I plan to use Levolor or Bali room darkening cellular shades, inside mount, for my student rentals (mostly bedrooms), and wanted to see if you know anything better in terms of reliability, cost, and aesthetic. I fully furnish my student rentals like a decent Airbnb. Knock on wood, in 16 years, no student has intentionally damaged my property, though 12 students in an 8 bedroom house, causes serious wear and tear.

I’ve used Levolor cellular shades in one house, and never a problem in 4 years. $78 each for 36 x 72 “Room Darkening Cordless Cellular Shade”. They look good and with a close-fitting, inside mount, they block light well. They work well over window AC units (unlike curtains) and below-window radiators. They only go up and down, so not the privacy/light adjustability of a mini-blind, which cost $18 in the same size.

As you can see, cellular shades are over 4 times the cost of mini blinds, but if I install mini blinds in June, when I show the place in November, 20% of the mini blinds are already broken. And I think mini blinds scream “cheap”, where cellular shades are upscale. What do you think? Do you have any alternatives? I looked at roller shades, but not much cheaper than cellular shades and no better reliability per the reviews.

I do like light filtering curtains in living rooms if they’re dark enough to watch TV. The living room seems like the right place for curtains.

Love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

That's interesting Bonanza, I didn't have any problems with my Levolor's, but in the product reviews were complaints like yours, of the blinds not going up. Good that Levolor replaced them!

Does anyone know if tenants will damage them bt trying to peek out the side, without opening the shade? That's what I am imagining happening. Always amazes me that tenants poke their fingers in and separate the blinds to peek out, instead of using the wand and angling the blinds to peer out. Some leave a grayish spot where they do this frequently. And, I suspect thats where most broken slats come from.

Busy, I'm not sure about tenants looking, but can tell you cats looking cause damage to mini blinds.

Yep, about the mold. We had put up some really cheapy plastic roll up shades on our own home when we first moved here, as the windows were huge-144 inches long x 48 inches high, on two living room walls. The shades we had were a white plastic hollow straw , with white cotton string weaving them together. Being hollow straws ( 148 inch long straws, mind you,) they did provide a bit of energy efficiency. But, we used to get small bits of mold on those windows, if I didn't put that plastic window film on in the fall.

We've since replaced those oversized windows, had Pella install smaller windows, closer to 100 inches x 48 inches tall, with pleated shades between the glass, so triple pane windows. Thus, no more condensation, and much less drafts.

I thought you suggested these before, but it was RathdrumGal who in 2018 said: "I have been happy with the cut to fit 2 inch faux wood blinds at Lowes and HD. They are sturdy and easier to wipe down than the mini blinds. Tenants seem to like them too"

I agree with you, the cellular shades do seem fragile, and I read the bugs can get stuck inside them. I see Levolor also makes the 2" faux wood blinds and they're in stock at lowes. And they look nice and I think are more adjustable than the cellular shades. I'm gona sleep on it, but I think I'm sold!

Thanks for the recommendation, Sisco. I was looking at those, and helpful to know you recommend them. The Levolor's cost is substantial when you add up all the windows.