Light control and privacy are closely related. Light control is
about mood. It's about modulating and diffusing light. It's about
dramatically transforming the appearance and ambience in a
room. More than anything else, it can mean the difference
between an ordinary home and an exceptional one.

Every treatment provides a different degree of light control. Roller
shades, for example, provide minimal control. You can stop a
traditional roller shade anywhere you want, but you can't really
control the varying levels of light. Sheers and louvers, on the
other hand, provide a high degree of control, since you can rotate
or tilt the vane, slat or louver to let in just the amount of light you
want. Also keep an eye out for translucent fabrics, which diffuse
and soften natural light.

When it comes to privacy, geography matters. If you live in the
city, privacy is first and foremost about blocking unwanted views,
such as the coffee shop next door. If you live in a private place—
on a densely wooded lot or on a secluded stretch of beachfront—
privacy is not about blocking views but about creating a sense of
emotional security.

If your top priority is blocking unwanted views, look for treatments
that provide complete privacy. Also consider top-down/bottom-up
window fashions, which allow you to mask those coffee shops
(and all curious onlookers inside) while still giving you access to
natural light. If you're looking to preserve your views but want to
ensure that no one on the outside can see in (especially at night),
consider a treatment that provides privacy on demand. One
popular favorite: a translucent fabric vane that allows you to
rotate between an unobstructed open position to one that closes
for maximum privacy.