Add Warmth to Your Windows with Wood Grain Shutters

wood-grain-shutters

Autumn is just a few weeks away, and with the colder months closing in, it’s now a good time to add a touch of warmth to our homes to make them feel cosy and homely.

Add warmth to your home with wood grain

The finishes you choose for your interior have a huge part in creating your home’s atmosphere. Thick rugs and autumnal colour palettes help fix your home for winter, but a more permanent solution is to add a wood finish to your property.

Plantation shutters finished with a wood grain are perfect for adding warmth to your home and windows. Wood grain plantation shutters complement all interiors, whether contemporary or traditional.

For an understated shade that doesn’t leave your home feeling cold, plantation shutters with painted finishes in white and grey could be an alternative solution.

Plantation shutters help create warmth

Made-to-measure plantation shutters are made to fit your window and designed to complement your interior. Wood grain plantation shutters can be stained in a variety of different shades and can be stained in warmer colours to add a glowing look at your window all year round.

What’s more, plantation shutters help to create warmth in your home during the colder months. Working as a barrier at your window, they help to keep the chills out and warmth in.

Plantation shutters are flexible too, giving you the option to keep the frames closed and drafts at bay while allowing the autumnal light in by positioning the louvres to suit you.

 

For more information on wood grain plantation shutters or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey in time for Autumn, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All bay window shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Blackout Blinds Behind Shutters

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Whilst plantation shutters won’t provide complete blackout in a room, there are solutions to help achieve this. Blackout blinds behind shutters is a great way to blackout 99% of all external light.

Blackout Blinds Behind Shutters

Blackout blinds behind plantation shutters are an excellent and cost-effective way to achieve near blackout. At Totally Shutters, we have worked with clients to achieve this approach ourselves.

The combination of blackout blinds and plantation shutters ensures maximum blackout and minimal noise for any room at any time of the day, great for nurseries, children’s bedrooms and shift-workers. Usually, honeycomb blackout blinds are recommended for this approach.

With blackout blinds, you can roll them up halfway and allow a small amount of natural light entering the room through the plantation shutter slats to create a sense of ‘it’s bedtime’ in summer months, but allowing a small amount of natural light for waking.

Plantation shutters with blackout blinds are a good option if you have never had shutters before and are used to Venetian blinds or curtains.

Shutter & Shade Range

Our shutter and shade range has an integrated room darkening blind as standard which helps to blackout 99% of all light. As well as providing complete privacy, our shutter and shade range blocks out external noise too, making them the ideal addition for bedrooms, nurseries and bathrooms.

Our shutter and shade range is more insulating than shutters and honeycomb blinds and offers superior light reduction. Shutter and shade is the best option for those wanting a complete blackout.

For more information on plantation shutters with blackout blinds and our shutter and shade range, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All bay window shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

What is the Best Plantation Shutter Design for Bay Windows?

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Bay windows are a beautiful home addition, and here as Totally Shutters, we see them in all shapes and sizes. Bays are often splay bays or box bays and in some cases, only have a return at one end. The style and size of the bay will often be influential on the bay window shutter design that would be best suited.

The different types of bay window shutters

If your box bay is wide, having bi-folding panels in the central section may not be the best solution as you will have to bifold the large panels whenever you want to open a window. Instead, a t-post that reflects the design of the window may be better suited. This allows for easy access to the windows as you will only have a single hinged panel to open.

Usually, we do not recommend tier-on-tier shutters on bay windows as the panels end up poking far into the room when the top half is in the open position, and smaller panels can make your bay window look busy. However, if you’re lucky enough to have large windows then tier-on-tier shutters can be the perfect solution.

On smaller bays, tier-on-tier shutters can be detrimental in terms of light. It’s often believed tier-on-tier shutters let in more light because you have a separate top rail from the bottom set of panels. But in effect, a plank of wood in the middle of the window will block out light, having a huge effect on smaller windows.

With bay windows, a good size louvre makes all the difference. 76mm is the perfect size for large bay windows.

 

For more information on plantation shutters for your bay window, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All bay window shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Planning a Loft Conversion? Get Your Window Dressing Right

loft-shutters

A loft conversion is the most cost-effective way of increasing the square footage to your home and the resale value of your house. However, a loft conversion is a huge job and there are lots of things to consider, and it can all get a little overwhelming.

When it comes to your loft conversion windows, Totally Shutters have you covered. We’re here on hand to make sure you choose the best loft shutters for your new space.

Why Loft Shutters?

