What are mid century modern window treatments?

Mid century modern window treatments are window coverings that reflect the clean, functional style of mid century design. Common options include Roller Shades, Solar Shades, Wood Blinds, Roman Shades, Woven Wood Shades, Cellular Shades, and Drapery. These treatments often feature simple lines, natural textures, warm wood tones, neutral colors, and occasional bold accents.

What are the key features of mid century modern style?

Key features of mid century modern style include functionality, clean lines, organic and geometric shapes, natural and synthetic materials, natural light, neutral tones, and bold accent colors.

What window treatments work best for mid century modern homes?

The best window treatments for mid century modern homes include Roller Shades, Solar Shades, Wood Blinds, Woven Wood Shades, Roman Shades, Cellular Shades, and Drapery. These options support the style’s focus on clean lines, natural light, organic texture, and practical function.

Are Roller Shades good for mid century modern homes?

Yes, Roller Shades are a strong choice for mid century modern homes because they have a clean, streamlined profile. They can keep the room feeling open and uncluttered, and they are available in both simple neutral materials and patterned designs.

Are Woven Wood Shades good for mid century modern window treatments?

Yes, Woven Wood Shades work well for mid century modern window treatments because they add natural texture and warmth. Made from materials such as bamboo, grasses, and reeds, they complement wood tones and help soften incoming light.

Are Wood Blinds a good mid century modern window treatment?

Wood Blinds are a natural fit for mid century modern interiors because they offer warm wood tones, clean horizontal lines, and easy functionality. They work especially well when the wood finish complements, but does not exactly match, other wood elements in the room.

Can Drapery work in a mid century modern home?

Yes, Drapery can work well in a mid century modern home, especially when the design is simple and tailored. Ripple Fold Drapery is a good option because its clean folds create a crisp, linear look. Drapery can also add softness, contrast, color, or texture to the room.

Should mid century modern window treatments use patterns?

Mid century modern window treatments can use patterns, but they should stay simple. Organic shapes, leaf-inspired designs, and geometric forms work well. Neutral colors or one or two accent colors help keep the look understated and balanced.

How do you keep mid century modern window treatments light and bright?

To keep mid century modern window treatments light and bright, choose light-filtering materials, sheer white or off-white fabrics, Solar Shades, Roller Shades, or Roman Shades. These options help maintain privacy while still supporting natural light.

Are Solar Shades good for mid century modern homes?

Solar Shades are a good choice for mid century modern homes because they have a minimal, streamlined look and help reduce heat and UV glare. They are especially useful for rooms with large windows or strong sunlight.

Should I choose blinds or curtains for a mid century modern home?

Choosing blinds or curtains for a mid century modern home depends on the room and the look you want. Blinds create a sharper, more linear profile and offer easy light control. Curtains and drapery add softness, movement, texture, and color. Many rooms can use both, such as Wood Blinds layered with sheer linen curtains.

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Mid century modern window treatments include light waterfall woven wood shades layered with black 5% solar shades

Inspiration

May 13, 2026

Mid Century Modern (MCM) Window Treatments

Popular in postwar America, the mid century modern style (sometimes shortened to MCM in design circles) has seen several resurgences over the years. Flat roofs, neutral colors, and simple, functional wooden furniture are just a few elements that epitomize the clean and bright feel of these homes. If you live in a home built between the 1940s and 1970s, or if you would like to introduce a touch of mid century flair to your current abode, mid century modern window treatments are a great way to incorporate this inviting, versatile style.

When looking for mid century modern window treatments, it’s important to understand some of the defining elements of this style, which include:

An emphasis on functionality
Clean, simple lines, both curved and straight
Organic and geometric shapes
A mix of synthetic and natural materials like wood, metal, glass, and vinyl
Embracing natural light
Neutral tones with bold accent colors

Now that you know some of the key characteristics of the mid century modern style, you’re ready to explore ideas for inspiration.

