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Bathroom Window Treatments
Heat, water, high humidity, privacy and light requirements, color scheme, style, durability—there are a lot of things to consider when searching for the right window treatments for bathrooms. Luckily, Graber has a solution to every one of those issues—in a nearly countless array of colors and styles.
In this article, we’ll talk about all the challenges, variables, and solutions, and we’ll give you ideas that will hopefully inspire your own creativity. You’ll discover that finding the perfect bathroom window coverings isn’t difficult when you know what to look for.
How to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Window Treatments
There are several things to consider when choosing bathroom window treatments. Privacy, light control, and how you want to control your blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery are important considerations, but you’ll also want to think about how much moisture you’re going to be dealing with as well as how effectively the bathroom will be ventilated.
Assess Privacy Needs
Privacy is a primary concern when it comes to covering bathroom windows. A solar shade that expertly filters sunlight during the day would provide little privacy at night, making it a poor choice for a bathroom window. But a room-darkening roller shade designed for privacy could be an excellent choice for your bathroom.
Evaluate Moisture and Humidity Levels
When it comes to dressing your bathroom windows, you need to think of both appearance and function. Not every material works in an environment where water can be splashed, hot showers create clouds of steam, and temperatures fluctuate drastically. So, a set of moisture-and heat-resistant faux-wood blinds would be right at home in a bathroom, but a puddle-length set of thick drapery would not (although a sill-length set of light curtains might be perfect). We’ll go over some of the specific styles and types of window treatments for bathrooms later in this article.
Determine Desired Light Control
Many bathrooms would benefit from additional light throughout the day—while still maintaining privacy. There are very effective solutions for this situation. For privacy as well as additional light, some light-filtering roller shades can provide both privacy and light.
Consider Functionality
How do you want to control your bathroom window treatments? The easiest option is a set of cordless blinds or shades—with a simple lift of a bottom rail or hem bar you get quick access to the window. The slats of a set of blinds can be easily and precisely adjusted with the control wand. Drapery is quickly opened or closed. Composite shutters can be adjusted by directly moving the louvers. Choose a window treatment that you find easy to operate—it’s really just a matter of preference. Your Graber Dealer can help you find the window treatment and control system that’s right for you.
Check Ventilation Compatibility
Ideally, your bathroom will have a ventilation system that clears the bathroom of moisture while you’re showering. But in most bathrooms, the bathroom exhaust fan takes several minutes or longer to clear out the increased water vapor from the hot shower or faucet. If you have a bathroom fan that clears shower steam quickly, nearly any shades or blinds could work in your bathroom. But if you have a bathroom that remains humid long after the water turns off, you should stick to hard window treatments, such as blinds or shutters made with synthetic materials.
Popular Window Treatments for Bathrooms
Roller Shades
A roller shade is one of the simplest window treatments available. One of the best reasons to choose a roller shade for your bathroom is the abundance of beautiful fabrics—some of the most cheerful and delightful colors and patterns can be found in Graber’s roller-shade collection. The key is selecting a material that gives you the right amount of light and privacy. When making your window treatment selection, take into consideration where the bathroom window is in relation to the outside world—both in terms of the orientation of the sun as well as sightlines. Your Graber Dealer will help you make the right choice.
Faux Wood & Composite Blinds
Blinds are a great option for bathroom window coverings. Although some people do put wood blinds in their bathrooms, it is not recommended—because there are better options. But Graber’s faux-wood and composite blinds are outstanding options for a high-humidity environment. Both faux-wood and composite blinds resist warping, fading, cracking, and peeling and are at home in bathrooms as well as kitchens and laundry rooms. These blinds are tough! Best of all, they come in an array of colors and textures, making it easy to find a set of blinds that matches your décor. Graber’s blinds are mechanically durable as well, meaning you’ll enjoy years of reliable use.
Natural Woven Shades
If you’re looking for something interesting and even surprising—and you have a well-ventilated bathroom that dries out quickly after a hot shower—try a natural shade. Made with wood, grass, bamboo, jute, or rattan, natural woven shades—and their cousins, natural drapery—add a natural flavor to a room’s décor. On top of that, natural shades are durable and have a sturdiness that makes them especially pleasant to operate. You’ll find a surprising range of colors among the natural-shade fabric collections.
Roman Shades
Roman shades come in two different basic types—tailored Roman and classic Roman. The tailored version uses the time-tested Roman-shade design with beautiful, premium fabrics to create a truly elegant shade. The wide selection of tailored Roman fabrics makes it easy to create a window treatment that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom’s décor. The classic Roman shade uses durable fabrics from a subtle, earthtone-heavy color palette—and the result is a sleek and clean shade that works exceptionally well in a bathroom. An important consideration for both types of Roman shades is privacy. Select a fabric that gives you the right amount of privacy and you’ll have a window treatment that’s easy to operate and conveys a timeless style.
