As bamboo shades increase in popularity, there are many, even hundreds of new bamboo patterns that are becoming available. A good number of these patterns are unique in looks but when translated into a bamboo shade, they also give a one-of-a-kind style and a technical effect that needs to be taken into consideration. Physical appearance, lighting, and increased privacy are all effects of using these. All of these are just as important as how they look.



Matchstick is one of the more basic materials of bamboo. These bamboo shades got their name because they are as thin as a matchstick, and are usually available in several colors, or in a combination of two or more colors, to coordinate with any decorating scheme. Additional variety can be introduced through different thread colors in the matchstick bamboo shades.

It is important to remember that matchstick bamboo shades do not provide a lot of privacy or light control because of the spaces that occur between the ?sticks?. This combination of matchstick colors and threads and their ability to be substituted for one another gives the customer more options to select from.

Where bamboo shades have raw bamboo integrated into the design, as happens with the tortoise shell bamboo shade, the aesthetic of the pattern is enhanced because larger sticks are used in their manufacturing, thus creating a color and decor scheme only achieved by using a natural product. Oversized canes used in bamboo shades offer easier access to privacy and light management.

You can also see natural bamboo "tubes" in bamboo shades fabrication. They provide a natural look. Because these ?tubes? are unchanged from their natural appearance, they look like the natural plant and often have splices that make the sticks appear longer. This combination of interweaves and sticks positioned randomly provides a bit less privacy and reduces one's ability to control light, most especially in comparison to the bamboo shades that use tortoise shell bamboo (discussed above). However, the beauty and effect created by these bamboo shades make them one of a kind.

With the full understanding that privacy is a key factor and extremely desirable for most customers, this bamboo shade has a built-in privacy weed. This means that the bamboo must be arranged in such a way that the weaving overlaps, thus reducing anyone's ability to see through the shade while enhancing the ability to control light, but still letting a certain amount of natural light enter the room.

Grass weave is also referred to as a bamboo shade. As suggested by their name, these shades are made of grass weaves, which are natural grasses, rather than from the bamboo plant, but are usually considered with bamboo shades because of their natural looks. Grass weave shades are beautiful both in design and looks, but their privacy and light control capabilities are found wanting, especially when compared to bamboo shades.

In bamboo shade selection, the beauty and decorative effects of bamboo shades are the two major considerations. With a bamboo shade you get the light control, functionality, and privacy you are looking for but you get the added advantage of a beautiful window treatment.

However, the window treatment industry, understanding that privacy and the ability to control light play a key role in which shades are purchased and that at times these qualities are abandoned, has come up with a solution to this problem ?- privacy and blackout liners. These liners are incorporated in such a way as to cover the entire surface of the side of the shade that faces the outside, thus increasing the choice of patterns and colors available to the customer without sacrificing functionality. The lining of both bamboo shades and grass weave shades are extremely good sellers and should continue to grow in popularity.

In short, the selection of patterns, colors, weaves and linings have expanded to the extent that no matter what effect or decorating idea you are trying to implement, you can do so while still maintaining privacy and light control.

To wrap up, choosing the right combination of patterns, colors, weaves and linings has grown to where it doesn't matter what effect you are going for, you never have to worry about the need for privacy or the ability to control the light control.