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Livingetc
Livingetc
Nicky Rampley-Clarke

Here's How Designers Are Making Bamboo Blinds Feel Effortlessly Cool Again in 2026 — That's So 'Chik'

Modern living room with bamboo blinds, timber ceiling, large green sofa, purple eames chair, floor lamp, fiddle leaf fig, nesting coffee tables, and gray-purple rug.

Otherwise known as ‘chik’, bamboo blinds were originally (and still are) made in northern India centuries ago, beautifully crafted from natural materials, including — as you'd expect — bamboo, as well as jute, rattan, grasses, and reeds. Popularity grew thanks to how they brought a touch of the outdoors in, but also how they managed to keep a home cool while still allowing light to softly filter through. And the fact that they were considered cheap certainly helped.

Somewhere along the line, though, we stopped using bamboo blinds as much. But in 2026, that's all changing, and they're experiencing somewhat of a retro revival in modern homes. "Bamboo blinds are such an honest material," says interior designer and stylist Sam Grigg. "There’s something about their simple roll-down form that feels uncomplicated and grounded. They bring a quiet stillness to a room — they don’t shout for attention, but sit in the background and do their job beautifully."

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