We get asked this question a lot, and that is why we sell integrated or integral blinds which are totally enclosed within the glass cavity of the double glazed unit, and are available for most of the doors and windows we sell. They can be manually or electrically operated, are available in a range of colours, and have Venetian or pleated versions. They can be closed for complete privacy, opened to any angle for different shading or raised up almost completely out of the way. Aside from enclosing all the working parts (safe for toddlers), they enhance the thermal efficiency of the unit they are enclosed within and will never need cleaning! You can upgrade existing doors and windows, although if you are purchasing new, ask your supplier about Uni-blinds Integral Blinds beforehand.

Hi Anthony, Thank you for your helpful reply! The Denim Drift room is lovely in the picture and I love the contrast with the white. I'm thinking of getting this Flos pendant light in Chrome: https://clippings.com/products/ic-pendant-light-169721?variation=185491 The kitchen ceilings are not that high and are divided over two levels so the ceiling lights we've looked at are often blocked by the ledge next to the light fixture. I think longer pendant lights may be too low and we don't really have any surface space for them to hover over so the sideways design of this light seems to work. We do have small built inceiling lights and cupboard lights in addition but they don't give us enough light. In the Denim Drift, would you recommend the colour in your picture or a lighter shade? I understand that they can mix it in a few shades. Bekka

Hi, I live in a Victorian house too with a bay - and had a similar dilemma. Someone on a forum recommended a company in Wales (I think!) that make lovely iron curtain poles - so that’s what we did, and we’ve never looked back!! The company have a (basic) website - it explains how to measure (you have to do several measurements which they then use to ensure a perfect fit!). The pole arrived as one solid piece that was bent at all the right places. We chose a gorgeous white with simple small white balls as the finals. You can choose different thicknesses of pole too. It’s attached to the wall with 3 fittings - one in the middle and one at each end. In theory we could have just two wide curtains on it, but in reality we chose to hang 4 curtains - one on each end and one in each corner to pull across the back. We went for white as we didn’t want the heavy look of the black poles - our house had those when we moved in and we wanted something a bit different and more neutral. We hung light white curtains to start with but currently have a heavy dark grey velvet. Both looked great with the pole as it’s very unobtrusive. I can’t remember the cost but I do remember it being cheaper than I was expecting - more than Ikea (!!) but less than John Lewis - and it’s totally bespoke and one one solid pole. They are called Celtic Dreams... https://mob.curtainpoles.co.uk/index.html

I think Venetian blinds and pelmets are very dated. Shutters perhaps if you’re after that sort of style. I think a large rug in the seating area will definite the area more clearly. If you chose something with subtle colour you could bring in sofa cushions in the same colour to tie it together. If you need something to separate can you look into a pocket door perhaps but I think you will need to squash the large sofa up to fit it in, and for the expense I don’t think it will achieve much. Start with a rug and see how it feels.