WINDOW TREATMENTS FOR MID CENTURY MODERN HOMES

Each of these window treatment ideas reflects one or more key characteristics of mid century modern style. MCM is also versatile enough to complement many different types of homes, whether your space is fully mid century modern or simply incorporates elements of the look.

punctuate with pattern

Mid century modern window treatments include a sleek roller shade with a tea leaf pattern and eclectic decor — *Pictured: Roller Shade, Tea Leaves in Brown*

Use your window treatments to embrace the clean lines and geometric forms of the mid century modern style by opting for a simple pattern. Choose mid century modern window treatments that stick to the main theme of simplicity with patterns inspired by natural, organic shapes like leaves or petals, or opt for angular geometric forms. Keep colors neutral, or with only one or two accent colors, to maintain a sense of understated design. Choosing a minimalist window treatment option like Roller Shades also helps with keeping things simple, while giving you easy functionality.

WELCOME NATURAL LIGHT & TEXTURES

Mid century window treatments including a tan roller shade paired with a light wood toned Waterfall Woven Wood Shade in a sunlit room — *Pictured: Inner Layer: Roller Shade, Sullivan in Sand; Outer Layer: Waterfall Woven Wood Shades, Artisan Weaves Reed in Slate*

Natural elements like sunlight, wood tones, and woven materials are central to mid century modern design. Incorporate natural texture into your space while complementing the sunlight in the room with mid century modern window treatments like Woven Wood Shades. Made from sustainable fibers like bamboo, grasses, and reeds, Woven Wood Shades are an eco-friendly choice and will nicely complement other warm wood tones you have in the room, tying your mid century modern window decor to the rest of your interior. Plus, their woven design helps to soften the light for a soft, warm glow that brightens your space without making you squint from glare.

EMBRACE WOOD TONES

Mid century modern (MCM) blinds in a warm wood tone with black decorative tape in a sunlit home office — *Pictured: Wood Blinds, 2” Exotic in Oak with decorative tape in Black*

When thinking about window treatments for mid century modern homes, Wood Blinds may be one of the first options that come to mind. They embody many defining elements of the mid century modern style, including warm wood tones, a clean, linear design and easy functionality. To avoid too much of the same wood tone, choose Wood Blinds that complement but don’t quite match other wooden elements in your room. The result will be a character-rich look with a strong sense of refinement and warmth.

GO FOR BOLD CONTRAST

Mid century modern window treatments include off-white ripple fold drapery with a black bottom border for contrast — *Pictured: Ripple Fold Drapery, Luxe Linen in Oyster with bottom trim, Luxe Linen in Black and Madison Hardware in Black*

Want to stick with neutrals but still create a bold look? Emphasize contrast with black and white elements throughout your room and in your mid century modern window treatments. Choose white or off-white Drapery and pair it with black drapery hardware for a sharp, defined look for your mid century modern drapes. Ripple Fold Drapery can further accentuate the defined lines of your space with its crisp, clean folds that create dramatic shadows when stacked. Plus, this type of drapery is highly functional and easy to open and close.

For an even bolder move that enhances the sharp, high-contrast look, add a black decorative border to the bottom or leading edge of your Drapery. Light wood tones peppered throughout the space in furniture or architectural elements can help soften and add warmth to space to keep it from feeling too cold or stark.

Stay Light & Bright

Mid century modern window treatments include white flat roman shades with a subtle leaf pattern in a bright room — *Pictured: Flat Roman Shade*

Window treatments for mid century modern homes should enhance the natural light in the room and complement your interior design for a seamless, streamlined look. For any room that champions lightness and brightness, choose light-filtering mid century window treatments to keep the space cheerful even with the window shades closed for privacy.

Light-filtering Roman Shades in a sheer white or off-white color keep things clean and bright, while adding just a touch of texture with their pleated folds. Plus, many styles of Roman Shades are highly functional, being easy to open and close on a daily basis. Need to balance the brightness of your space? Work in natural wood tones and dark fabrics in your furniture and décor. This will create visual balance with your light, bright mid century modern window treatments while also adding greater depth and dimension.

