Vertical blinds are an eyesore from days gone by. Our interior design expert Erika Dale tells us a more modern alternative for an up-to-date look.

To find the best blackout shades, we spent 25 hours on research, interviewed five experts, and tested 12 models. Read to learn which shades we found work best.

If you are looking for a way to cover sliding glass doors, but want something other than plastic vertical blinds, this option might be just for you.