Have you considered cordless blinds? Top down bottom up blinds are a versatile option,

How about window film? I don't have children so I don't know if this is a good idea. Can readers please give their views on this topic?

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We have had the same shutters at our windows for 34 years. They are outside mount, " old fashion" wood, and work perfectly. Our kids were 2 and 3 when we got them. They can be opened completely during the day, closed during nighttime hours, or tilted for light, etc.

I think it depends on your preferred look. I do not like any blinds or shades to be seen during the day, I want lots of light coming in. Go for the look you like.

Cordless EcoSmart Insulating Shades with a Top Down/Bottom up operation are amazing!

Why?

You will maintain your privacy and allow natural sunlight to cascade through the top!

EcoSmart Cellular shades · More Info

A simpler solution would be to add washable sheer curtains under the blackout curtains in the kids' windows The 2.5 inch louver wood shutters will look fine, too.

Custom outside mount shutters are not an inexpensive solution but will work perfectly with shallow windows. If the shutter frames, stiles and rails are wide you may be surprised by how much light is blocked by shutters even when the slats are wide open.

I love shutters. They are definitely a ‘look’ though and can dictate the type of styling you choose for the room. We have white shutters with wide louvers (I think 4 or 5in), however, the smaller would look fine too and I half wish we had gone with the more traditional smaller size. Shutters are classic IMO. They add a lot of character to the space, it just has to be the kind of character you like. I love the flexibility for light and privacy.

We also have roll down black out blinds on our multi-slider. Very clean look, very effective. However, less flexibility for light vs privacy. They are either completely open for light and not private, completely closed and private but no light, or partially rolled down but then the light only comes through the lower part and privacy is still compromised.

If cost isn't too much of an issue, do look into outside mounted shutters. We have shutters throughout our house with some needing outside mounting. No problem. Our louvers are all 3 1/2" which are nice. My choice would have been a little wider, but they were installed by previous owners.

Thank you all for your suggestions and input!

These pictures show what the "outside" mount for the 3.5" would look like. It is with a z-frame. Another option my husband mentioned was removing the window trim and and using a more decorative frame for the shutters. It would still need to stick out as far the z-frame on the window sill. Any thoughts?

We line in a 1960's built classic MCM home and I "tend" in that style decoration with decor.

Robin, have you considered consulting with a shutter company for options? I've seen the outside mounting done in various ways. A shutter company could likely help with a style that fits your MCM home/decor. We also have the tilt rods on all of ours, and I like the more traditional look. I'm thinking no rods might be best for yours...?

When I had shutters installed in a previous home, they were mounted totally outside the window frame with an extension to clear the molding.

Chloebud, thank you. I have had three shutter companies come out and they all said the z-frame (like the picture) with 3.5 inch. No other suggestions were offered for outside mounting. Do you have any pictures? I asked the company I liked the best to com back out for more suggestions and to see the 2.5 inch. At this time I don't have a good sense of what other options might be. Thanks!

Robin, I had trouble posting the photo I took but was able to find one online that looks the same as ours. As you can see, the outside mount frame is very simple. They only had to do it on two windows in our home. We're happy the previous owners also had the shutters installed in the garage since that window faces the street.

Hunter Douglas does great shutters. They will come and measure/quote for those, or for Sihouettes. Find a local dealer.........get a house call. You don't want to do the measure or the install, or be responsible for it either. It's nothing to cheap out on. You don't need "real wood" for the shutters. The faux is better/white and many tones to select from . Also blades, .....splits, operating with no tile bar, etc. Get A house call. : )

Shutters are classic and transitional! As a window treatment specialist, I highly recommend Hunter Douglas Newstyle and Norman Woodlore. (Not a fan of HD Palm Beach- mine have turned yellow twice since I have been in the house in 8 years- HD replaced the first set). You can do an outside mount on the frame. As long as the trim isn't super wavy, it doesn't look bad and saves money on redoing trim. Most people want more view through and do a hidden tilt bar. Because you have limited depth, there is one distinct difference between Norman and HD. Norman makes their hidden tilt inside the frame so that you don't need an extra 3/8" behind the shutter for operation. HD has an exposed bar on the back.

Some pros to shutters: great insulation, can do a split tilt bar to allow 1/2 shutter to open , while bottom stays closed, good on resale, no cords :).