LEAN TOWARD LINEAR

Mid century modern blinds include beige double roller shades in a dining room with a rustic wood dining table — *Pictured: Double Roller Shade, Windansea in Canyon*

Clean, crisp lines are a staple of mid century modern design, and you can accentuate this element in your MCM window treatments. Double Roller Shades, also known as zebra blinds or shades, are a great choice for a chic linear look. The sleek lines are created by two layers of alternating bands of sheer and opaque material. You can choose to alternate the bands to allow light to filter through, or you can line up the opaque bands for privacy. Sleek and functional, these shades are ideal as window treatments for mid century modern homes.

To soften the overall look of the room, choose organic shapes for your décor, such as a reclaimed wood table with un-milled edges. Indoor plants are another perfect option for adding organic shapes — and color — to your décor.

KEEP IT MINIMALIST

Mcm window treatments include minimalist off-white solar shades over large glass windows — *Pictured: Solar Shades, 3% Thermo in Cloud*

While minimalism is its own design style, both minimalism and mid century modernism embrace uncluttered spaces for a clean, open look. To keep your mid century modern window coverings sleek and minimal, opt for simple designs like neutral-colored Roller, Solar, or Cellular Shades. These options are highly functional with no ornamentation, suiting window treatments for mid century modern homes and minimalist homes perfectly. Plus, when inside-mounted in your window frame, these shades take up very little space, keeping your room feeling clean and uncluttered.

Roller Shades are a natural fit for mid century modern homes because of their streamlined profile. When raised, they tuck into a slim headrail and leave the window completely unobstructed. Materials range from solid neutrals to graphic prints, so you can go minimal or add a patterned accent depending on the room. Solar Shades share the same clean silhouette and are designed to cut heat and UV glare, making them a practical pick for rooms with large expanses of glass.

EXPLORE MATERIAL OPTIONS FOR YOUR MID CENTURY MODERN WINDOW TREATMENTS

With ideas and inspiration for your mid century modern window treatments, it’s time to get your project going. A good place to start is with materials to decide on the right color, texture and pattern. Order free swatches of your favorites a la carte, or start with our most popular window treatment swatches collection, which features a variety of inviting neutrals perfect for window treatments for mid century modern homes. Need help? Visit a local showroom in your neighborhood for guidance from our expert — and friendly — Design Consultants.

Neutral MCM curtains made of Andes in Castle Wall with a bottom border of Andes in Rye add dimension to a mid century modern living room

BLINDS OR CURTAINS FOR A MID CENTURY MODERN HOME?

Choosing between mid century modern blinds or curtains depends on the room and the look you are after. Mid century blinds deliver a sharper, more linear profile and are easy to adjust for light control throughout the day. Mid century modern curtains and drapery bring softness, movement, and the option to add a bold accent color or textured fabric. Many designers layer both: Wood Blinds paired with sheer linen curtains, for instance, give you privacy control and a softer visual frame. Consider the window size and shape as well. Narrow or tall windows often look best with blinds alone, and wider expanses of glass tend to benefit from flowing drapery panels.

What mid century modern window treatments work in a kitchen?

Kitchens need materials that can handle humidity and the occasional splash. Roller Shades or Solar Shades are typically made of high-performance synthetic materials that are easily wipeable and moisture-resistant, while delivering light and glare control. Even Roman Shades made of performance fabric like Sunbrella can give you durable, easy-to-clean MCM window treatments needed for busy kitchens. For kitchens with a breakfast nook or eat-in area, Woven Wood Shades in a natural fiber bring mid century texture to the space without feeling too formal. Keep in mind for hard-to-reach windows above the sink, a cordless or motorized shade allows easy adjustment throughout the day.

A mid century modern kitchen features outside mount Waterfall Woven Wood Shades made of Artisan Weaves Monterey in White

EXPLORE OUR MOST POPULAR SWATCHES

Not sure where to start your material search? Order our most popular swatches for free to see what’s in style — and maybe find your new favorite.

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Mid Century Modern (MCM) Window Treatments