In loft conversions, the windows are often the main attraction, so choosing the correct window dressing is paramount. You wouldn’t want to design a beautiful loft, only to choose the wrong window dressing that is bulky or blocks out the sunlight.

Plantation shutters are bespoke and made-to-fit so will your loft shutters beautifully. They’re incredibly versatile too and are great for all kinds of windows such as bay, dormer, Velux and even special shapes. This versatility means they will blend seamlessly with any decor.

Plantation shutters are the most practical choice for loft conversions and all rooms when compared to other window coverings. They offer maximum light and privacy control, they are great heat insulators, help to keep out draughts, and take up less space than curtains.

Choosing the Right Colour for Your Loft Shutters

Choosing the colour for your loft conversion comes down to a matter of personal preference. While our white shutters are our most popular choice, we have a range of different paint colours and wood stains available. We also offer a custom colour service where we will match your loft shutters to virtually any colour.

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For more information on plantation shutters for your loft conversion, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All loft shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Are Tier on Tier Shutters the Right Option for My Room?

Tier on tier shutters are a popular choice. They are a versatile design, combining the benefits of both full height and cafe style shutters in one. But how do you know if they are the right choice for your windows?

Below we’ve compiled some facts and tips about tier on tier shutters to help you decide if they are the right window covering solution for you:

The Advantages of Tier On Tier Shutters

Tier on tier shutters come in one frame and cover the full height of your window. However, unlike full height shutters, they have a dividing point where the panels split into two tiers. This can be halfway up your windows, or in line with the rails and design of your windows.

The benefits of this design are simple; all panels can be tilted differently, offering maximum light and privacy control when needed. The top tier can be kept open to optimise the light in the room, while the bottom tier can be closed to ensure all-important privacy.

Like all made-to-measure plantation shutter styles, tier on tier shutters also offer insulation against extreme outdoor temperatures and offer noise reduction for external sounds.

The Disadvantages of Tier On Tier Shutters

Tier on tier shutters complement large windows but can be overpowering on small windows. With two sets of bottom and top rails, they can make a small window look busy and block out light where the tiers meet. Full height and cafe style shutters are more suited for smaller windows.

For more information on tier on tier shutters or any style of plantation shutters, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Can Room Divider Shutters Help Update a Living Space?

Ever wished for extra room in your living space? Of course, expanding your property is one option, but that is expensive, messy and time-consuming. Room divider shutters can provide that extra private space needed immediately.

Of course, room divider shutters aren’t a permanent solution, and the amount of space will remain the same, but it will make your home feel completely different.

Why Choose Shutters Over an Extension?

An extension will increase the value of your property, but sometimes, a home extension is not possible due to planning restrictions, lack of space or budget. Also, if there’s a lot of people living at home, especially young children, the inconvenience would drive you mad.

Shutter room dividers are affordable, robust and visually beautiful. They help to immediately transform a large living space, breaking it into two more conveniently spaced living spaces. The huge advantage of shutter room dividers is that you can fold them against the wall when a large room is required again, such as for family gatherings and parties.

Where Can Room Divider Shutters Be Used?

Room divider shutters can be used to divide a large living/dining room or kitchen/diner, but they are also perfect for providing changing areas around pools or offering privacy where needed. Shutters can offer a quiet space for children to do their homework and adults to carry out office tasks.

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When we think of plantation shutters, we immediately picture them as a window covering. But, they can be manufactured to be used as a room divider shutter.

For more information on plantation shutters as a room divider shutter, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Why Are Plantation Shutters So Popular?

stylish-shutters-for-house

Plantation shutters have been around for hundreds of years, and they’re as popular as ever. In fact, back in 2015, plantation shutters were classed as Britain’s number one window dressing of choice and sales have been continuing to rise with no intention of slowing down.

Here are a few reasons why plantation shutters are increasing in popularity:

Their benefits are endless

The benefits of plantation shutters are endless. They allow you to control the amount of privacy, particularly handy for road facing rooms. They allow you to control the amount of light entering your home by simply positioning the slats. Alongside that, they also provide an extra layer of security and act as a great insulator helping you reduce your energy bill.

They add value to your property

Plantation shutters also add kerb appeal to your home and value to your property. Plantation shutters are long-lasting and help your home stand out from the others and match any interior decor, so future home occupants won’t need to change the window coverings to match their interior design choices.

They’re easy to maintain

Another thing that makes plantation shutters so popular is that they’re easy to maintain. When it comes to cleaning, all you will need to do is wipe down the shutter panels and louvres with a soft clean cloth or feather duster.

