PowerView® Automation
Program your window treatments so that they adjust themselves automatically, creating the perfect room ambiance morning, noon and night.
Sheer Shades
Learn more about Hunter Douglas custom window sheers, including our shadings and privacy sheers. Innovative, light-diffusing sheers. Your trusted source for window treatments.
Cellular Shades
Cellular honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas. An energy-efficient design that traps air in distinct pockets to help keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Roman Shades
Custom-made fabric Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas, combining the look of soft folds with the ease and convenience of a shade. Custom-crafted.
Roller Shades
The Hunter Douglas roller shades & solar screen shades collections offer excellent light control and a clean, stylish look in a range of fabrics and materials.
Woven Shades
For a warm, natural look our Hunter Douglas Woven Wood Shades collection of window treatments transforms sunlight into captivating design statements. Choose yours today.
Vertical Shades
Find the right custom vertical shades for any room in your home. Search our most popular window shades.
Wood Blinds
From controlling light to their stylish, sleek look, wood blinds have been a favorite among homeowners for decades.
Metal Blinds
Find the perfect metal blinds for any room in your home. From controlling light to their stylish, sleek look, metal blinds have been a favorite among homeowners.
Vertical Blinds
Discover Hunter Douglas customized vertical blinds featuring elegant styling and translucency in a large selection of colors, treatments, and textures. Lifetime guarantee.
Shutters
Hunter Douglas custom window shutters provide superior light control and privacy with classic styles, long-lasting finishes, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Drapery
Choose from timeless and on-trend fabrics, including lofty textures and alluring jacquards, artisanal embroideries and luminous sheers.
Light Enhancing
Enjoy the beauty of natural light and make any space more captivating, with the following light-enhancing shades.
Room Darkening
Want a darker room for better sleep or optimal movie binging? These shades and drapes help block light at the window.
Energy Efficient
Live comfortably and save energy with these shades. Designer to keep a room warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Door Coverings
Manage natural light and add privacy with these window treatments that work well for sliding-glass and patio doors.
Sound Absorption
Create a quieter, more relaxing room with these window treatments, which help absorb sound, reducing exterior noise.
Top-Down Bottom-Up
For privacy and natural light, position shades from the top, bottom or both. These shades have this feature available.
Awnings
Awnings are a smart addition to any facade on both residential and commercial buildings.
Commercial Blinds & Shades
We offer window treatments for any business or commercial setting.
Drapery, Valances & Cornice Boards
Add the perfect finishing touch to your windows.
Motorized Window Coverings
Enjoy the convenience of motorized window coverings.
Custom Bedding
Your home should reflect your unique personality and style, and there’s no better way to do that than with custom bedding and accessories from Mr. K’s Fabric Shop.
After-Hours & In-Home Consultations
Our schedule is flexible, and we can come to your home for a consultation.
Consumer Financing by Wells Fargo
We offer financing options for our customers, subject to approved credit.
Window Covering Measuring & Installations
Our measuring and installation service will ensure an exact fit for your window coverings.
Custom Upholstery
Whether you’re getting a family heirloom restored or designing furnishings for a commercial space, Mr. K’s Fabric Shop can help you get the results you want.
Style Quiz
Sometimes, you can start a project and know the style you want.
About Us
Mr K's Fabric Shop carries a wide selection of window treatments, including Hunter Douglas sheers and shadings, honeycomb shades, Roman shades, roller shades, screen shades, shutters and blinds.
Reviews
Find out what our past customers think about the products and services that Mr K's Fabric Shop provides.
Quincy, IL
Whether you’re outfitting a single window or redecorating your whole home, the knowledgeable, experienced team at Mr. K’s Fabric Shop can help you put together the best look for your home.
Hamilton, IL
At Mr. K’s Fabric Shop, we know there’s a lot to be said about offering the best quality products at reasonable prices.
Carthage, IL
Mr. K’s Fabric Shop is the best place to get window treatments, awnings, upholstery, and custom bedding near Carthage, Illinois.
Warsaw, IL
Have you been looking for the best location to shop for custom window treatments, drapery, and valances, and, awnings, and custom bedding in the area? You’ve found us at Mr. K’s Fabric Shop.
Hannibal, MO
Have you been thinking about upgrading your window treatments or considering adding an awning over your deck or patio? The team at Mr. K’s Fabric Shop would love to help.
Monroe City, MO
Are you looking to update your interior decor and window treatments, but don’t want the hassle of big box chains?
Keokuk, IA
Mr. K’s Fabric Shop knows the value of your home’s appearance, and we dedicate ourselves to helping you create the most aesthetically pleasing home possible.
Fort Madison, IA
If you are searching for fine fabric, custom window treatments, awnings, upholstery services, or custom bedding near Fort Madison, Iowa, then Mr. K’s Fabric Shop is the best place to shop.
