home, which can make it uncomfortable during hot weather. 2. Cafe Shutters – a Simpler, Sleeker Window Treatment Idea Cafe Shutters Cafe shutters are another creative window covering idea without using curtains or blinds. When treating your windows with shutters, you must decide if shutters will be installed on the inside or outside of your window frame. For instance, inside mount shutters are best for windows that will rarely be opened. Inside mount hinges allow shutters to be fitted flush against the wall and can open at 90 degrees. On the other hand, an outside mount shutter may look odd on windows with recessed or open from the outside. If you would rather use shades on your windows, you can buy a pair of roller shades or Roman shades and layer them on the inside of the window. In either case, you will still benefit from the aesthetic benefits of both options. Here are some of the pros and cons of cafe shutters. Pros Aesthetics: As an alternative to curtains and blinds, shutters can add a classic and elegant look to a room and enhance its overall appearance. Light Control: Shutters can provide excellent light control, allowing you to adjust the amount of light that enters your room. Privacy: Shutters are good at providing privacy by blocking the view from outside while still allowing natural light to sail into your room. Energy Efficiency: Shutters can help homeowners to reduce the amount of heat that enters a room. It can lower the need for air conditioning, thereby reducing your energy costs. Durability: Shutters are durable window treatments that can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. Cons Price: Shutters for covering window coverings can be expensive compared to other window treatment options such as curtains or blinds, especially if they are made from high-quality materials. Installation: Shutters for windows can be difficult to install, and they may require professional installation to ensure a perfect fit for required functionality. Maintenance: Shutters may require periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking good and functioning properly. Limited Light Options: Shutters can only be adjusted to certain angles. This may limit the amount of light that enters your room compared to other window treatments. Limited Design Options: While window shutters come in different materials, sizes, and colors, they may not offer the same level of design options as other window coverings, such as curtains or blinds. 3. Roman Shades Roman Shades Roman shades offer a better alternative to curtains or blinds. Roman shades can have different mounts, i.e., you can mount them inside or outside of your window frame. However, if space is tight, you might need to mount them outside. When choosing the type of window treatment you want, consider the depth of your window frame. Some fold styles are thicker than others, so you may want to purchase extra space around the window for the hardware. Consider the style and color you want when buying roman shades. You may even want to consider the durability of the material. If you have young children or pets, it’s a good idea to choose cordless shades to keep them safe and out of reach of curious children. You can also consider the mounting style. There are two options: cordless or chain-operated. Pros Curb Appeal: As window treatments, Roman shades can add a soft, sophisticated touch to any room, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns to suit any interior decor style. Light Control: Roman shades for windows provide excellent light control, allowing homeowners to control and adjust the amount of light sailing into your room. Privacy: Roman shades can provide complete privacy by blocking the view from outside while still allowing natural light to enter. Energy Efficiency: Roman window treatments can help reduce the amount of heat that enters your building. This can provide energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. Easy to Clean: Roman shades are relatively easy to clean than curtains or blinds. You can often wipe them down with a damp cloth or vacuum them to remove dust and debris. Cons Maintenance: Roman window shades may require periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking fresh and functioning properly. Limited Durability: Roman shades for windows may not be as durable as other types of window coverings, such as shutters, and may need to be replaced more frequently. Installation: In case of bay windows, it may not be easy for you to install Roman shades. So, you may need the services of a professional installer. Other Creative Window Covering Ideas Without Using Curtains or Blinds 1. Interior Shutters Adding interior shutters to cover windows is a great way to improve the aesthetic appeal of your home while also retaining heat and light. It’s also a practical choice for homes with low-maintenance needs. Curtains can become discolored and need expensive dry cleaning. Interior shutters protect against damage from water and sun, and are relatively easy to clean with a damp cloth. But how do you know when interior shutters are the best choice for your home? Shutters are a good choice for rooms with large, flat windows because they can provide both privacy and full view of the outside during the day. Shutters can also be used to protect your home from the cold during winter months. Another advantage of shutters is that they take up very little space and are compatible with a variety of architectural styles. Choose the shutters that match the shape of the window to create a uniform look. Shutters for windows with two panels should match the window design. 