They are universal

Plantation shutters are universal and can be used in any living space in your home, whether it is your bedroom living room, kitchen or bathroom, there is a perfect shutter style to suit. All plantation shutters from Totally Shutters are made to measure so there is no need to worry if you have an odd-shaped or crooked window. Our surveyors will be able to fit our shutters to them.

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For more information on plantation shutters, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Home Design: Affordable Luxury

Do you want to add a touch of luxury to your home without the high-end budget? Here are our top tips for achieving affordable luxury in your property. We believe that the use of colour, statement pieces, and plantation shutters can help you achieve this luxury look.

A touch of gold

When we think of luxury, gold comes to mind. A touch of gold to your interiors will add the feeling of luxury. Gold accessories can do the trick; from candlesticks to plant pots, photo frames to art deco drinks trolleys.

Gold interior pieces can be found in high street stores and online shops. The addition of gold paint can spruce up your current accessories.

Soft furnishings

The addition of soft furnishings can help create a high-end luxurious appeal. Layering cushions and throws can achieve a sophisticated yet affordable look.

In winter months, choose cosy, rich fabrics and materials like wool, silk and velvet to stand out. Texture is very important when designing your home decor. Soft furnishings can add depth with fringing, cable knit and fur.

Go minimal

Luxury can be achieved with simplicity. Why not go all white to achieve a subtle and delicate interior instead? To create this simplicity look, start off with white plantation shutters.

Plantation shutters are affordable luxury, and they add kerb appeal to your property as well as the interior. To compliment your plantation shutters, add impressive floor lamps and elaborate lamp shades.

 

For more information on plantation shutters, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Choosing the Right Colour Scheme for Your Bedroom

Are you revamping your bedroom’s decor? Are you struggling to decide on a colour scheme? There are many colour schemes to choose from, and a lot will depend on the age and type of property and individual taste, but here are a few tips to help you choose the right colour scheme for you:

Choosing a shade to compliment your plantation shutters

Bedrooms are no longer just considered a room to sleep; they are now a haven to relax and find peace and quiet. Whether you’re a fan of shabby chic or prefer the boudoir look, plantation shutters always give your room that ‘wow-factor’ when someone walks into a room.

If you find your eye is drawn to more of a neutral palette, why not inject some colour into your bedroom. Use elegant, rich shades to warm up your bedroom space and create a cosy feel. Shades that look more natural will also fare better as the years go on, future-proofing your property should you choose to sell.

The best way to find a colour scheme to complement your bedroom that will complement your window coverings is to find a versatile window dressing. Plantation shutters are practical, versatile, and come in a range of different shades, tones and stains.

At Totally Shutters, we have a colour custom service, which means we can match your plantation shutters to virtually any colour. Meaning you can perfectly match your plantation shutters to your interior design.

 

For more information on plantation shutters or our colour custom service, or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Designing a Child’s Room that Stands the Test of Time

Children are renowned for changing their minds, but that’s okay as it’s all part of growing up and discovering who they are. But when it comes to decorating their bedroom, it can be somewhat a little more challenging. So, here are a few tips and tricks to help you create the perfect bedroom for your children that will grow with them and stand the test of time.

Opt for furniture that can be easily revamped

Choose furniture that will stand the test of time and can be easily styled to match your child’s needs and personality over the years. There’s no need to replace furniture because it doesn’t suit your child any more.

Opt for furniture that can be revamped, such as wooden wardrobes, drawers and bedside tables that can be painted again and again. If the space allows you, invest in a double bed rather than a single so you can have space for sleeping arrangements when you have guests come over to stay. If space is a bit more limited, opt for space-saving furniture with lots of storage.

Choose a neutral colour scheme

In terms of colour schemes and painting the walls, keep a natural base and then add to it with different accessories depending on your child’s current style. Keep flooring and bed bases neutral too. Kids can be messy so opt for natural floorboards with a rug that can be easily washed.

Opt for a window dressing that will withstand the test of time too. Plantation shutters lend themselves to children’s bedrooms as they compliment all interior design tastes, allow for a good sleep in the night or day time, and are incredibly sturdy.

Have fun with accessories

Have fun with accessories that can be easily changed as your child grows up and interests change. Accessories such as wall art and bedspreads can be changed easily and can really help to set the room.

When it comes to children and their decisions, nothing is permanent. Be one step ahead of them, and design a room that can be easily changed to adapt to their new favourite things without breaking the bank.

For more information or to book your free, no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.