Delux Colour of the Year 2020 Revealed

The highly anticipated Delux colour of the year has been revealed for 2020, and at Totally Shutters, we are excited for what interior design solutions await us in the year ahead.

The Delux Colour 2020

Named Tranquil Dawn, the Delux colour of the year is calm and soothing green that brings serenity and wellbeing to its surroundings. Inspired by the dawn horizon, Tranquil Dawn is a delicate shade that contains hits of grey and blue.

Tranquil Dawn is a versatile shade that can have a varied effect depending on what other colours it is paired with. Green is becoming an increasingly more popular colour in interior design and this shade provides the perfect balance to warmer shades.

Incorporating Delux Colour 2020

If you are want to give your home a fresh look and incorporate Tranquil Dawn into your interior, we suggest pairing this colour with wood grains and plants for a mood-boosting natural environment. By doing so, you will create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

At Totally Shutters, we have a custom colour match service that provides the perfect match to any interior colour. This means we can make your chosen plantation shutters in a shade close to Tranquil Dawn.

 

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

Can You Paint Plantation Shutters Yourself?

One of the questions we often get asked is “Can you paint plantation shutters yourself?”

The question isn’t so much “can you” paint wooden plantation shutters but rather “whether” you should. Of course, it’s possible to paint almost anything, but we will always highly recommend that you stay well clear of repainting your shutters.

Can you paint wooden shutters?

At Totally Shutters, we spray our wooden shutters with several coats of an acrylic-based polyurethane (PU) paint which gives the shutters their beautiful signature look. PU is an incredibly durable paint resistant to abrasion, UV, temperature and water damage.

Most shop-bought paints are water-based. Any attempt to paint your wooden shutters with water-based paint will spoil the appearance of your shutters and compromise their functionality. Painting your wooden shutters would also invalidate your 5-year warranty.

Can you paint vinyl shutters?

Just like our solid hardwood shutter range, we recommend you avoid painting vinyl shutters. This is particularly applicable with our polyvinyl range because of its waterproof functionalities. Any attempt at repainting our polyvinyl range will end in a less than aesthetically pleasing result.

What if I scratch my shutters?

Accidents are unavoidable. Maybe you’ve left an unsightly mark on your shutter frame or a pet has scratched a slat and a bit of paint has come off. Whether it’s a small scratch or tiny fleck, contact the Totally Shutters team and we will touch up your plantation shutters and have them looking perfect again.

Opt for a timeless colour

We understand the desire to paint your shutters, especially when sprucing up your interior. To avoid the need to change your shutters every time you decorate, opt for a timeless colour such as white or subtle wood stains.

 

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

Do Plantation Shutters Provide Complete Blackout in a Room?

Plantation shutters are a stylish and practical addition to your home, coming with a range of benefits, including complete control of the light that enters the room. With complete control, do plantation shutters provide complete blackout in a room?

Plantation shutters block out external light

Plantation shutters are designed to control light and when fully closed will create a very dark environment. Plantation shutters are extremely effective and work exceptionally well compared to other window treatments such as roller blinds.

Plantation shutters block a significant amount of light from entering a room. However, it is imperative that some light will find its way into a room whether through the window frame or the slats. Even shutters paired with heavy curtains may see some light seeping through.

Blackout shutters for total darkness

Our Shutter & Shade range is a complete blackout shutter solution, blocking out 99% of all external light for absolute darkness. As well as providing complete darkness and privacy, the Shutter & Shade range blocks out external noise too.

Our Shutter & Shade range is the ideal for bedrooms, nurseries and bathrooms, and particularly rooms that receive more direct sunlight during the day. Children and nightshift workers can enjoy undisruptive sleep during the day, and office workers can enjoy the perfect environment without glare on their computer screen.

Our Shutter & Shade range is designed to block out all external light, and with an array of colours available, including a custom colour option, will perfectly match your interior.

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For more information on our Shutter & Shade blackout shutter range, or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Introducing Our New Wood Grain Shutter Range

Imagine a stylish new look for your interior and exterior, something that adds the ‘wow factor’ to your home and kerb appeal to your property. Consider it done with our new wood grain shutter range, available in a variety of shades, styles and shape.

The wood grain texture of the new shutter range is beautifully stylish and are an inspired choice for your windows. There’s no better way to keep your room cool in summer, warm in winter and bring a lovely new light to your home.

Perfect for any room in the house or workplace, our wood grain shutter range adds a touch of glamour to your windows, including special or odd shaped windows such as curves, triangles and bays.

