Blinds are made up of individual horizontal slats that can be raised, lowered, or tilted to adjust the amount of light entering a room. Often classified as a “hard” window treatment, blinds are typically constructed from wood, vinyl, or metal. In contrast, shades are usually crafted from a large piece of soft fabric. Unlike blinds, shades are solid and cannot be tilted; they must be fully raised or lowered to achieve the desired light or privacy level.