Decorating: Versatile Ways with Window Shutters
Suitable for every room in the house, shutters are timeless, chic and offer a brilliant alternative to fabric window treatments
Lara Sargent
28 May 2014
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Windows can be the trickiest part of the room to dress. Thick, heavy curtains can stifle a scheme. Flimsy, voile panels may not offer enough privacy and warmth. Blinds can be a little too minimal. What to do? Well, luckily, there is an alternative — the window shutter. These simple, super versatile fixtures are made to fit any shape, size and style of window. They can also be custom painted in any colour of the rainbow (although you might tire of hot pink over time). Here, we make the (open-and-shut) case for shutters!
Show off an original feature
A beautiful, full-length picture window with interesting curves and stained glass panels is too precious to be covered up with heavy curtains or even sheers. Simple, white wooden shutters that fold back almost invisibly are the perfect solution here.
A beautiful, full-length picture window with interesting curves and stained glass panels is too precious to be covered up with heavy curtains or even sheers. Simple, white wooden shutters that fold back almost invisibly are the perfect solution here.
Introduce natural wood
For a rustic style interior, there is nothing better than the raw beauty of natural, unadorned timber. The simplicity of these double-tier wooden shutters creates just the right tempo with the charcoal coloured walls and open fire.
Learn how to use natural wood for stunning effects
For a rustic style interior, there is nothing better than the raw beauty of natural, unadorned timber. The simplicity of these double-tier wooden shutters creates just the right tempo with the charcoal coloured walls and open fire.
Learn how to use natural wood for stunning effects
Block your colours
This is a clever trick: paint your window shutters in a similar shade to your walls and introduce pattern and print with accessories and flooring. The cool mint green hue on these shutteres creates a calm, appealing bedroom ambience.
This is a clever trick: paint your window shutters in a similar shade to your walls and introduce pattern and print with accessories and flooring. The cool mint green hue on these shutteres creates a calm, appealing bedroom ambience.
Create shadow patterns
Plantation shutters make for the most fuss-free of window treatments and they also create pretty shadow patterns on a neutral wall (when the sun is shining, of course).
Plantation shutters make for the most fuss-free of window treatments and they also create pretty shadow patterns on a neutral wall (when the sun is shining, of course).
Add a classic touch
There is something so chic yet understated about solid window shutters. Just the very action of unfolding them each morning instils a sophisticated air of French style into your daily proceedings. When fitted just three-quarters high, they offer masses of privacy while still allowing light to flood in from the top.
There is something so chic yet understated about solid window shutters. Just the very action of unfolding them each morning instils a sophisticated air of French style into your daily proceedings. When fitted just three-quarters high, they offer masses of privacy while still allowing light to flood in from the top.
Try two window treatments
Traditionalists might not be able to forgo curtains completely, but why not use both? The trick is to keep the room scheme fairly calm and neutral, to avoid overkill. Here, subtle colours on furnishings and pale wooden shutters make a simple backdrop, and then the gathered, floral curtains add just the right amount of pattern and flounce.
Discover the best ways to dress your windows
Traditionalists might not be able to forgo curtains completely, but why not use both? The trick is to keep the room scheme fairly calm and neutral, to avoid overkill. Here, subtle colours on furnishings and pale wooden shutters make a simple backdrop, and then the gathered, floral curtains add just the right amount of pattern and flounce.
Discover the best ways to dress your windows
Go monochrome
Far from disappearing into the woodwork and architecture, these window shutters stand out. They have been painted in a dramatic inky black for maximum contrast. After all, while shutters are there to do a job, they are also a decorating feature in their own right - a fact that is easy to exploit with strong colour.
Far from disappearing into the woodwork and architecture, these window shutters stand out. They have been painted in a dramatic inky black for maximum contrast. After all, while shutters are there to do a job, they are also a decorating feature in their own right - a fact that is easy to exploit with strong colour.
Double up
Who would have thought that a window treatment could be so clever? These double tier, top-and-bottom shutters can open independently of each other so you can control the light and privacy levels as you wish.
Who would have thought that a window treatment could be so clever? These double tier, top-and-bottom shutters can open independently of each other so you can control the light and privacy levels as you wish.
Create a clean and simple look
Privacy is a huge consideration for a bathroom window treatment and folding shutters provide it in style. In addition, they are neat, functional and with the right painted finish can withstand a damp environment and be wiped clean of dust and condensation easily.
Privacy is a huge consideration for a bathroom window treatment and folding shutters provide it in style. In addition, they are neat, functional and with the right painted finish can withstand a damp environment and be wiped clean of dust and condensation easily.
Make it modern
A row of high-level window shutters are the perfect finishing touch to this funky, retro basement. It demonstrates the versatility of shutters, which work equally well in a traditional country home or a contemporary, colour-packed den.
TELL US...
Do you use window shutters at home? How do you style them? Tell us your favourite methods in the Comments.
A row of high-level window shutters are the perfect finishing touch to this funky, retro basement. It demonstrates the versatility of shutters, which work equally well in a traditional country home or a contemporary, colour-packed den.
TELL US...
Do you use window shutters at home? How do you style them? Tell us your favourite methods in the Comments.
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Beautiful designs on show here. Really shows off the variety shutters have to offer.