Natural Wovens
Bamboo & Natural Woven Shades
Bamboo shades are window shades woven from natural bamboo, reeds, grasses and wood. They filter sunlight into a soft, warm glow and add natural texture to any room. At Curtain Avenue, every bamboo shade is custom-made to your window. Choose the weave, add a privacy or blackout liner, and pick a cordless or motorized lift.
See and touch the weaves at our showroom in Huntington Station, Long Island. Or book a free consultation and we’ll bring samples to your home.
What are bamboo shades?
Bamboo shades are a type of woven wood shade made from thin bamboo slats or reeds. The strips are stitched together with cotton or linen thread. They raise and lower like a Roman shade or roll up like a roller shade. Because each one is made from natural fibers, no two shades look exactly alike.
You’ll also hear them called woven wood shades, natural woven shades, matchstick blinds or bamboo blinds. The names overlap. “Bamboo” usually means the shade is mostly bamboo, while “woven wood” covers bamboo, jute, reed, grass and wood weaves.
Bamboo vs. grass vs. woven wood: which weave is right?
The right weave depends on how much light and texture you want. Tight weaves give more privacy and softer light. Open weaves let more light through and show more texture. Here is how the main materials compare.
Weave | Look | Light through the shade | Best for |
Bamboo (matchstick) | Clean, even lines | Medium | Living rooms, kitchens, offices |
Woven wood | Rich, chunky texture | Medium to low | Family rooms, dens, coastal homes |
Grass and jute | Soft, organic, varied | High | Sunrooms, dining rooms |
Reed and rattan | Light, airy, tropical | High | Covered porches, beach homes |
Not sure which you prefer? Order free swatches , or see full-size samples in our showroom.
Do bamboo shades provide privacy?
Bamboo shades give good privacy in daylight but not at night. On their own, they are light-filtering. After dark, with lights on inside, people outside can see shapes through the weave. Adding a liner solves this.
We offer three liner options:
- No liner: the most natural look and the most light. Best where privacy isn’t a concern.
- Privacy liner: a light-filtering fabric behind the weave. It blocks the view in at night but still lets daylight through.
- Blackout liner: blocks most outside light. The best choice for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms.
A liner also gives your windows a neat, uniform look from the street.
Bamboo shade styles: Roman, roll-up and flat fold
Bamboo shades come in three main styles. Each one changes how the shade looks when it’s raised.
- Bamboo Roman shades: fold into soft, even pleats as they rise. The most tailored look.
- Roll-up bamboo shades: roll neatly around a tube at the top. Simple and casual.
- Flat fold shades: stack flat when raised, for a clean, modern line.
Each style can be mounted inside the window frame for a recessed look, or outside it to cover more of the wall. Most of our shades include a matching valance that hides the headrail.
Cordless, top-down bottom-up and motorized bamboo shades
You can choose how your bamboo shades open. Cordless lifts are the most popular because they are safe and tidy. Top-down bottom-up gives flexible privacy. Motorized shades open with a remote, an app or your voice.
- Cordless: push up or pull down from the bottom rail. No cords to tangle, which makes it the safer choice in homes with children and pets.
- Top-down bottom-up: lower the top for daylight while the bottom stays closed for privacy. Great for bathrooms and street-facing windows.
- Motorized: ideal for tall or hard-to-reach windows. Set schedules or pair the shades with your smart home. Read our motorized shades guide.
Where bamboo shades work best
Bamboo shades suit almost any dry room in the house. They bring warmth to spaces with lots of white walls, wood floors or natural decor.
- Living and family rooms: soft, glare-free light for TV and reading.
- Kitchens and breakfast nooks: pair well with wood cabinets and stone counters.
- Bedrooms: add a blackout liner for full nights of sleep.
- Sunrooms and covered porches: connect the room to the view outside.
Avoid rooms with steady moisture, such as a shower wall. Natural fibers can warp or fade with constant humidity. For bathrooms, we’ll suggest a moisture-safe alternative such as faux wood blinds or cellular shades.
Do bamboo shades keep heat out?
Yes, bamboo shades reduce glare and some heat, but they are not insulators. The weave blocks part of the direct sun while letting light through. For real heat control, add a blackout liner or layer the shades with thermal curtains . For the most energy savings, choose cellular shades.
How much do custom bamboo shades cost?
The price of a custom bamboo shade depends on five things: window size, weave, liner, lift system and mount. A plain cordless shade costs the least. A motorized shade with a blackout liner costs the most. We give you an exact quote after measuring, with no obligation.
Custom bamboo shades on Long Island
Curtain Avenue is a window treatment showroom at 470 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746. We design, measure and install custom bamboo and woven wood shades for homes across Nassau and Suffolk County. As a Hunter Douglas dealer, we carry premium woven wood collections alongside our own custom lines.
Here’s how it works:
- Book a free consultation, either in our showroom or at your home.
- Choose your weave, liner and lift from real samples, in your own light.
- We measure every window, so each shade fits exactly.
- Our team installs your shades and shows you how they work.
We serve Huntington, Melville, Dix Hills, Commack, Northport, Syosset, Woodbury, Smithtown and nearby towns.
Bamboo shades FAQ
Are bamboo shades see-through?
Without a liner, yes, partly. In daylight they hide most of the view into your room. At night, with lights on inside, shapes show through the weave. A privacy or blackout liner makes them fully private.
Are bamboo shades see-through?
On their own, bamboo shades filter light rather than block it. Tighter weaves block more. For a dark bedroom or media room, add a blackout liner behind the weave.
Are bamboo shades still in style?
Yes. Natural textures are a key part of today’s warm, organic interior trends. Bamboo shades suit modern, coastal, farmhouse and Japandi rooms, and pair well with linen curtains.
How do you clean bamboo shades?
Dust them weekly with a soft brush or a vacuum on its brush setting. For spots, dab gently with a barely damp cloth and let them air dry. Never soak bamboo shades or use harsh cleaners.
Can bamboo shades be used outdoors?
Indoor bamboo shades are not made for rain or wet weather. For porches and patios, choose outdoor shades built from weather-resistant fabric. See our outdoor shades (link: /outdoor-shades/).
Can bamboo shades be cut to size?
Store-bought shades can be trimmed, but the edges often fray and the fit is rarely exact. Custom bamboo shades are made to your measurements, so they fit the window with no cutting.
What is the difference between bamboo shades and woven wood shades?
Bamboo shades are one type of woven wood shade. “Woven wood” is the wider term, covering bamboo, jute, reed, grass and wood weaves. Bamboo gives the cleanest, most even lines.
Where can I buy custom bamboo shades on Long Island?
Curtain Avenue makes and installs custom bamboo shades at 470 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY. Visit the showroom or book a free in-home consultation. Call (631) 364-0360.
