We were considering roller shades for our remodeled 1960s ranch-style home because we thought it was the best option for a crisp, clean look for our modern, neutral palate design. Now having second thoughts after seeing several modern homes with curtains instead of shades.

The main priority is on our three sliding glass doors—Family Room (131"), Kitchen (190") and Master Bedroom (98")—all of which open onto our central patio. The Kitchen slider is the one we use 90% of the time to go in or out (the other two sliders are open most of the day, but we rarely go through those doors).

I understand sliders are better served, functionally, by vertical blinds, panels, or products like Hunter Douglas Luminette, but we really don't like the look of vertical blinds, don't like the space panels use, and are not sure we want to spend the $$$$ for the Luminette, especially since we really don't like that look either. We had shutters in our last home and liked those, but not sure we want to make that investment since we're likely selling in the next year or two.

As you can see from photos below, we have no blank wall on either side of Kitchen slider, so most window treatments will block at least part of the window. The Family Room slider has blank wall, unfortunately on the same side as the door handle. The Master Bedroom slider has plenty of open wall space (36" or more) on both sides of its slider.

Trying to decide between these options:

A) Curtains on all.

B) Curtains on Family Room and Master, but outdoor motorized roller shade for the Kitchen sliders.

C) Roller shades on all sliders and just accept it'll require an extra step of rolling up shade before going in or out.

D) Or...?

Since we expect to be on our patio often (once our son cleans up his messy horticulture experiments, that is!), it's important to have some continuity of materials/color so we're not looking at different material on each window when we're outside looking in.

FWIW, privacy isn't the issue. I's the summer sun that's forcing us to break down and cover these windows. Master Bedroom gets morning sun (no biggie). Kitchen gets mid-day and afternoon sun. Family Room gets late afternoon (harsh).

Family room slider (looking across patio—and the remnants of son's Plant Science zone—toward Master Bedroom slider):

Kitchen slider, 190" wide (family room slider can be seen in the distance):

Master Bedroom slider 98" wide:

Inspo pics---roller shades:

Casa Abierta · More Info

Window Treatments · More Info

Inspo pics--curtains

Mid-century home office space · More Info

Midcentury Bedroom · More Info

Madrona Residence · More Info

Thanks for any thoughts!