Specially shaped windows are a design feature used increasingly in contemporary architure, almost any shape of window can be fitted with blinds, even awkward shapes can be elegantly shaded with aluminium, fabric or timber blinds.

These special shapes can be provided as retractable or non-retractable blinds. Retractable types have a conventional head rail and operating mechanisms, they have a tilt function and, where the shape allows, they will also raise and lower. Non-retractable blinds have a fixed rack-arm system and thus have only a tilt function. Generally, retractable blinds are fitted to vertical windows and non-retractable types are used for horizontal and sloping applications. Almost any shape of blind can be motorised to tilt.

All motorised systems can be fitted with automatic controls which can be solar, time, temperature or (for external installations) wind controlled. Combinations of two or more control types are also possible. Control systems are also used to operate two or more blinds from one point.