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Simplistic Cordless Top-Down/Bottom-Up Pleated Shades
Bring quiet functionality to your windows with pleated shades that adjust from top or bottom. Their streamlined cordless design delivers light control with an effortlessly polished feel.
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Product Information
Minimal by design. Flexible by nature.
Our Simplistic Cordless Top-Down/Bottom-Up Pleated Shades add a second way to open the window without adding any visual weight. Lower the top rail and daylight spills in above eye level while the lower half stays covered. Raise the bottom rail and it works like any standard shade.
You get that flexibility in the same clean, minimal pleated fabric: a single layer of woven polyester in crisp accordion folds, cordless on both rails, with hidden brackets and no cords anywhere.
Key Features and Benefits
- Top-Down for Private Daylight: Drop the top rail to bring light in overhead while sightlines from outside stay blocked.
- Bottom-Up for the Open View: Raise from the bottom whenever you want the full window.
- Anywhere In Between: Position both rails to cover only the part of the glass that actually needs covering.
- 100% Woven Polyester Fabric: Lightweight, durable, and soft, with subtle texture across the pleats.
- Fully Cordless: Both rails move by hand with no cords, loops, or tangles, which makes them safer around children and pets.
- Slim, Uncluttered Profile: Pleated fabric stacks tightly, so even with two rails the shade stays low-profile.
- Hidden Brackets: Seamless installation with no visible hardware.
The Windows That Need Top-Down Most
- Kitchen sink windows: Light and ventilation from above, with the lower pane covered against a neighbor's driveway.
- Street-facing living rooms: Daylight overhead, privacy at sidewalk level.
- Bathrooms: Natural light without ever compromising privacy.
- Ground-floor bedrooms: Morning light on the ceiling while the bed stays out of view.
- Home offices: Indirect light off the ceiling and no glare at screen height.
The position most people settle on covers the lower two-thirds of the glass, which blocks nearly every sightline from the street while still letting in a surprising amount of daylight.
Four Understated Neutrals
Offered in Feather, a soft light neutral; Crepe, a gently warm off-white; Moccasin, a deeper sandy tone; and Smoke, a cool contemporary grey.
Pro Tip: The fabric is translucent, so the color shapes the light in your room as much as the look of the window. Order free samples (up to 10, shipped free) and check them against the glass at the hour you use the room most.
Top-Down or Standard?
| Feature | Top-Down/Bottom-Up (this shade) | Standard Cordless |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | Both rails move independently | Bottom rail lifts only |
| Privacy Control | Precise; cover exactly the glass you need to | All or nothing from the bottom up |
| Best For | Privacy-sensitive windows that still need light | Simplicity and the lowest price |
Don't need top-down control? Our standard Simplistic Cordless Pleated Shades use the same four fabrics. Prefer warmer, more textured colorways? See our Classic Cordless Top-Down/Bottom-Up Pleated Shades.
Pleated or Cellular?
The two look very similar on the window. A pleated shade is a single folded layer of fabric; a cellular shade uses two layers forming sealed honeycomb cells that trap air. That trapped air is what makes cellular shades better insulators, while pleated shades stay slimmer, stack tighter, and fit shallower frames.
If energy performance is the priority, browse our cellular shades collection, which includes top-down/bottom-up options too.
A Note on Privacy
These shades obscure the view inside during daylight but are not blackout. After dark with lights on, silhouettes are visible. The top-down function helps, since the covered section sits exactly where sightlines matter, but for genuine darkness choose a blackout cellular shade.
Fit & Installation
- Custom Made: Cut to your exact measurements, with inside or outside mount available.
- Headrail: A slim profile that varies slightly with shade length.
- Mount Depth: Inside mount needs as little as 1 1/16". Outside mount has no depth requirement.
- Factory Deduction: Inside mounts are reduced by 3/8" total.
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty on components.
Available size ranges are confirmed in the configurator above.
Factory-Direct Since 1993
Over 30 years making custom window treatments and shipping them straight from the factory, without showroom markups. Every order includes:
- Free Shipping: Ships freight-free anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States.
- Fast Turnaround: Custom-made and shipped within approximately 7 business days.
Light where you want it, privacy where you need it. Order your free samples, then configure your custom size above.
Product Specifications
Minimum & Maximum Widths & Lengths
| Minimum | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 18" W | 72" W |
| Length | 24" L | 84" L |
Head Rail Dimensions
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Depth | 2" deep |
| Height | 2" high |
Minimum Depth Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Inside Mount | 1 1/2" |
| Inside Flush Mount | 2 5/16" |
Standard Factory Deductions
| Mount Type | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Inside Mount | 3/8" (3/16" per side) |
| Outside Mount | 0" |
Stack Heights
| Shade Length | Stack Length |
|---|---|
| 18" | 3" |
| 24" | 3 1/4" |
| 36" | 3 5/8" |
| 48" | 3 7/8" |
| 60" | 4 1/8" |
| 72" | 4 3/8" |
| 84" | 4 5/8" |
How to Measure & Install
Taking accurate measurements is straightforward. Let us walk you through the process!
To ensure a perfect fit, keep these essential pointers in mind:
- Always use a metal measuring tape for the best accuracy; fabric tapes can stretch and lead to errors.
- If your width measurement falls on a 1/16" or 1/32" mark, round down to the nearest 1/8".
- If your height measurement lands on a 1/16" or 1/32" increment, round up to the closest 1/8".
- Always consult the Product Specifications for the product you are measuring for. If you have questions, we will be happy to help!
Instructions for Inside Mounted Pleated Shades
Depth Requirements: For an inside mount, you'll need to make sure the window frame is deep enough to accommodate the pleated shade. Refer to the Product Specifications for minimum depths depending on your chosen valance option.
Measuring the width
- The width measurement is found by measuring the inside of the window frame in three locations: the top, middle, and bottom.
- Choose the smallest of these measurements.
- If you get a 1/16" or 1/32" increment, round down to the nearest 1/8".
- That's your width for your pleated shades.
Measuring the height
- The height measurement is found by measuring the inside of the window frame in three locations: the left, center, and right.
- Choose the largest of these measurements.
- If you get a 1/16" or 1/32" increment, round up to the nearest 1/8".
- That's your height for your pleated shades.
Instructions for Outside Mounted Pleated Shades
An outside mount sits outside of the window and the window frame. Because it is meant to cover the entire space of the window, you'll need to make some additions to the measurements to make sure you order the right size. Please follow the instructions below.
Measuring the width
- Measure the width of the area you want the shade to cover across the top.
- We suggest adding at least 4 inches to the width (2 inches per side) to minimize light gaps.
- That's your width for your pleated shades.
Measuring the height
- Measure the height from where you want the headrail to sit down to the window sill or desired length.
- We suggest adding at least 4 inches to the height (2 inches top, 2 inches bottom).
- That's your height for your pleated shades.
For detailed step-by-step instructions with videos, visit our Measuring Guide Hub.