In recent years, the maximalism and frilly fashion choices of the ’90s have come back in style, with lots of Gen Zers embracing the past and solidifying its cultural significance. This might even explain why the decade’s popularity has spilled over into home decor. There are plenty of ’90s trends making a bold comeback in interior design — but with all the frilly upholstery, wicker furniture, and ultra-busy floral and striped patterns, we did not expect to see one of its popular window treatments making such a splash again.

You might not remember balloon shades from your own childhood home, but they were a prominent ’90s design trend, often associated with an elegant and more modern take on the Victorian style aesthetic. While minimalism and other popular trends overshadowed traditional styles for years, the romantic maximalist interior is finding favor once again. Since there will always be modern home trends that don’t age well, it can be tricky to decide what bold styles to embrace, and which to leave behind. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you like, and for many young people today, the nostalgic look of balloon curtains makes for a fun addition to the home.

Even if you didn’t know the term for them, we are fairly confident you have seen balloon shades before. These types of curtains get their name from the unique way they are fastened together to create balloon-like scallops at the edges of your curtains. They are made with two or more points that are sewn into the curtains in order to hold sections of fabric a little bit higher, and creating the puffy design that gives them their signature look. 

Balloon shades are so special because of the delicate and unique way they drape, giving them a reputation for softening the overall look of a room. They have a number of benefits outside of just elevating a room and making it more elegant. For one, they have adjustable height capabilities that allow you to control light and privacy, which makes them a fantastic alternative for outdated vertical blinds. While balloon shades have long been associated with more formal and traditional designs, they have the potential to be incorporated into more contemporary and modern aesthetics as well.

There are several types of balloon shades to choose from, depending on the look you’re going for. It’s important for you to know the differences before you commit to buying a set. The most classic style is known as gathered balloon shades, which create prominent, uniform scallops across the bottom of the curtain when raised. Variations of the classic style include London balloon shades, known for the single prominent pouf shape that forms at the bottom of the curtain, and Austrian shades, which feature fabric that gathers in rows, creating rippling layers of folds when raised. Or if you want a more toned-down version of the look, you can also opt for a balloon valance, which frames just the top of the window with the same signature look.

Each type of balloon shade offers an ability to customize the look of your space. However, you can go even further with the many variations of fabric options in different colors and patterns. If, for instance, you are leaning into a lighter and more dreamy style, we recommend trying neutral-colored, sheer fabrics that will blend in and soften your windows. However, if you are looking for something bold and dramatic, you can easily add depth to your home by using heavy fabrics with lots of texture. We encourage you to play around with this style, because while there are a ton of notable home decor ideas to bring back the ’90s, balloon shades are one of our favorites!