Are Plantation Shutters Dating Your Home In 2026? We Asked Interior Designers

Windows serve a vital function in our home design, letting in natural light and, if you're lucky, offering a lovely view. The way you frame and adorn them can have a major impact on the overall feel of a space and how modern or old-fashioned it appears. There are various beautiful window treatments to explore, each with a slightly different style. Shutters are a time-honored option. In the past, people used them in lieu of glass windows as an early form of security. Today, their purpose is more decorative. One unique type of interior shutter features wide louvers which tilt to adjust how much light can enter. Whether these date a home is up for debate, and not even experts necessarily agree.

"In the South, we call these plantation shutters," Amber Guyton, Principal Designer at Blessed Little Bungalow, said in an exclusive interview with House Digest. "I have them in my home because I've admired them and how charming they are my entire life. I feel like they are timeless, but definitely not for everyone and every home." While Guyton doesn't necessarily find them outdated, she understands how their "manual nature" and high maintenance needs can feel arduous for some.

When we asked the Creative Principal at K+Co. Living, Karen Wolf, for her opinion on this style, she said,"Yes, slatted wood shutters can feel a bit heavy for today's interiors." Luckily, you can style your home to fit your aesthetic either way — from elegantly simple window treatments to modern approaches to styling plantation shutters.

Just like any other home design element, window treatment trends ebb and flow. In 2026, we're leaning into more organic, layered designs. Bulky, heavy window treatments aren't top of mind. Instead, an emphasis on letting in natural light and infusing the home with airy warmth and texture is paramount.

"Many homeowners are leaning toward lighter, more minimal window treatments that let large windows and outdoor views take center stage. Less really is more right now," Karen Wolf shared with House Digest exclusively. She emphasized that heavy plantation shutters aren't exactly aligned with the current trend towards bringing the outdoors in. They can obstruct your view and block natural light. Instead, she suggests a move towards window treatments that promote airy warmth and texture.

"Woven shades are a great interior option. They're natural, textured, and timeless and they allow light to filter in while still giving the space softness and depth," Wolf explained. Some other organic, flowing options include sheer curtains, linen curtains, or cotton curtains. If you're looking for more light control without leaning on heavy window treatments, opt for a layered look. Combine bamboo blinds with sheer curtains for a delicate, romantic touch and softly diffused light.

Despite not being everyone's cup of tea, plantation shutters are a window treatment that can complement more current design trends. Whether your residence already has them installed or you're hoping to incorporate new ones in a way that won't date your home, there are methods to modernize this window treatment. In some cases, slightly tweaking and updating your plantation shutters can tremendously help in shifting the overall mood of your room.

"Depending on the age, they may need a fresh coat of paint or updated hardware," Amber Guyton said in an exclusive interview with House Digest. Remember, modern design leans heavily towards a more refreshing, airy feel. If you have dark plantation shutters, you can paint them white for a lighter, less obstructive look. You can also switch out your existing shutter knobs for a more trendy hardware finish such as patinated brass or curved, organic forms.

Another way to elevate and modernize your plantation shutters is to combine them with other window treatments. "I am also not opposed to layering them with drapery–just as many do with blinds and roman or roller shades–to add beauty to a space," Guyton added. She went on to emphasize that drapery and roman shades can be "timeless" and "versatile" as well as "upscale," Lean toward trending sheer and organic curtains to merge the trending with the timeless, bringing your plantation shutters up to date in 2026.