Anyone who is thinking about updating their home interior, or trying to decorate after a house move will be familiar with one key conundrum. What is the best option between blinds or shutters. After all, you have to have some form of window covering in your home.
It’s important that you research to find out which option provides the best value for money. You should also consider which better suits your requirements for each room in your home.
In this article, we have broken down all the things you should consider before you make this important choice for your home.
Why shutters might be the best option
One of the biggest benefits of window shutters is their versatility. There are many different styles of plantation shutters available. Café style shutters work well in cosy spaces like a living room where you want privacy but also want to let some light in.
Full height shutters work well in bedrooms or other spaces in the home where you want to block out light and maximise privacy. With adjustable slats, shutters enable you to always have privacy but still be able to let some light in. You can even let some fresh air in if you choose to open the window.
Another benefit of shutters is that you can customise their design to fit the interior design tastes in your home. At Shutterly Fabulous we offer a custom colour match service. This means that whether you’ve got cream, yellow, blue, red or any other colour scheme going on, your shutters can fit seamlessly into your home décor.
Why blinds are an option to consider
As much as we love shutters, we have to admit that blinds do provide some benefits as well. You do get light and privacy management with blinds. However, unlike shutters blinds are either open or closed, so you don’t have as much flexibility when it comes to letting light in whilst keeping privacy.
Blinds can be made to measure so that they fit the shape and style of your windows. This means that they will look neat and you will be able to select a range of colours and prints. However, shutters can be made to a more bespoke standard. Special shaped shutters are a perfect option for covering smaller windows with a unique shape.
What are the main differences between shutters and blinds?
Perhaps the most impactful difference from a time perspective is cleaning and maintenance. Plantation shutters are very easy to clean. Simply use a damp cloth and gently wipe between the shutter slats to remove any stains. They are also easy to maintain and prevent dust from building up, just wipe with a dry cloth or duster on a fairly regular basis.
On the other hand, blinds can be very difficult to keep clean. Maybe you’ve already experienced trying to remove a stain from blinds in your home before, but if you haven’t it can be a frustrating experience. Furthermore, because some types of blinds go from the top of your window to the floor, they can naturally see some wear and tear on the material at the bottom.
Another key difference is the materials that shutters and blinds are made from. Window shutters are made from more durable natural wood. This means they can stand the test of time. Blinds conversely are made from softer materials.
Something else to consider is that blinds are installed and fixed at the top of your window. Shutters meanwhile are fixed to the sides of your windows. So, you can be a little more flexible when it comes to replacing blinds, but because shutters are easy to maintain you won’t need to replace them often.
If you want any more information on shutters, book an appointment with your local shutter specialists today!