Vinyl Horizontal Blinds
For dependability and affordability, you can’t beat vinyl blinds. The durable nature of vinyl blinds makes them at home in most bathrooms. They can tolerate moisture and can be precisely adjusted to find the right amount of privacy and light.
Composite Shutters
Shutters are an excellent option for bathroom window coverings, especially composite shutters. In addition to their traditional good looks, composite shutters are tough. They’re made to stand up to the high humidity and heat of bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Graber Composite Shutters are available in an array of colors and can be combined with shades and drapery to create multilayered combinations that are interesting to look at and provide a broad range of light and privacy control options.
Drapery
Fabric drapery in a bathroom? Yes! Some of the most beautifully appointed bathrooms—as well as the most practical—use drapery. Nothing beats the fabric selection, versatility, ease of use, and endless adaptability of drapery. Sheer curtains on a tall window that looks down on a luxurious soaking tub can be breathtaking. Clean, brightly colored sill-length curtains in a second-floor bathroom that overlooks a sunny backyard—nothing could look lighter and brighter. Your Graber Dealer can help you find the fabrics that match the climate, light, and privacy conditions of your bathroom.
Layering for Looks and Functionality
Combining two different types of window treatments can often get you a solution that solves all your problems. Layering can be especially useful in the bathroom where you need your window treatments to do several different jobs—and not all at the same time. Sheer shades might not feel adequate for a certain bathroom, but when combined with an opaque roller shade that can be pulled down when privacy is necessary, you have a highly versatile solution (nothing beats how easy it is to pull a shade down for instant privacy).
And drapery not only covers the light that seeps in along the edges of a shade—it also gives a sense of greater privacy. Here's an example: You have a bathroom where you might need privacy for only a few minutes a day—and then the rest of the time you would like lots of light and a view to your backyard gardens. Combining a sturdy set of white composite shutters with a sheer drape might be the perfect solution, giving you the options of full light, filtered light, and privacy—all from the same window—just by opening and closing the drapes, shutter panels, or the shutter’s louvers.
Another scenario might be in a bathroom where you want total privacy at times but also filtered light at other times. A light-filtering roller shade combined with a light-filtering or room-darkening set of drapes might just give you exactly the versatility you’re looking for.
Talk to your Graber Dealer about what you’re looking for—odds are, they’ll have the perfect solution for you.
Other Considerations for Bathroom Window Treatments
Most people are surprised to learn just how many different types of window treatments can work in a bathroom. New materials—including technologically advanced fabrics and components—means there’s a blind, shade, shutter, or drapery to fit every room—including high-humidity bathrooms. This abundance of options means you’ll find something that will work on a first-floor bathroom window that is close to foot traffic, or a huge expanse of windows in a second-floor bathroom—or a small window in a tiny guest bathroom in dire need of light. There are many solutions for each of these situations, including cordless options that give you unsurpassed ease and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Window Treatments for Bathrooms
Here are some commonly asked questions about selecting the right blinds and shades for your bathroom.
What type of window shade is best for a bathroom?
There is no single right answer to this question. But if you’re looking for the most practical solution, composite materials are best. Composite shutters and faux-wood or composite blinds are excellent choices for bathroom window treatments. They're designed to withstand high humidity without warping or deteriorating, making them durable and reliable even in steamy environments.
What fabrics are best for bathroom window treatments?
Lightweight fabrics like cotton, and linen blends are great options for bathroom windows. These materials dry quickly, resist moisture buildup, and maintain a light, airy look that suits most bathroom styles. When selecting a fabric, consider how it handles light and privacy—hold it up to the light to see how much visibility it allows. A Graber Dealer can guide you in choosing the ideal fabric for both function and style.
Can you put drapery in a bathroom?
Yes, drapery is not only an option—it can be one of the best choices for some bathroom windows.
For large picture windows, especially on upper floors, long, sheer drapes made from moisture-resistant fabrics like polyester or linen blends can add softness and elegance while maintaining privacy. In smaller bathrooms, short-length drapes in carefully selected fabrics can add style without overwhelming the space. Just be sure to choose materials that dry quickly and resist humidity.
Which window treatments provide the most privacy and light control for a bathroom?
Most window treatments can be customized to provide privacy, but for maximum coverage, a roller shade in blackout fabric layered with blackout drapery and a coordinating valance offers the highest level of privacy and light control.
For a highly practical solution, blinds are a versatile choice—they allow you to adjust slats for instant privacy while still letting in natural light. A Graber Dealer can help you choose the right option based on your privacy needs and bathroom layout.
The Bottom Line
When choosing bathroom window treatments, stay open to the many possibilities—there’s a solution to match every style, need, and level of privacy. With so many durable, stylish, and functional options available, you're sure to find something that suits your space perfectly. Your Graber Dealer is here to help you explore your choices and guide you toward a look you'll love for years to come.
