Dear Danica, The Plantation Shutters Are Going…What Should I Replace Them With?

I just love all the natural light your living room and office must get! It looks like such a bright, sun filled room!

So the plantation shutter are going…I get it. They can be great in certain scenarios, but there are certainly cons that come with them. So what should you replace them with?

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer here. You could do either curtains or shades and both would look fitting. That being said, there are pros and cons to both curtains and shades for rooms with lower ceilings. Perhaps the best way to decide what’s best for your space would be to outline the pros and cons to determine what’s most important to you.

SHADES

My initial thought was to go for shades and there are a couple reasons for that. Your ceiling appears to be shorter than standard height, and you have beams (beautiful btw!!) that would push your curtain rod lower than I’d typically recommend. Generally speaking, if the curtain rod would be close to eye level, I prefer shades instead. That being said, shades do obstruct the view. When your windows are low, and you add shades, the viewing window is quite low and small.

If you do opt for shades, I’d recommend a linen fabric shade to soften the hard surfaces. A greige or creamy white fabric would be my go-to. Also, if you can afford it, upgrading to motorized shades may be worth your while.

PROS

• Would look beautiful.

• Wouldn’t distract from the beautiful beams.

CONS

• Would be pricey to order custom widths for every window.

• Creates a lower viewing window even when shades are pushed all the way up.

CURTAINS

After thinking through shades, I thought maybe curtains would be better. It would certainly be more budget friendly and the view wouldn’t be obstructed. If the curtain rod can be pushed up high enough that it’s above eye level, then I think you could make curtains look great! But of course we have to take into consideration whether or not you have the space for curtains. Can you scooch the sofa, chair, and desk in to make room for curtains to hang to the floor?

If you opt for curtains, I’d recommend a panel on either side of the door, two in each corner, and one on each end. Totaling 8 panels (or 16 if you double up). Similar to this on a shorter scale.

PROS

• A more budget friendly option.

• Would add a soft surface and textural layer to the walls.

• Would cozy up the room.

CONS

• Requires scooting the furniture in so the curtains can hang, open, and close easily.

• The curtain rod could compete (visually) with the beams.

CAFE CURTAINS

Let me throw in a third option just for fun. What about cafe curtains? I know this is an unconventional choice for a living room but here me out. Cafe curtains would not have the cons that the others have. It would be a more budget friendly option than shades. It would still add a soft surface and textural layer. It wouldn’t further define the low ceilings like curtains could. It wouldn’t create a lower viewing window like shades. And it wouldn’t require you to scoot in your furniture. It has the potential to be the best of both worlds. Of course, privacy is the biggest con.

If you opt for cafe curtains, I’d go for an antique brass or bronze rod with matching rings in each window and pleated curtains in white or beige. Take this space or this dining room for example.

PROS

• More budget friendly than shades.

• Adds a soft texture.

• Wouldn’t compete with the beams on the ceiling.

• Leaves a large viewing window.

CONS

• Doesn’t provide complete privacy.

• Not a conventional choice for living rooms (or is this a pro?!).

MY FINAL VERDICT:

If this were my home, I’d test out full length curtains and cafe curtains to compare in real life. Something tells me I’d opt for curtains because they tend to make a room feel finished. They’re the secret weapon to elevating a space. But ultimately it’s about what you want for your living room. If you want to soften the room and create a cozy feeling, curtains would do that tenfold. If you dig the idea of doing something unconventional, go for cafe curtains! If you have the budget, go for greige linen shades!

What are your thoughts!? Share your vote in the comments below to help Ali make a decision.