Curtains vs. Woven Wood Shades: The Ultimate Comparison Guide

INTRODUCTION

As a homeowner, choosing between woven wood shades (bamboo blinds) and curtains can be very difficult. They both offer great options for light control, style, and function. Also, most of the time, your choice becomes harder based on your priorities. These two forms of window treatments serve different purposes and evoke different emotions.

So, which should you opt for? Curtains? Woven Wood Shades or both?

The Design Dilemma

Choosing between woven wood shades and curtains is like deciding between a warm cup of tea or an iced latte. They’re both great options, depending on the level of comfort you need. Woven wood shades as natural window treatments are calm, warm, and just naturally elegant. Curtains, through their different colors, fabrics, textures, and functionality, can be energizing, calming, luxurious, or simple.

As a homebody, the biophilic design trend aims to bring nature into your home, and it's more than filling your space with plants and greens. This would mean patterns that mountains, plants, seas, forests, stone, etc, inspire. This trend helps you be more environmentally conscious, improve your mental health, and increase your productivity, especially if you work from home. For your home, this would mean natural materials and nature-inspired colors that maximize lighting.

With biophilic design in trend, curtains can sometimes feel too artificial, which doesn't fully align with the trend's aim. Curtains can also sometimes be too soft or too heavy. This is where Woven Wood Shades (also known as bamboo blinds or natural shades) become the perfect middle-ground solution, with clean lines and warm patterns. These woven wood shades are organic, modern window decor made from natural materials like bamboo, reeds, grasses, and jute. When woven into different patterns, they create a light-filtering effect. They can also be more private when liners are added. Their natural materials evoke outdoor feelings and produce effects similar to sunlight filtering through trees. These woven wood shades also work for you if you’re a homeowner who appreciates organic modern, Japandi, or Boho styles, which blend contemporary design with natural elements.

The Aesthetic Debate: Texture vs. Drama

Curtains and woven wood shades create distinct visual and aesthetic effects. Understanding their differences will help you, as a homeowner, make conscious decisions perfect for you.

Curtains:

They change the whole perception of your space by adding height and width, hanging curtains higher and wider than the original window size, which makes the room appear longer and bigger.
Lighter fabrics can let more light into your room, while heavier drapes, like blackout curtains, block out light where you don't want it.
They communicate drama, elegance, or warmth depending on the choice of patterns and textures.
They help to complement the design and patterns of your walls.
They prevent your space from looking deserted, incomplete, or unfinished.

Woven Wood Shades

The organic materials they are made of add warmth and coziness to any space, including sterile rooms such as predominantly white kitchens.
The patterns are mostly artistic, making it a focal point.
They complement modern designs well by adding organic textures.
The natural weave filters light, creating a soft ambient glow that can be adjusted to your preferences.
They block up to 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays to protect your furniture and flooring.
Instead of having you look up, they create a balance in that space.

Functional Showdown - Real World Scenarios of Curtains And Woven Wood Shades

Curtains and woven wood shades are not abstract terms; they function properly in physical spaces, but often in very different ways.

	Curtains	Woven Wood Shades
Light control	Depending on the fabric, they can let in a diffused glow or completely block out light. Sheer curtains are good if you want a lighter space, and blackout curtains are great if you want little to no light.	Because of the natural materials used, sunlight falling on them creates a warm glow. The diffused glow also makes the space more soothing
Space	They take up space when open. They can also be bulkier and heavier.	They also take up space, but help save wall space, and are better window treatments for small spaces
Privacy	When closed, it can fully protect privacy, but in the case of sheer curtains, light from inside can make items visible at night	Without a liner, they are not totally private, as they often have tiny gaps
Installation	There is a need for a curtain rod, and it must be installed perfectly to avoid falling under pressure	It can be attached inside or outside the window frame and doesn't necessarily need a rod
Aesthetic/ Feel	Comes in different patterns and textures and creates a soft, calm, and elegant feel	Feels more natural and organic, and creates an earthy mood
Sound absorption	Made of thicker and heavier fabrics, curtains can absorb sound better	The sound absorption capacity depends largely on the material’s density and weave pattern. Tightly woven and thicker weaves are better at absorbing sound
Energy/efficiency	Offer better insulation and regulate the room's temperature by blocking heat transfer	The natural woven structure has a good insulating effect and lowers energy bills, but can be more sensitive to humidity
Maintenance	They require washing or dry cleaning because they attract dust and dirt	Cleaning involves dusting or light vacuuming because of dust accumulation
Durability	Lasts longer and can be easily changed or swapped	It can degrade over time and needs to be handled carefully
Best Spaces	Bedroom, Living room, Home theatre	Home office, Dining room

The Designer’s Secret: Layering Gets You The Best of Both Worlds

As a homeowner, the best decision is layering bamboo shades with curtains. Professional designers use a combination of both elements to create a better, higher-end look. They both create window treatments that have the perfect balance of light, privacy, design mood, and depth that single treatments cannot achieve. It gives you a combination of the woven wood shades' organic texture and the soft, dramatic texture of curtain fabrics. Layering them also enhances your window size, absorbs sound more effectively, improves temperature control, and balances the overall look and feel of the space.

All you have to do is maintain a consistent color palette that complements each other beautifully, choose the most functional hardware, and ensure each serves its functions. You also need to determine the best layering technique that works for each room. You mount the blinds inside or outside the window frame, then install the curtain rod outside the frame.

Still Not Decisive?

We at Three Girls understand the confusion you might still face, so when should you choose curtains or woven wood shades?

Choose Shades for: Kitchens, small offices, casual living rooms, or when you want a view connection. Our Eden Bamboo Blinds & Shades in Cream and almond will work magically for these spaces.
Choose Curtains for: Drafty windows, formal dining, or when maximum softness is needed. Our new curtain collections are also statement pieces in these spaces.
Choose Both for: The ultimate master bedroom or luxury living room setup.

The perfect designer look for your space is right at your fingertips. Weigh your preferences and the functions you want each space to perform, and you’re well on your way to getting your dream space.