Motorization & Smart Shades
Motorized Shades & Window Treatments in Waltham, MA
Battery and hardwired motors, handheld remotes, wall keypads, app control and sunrise-to-sunset schedules — installed and programmed by our own team across Greater Boston.
One touch
Every window in the room
Battery
No rewiring required
Hardwired
For new builds & remodels
App & voice
Smart-home integration
Cord-free
Safer for kids & pets
Why Motorize
The Windows You Never Touch Are the Ones to Automate
If a shade is hard to reach, it stays in one position forever — usually half-open and doing nothing well. Motorization fixes that. A remote, wall switch, phone or schedule raises and lowers every shade in the room together, so they're actually used as intended: open for the view, closed for glare, privacy and heat.
Motors are available on roller, cellular, Roman and woven shades, on wood blinds, and on drapery tracks. We specify, install and program them ourselves so the system works from day one.
Where it pays off most
Control Options
Control Your Shades Your Way
Handheld remotes
Wall keypads
App control
Voice assistants
Schedules & scenes
Sun & temperature sensors
Power Options
Battery or Hardwired?
| Rechargeable battery | Hardwired (low-voltage) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Existing homes, retrofits | New builds, gut remodels |
| Wiring | None — no walls opened | Planned with your electrician |
| Maintenance | Recharge every 6–12 months typical | None |
| Solar option | Small panel can keep it topped up | Not needed |
| Cost | Lower installed cost | Higher up front, ideal for large systems |
Everyday Benefits
Comfort, Safety & Savings
Child & pet safety
Energy savings
UV protection
Security
Whisper quiet
Accessibility
Older Homes Welcome
Motorization Without Opening Your Walls
Many Greater Boston homes have plaster walls and ceilings that nobody wants to cut into. Rechargeable battery motors make that a non-issue. The motor lives inside the shade headrail or tube, and a small wand recharges it a couple of times a year.
Building or gutting a room? We coordinate with your builder or electrician for hardwired power. Builders and designers can use our trade program.
- No drywall or plaster work
- Recharge with a USB wand
- Optional solar panel
- Add a hub any time
How It Works
From Demo to Programmed System
- 1
See a live demo
Try motors in the Waltham showroom or at home during your consultation. - 2
Plan the system
We choose battery or hardwired, group shades by room and plan controls. - 3
Build & install
Motorized treatments are built to measure and installed by our team. - 4
Program & train
We set limits, groups, scenes and schedules, and show you how everything works.
Curious how quiet a motorized shade is? Hear one in person — free.
Local Installation
Smart Shades Across Greater Boston
We install motorized shades and drapery in Waltham and throughout Weston, Wellesley, Concord, Lexington, Newton and the rest of our service area.
See finished installations in the gallery, or book a free in-home consultation to plan your system.
Motorize these products
- Roller & solar shades
- Cellular shades
- Roman shades
- Woven wood shades
- Wood blinds
- Drapery tracks
Designer Tips
Six Guidelines Our Designers Swear By
Start with how the room is used
A bedroom needs darkness and quiet, a home office needs glare control, a family room needs durability and easy operation. Function first, then style — the right fabric or shade follows naturally once we know what the room has to do every day.
Mount higher and wider than you think
Hanging drapery hardware close to the ceiling and extending it past the window casing makes windows look taller and lets panels stack off the glass. It is the single easiest way to make a room feel bigger and brighter.
Layer for flexibility
A functional shade underneath and decorative drapery on top gives you privacy by day, darkness at night and softness year-round. Layering also adds insulation that you will notice during a Greater Boston winter.
Mind the sun
South- and west-facing rooms fade floors, rugs and upholstery. Solar shades, lined drapery and UV-resistant fabrics protect what you have invested in without shutting out the view.
Keep kids and pets safe
Cordless lifts and motorized shades remove dangling cords entirely. We recommend them by default in nurseries, children's rooms and any home with curious pets.
Think about the whole house
Consistent shade colors and hardware finishes from the street give a home a tidy, cohesive look, even when every room inside uses a different style. We plan exterior appearance as carefully as interior design.
Local & Trusted
Your Neighborhood Window Treatment Studio in Greater Boston
Designs In Blinds & Drapes is a locally owned studio on Moody Street in Waltham, MA. We are not a national franchise or an online order form — we are the designers, measurers and installers who show up at your door. That local presence means faster scheduling, honest lead times and a real person to call when you need an adjustment years from now.
We serve homeowners across Waltham, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Lexington, Belmont, Arlington, Cambridge, Brookline, Concord, Natick, Framingham and beyond. Explore every town we serve, see our work in the gallery, or start with a free in-home design consultation.
FAQ
Motorization Questions
Still have a question? Call (781) 899-1811 or email info@designsinblinds.com.
Do I need an electrician for motorized shades?
Not for battery motors — they install like any other shade. Hardwired motors need low-voltage wiring, which we plan with your electrician during construction or remodeling.
How long do batteries last?
Typical rechargeable motors run six to twelve months between charges depending on shade size and use. A small solar panel can keep them charged automatically.
Will motorized shades work with my smart home?
Most systems we install support a hub that integrates with popular voice assistants and smart-home platforms. Tell us what you use and we'll specify compatible motors.
Can I control shades when I'm away?
Yes, with a hub and the app you can open, close and schedule shades remotely.
Are motorized shades noisy?
Modern motors are very quiet — you can hear one yourself in our showroom.
What happens if a motor fails?
Motors carry manufacturer warranties, and because we installed it, you call us for service rather than a faraway support line.
Contact Us
Talk With a Waltham Window Treatment Designer
Call, email or stop by the Moody Street showroom. If you would rather we come to you, ask for a free in-home design consultation and we will bring the fabric books, slats and motorized samples to your living room.
Showroom
Call
Hours
Try Motorized Shades Before You Buy
Live demos in our Waltham showroom and free in-home consultations across Greater Boston, MA.