Treat your windows to a decorative yet functional update inspired by this guide to beautiful blinds or sophisticated shutter designs
Far more than just a finishing touch, window treatments play an essential role in setting the atmosphere for a room. Curtains are undeniably beautiful but do not suit every space. Blinds and shutters, on the other hand, are much more versatile.
Blinds create a soft aesthetic – similar to curtains – but provide greater control of light levels and privacy and don’t cover the area below the window, making space for radiators or furniture.
Shutters give you the same control over privacy and light but also offer elevated insulation. ‘They reduce heat loss by up to 36 per cent on doubleglazed windows and 64 per cent on single-glazed ones* – ideal if you live in a draughty period home,’ says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.
When looking for the right fit, let the room’s position and function guide your decision, and you won’t go far wrong.
HALF MEASURES
Café-style shutters dress the lower section of the window, leaving the top portion uncovered – perfect if you wish to highlight decorative glazing. They are par ticularly well-suited to homes with pavement-level windows as they offer privacy without restricting light. For similar, try Shuttercraft.
LET IN THE LIGHT
In a room with a beautiful view, sheer blinds offer a good compromise. ‘Voile blinds create a soft ambience and are ideal for daytime privacy,’ says Leah Aspinall, head of design at Blinds2Go. ‘They are well-suited if you want to maximise natural light and enjoy a good view but also reduce glare – even when the blinds are closed, you can still see the scenery outside.’ V&A William Morris Strawberry Thief Voile Blush Roman blinds, from £16.85 at Blinds2Go.
STACKED UP
Tier-on-tier shutters can be solid or louvred and are a good option if you need flexible light and privacy levels. Each section operates independently, giving you a café-style effect in the day, then blackout at night. These solid shaker shutters in silk white start from £350 per square metre at Plantation Shutters and have been paired with complementar y solid bi-fold designs over the transom windows above the bed.
ON THE EDGE
With a defined bottom edge, blinds are just begging for a trim. For a whimsical touch, pom-pom edging is a fun addition – perfect for a guest or children’s room. Featured is Tori Murphy’s Tick organic cotton blind in a playful pink stripe, paired with a lemon pom-pom trim, priced from £278.
PERFECT FIT
If you have irregularly shaped windows, dressing them can be difficult, especially if the
