I've just ordered this retro window treatment for my sunroom – here's how interior designers convinced me chik blinds are back

You only have to take a quick scroll through the feeds of some of the most renowned interior designers to find an array of woven or 'chik' blinds hung at some of the most beautiful windows.

Seemingly retro, these sheer window treatments are back on trend in a big way, and I'm seriously on board. On a quest to find something whimsical and unimposing for the windows and patio doors in my home, I stumbled upon chik blinds and it was pretty much love at first sight.

Beloved by experts, and certainly piquing my interest, I reached out to the experts to further understand their love for these organic blinds. Here's what they had to say.

What Are Chik Blinds?

'Chik' window blinds were originally invented in Northern India and are crafted from natural materials like bamboo, jute, rattan, or grasses, to bring an organic and timeless touch to window dressing. Made up of horizontal strips, they are a perfect summer window treatment idea as they still allow plenty of light to filter through.

Designed to shield you from direct sunlight and keep the room cool, they create a dappled light effect that dances across the room and often feature intricate latticework and a rope with which to lower or tie them up.

Chik blinds add texture and warmth to a space, creating a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance that’s hard to achieve with traditional and heavier window treatments.

'I adore chik blinds,' says interior designer Ali Burgoon Nolan, founder of Studio Burgoon. 'For this project [seen above], we made this selection as the reeded blind complements the woven seagrass dining chairs.'

'The windows in this dining nook are southwest-facing so the evening light can be a bit jarring in the summer months,' Ali explains. 'The chik blinds filter that harsh lighting into the most gorgeous dappled light patterns that dance across our dinner table. I love how they make this nook more dynamic with their textural yet casual feel.'

Beyond aesthetics, chik blinds offer practical benefits that make them a popular choice among designers. They provide excellent light control without being overbearing, making them ideal for creating a cozy environment.

Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill of Hendricks Churchill, an architecture and interior design studio, are huge fans of chik blinds both personally and for their clients.

'This photograph [seen above] was taken at our family home, Ellsworth,' they explain. 'Chik blinds are an easy way to elevate a space by bringing in texture and warmth. The handstitched lattice designs in cotton string paired with the natural bamboo act as a versatile piece that can either play up or down the formality of a room.'

'They are easy to use and can be purchased at a fairly accessible cost,' Heide continues. 'Plus, they can also help scale down larger windows to create a sense of intimacy that feels organic to the space. In the case of Ellsworth, the chik blinds work to break up the linearity of the Shaker kitchen cabinets while acting as a warm counterpoint to the veiny, white marble.'

'There is an irregularity to these blinds that gives them a sense of craft which compliments the woodwork in the kitchen and surrounding pantry and mudroom. Practically, the blinds allow the kitchen to receive wonderful muted light all day long.'

I'll admit, I've never put too much thought into window treatments until I moved into my new home. Previously, I've either lived in rentals or in our first house which had window shutters everywhere so I haven't really had to give them much consideration until now.

And while I'm of course very excited to choose curtain ideas for the bedrooms and am leaning into the cafe curtain trend for my living room, at the back of my house we have a sun-drenched sunroom with large windows and patio doors to dress. Which is how I came across chik blinds.

Adding texture and warmth to a window and still 'dressing it', woven blinds feel like the perfect blend of functionality mixed with a little whimsy. Blocking light isn't essential in my space (in fact, it would be detrimental) so I'm not phased by the amount of soft light that will be able to shine through these sheer window treatments.

If you are, however, interior designer Benji Lewis offers a great solution. 'There’s something very cosmopolitan about a chik blind. I love the idea of using floor-length curtains to dress windows with chik blinds to provide shading from daylight and a sense of privacy,' he suggests.

One of the main reasons designers love these blinds is their versatility. Complementing a variety of interior design styles, the neutral tones and rustic texture make them feel casual yet super design-led - whether you're designing a bedroom, kitchen, or living room.

Additionally, they allow other design statements in a space to sing. 'If a room is already full of pattern, especially on the walls and ceiling, I will often opt for a solid or natural fiber window covering,' suggests Peter Dunham.

With their combination of style, versatility, and eco-friendliness, it’s no wonder that chik blinds have become a staple in interior designers' toolkits. Personally, I've just placed a big order on Etsy to deck out my sunroom and am considering adding more to my kitchen too. I love that they feel special and give a sense of pattern without heavy fabrics and motifs, and of course, the dappled light effect. Would you consider chik blinds for your home?