//Aura® Illuminated Shades
Illuminated Shades for Marin County Homes
Hunter Douglas Aura® shades feature integrated LED accent backlighting that creates the effect of natural daylight even with the shades fully lowered - measured, designed, and installed across Marin County.
//How It Works
Daylight on demand, built into the shade
Aura Illuminated Shades use integrated LED accent backlighting built directly into the shade’s architectural headrail. When activated, the LEDs project a warm, diffused glow through the fabric, creating the visual effect of natural daylight - even when the shades are fully lowered and the room is otherwise dark.
Unlike aftermarket LED strips, Aura’s backlighting is engineered as part of the shade. The LEDs are concealed within the headrail and distribute light evenly across the full width of the panel - a uniform glow with no hot spots, visible hardware, or edge light bleed. The system is energy-efficient, produces no heat against the fabric, and is rated for tens of thousands of hours of continuous use.
//Marin After Dark
Turn the window itself into a light source
Marin County’s architecture increasingly features large-format windows that frame bay and hillside views by day but become dark voids after sunset. Aura restores that lost depth by turning the window into a warm, luminous panel - especially effective for bay, bow, corner, and large picture windows where traditional fixtures cannot reach the glass.
We install Aura most frequently in Lucas Valley tasting rooms for evening events, in dining rooms where the glow replaces overhead dimmer circuits, and in Mill Valley master suites where the soft LED light works as a nightlight without bedside glare.
//Control & Automation
PowerView schedules light and shade together
Aura operates exclusively through Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3, so LED backlighting and shade position are controlled in a single app. Build scenes that coordinate both - a sunset scene that lowers the shades to 50% and activates the LEDs at medium brightness, then a bedtime scene that lowers fully and dims to a faint glow. PowerView integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for voice control, and works with whole-home smart home automation.
For a complete circadian wellness strategy, Aura can be synchronized with Ketra tunable white lighting - a range from 1400K ultra-warm candlelight to 10000K crisp daylight - so the window plane and ceiling plane shift color temperature and intensity together from dawn to dusk.
//Configurations
Roller or roman, engineered as one
Aura is available in both roller and roman configurations. The roller version keeps a clean, minimal profile with the LEDs integrated into the cassette headrail; the roman version adds soft fabric folds for a warmer, more textured glow. Both use an architectural headrail that conceals the LED hardware and mounting components, and all motorized cordless operation meets the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 child-safety standard.
Prefer a conventional look? Compare Aura with our Designer Roller Shades and Vignette Modern Roman Shades during your in-home consultation.
//Related Products & Solutions
//Frequently Asked Questions
How do Aura Illuminated Shades create light?
Aura Illuminated Shades use integrated LED accent backlighting built into the headrail and shade structure. When activated, the LEDs project a warm, diffused glow through the shade fabric, creating the visual effect of natural daylight even when the shades are fully lowered. The LED system is controlled through Hunter Douglas PowerView, allowing you to adjust brightness, set schedules, and coordinate the backlighting with shade position. The LEDs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce no heat against the fabric. This makes Aura ideal for rooms where you want ambient light without exposing the interior to exterior views at night.
Are Aura shades available in roller and roman styles?
Yes. Aura Illuminated Shades are available in both roller and roman configurations. The roller version provides a clean, minimal profile with the LED backlighting integrated into the cassette headrail. The roman version offers soft fabric folds with the same LED system, creating a warmer, more textured glow when illuminated. Both configurations use an architectural headrail design that conceals the LED hardware and mounting components. Bay Blinds can help you choose the right configuration based on your room architecture, fabric preferences, and the type of ambient lighting effect you want to achieve.
Can I control Aura LED lighting with my smart home system?
Yes. Aura Illuminated Shades operate exclusively through Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3, which integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. You can control the LED backlighting and shade position independently or together using the PowerView app, voice commands, or programmed scenes. For example, you can create an evening scene that lowers the shades and activates the LED backlighting at sunset, then turns off the LEDs and raises the shades at sunrise. PowerView also supports scheduling, so the lighting can operate automatically without daily input.
What rooms are best suited for Aura Illuminated Shades in my Marin County home?
Aura Illuminated Shades are most effective in rooms where you want ambient light without overhead fixtures or table lamps. The North Bay tasting rooms, dining rooms, master suites, and media rooms are popular applications in Marin County. The LED backlighting is also practical for bay windows, bow windows, corner windows, and large picture windows where traditional light sources cannot reach. Architects use Aura to create architectural ambiance in hallways, stairwells, and alcoves where the illuminated shade functions as both a window covering and an integrated light source.
See Aura® shades in your home
Free in-home & on-site consultations across Marin County and Petaluma.