Pleated shades are available in a variety of fabrics and colors. Clean, permanent pleats offer a uniform look when shades are used alone, or draperies can be added as an accent or for additional insulation. Pleated shades have different light-filtering capabilities from darkening a room, privacy liners and complete blackout liners.

Several other choices in pleated shades include:

Top-down/bottom-up: This is very versatile and uses two sets of lift cords to open either from the top down or from the bottom up, or both at the same time.

Continuous cord loop:  Basically a pulley used to raise or lower the shade and can be tied back.

Cordless: No cord involved, you simply push up the shade to raise it, and pull it down to lower it. The shade stays where you put it. This is a good option if you have a small child or pet that could become tangled up in the cord.

Cordless motorized shades: Lift and close your shades via a motorized system operated by remote control. No wiring is required, you may also add a timer to raise or lower the shades. These shades are also great for high, hard to reach windows.