Motorized Shades, Specified Right: Fabrics, Fascia, and Hidden Pockets Designers Love
Motorized shades can be one of the most design-friendly upgrades in a new build. They can also become one of the most visible regrets if the pockets, fascia, and wiring allowances were not planned early enough. In Vancouver and West Vancouver, we see this often. Beautiful glazing, thoughtful interiors, and then a last-minute scramble because there was not enough space allowed for pockets or wiring.
This guide is built for architects, interior designers, and builders who want shades that perform well and disappear cleanly.
What “motorized shades” really includes, and why it matters early
Motorized shading is not a single product. The detailing changes depending on the shade type, the roll direction, the hembar, and how you want the hardware to present, or not present, in the finished space.
Common shade approaches in high-end homes include:
- Roller shades. The cleanest look, easiest to hide in a pocket, and strong for glare control.
- Dual shades with sheer and blackout. Ideal for bedrooms and street-facing rooms, but they require more pocket depth and coordination.
- Motorized drapery tracks. More decorative, and they need ceiling structure, stack-back allowance, and careful integration with millwork and lighting.
On renovation projects, shades are still very possible, but “hidden” often becomes “as hidden as we can manage,” and the wiring path usually drives the scope. New build is where you achieve the cleanest outcome.
