We first brought home a pair of white faux wood blinds when we were decorating the nursery, aiming to create a darker room that would encourage better naps. Since then we’d been eager to install the same style in our own bedroom. The window above the bed had never been covered, and although morning sun doesn’t hit that side of the house, we wanted the option to make the room significantly darker for better sleep. The other window still had the original plastic roller shade from the previous owners—probably decades old, yellowed and stained—which made the room feel dated and uninviting.
There was one useful thing about that old roller shade: it fit neatly behind our nicer white roman shade from Ikea, so we could get privacy and some light blockage when needed while keeping the roman shade visible and attractive during the day. Even so, we were set on covering the small window above the bed to create a darker sleep environment, and we decided to replace the worn roller shade on the second window at the same time. We ordered two more pairs of custom-cut-to-fit white faux wood blinds from Home Depot—Home Depot’s free custom-cut service made it easy to get a precise fit for both windows.
Before installing, we removed the roman shade to swap the old roller shade for the new blind. The old pull-down shade was stained and tired, so pulling it down revealed exactly why replacement was necessary. After taking that shade out, the new custom-cut faux wood blind slipped into place easily. The crisp white slats instantly refreshed the window and brought the room’s look up to date.
One minor issue we noticed was that the blinds came a bit long for the window. Extra slats add weight and can make the blind harder to raise and lower, so we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to remove excess slats for a cleaner, lighter operation. The process was straightforward: John removed a few bottom slats, trimmed the lift cords and reassembled the hem to create a custom fit. Once adjusted, the blind functioned smoothly and looked proportionate to the window frame.
We rehung the Ikea roman shade in front of the faux wood blind so that during the day the roman shade hides the blind completely, preserving the room’s soft, finished look. At night we lower the faux wood blind for maximum darkness and privacy. Having the two layered treatments gives us the best of both worlds: an attractive daytime appearance and a functional blackout solution after dark.
This simple update made a significant difference in the bedroom. The room is now much darker in the morning, which helps with sleep quality, and the new faux wood blinds feel more grown-up and cohesive with the rest of the home. We’ve aimed to carry common window elements throughout the house, so adding these blinds to two of our three bedrooms helps create a unified, intentional look.
On the smaller window above the bed, there isn’t anything to tuck the blind behind, but because the blinds are the same crisp white color as the window molding, they blend in when raised and are hardly noticeable. That subtle integration is exactly what we wanted: a functional solution that doesn’t call attention to itself during the day yet delivers excellent darkness at night.
We’re really happy with this small yet impactful window makeover. It refreshed the room’s appearance, improved light control, and enhanced privacy without requiring major renovations. If you’re considering a similar update, look for faux wood blinds that can be custom-cut to fit, layer them with a decorative shade if you want a softer daytime look, and remove any extra slats for a tailored fit. Small changes like this can make a big difference in comfort and style.
Have you made any window improvements in your home lately—installed new blinds, added blackout treatments, or layered shades for both style and function? We’d love to hear about other bedroom makeovers or tips you’ve found useful for blocking light and improving sleep environments.