Shutters are extremely popular amongst homeowners and interior designers: indeed, in warmer cities such as Rome, they are frequently used instead of windows rather than as an addition to them!  However you plan to used them, choosing the right shutters can be tricky: after all, there’s a fair few different models out there.  That’s why we’ve written this piece on helping you pick the right ones when checking out the different window shades:

Choose According To The Design

Because they’re designed to different aesthetics, different shutter models suit different décor.  Solid shutters, for instance, are more suited to older style properties that lean towards a Victorian visual.   As they keep out more light, they also work well in rooms that have a more minimal décor, such as country cottages.  Vice versa, of course, shutters that have a solid lower half but movable slats on the top work very well on French doors, as they give off the perfect impression of a continental aesthetic.  Plantation shutters, meanwhile, are ideal if you’re looking to get more creative with the colour schemes.

Are Shutters Right For You? 

Essentially, shutters are used as an alternative to blinds – so how do you know they’re right for you?  Well, for starters, they’re far more hygienic.  Curtains and traditional blinds have been known to absorb dust, where as shutters are simply wipe clean.  The adjustable ones are also more measurable in terms of how much light enters the room – more so than many blinds.  Finally, they also offer an increase in insulation when compared to blinds, saving a decent amount of money in the long run.  Essentially, shutters are the right choice if you want a cleaner, cheaper room.

What’s Your Budget? 

Whilst they’re by no means crazily expensive, full shutters aren’t going to be a cheap as simply knocking up a pair of home-made curtains.  However, it’s still more than possible to budget for your own design.  For instance, café-style shutters are hung-up on just the bottom half of the window, so are ideal for those who want to achieve privacy without spending the cash to kit out the whole set of panels.   Of course, those with a slightly higher budget can then move on to full-height shutters and the solid models, both of which offer a great deal of options.

How Much Light Do You Need? 

Different shutters will enable a different amount of light through, meaning that they’re suitable for different rooms.   If, for instance, you’re looking to set them up in a professional environment such as an office, then you’re going to need the shutters that let through the maximum amount of light during the summer months – otherwise you’ll have quite a dingy workplace.  Vice versa, shutters within a restaurant should be able to offer enough natural light to have an atmosphere but without blinding the customers, especially in the evening.

Finally, the matter of spend is worth considering.  If you’re making a long-term investment, then it makes more sense to spend a decent amount and get full shutters installed.  However, if you’re simply giving them a tryout to see how they look in a new property and you’re unsure if they’ll be kept, then you should hunt around for any bargains.