Designing a home with large windows and stunning water views requires thoughtful window furnishing choices. In this homeowner interview, Shell shares how she and her husband designed their Marlborough Sounds home and why they chose light-filtering roller blinds and motorised blinds from Curtain Studio. Discover how the right blinds can control sunlight, maintain privacy, and still keep the view as the star of the room. Their experience offers helpful insights for anyone building or renovating a home with large windows.

The Best Blinds for Large Windows and Water Views

Quick Answer: What are the best blinds for homes with large windows and water views?

Motorised light filtering roller blinds are one of the best options for homes with large windows and water views because they provide light control and privacy without blocking the outlook. Light filtering roller blinds allow natural light to enter while reducing glare, and motorised blinds make it easy to control multiple large windows at once. Many homeowners choose motorised light filtering roller blinds for modern coastal homes because they are minimal, practical, and keep the view as the main feature.

Building a new home involves hundreds of decisions — from layout and materials to the right window furnishings. For Shell and her husband, building their dream home in the Marlborough Sounds quickly became a hands-on passion project.

From designing the house themselves to completing much of the finishing work, every detail was carefully considered. One of the final decisions was choosing roller blinds and motorised blinds from Curtain Studio to complement the home’s modern beachy design while maintaining the incredible water views.

We spoke with Shell about their build journey and how the right window furnishings helped bring their home together.

What design decisions helped maximise the water views?

The view was the biggest influence on our design. We wanted the rooms we use the most to face the water so we could enjoy it every day. That includes the lounge, master bedroom, and even the main bathroom.

Our architect was a little surprised that we wanted the bathroom at the front of the house overlooking the water — most people would put a guest bedroom there. But our thinking was simple: guests might only stay occasionally, but we use the bathroom every day. So, we wanted the view in the spaces we spend the most time in.

Curtains or roller blinds: how did you decide which was best for your home?

We knew early on that we didn’t want curtains because they would take away from the view. Curtains need space on either side of the window, and with our design we wanted the windows to run as wide as possible, without worrying about the bulk of curtains.

Roller blinds felt like the perfect solution because they’re simple, modern, and minimal. 

How did you choose the colour and fabric for your roller blinds?

I didn’t want to choose the blinds too early. I wanted to wait until the house was further along so I could see how the light worked in the space and how all the colours came together.

We visited Curtain Studio's Lower Hutt showroom and worked with Jena to look through all the swatches. Because the house has a coastal feel — with light oak flooring and natural textures — I wanted a warm sandy tone rather than something stark white.

We chose Lucerne light filtering roller blind fabric in the colour Marble, which has soft beachy tones running through it.

I knew I wanted light filtering fabric so on a sunny day, you can still see out and have natural light without the sun pouring in and heating the room up too much.

Why did you choose motorised blinds in the lounge?

We have six large windows across the front of the house that get strong afternoon sun. We knew manually pulling down six blinds every day wouldn’t be ideal — especially in summer when the house can get very warm. So, we installed motorised roller blinds in that space.

They can be controlled with a remote and eventually through an app on our phones. It means we can lower all the blinds at once, even if we're out fishing.

What difference did roller blinds make to the home?

When the blinds were installed in the lounge, it instantly made the space feel more finished. Even lowering them partway softens the sunlight and makes the room feel more comfortable without blocking the view.

FAQs: Roller Blinds and Motorised Blinds for New Builds

What are the best blinds for homes with large windows?

Roller blinds are often the best choice for large windows because they have a minimal design and don’t require space beside the window like curtains. Motorised roller blinds are particularly useful for wide windows or multiple blinds in one room.

Are motorised blinds worth it? 

Motorised blinds offer convenience, especially for large or hard-to-reach windows. They allow multiple blinds to be controlled at once using a remote or smartphone app, making them ideal for living rooms, high windows, or homes with strong sun exposure.

When should you install blinds when building a new home?

Many homeowners wait until the interior colours, flooring and furniture are installed before choosing blinds. This helps ensure the fabric colour and texture complement the overall design of the home.

Discover Roller Blinds and Motorised Blinds at Curtain Studio

Choosing the right window furnishings can transform how a home looks and feels. Whether you're building a new house or updating your space, roller blinds and motorised blinds offer a modern, practical solution that balances style, privacy, and light control.

Explore a wide range of roller blinds, light filtering blinds, and motorised blinds at Curtain Studio to find the perfect fit for your home.