The benefits of revamping your interior with fresh window blinds

The benefits of revamping your interior with fresh window blinds

When it comes to interior design, window coverings and treatments can have a pretty significant impact. Although we don’t tend to look at our windows that often, the effect they can have on our homes shouldn’t be underestimated – especially if you’re looking to elevate the aesthetics and comfort of your home.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your entire home or just improve a couple of rooms in your house, incorporating or refreshing your window blinds can come with many different advantages.

Improved privacy

Window blinds give an enhanced sense of privacy when compared to other window coverings. This is because you can fine tune just how much of the window you want to reveal. It’s not like curtains where you open them up to reveal everything bit by bit. So, if you want to completely block out everything, you can do it with blinds; however, if you want to allow just a bit of light in, you can do so without fully revealing a part of your home.

Better light control

Because you have more control over how much of your windows you’re showing, you can control the amount of light coming in as well. Don’t want any light? You can do that with blinds. Want a bit of light to evenly spread across your room? You can do that with blinds too.

Again, it’s not like other window covering options where you must reveal a part of your room or let in too much light into a specific area of the room. With curtains, it’s hard to control the amount of light because it beams into a part of the room with no filter or control. With shades, it’s the same thing. You block out all the light from the upper part of the shade, but don’t have much control over the bottom part because of how most shades work.

In short, blinds give you much better control over how much light enters your home. And because it’s evenly spread across the entire blind, it creates a more uniform distribution of light throughout your rooms.

Energy efficiency

One of the more underrated aspects of blinds is their ability to lower energy bills. This is because good blinds are great at both blocking sunlight during the summer months, and also creating a barrier that acts as another layer of insulation.

In the summer, it’s important to have a relatively thick window covering because it helps to block direct sunlight. If your window coverings are too thin, then there’s not enough of a barrier to prevent the heat from entering through your windows. In general, blinds tend to be quite thick which greatly helps to reduce indoor temperatures. This ultimately means that you can spend less on air conditioning during the hotter months of the year.

There are similar benefits during the winter as well. Since your blinds can create a thick barrier between your home and the outside, it helps to keep the cold out of and the warmth within your home as well. It’s also great at blocking draughts, which can be a huge problem during the winter if there are vulnerable cold spots around your windows and frames.

Ultimately, installing blinds isn’t going to completely transform your energy efficiency because you’re probably already using some kind of window covering. However, if you plan to live in your home for the next couple of years, then installing some thick new window blinds will certainly improve your energy efficiency and make an impact on your heating and cooling costs.

More durability

One of the great things about blinds is that they’re often a lot more durable than shades and other window coverings. Blinds can be made from a variety of materials, and they’re also suitable for areas like your bathroom where the humidity might be higher. Moisture-resistant blinds are also a good option if needed, and general blinds can stand up to wear and tear a lot better than your average curtain.

Just make sure you’re getting your blinds from a reputable and trustworthy source. Services like ABC Blinds & Awnings are a great option if you’re looking for someone to pick and install excellent blinds, but you can also do it yourself if you have the tools and some DIY knowledge to complement them. However, we highly recommend contacting a service to help you install the blinds for peace of mind, especially if your windows are a little higher and difficult to reach.

So, if you want a durable window covering that you know will last a long time, consider installing some blinds and replacing your existing coverings. They’ll last long and be a great investment for the future of your home!

Less maintenance required

Compared to other types of window coverings, a good set of blinds is actually surprisingly easy to clean and maintain.

With something like curtains, you need to unhook them from a rail, throw them into a washing machine, dry them, and then place them on the rail once again. Depending on the type of system that you have and how high your windows are, it could take a significant portion of the day to maintain your curtains.

You can avoid this kind of maintenance completely with blinds. With blinds, all you have to do is dust them every so often. It’ll kick all the dust off the blinds, and you can vacuum it all up once it settles on the floor. Alternatively, you can use a damp cloth and run it over the blinds to remove dust and give the blinds a quick clean. You’ll need to be careful with flimsy blinds, but sturdier ones will have no trouble being wiped clean by hand. For blinds that are too high to reach, a telescopic duster works wonders too.

In short, if you hate cleaning your curtains or maintaining your shades, then consider switching to blinds for easier maintenance.

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The complete guide to window coverings and what you need to know when designing an interior space

The complete guide to window coverings and what you need to know when designing an interior space

Window treatments are more than just curtains and blinds. They’re a major design element of your home, providing privacy and insulation.