Interior Design Ideas
All Design IdeasBlinds & Shades by Room
Bathroom Bedroom Home Office Kitchen Living Room Media Room Nursery & Kids RoomBlinds & Shades by Window Shape
Angled Windows Arched Windows Bay, Bow, Corner Windows French Doors Sidelights Sliding Glass Doors Skylights Large Windows Panel-Track Blinds Picture WindowsBlinds & Shades by Function
Automated Blackout Energy Efficient Light Filtering Child and Pet-Friendly Cordless Energy-Efficient ShadesAll Design Ideas
See current and past decorating ideas from our 'Fresh Ideas' Newsletter.
Bathroom
See window covering solutions for privacy and moisture-resistance.
Bedroom
See window covering solutions for privacy and room darkening.
Home Office
See window covering solutions for light filtering and glare control.
Kitchen
See window covering solutions for a variety of needs and kitchen styles.
Living Room
See window covering solutions for light filtering and UV protection.
Media Room
See room darkening window treatments for your media room.
Nursery & Kids Room
See child-safe window coverings for baby nurseries and kids rooms
Angled Windows
See blinds and shades for angled, sloped, and triangle-shaped windows.
Arched Windows
See blinds and shades for arched, half-circle or half-moon windows.
Bay, Bow, Corner Windows
See blinds and shades for bay, bow and corner windows.
French Doors
See shutters, blinds and shades for French Doors.
Sidelights
See blinds and shades for sidelight windows.
Sliding Glass Doors
See blinds and shades for patio and sliding-glass doors.
Skylights
See blinds and shades specifically suited for skylights.
Automated
See all options for automated blinds and shades.
Blackout
See our options for blinds and shades that best control light.
Energy Efficient
See blinds and shades that help save energy at the window.
Light Filtering
See blinds and shades for light filtering and UV protection.
Child and Pet-Friendly
See blinds and shades that are safer for children and pets.
Hunter Douglas Products
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About
Inspiration & Solutions
Interior Design Ideas
Blinds & Shades by Room
Blinds & Shades by Window Shape
Blinds & Shades by Function
What is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?
Blinds and shades encompass two major types of window treatments by Hunter Douglas, and while they're all great options for window treatments, there are also many differences between the treatment styles. So, let's look together at the difference between blinds and shades to help you decide if blinds or shades are better for your Illinois home.
5 Key Differences Between Blinds and Shades
Hard vs. Soft Aesthetic
One of the most obvious answers to "What is the difference between blinds and shades?" comes when we look at the materials they are constructed from. Blinds are constructed of hard materials like wood or metal, while most shades have a fabric base. The use of different materials results in two different looks for these window treatments: a softer look for shades thanks to their flexible fabrics and a harder, more linear style for blinds thanks to their solid vanes.
Cleaning & Maintenance Requirements
There is also quite a difference in cleaning needs and routine maintenance regarding blinds vs. shades. This can make a big difference when it comes to where you might want to put the different types of window treatments. For example, we love using easy-to-clean faux-wood blinds in busy areas of the home, like the kitchen, where the additional upkeep is minimal to maintain a pristine look.
Light Control Abilities
All window coverings control sunlight to some extent, but the way they do it varies greatly. Blinds, for example, use their tilting vane to deflect direct sunlight but still provide natural illumination. Shades, on the other hand, like woven wood shades, filter sunlight through their organic weaves to create an enchanting, dappled lighting effect. There are also blackout shades like Roman shades with room-darkening fabrics that block sunlight for darker interiors. So, when it comes to the question, "Are blinds or shades better for light control?" it depends on what kind of control you're looking for and what kind of interior lighting you need.
Providing Privacy
We can also examine the differences between blinds and shades in how they complete another essential attribute for window treatments: privacy. For bedrooms and bathrooms, obscuring the view is crucial for privacy. Blinds can provide privacy by tilting their vanes up to block the sightline. On the other hand, sheer shades can provide privacy by blurring the view with their semi-translucent sheer materials.
Modern Features
There are some ways, however, in which blinds and shades are similar. For instance, when we consider whether blinds or shades are better for modern households. In that case, we can say that both Hunter Douglas blinds and window shades are great for modern homeowners because of their compatibility with PowerView® Automation for the latest in motorized window treatments. These user-friendly shades are ideal for any room in the home, but especially for hard-to-reach shades.
Blinds and Shades near Quincy, Illinois
Let our team at Mr. K's Fabric Shop help you navigate whether blinds or shades are better for your home with our extensive product expertise and wide range of offerings from Hunter Douglas. With our knowledge and your inspiration, we can craft custom blinds or shades to suit your household perfectly. Mr. K's Fabric Shop serves homeowners in Quincy, IL; Hamilton, IL; Hannibal, MO; Monroe City, MO; and Keokuk, IA, from our centralized location near Quincy, Illinois. Request a consultation with our team today!