WIndow treatments. Blinds, curtains or shutters?

2 years ago

I have south facing windows in my living room that on a bright sunny day has sun streaming in for at least 6 hours. We moved in the winter and I am concerned about controlling the strong summer sun. I need access to the garden through the French doors. The house is a new build in a cottage style and the room is not big. Do I opt for shutters, blinds or curtains? I want it to look smart and airy? Also there is the budget to consider. Shutters would probably be the most expensive, would it be a wise investment?

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Comments (5)

Daisy England
2 years ago
As you say shutters would be the most expensive so you are down to either blinds or curtains or both. If you are more contemporary with your choices then I would opt for blinds but if you feel as though you want something more fancy with texture then curtains fits the bill.

I originally had curtains at my bay window but they were a pain to keep dragging around the corners of the pole so also invested in blinds which have been a godsend. We only use the blinds now at night but the curtains offer a 'frame' on the window as the lounge is on the front of the house so at least it looks as though we have something at the windows for passers by as you cannot see the blinds when they are up.
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Naturally Allard
2 years ago
i would go with roller blinds it allows you to have control on how much sun you want in the room and also you can have blackout roller blinds too so you can keep that room cool as well as keeping the sun glare out and wont interfere with your use of the back doors.
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it depends on a couple of factors, budget and the look you are looking to achieve being the most important. in our opinion plantation shutters look alot more elegant and decorative on odd shaped Windows as they are made to fit the window rather than something that dresses it but just doesn't look right. Best regards Dave
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Shutters are a classic, timeless look that goes well with various interiors. I found a few client photos with windows similar to yours. We had another client who opted for a boxed pelmet with pinch pleate curtains which could work with your window. It creates a very clean and elegnt look. Plus voiles for extra privacy but still allows light in. Similar but with a voile curtain To save on costs you can forgo the pelemt box, pinch pleats or eyelets look stylish as is.
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I would use top-down/bottom-up insulated cellular blinds on the windows. They are attached at the top of the window, but have double strings. They can be pulled down from the top of the window, but can ALSO be pushed up from the bottom of the window. They can be bunched together in the middle/anywhere from top to bottom if you need to block sun glare. When they are closed they will let diffused light in. They will also help with temperature control when they are closed. The blinds allow you to fully open or fully close the view for each section (left, center, right) at any time. Unlike a roller shade, you can open just the top portion of a top-down/bottom-up blind to preserve privacy when you are sitting or standing in the room. I would put a drapery rod across the top of the wall in front of the bay window and put black-out draperies on it. Make the rod long enough so the draperies are pulled all the way back against the wall and do not block any of the window when they are open. Good luck!
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Thanks @User – that would be ideal but sadly not an option with the track we're already using for the sheers. A second track in front could work potentially but I imagine we'd end up with the two curtain layers overlapping. @Daisy England I like the sound of being a person who has "winter curtains"! It would possibly be the most cost effective option too. Something to consider for sure.
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queenbeamitchell
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you that’s food for thought I don’t have much room at the sides either so blinds would be more streamlined.
PRO
The Living House
2 years ago
Would you consider floor length voiles, it provide a smart and airy look. Voiles would create a soft look, you could have these ceiling fixed to maximise height. Depending whats either side of the windows, you could have these to stack back onto the wall so they don't block the window when open. Hope this helps! If you need any help, let us know! - Sophie
88wj88
2 years ago
if its just to keep glare out when its very sunny, I have put window film on the glass which becomes reflective on the outside and reduces glare inside by about 20% and saves on having floor and furnishings being affected by the sun. For privacy in the evenings and in winter I would use blinds or shutters.

WIndow treatments. Blinds, curtains or shutters?

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Naturally Allard

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queenbeamitchell
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WIndow treatments. Blinds, curtains or shutters?

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Naturally Allard

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queenbeamitchellOriginal Author

The Living House

88wj88

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queenbeamitchell
Original Author