Ideal for all window types, wardrobes and more

Crafted from premium hardwood, our new wood grain shutter range provides a wide range of customisation options, perfectly fitting your interior vision.

As the range is manufactured from hardwood, it is much lighter than our MDF shutter options. Being lighter makes our new wood grain shutter range the ideal choice for larger windows and window coverings for roof spaces. The new range can be used for installations that require a more complex frame such as bay windows and conservatories too.

Our new wood grain shutter range is ideal for patio doors, built-in wardrobes and room dividers too. The lighter, robust hardwood is suited to bi-fold and by-pass track systems.

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

What are Shaker Panel Shutters?

Shaker panel shutters are another name for solid panel window shutters and are the ideal solution for making a stylish statement in any home or workplace.

Every property type will benefit from shaker panel shutters as they give the windows the ‘wow’ factor. From a practical point of view, shaker panel shutters are easy to maintain and clean.

Shaker shutter styles

There are two main styles of shaker panel shutters. The first being completely solid, giving a stunning period feel to a room. The second has a louvred top section which can be opened separately, giving more control over light and privacy levels.

Shaker shutters for windows

Perfectly suited for period houses and character cottages, shaker panel shutters offer a beautiful, more traditional style. The solid panel, with no operative louvres, can be opened or closed for a perfect combination of both light and privacy options.

Alternatively, with a louvred top section, shaker panel shutters can maintain complete privacy while allowing natural light to enter your home. Ideal for homes that face onto a street or high-traffic areas.

The perfect solution for fitted wardrobes

Clothing when hanging in a wardrobe needs air, otherwise they can acquire a stale odour. Shaker panel shutters with louvred sections are ideal for wardrobes as it helps ventilate the inside without being able to see the clothes inside.

Shaker panel shutters look amazing as wardrobe doors. As they are made from high-quality hardwood, they are available in a wide range of colours and stains to blend in with any decor, giving your bedroom that very special look.

 

If you would like more information on shaker panel shutters or would like to book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact us on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters from Totally Shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Restoring Your Victorian Home With a Contemporary Twist

During the reign of Queen Victoria I, there was mass production of houses and an increase in wealth. Properties were built with larger bay windows to let maximum natural light in and allow homeowners to see what is happening outside their front door.

Victorian homes are full of character and charm with their high ceilings and tiled paths, so it’s important to celebrate their original features.

Homeowners of Victorian homes are renovating their interiors to complement their properties traditional features while bringing them more into the current design era.

If you have a Victorian home and want to add your personal touch, here are some tips to ensure you create a home that modern while paying homage to the property’s history:

Celebrate Your Ceilings

Victorian homes have high ceilings that should be celebrated. Painting the cornicing a different colour to your walls, you immediately make the walls a stand out feature. Victorian picture rails have also now become an interior feature that split the wall in two beautifully. If you decide to opt for these, consider painting the bottom half darker and the top half lighter to draw the eye up.

Add Plantation Shutters

Known for their large windows, it’s important to update your Victorian home while keeping with the original design. A common dressing for bay windows is plantation shutters as they cover the window seamlessly allowing for maximum natural light to enter the room while maintaining privacy levels. What’s more, plantation shutters add value to your Victorian home.

Flooring and Fireplaces

Some other features that can be refurbished in your Victoria home are the wooden flooring and fireplaces. The original flooring in a Victorian property is timeless that can be restored with a few coats of varnish. If you’re lucky enough to be able to restore your Victorian home’s original flooring, pair the hard wood with a luscious rug to add softness to the room. Similarly, if you’re able to restore the fireplace to its former glory, it will become a new feature for your home.

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Every home should reflect the homeowner’s personal style. If you’re restoring your Victorian home and would like to dress your windows with plantation shutters, contact us on 0203 960 6963 to book your free no obligation in-house survey. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Choosing Materials for Plantation Shutters: MDF or Hardwood

Plantation shutters are a fantastic addition to any home. They are stylish, provide added insulation during the winter months and help keep your home cool in summer by deflecting sunlight. But with many styles, materials and fishes to choose from, choosing the right shutter for your home can be difficult.

Whether you’re unsure of what material will look best or are looking for specific functionality, there are numerous different materials to choose from that will suit your needs, style requirements and budget.

Here’s a look at some of the different materials available for your made-to-measure plantation shutters:

MDF

MDF is a versatile and durable material. Covered with an extruded polypropylene coating, MDF plantation shutters are easy to clean and maintain. The range is available in most of our popular styles including full-height, tier-on-tier, cafe style and tracked, as well as in nine popular shades.

