Faux wood blinds and honeycomb shades can both provide privacy and light control, but they look and operate differently. Faux wood blinds use adjustable slats, while honeycomb shades use a continuous cellular fabric available in light-filtering and room-darkening options. This guide compares the two products so you can determine where each one fits within your new home.
The main difference is how the products control light. Faux wood blinds have horizontal slats that can be tilted, raised or lowered. Honeycomb shades use a continuous fabric panel that raises and lowers but does not have adjustable slats.
Faux wood blinds provide flexible light control throughout the day. Honeycomb shades provide a softer appearance and allow you to choose between light-filtering and room-darkening fabrics.
Both products are available through Starter Blinds and Shades and can be used in different rooms within the same home.
Two-inch faux wood blinds contain horizontal slats that can be tilted to change the direction and amount of light entering a room. The entire blind can also be raised when you want to expose more of the window.
Faux wood blinds work well in:
White faux wood blinds coordinate easily with the white trim commonly found in new-construction homes. Their structured appearance works with many decorating styles and provides a familiar, finished look.
Honeycomb shades use fabric formed into cellular pockets. The shade raises into a compact stack and creates a clean surface when lowered.
The two primary fabric choices are:
Room-darkening fabric does not necessarily create complete blackout. Some light may remain visible around the sides, top or bottom, depending on the window and mounting conditions.
Our guide to light-filtering versus room-darkening shades explains these fabric choices in greater detail.
Faux wood blinds provide more adjustable light control because their slats can be tilted throughout the day. You can redirect sunlight without completely raising the blind.
Honeycomb shades do not have tilting slats. A light-filtering shade softens the light across the entire window, while a room-darkening shade blocks substantially more of it.
Choose faux wood blinds when you want to adjust the direction of light frequently. Choose honeycomb shades when you prefer diffused light or stronger room darkening.
Both products provide privacy, but they do so differently.
Faux wood blinds allow you to adjust the slats according to the time of day. When fully closed, they reduce visibility through the window. Small spaces between slats and components may still allow limited visibility or light.
Honeycomb shades create a continuous fabric surface when lowered. Light-filtering fabrics provide privacy, but the level can vary depending on the fabric, exterior conditions and interior lighting. Room-darkening fabrics generally provide stronger privacy.
For street-facing rooms or windows close to neighboring homes, consider how the product performs during both daylight and nighttime conditions.
Room-darkening honeycomb shades are often the stronger choice for bedrooms where reducing incoming light is a priority. They can help create a darker environment for sleeping and provide a continuous layer of privacy.
Faux wood blinds can also be used in bedrooms, particularly when you want adjustable slats or a consistent appearance throughout the home. However, light may pass between the slats and around the edges.
Your decision should consider:
Faux wood blinds work well in living and dining areas when you want to adjust light throughout the day. Tilting the slats allows you to reduce glare while retaining some daylight.
Light-filtering honeycomb shades are a good alternative when you prefer a softer appearance and evenly diffused light. Their clean profile can work well in contemporary and transitional interiors.
Neither option is automatically best for every living space. Window exposure, privacy and personal style should guide the decision.
White faux wood blinds provide a consistent appearance across multiple rooms and coordinate easily with standard white window trim.
Honeycomb shades can also be used throughout the home, with light-filtering fabric in shared living areas and room-darkening fabric in bedrooms. Selecting coordinated fabric colors allows the shades to look consistent even when their opacity differs.
Many homeowners combine the two products:
If you are furnishing a townhome, read our guide to the best blinds for a new-construction townhomes for a room-by-room planning approach.
Pricing depends on the opening size, selected product, fabric type, quantity and project requirements. One product should not be assumed to cost less for every opening.
Review the Starter Blinds and Shades Price Guide to understand standard pricing examples. You can also use the instant estimate tool to explore preliminary installed pricing based on approximate opening sizes.
Different sizes are priced accordingly, and final pricing requires professional measurement and confirmation of the project specifications.
Yes. Using faux wood blinds and honeycomb shades in the same home allows each room to receive the most appropriate balance of privacy, light control and appearance.
A coordinated white or neutral color palette can help the different products feel intentional. The products do not need to match exactly to create a cohesive result.
The most practical approach is to evaluate each room according to its purpose rather than choosing one product solely for consistency.
Final measurements should be taken after the windows, trim and surrounding surfaces are complete. Builder plans and approximate homeowner measurements should not be used to manufacture the final products.
Professional measurement confirms:
You can review how the Starter process works before beginning your project.
Choose two-inch faux wood blinds if you prefer adjustable slats, structured styling and flexible light control. Choose honeycomb shades if you prefer a softer appearance, diffused natural light or a room-darkening fabric for bedrooms.
Use both products when different rooms have different functional needs.
When you are ready to confirm your openings and product selections, schedule a professional measurement. You can also review the frequently asked questions before scheduling.