Window treatments are one of the most important aspects of design in your home. It’s likely that if you don’t have window coverings, you don’t have beautiful rooms. There are many types of window coverings, including Luxaflex Window Covering Products, to consider when shopping for new ones – depending on what you need them for and if they need to be decorative, functional or both.

Luxurious caramel coloured drapes

Window treatment ideas for different interior styles

Each interior style has a different window treatment style. A modern interior design style usually features clean lines and a minimalistic approach to window treatments. You can keep it simple with a light or dark colour, vertical or horizontal stripes on blinds or minimal patterns. A farmhouse interior design style is more traditional and often features rustic wood furniture, crafty wall art and patchwork throws. The options for window treatments are endless but with this style, many home-owners tend to go for heavy, upholstery fabrics in dark and rich colours.

The coastal home design style mixes a variety of different elements from the past and the present into one coastal décor that is fresh and inviting. Coastal décor can be created using textures such as linen or sheer gauze, striped fabric blind, and metallic accents like driftwood or shells on mirrors and drawer handles.

White venetian blinds in a home office

Window treatments for different spaces

Keep in mind that window coverings are not created equally. Depending on the space you have, you may want to have a different style of window treatment. For example, if your bedroom is on the east side of your house with morning sun coming in, you’d want blackout blinds for more privacy and light control. If it’s on the west side with late afternoon sun coming through, you may prefer sheer curtains and blinds that open wide to let in more light and keep it cooler indoors during the evening hours.

There is an array of factors that go into choosing the right window coverings for your home. The two most important factors that should be considered are style and functionality.

In order to create a cohesive style throughout your home, it may be best to choose the same type of window coverings for each room in your home. On the other hand, you might want to mix up styles in order to add a little more variety and personality to a space.

If you have pets or kids, you should also consider how easy it is to clean different types of window covering material.

As you’ve walked through each step of the process, you’ve learned more about your options and how they might be used in your home.

One of the most important things to consider is how light will enter your home. The more light, the happier you’ll be during the day and, when it’s time to sleep at night, the less light, the better you’ll generally sleep.

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Shades, blinds or shutters? Which one should you choose?

Shades, blinds or shutters? Which one should you choose?credit

Your house is your home. It should reflect the family that lives there. Therefore, decorating it ought to honour and please each individual that dwells within its walls.  There are colours to be painted on the walls, carpets to soften the walkways and floors and window treatments to enliven every room.

These days, though, choosing window treatment no longer involves merely picking out drapes that fit. There are more choices on the market now more than ever. Not only are there curtains, but there are shades, blinds and even shutters – each with a separate function and design. The options are endless, depending on which window you want to dress and for what reason. The question arises, though: Which one do you choose? Blinds, shutters or shades?

Roman blind

But first, what’s the difference?

Although we may use the terms indiscriminately, there are three major differences regarding a shutter, a shade, or a blind.

  • Shutters are generally solid rectangular window coverings with slats that can be opened to allow light to enter. Sometimes they’re for the outside of a house, but they’re designed for the inside, too.
  • Shades are an alternative form of window covering, which also allow for light to come into a room. They tend to be made from vinyl, wood, plastic, or metal. Old-fashioned shades were also constructed of cloth as well.
  • Blinds also come with slats, but they’re designed to be raised or lowered on a window. The slats can then be adjusted according to the spaces between them to allow an allotted amount of light to come in. Blinds are simple in form but are the most differential with light.

When decorating your home, it’s vital to recognise which of these window treatments work best for your comfort and lifestyle. Do you prefer a room with ample lighting for reading and studying, or do you like the ambiance of a darker area for resting and relaxing? Are your rooms constantly cold with no sunshine to warm them, or are they blasting with heat because there are so many rays beaming in?

Window blind

What’s the individual potential?

Each window treatment, whether it’s a shade, a shutter or a blind, has a particular purpose that can resolve your home issues. But they can also help or hinder your budget if you aren’t familiar with how each one works.

Thus, here are their individual potential uses to help you with your choice.

  • Shades

Window shades are economical. If you have a limited budget, these basic treatments are great for accentuating your bedroom, living room, or kitchen because they come in various colours and fabrics. If you can afford to spend a little more, there are other styles of shades that come with designer labels with assorted structures and styles.