MDF shutters are ideal for small and medium sized windows as there are limitations when using MDF in larger instalments and unusual shaped windows. Hardwearing and resistant to scratches, MDF shutters are ideal for busy families.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a high-quality lightweight material that is incredibly sturdy and reliable. Shutters made from hardwood last for years to come. Hardwood shutters are available in full-height, tier-on-tier, cafe style and tracked.

Hardwood shutters are more flexible than MDF shutters making them the perfect solution for window types, including unusual shaped windows. Hardwood shutters are available in a wide range of colours, helping to blend in with your decor.

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With something to suit every home, interior and budget, there’s something for everyone at Totally Shutters. To book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact us on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

4 Lighting Solutions for Dark Rooms

Summer is over, and the nights are getting darker earlier. If you’re looking to inject some light and brighten up a small room whatever the weather, these four lighting solutions are for you:

1. Make space for natural light

When it comes to getting natural light to enter a room, you must pay attention to the window. Heavy curtains can prevent light from entering a room, and blinds either block light or compromise your privacy. To maximise natural light without compromising your privacy, you need shutters.

For a dark room, we suggest opting for white shutters for maximum reflectively and light. Wide slats allow for the most light and they are the ideal option for dark rooms.

2. Add light sources

A dark room needs help from electric lighting. To ensure the room is well illuminated, team a ceiling pendant with other light sources such as floor and table lights. Consider accent lighting, which highlights particular features, such as an alcove or picture.

The finish of lighting can make a dark room brighter. Try metallic finishing such a copper or brass, or silver, to boost the light in the space.

3. Brighten with a mirror

To boost natural light for dark rooms, introduce a mirror. The bigger the mirror the better. Combine a large mirror with reflective white finishes and you’ll get excellent room-brightening results.

4. Go for light-coloured furniture

It’s important to check your furniture choices if your room is looking gloomy. Dark woods absorb light rather than reflecting it, making the room appear darker. Instead, opt for very pale wood finishes or consider revamping existing furniture in light-reflective colours.

 

To brighten up your home with plantation shutters, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963 to book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters on 0203 960 6963. All plantation shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Shutters for Christmas

Summer is over, and with less than 100 days until Christmas, your thoughts may be turning to how you can transform your home in time for the festive season. The answer – give your house the gift that keeps on giving with shutters for Christmas.

Enjoy the festive season in style

Your home plays a large part at Christmas. It’s the place where family and friends share gifts around the tree, sit down for a traditional dinner with all the trimmings, and cosy up around the fireplace playing games and sharing stories.

Shutters give you the perfect place to display cards, tinsel and decorations, and make a beautiful backdrop for the tree. As they give maximum light and privacy control, you will be able to adjust the louvres during the evenings, allowing those sparkling Christmas lights to be seen from the outside while maintaining your privacy inside.

As shutters have excellent insulation qualities, they will help keep your home warm and cosy while helping lower your utility bill. Plantation shutters really do add the perfect finishing touch to your home at Christmas and all year round.

 

If you order your made-to-measure shutters before Monday, 7th October, not only will you will guarantee installation before the festive period begins but up to 20% off your bill too.

For more information on shutters for Christmas, or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters on 0203 960 6963. All bathroom shutters come with a 5-year guarantee. T&C’s apply.

Maintaining Bathroom Shutters

Previously we have discussed why bathroom shutters are the ideal shutters for bathrooms but are they easy to maintain?

Built to last

Window coverings such as bathroom blinds and drapes can warp or become mildewed. These coverings often need replacing regularly to keep the room healthy and looking it’s best. However, bathroom shutters can cope with the high humidity of the bathroom.

Although bathroom shutters look like wooden shutters, they are made from UPVC and are 100% waterproof. Unlike other coverings, bathroom shutters can cope with splashes from the sink, bath or shower. With bathroom shutters, you don’t have to worry about regular replacement as they’re built to last.

Easy to clean

Bathrooms are filled with bacteria. To stop germs from spreading, it’s essential to keep your bathroom clean. An easy to clean window covering is fundamental as no one wants to spend unnecessary time cleaning.

As bathroom shutters are made from UPVC and are 100% waterproof, they won’t attract dirt. To keep them looking pristine, all they require is a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Bathroom shutters are easy to look after and clean, so you can rest assured your window treatment is germ-free.

 

Bathroom shutters are easy to maintain and offer the perfect window covering solution for bathrooms. For more information on shutters for bathrooms, or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters on 0203 960 6963. All bathroom shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.