The climate one lives in, and the style of the home and decor should dictate what is best as window treatment.
I don't think there is a one size fits all answer as to what is best, even with those considerations taken into account, because personal preference will out rank even those things combined.
I think all decor components come and go 'in style' over time, and things can look very dated, but usually it isn't the actual thing, (say drapes) but the fabrics/prints/materials from which they are made that will make them look dated.
So, for instance, if 'they' say "drapes are out", they indeed aren't. The right style, fabric, color etc will make them seem current and stylish and more than appropriate.
I've had it all, at some point in time, in some home or another throughout my life.
Custom drapes are nice, but expensive to pay to have cleaned, and really require a more formal home. They are a huge price commitment, so better be pretty neutral to get the years out of, for the cost paid. Drapes I see in stores and catalogs are much more trendy, not for me, as I don't change style for decades, but more cost effective for those that like to change often.
Curtains are ok for certain decor styles or certain rooms, but they often don't translate well for many styles of decor. I have lace curtains throughout my house. I like the vintage look, having something at the window that lets the light through, and easy to maintain.
I've had plantations shutters, and while I loved the look, the keeping clean and dust free was quite time consuming work. Simply dusting them or the tools that have been suggested don't get them deep clean, and I'm not sure too many windows treated with them would be worth it to me, for the extra work involved. And unless they are changed, you install the mounting brackets into the woodwork, and should you decide to treat the window differently in the future, you have holes that have to be filled, sanded and painted, right in a conspicuous spot, probably never really disappearing. So something to think about before choosing.
I've had several styles of blinds, and quite frankly, blinds alone are cold and sterile looking to me. I don't like them, regardless of the style, fabrication etc. I'd rather just see a bare window most times, but that isn't always practical.
If the windows and the wood work are beautiful and rich, I prefer no widow coverings at all. I love the light coming in, seeing the beautiful wood. But that isn't practical for most people. Same thing for stunning views. I'd tend to not want to cover the window in any way, but again, not usually a practical thing to do.
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