A shade can allow light into the room according to where it’s located on the window. Most hang from the top, thereby letting the sunlight in through the bottom of the windowpane. This allows for as much light as possible to come into the room. In recent years, manufacturers have developed bottom-up shades, too. This works in reverse of the typical old-fashioned shade, allowing most of the light to come in from the top.

A very popular kind of shade is called the Roman shade, which is specifically used to block out extra light. They’re different from the typical shade because when they’re open, they are smooth and stack evenly. Other shades can be bumpy or slightly ribbed.

Shades can also provide you with an inexpensive, extra level of privacy for your home. The window is blocked from anyone seeing inside when the shade encompasses the whole window. For more ideas, some people have even adapted favourite blankets into shades to personalise their rooms.

  • Shutters

Shutters are sometimes mixed up with blinds. They are, however, very different. Shutters are basically stationary and come with a rod to make their slats move. Adjusting the rod helps the slats to move up or down. Although not as flexible as blinds, they do provide more privacy. Shutters are usually made of a sturdier material, such as wood, which helps provide more insulation from the heat or cold. This is especially nice when the weather is unpredictable.

Shutters can vary in price according to the style and material. It is best to shop around for the best deal through online sources and advertisements. Shutters are also offered in kit form by some manufacturers. They are easy to assemble and come in a variety of colours. Be careful of the quality of the kit, though. You don’t want to be stuck with misshapen shutters just because they were inexpensive.

  • Blinds

Blinds are a very popular window treatment. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. They can be made from vinyl, aluminium, bamboo or wood – sometimes even fabric. What distinguishes blinds from shades are their slats. They can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the exact window treatment needed.

Blinds are different from shutters because they’re much more flexible with their louvres. The strings attached are easier to manoeuvre and can be pulled to stack off toward the side. The more popular kind of blinds is called the Venetian blind. These window treatments come with horizontal slats that connect with things called tapes. When a Venetian blind is lifted, the bottom slat slides into the slat above it, making it seamless and clean-looking.

As an extra precaution, when hanging your blinds, make sure you have the accurate dimensions to fit your window. This way, you can ensure that your windows are properly decorated and styled accordingly. As well as being easy to install, blinds can be very easy to clean.

One of the greatest aspects of using blinds in your home is the affordability. Blinds can be found in almost any department store or online shop. Sites such as Make My Blinds and others like it even design them for you. Depending on the size and style you need, blinds can fit into any budget.

Plantation window shutters

Conclusion

There’s no right or wrong solution when it comes to choosing any of these window coverings.  The final choice is ultimately dependent upon your budget, taste as well as the size of your windows and the style of your room. Check out all your options before making your decision. Weigh the pros and cons of each item and decide what works best for you: blinds, shutters or shades.

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5 ways to dress awkward windows

Unusual exterior windows on a housecredit

Whether it’s their size, shape or location – some windows can be awkward to dress. Here are a few tips to solve the potential difficulties.

VELUX blackout blinds

Dormer windows and roof lights

Windows in attic rooms and loft conversions are often difficult to dress. Windows that slope at an angle are best served by roller blinds. If the room at the top of the house is being used as a bedroom, stopping the bright sunlight from waking you up each morning can be something of a challenge. Luckily, VELUX Blinds are available in blackout options to remedy this problem.

Large bedroom bay windowcredit

Bay windows

Roman or Venetian blinds are often the best solution here. The latter can require lots of dusting but you can get a special tool to make light work of this. And if it’s curtains you want, bay window kits are available to buy that contain curved curtain poles or tracks.

Sitting room with white bottom up blindscredit

Overlooked windows

If you live on a busy main road or there are other people’s windows facing yours at the same height, bottom up blinds are a great solution. This is especially the case if you have a lovely view out of the top of the window but people can peer in at the bottom. Fitting bottom up blinds in our front lounge has been on our ‘to do’ list for quite a while – we could easily block out the view of passing traffic to leave a far more attractive view of the trees and church steeple beyond. We must get that done soon!

Bathroom with patterned opaque film on windowscredit

Bathroom windows

Again, roller blinds are a common solution. Or perhaps try an opaque adhesive film which restricts people’s view into this private space, but still allows light to pour in. It also avoids the need for fabrics which can get wet and attract mould.

Half moon windows with custom made shutterscredit

Arched or angled windows

Custom-made shutters might be the best answer here as they really enhance unusual shapes. Cobbling something together will probably look messy – and just installing a plain rectangular ‘off the shelf’ solution won’t maximise the potential of an interesting house feature.

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