Norfolk’s older neighborhoods have a character that newer builds just can’t replicate.
Craftsman bungalows line the streets of Ghent. Grand colonials anchor Colonial Place. Over in Park Place and the Freemason Street area, you find homes with personalities that reflect more than a century of history.
However, all of that character comes with a specific challenge: the windows. Finding the right blinds for a historic Norfolk home is a very different project than outfitting a brand-new build — and the stakes are higher, because the wrong choice looks wrong in a way that’s hard to ignore.
I’m Julie from Made in the Shade Virginia Beach. I’ve worked in a lot of Norfolk’s older neighborhoods, and I love this kind of project. Here’s what I’ve learned about getting it right.
Why Do Historic Norfolk Homes Need Custom Blinds Rather Than Off-the-Shelf Options?
Standard store-bought blinds come in fixed, mass-produced sizes. Manufacturers design them for the uniform windows found in newer construction — predictable dimensions, clean square corners.
Historic Norfolk homes, however, rarely cooperate with that. Windows in Ghent bungalows may run slightly wider or narrower than standard. Older colonials often have deeper sills that affect how a blind sits in the frame. Some windows carry modifications from decades of ownership. Others remain completely original.
Custom blinds solve all of this. We measure each window to the fraction of an inch and build the blind specifically for that opening — so there are no gaps at the edges, no awkward fit, and no workarounds. As a result, the finished blind looks like it was always meant to be there.
What Blind Materials Hold Up Best in Norfolk’s Older Homes?
Humidity presents the biggest material challenge in any coastal Virginia home — and in older Norfolk properties, it tends to run even higher. Older construction generally lacks the insulation and climate control of newer builds, which means temperature and moisture fluctuate more throughout the year.
Real wood blinds offer a beautiful look that suits period homes well. However, Norfolk’s coastal climate works against them over time. As moisture cycles through the wood, it causes expansion, contraction, and eventually warping. Rooms with less climate control — such as sunrooms, back hallways, and kitchens — accelerate this process.
Faux wood blinds, by contrast, give you the same warm look without any of the vulnerability. They replicate real wood grain and finish exactly, but moisture, salt air, and humidity don’t affect them. Most of our Ghent and Colonial Place customers choose faux wood for this reason, and they consistently say they don’t miss real wood at all.
For homeowners who want something with more texture and character, woven wood shades are another strong option for historic interiors. In particular, they pair beautifully with craftsman woodwork, natural built-ins, and vintage architectural details.
What Blind Style Looks Best in a Ghent Craftsman or Colonial Place Home?
This is where the design conversation gets genuinely fun. Historic Norfolk homes carry strong architectural personalities, and the right window treatment should complement that character rather than compete with it.
Craftsman bungalows (common in Ghent and Park Place): Warm, natural materials work beautifully here. Faux wood blinds in a walnut or cherry stain complement the natural woodwork and built-ins typical of the craftsman style. For even more texture, woven wood shades add an organic warmth that feels right at home.
Colonial and federal-style homes (Colonial Place, Freemason): Clean lines and traditional finishes suit these properties best. Classic faux wood or real wood blinds in white or off-white coordinate elegantly with the more formal aesthetic. Additionally, plantation shutters have become a popular upgrade in these homes — they lean into the architectural style rather than just covering the window.
Eclectic and transitional homes (Park Place, many Ghent side streets): These homes can carry a wider range of styles successfully. Roller shades in a linen or neutral fabric give a clean modern look without competing with the architecture. Roman shades, on the other hand, add softness and layered texture for rooms that want a warmer, more finished feel.
How Do You Handle Non-Standard Window Sizes in Older Norfolk Homes?
We handle non-standard windows all the time — and in fact, it’s one of the most important reasons to go custom rather than off-the-shelf.
During your free consultation, we measure every window in detail. That means we account for the frame profile, the depth of the sill, any woodwork surrounding the opening, and whether you want an inside or outside mount. We build every blind to those exact measurements, so nothing is improvised and nothing is trimmed down from a larger standard size.
Inside mounts sit within the window opening and work especially well in historic homes because they leave the original trim fully visible. Outside mounts, by contrast, cover more of the frame and can make a window appear larger — useful in rooms where you want to maximize the sense of space. We’ll help you decide which approach serves your home best.
Can You Add Motorization to Blinds in an Older Norfolk Home?
Yes — and most homeowners find the process much simpler than they expect.
Motorized window treatments require no major installation work and no wall modifications. The blind houses the motor internally, and you control everything via a remote, a phone app, or a voice assistant. Because the motor integrates into the blind itself, the finished product looks identical to a standard custom blind.
That said, motorization solves some very specific problems in older Norfolk homes. High windows in two-story colonials are notoriously difficult to reach by hand. Banks of tall windows in a Ghent living room become much easier to manage when you can raise and lower them all from your phone — or simply say “Alexa, close the blinds.”
Our motorized options work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. You can set schedules, group windows together, and control everything remotely. Beyond that, the setup process is straightforward — our team handles the full installation and walks you through operation before they leave.
Frequently Asked Questions — Custom Blinds for Historic Norfolk Homes
Q: Will custom blinds damage the original woodwork or window frames in my historic Norfolk home?
A: No. Our installation team takes great care with historic properties. Inside-mount installations use small, precise fasteners appropriate for the window material. We’ll talk through installation approach during your consultation before anything is ordered.
Q: My windows in Ghent are all slightly different sizes. Is that a problem?
A: Not at all — it’s exactly why custom blinds exist. Every blind in your home is measured and made individually, so slight variations between windows are handled automatically. Each one fits its window perfectly.
Q: I want the blinds to look historically appropriate for my older Norfolk home. Can you help with that?
A: Absolutely. Choosing materials, finishes, and mounting styles that complement historic architecture is something Julie genuinely loves. Bring photos of your rooms to the consultation and we’ll find options that feel right for your home’s character.
Ready to find blinds that actually belong in your Norfolk home?
Request your free in-home consultation with Made in the Shade Virginia Beach — we’ll bring the showroom to you.
Call (757)563-3372 or use the link below.
Julie Boswell, Made in the Shade Virginia Beach — locally owned and operated, serving Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Roads.
Contact us or review us on Google!