2. Window Covered with Plants Window covered with plants If you don’t want to use curtains, there are a lot of other ways to decorate your windows. Tall plants or hanging plants can be used as window coverings. You can even place them outside the window to increase its beauty. Plants are great for creating visual interest, stimulating conversation, and creating a positive vibe in your home. Plants do not have the same effect of curtains. To create a natural look, ropes and floating shelves can be used to create a living yard. You can create a stunning screen with decorative bamboo. It requires minimal maintenance and grows fast. Decorative bamboo can grow up to the height of a window. If space is tight, you can choose a narrower evergreen like junipers, arborvitae, or arborvitae. These have upright branches and are great for small spaces. To avoid problems with your plants’ growth, make sure you check the temperature of the plants before buying them. You can also use pots on the floor to place plants near the window. There are many benefits to choosing plants for your home. Plants require light to grow and photosynthesis. They will receive the required amount of light if they are placed near windows. Windows do not offer UV protection and can cause damage to the plants. Plants should not be placed in direct sunlight, as this will result in stressed foliage. You can avoid the damaging effects of too much sunlight on your home plants by choosing plants that prefer indirect light. Window coverings can be made from decorative potted plants. Plants in pots can be placed on the floor, and they can grow toward the light. A potted plant can be placed on the floor to encourage it to grow toward the window. A single hop bush can be used to create a beautiful green screen for a west-facing window. A few other great plants for windows include Dracaena Massangeana or corn plant. 3. Valances Valances When there are no curtains, valances provide an attractive alternative. They should just barely cover the top of the window, drawing the eye upward and elongating the room. Valances also make it easier to stay consistent with your color scheme and design scheme throughout the room. Choosing valances made to match your room’s decor is a great way to achieve this goal. To give the illusion of height, mount valances higher above the window’s top to increase the room’s height. Another easy-to-make valance is made from a piece of foam board. It can be purchased from a DIY center and provides a stable backing for your fabric. Simply staple the fabric to the foam board and hang it from the wood. You don’t have to buy a valance. You can make one yourself using fabric, rustic buttons and hem tape. 4. Macrame Curtain Panels Macrame curtain panels can be used to cover windows if you don’t have curtains. You can find several types of macrame curtain panels, and they’re both decorative and functional. These curtains can be doubled to cover windows or doors. They also add a casual-chic vibe to any room. Hanging these panels from a tension rod or beam is one way to hang them, and you can also add extra rope if you want them to be longer. You can choose the material that best suits your home’s decor and style. A piece of woven material should be large enough to cover the window. Macrame panels are available in a variety of widths. The pattern is determined by the width of the doorway and the length of the window. If you’re new to macrame, the pattern will be especially helpful because it breaks down each step clearly and includes photos. This pattern is great for beginners in macrame curtain panel making. You can also adjust the length to your liking. FAQs What can I use instead of curtains and blinds? Quick answer: Stained glass, frosted glass, and leaded glass are traditional alternatives to curtains and blinds. To create a more contemporary look, you can install industrial windows and doors. Full-height, cafe-styles, and tier-on-tier style shutters are an excellent alternative to blinds and curtains. Other options include etched glass, awnings, and screens to manipulate incoming light and create shadows. How do you make windows private at night without curtains? Privacy window films are easy-to-use solutions to make windows 100% private at night without using curtains at all. A glass film will hide the view from outside at night and cover the window sight. It will secure the window sight and provide you privacy as you need. How to decoratively cover a window? Use household objects in front of the window to block the view, or create your own covering a film or glass paint. For a more permanent decorative solution, hang fabric shades or shutters. Also, you can install a sliding glass door in the window opening. How to cover windows aesthetically? Here are a few practical options to cover windows aesthetically: Tinted glass film to enhance look and privacy of your room Cafe shutters – a creative window covering idea to slow down heat transfer across the window opening Knife pleat roman shades Windows covered with plants Valances – an attractive alternative to blinds and curtains Need More Help? Still unsure which creative window treatment ideas can better replace curtains and blinds? Contact our professionals using 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109 for expert advice and a custom solution.