As bamboo shades become ever more popular, hundreds of bamboo patterns have become available. Many of these patterns have a unique appearance but whenever turned into a bamboo shade, these patterns also create a unique style and a technical effect which needs to be considered. These effects are lighting, level of privacy and physical performance. All being as important as looks. One of the most basic bamboo materials is the so called matchstick. Named because it is as thin as a matchstick, these bamboo shades are usually available in a few colors or in a combination of two or more colors to fit any decor.

Additionally, these matchstick bamboo shades can incorporate different thread colors to add to the variety. It is important to know that matchstick bamboo shades may provide a lower level of privacy as well as light control due to the separation which may exist between the "sticks". This combination of matchstick colors and threads and their interchangeability provides the end user with a large selection to choose from. In the case of bamboo shades incorporating the raw bamboo, as is the case in tortoise shell bamboo shades, the beauty of the pattern is exacerbated by the larger sticks used in their fabrication and thus creating a color and decor scheme only achievable by the introduction of a natural product. The use of larger sticks in bamboo shades enhances privacy and light control. Natural bamboo "tubes" are also used in the fabrication of bamboo shades as they also provide a pleasing natural look.

Because these "tubes" have never been changed from their natural appearance, the look they impart if that of the natural plant and often have splices making the appearance of the sticks longer. This combination of splices and randomly positioned sticks will result in a bit less privacy and reduced light control specially when compared to the bamboo shades using the aforementioned tortoise shell bamboo. However, these bamboo shades are unique in their beauty and effect.

Fully knowing that privacy is an ever important factor and desirabel by the majority of consumers, there is a bamboo shade which incorporates a privacy weed. This requires the organization of the bamboo materials used in the bamboo shade to be woven in an overlapping fashion thus reducing the ability to see through the bamboo shade and increasing the light control capability yet a certain amount of natural light is able to enter the room. Another type of so called bamboo shade is the grass weave shade. These shades are not made from the bamboo plant, but as their name implies, it is made of grass weaves which are natural grasses, but because of their natural appearance they are normally grouped with bamboo shades.

Grass weave shades are beautiful in design and appearance, but their privacy and light control capabilities are limited when compared to bamboo shades. Aesthetic appearance and effect creation are normally the two most important factors when selecting bamboo shades. Needless to say, the decorative contribution of the bamboo shade usually overrides the functions of light control, privacy and functionality. However, knowing that privacy and light control always play a role in the selection of the bamboo shade and sometimes these are sacrificed, the window treatment industry has provided the solution to this dilemma - privacy and blackout liners. These liners are attached to cover the complete surface area of the bamboo shade which faces the exterior and thus augmenting the choice of patterns and colors available to the consumer without reducing the functionality. Lined bamboo shades and grass weave shades have become highly popular and their popularity is expected to continually increrase.

In summary, the selection of the right combination of patterns, colors, weaves and linings have expanded to the point where no matter what effect you are trying to create is never derailed by the need of privacy and light control. It is no wonder bamboo shades are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of window treatments in the US and abroad.

Judith Persit is an qualified interior decorator with a focus on window coverings. Judith writes about bamboo shades. Learn more regarding shades at her website.