2022 Home Improvements on a Budget

With utility bills rising, petrol increasing, and food prices soaring, home improvements may be the last thing on your mind. However, there are several cheap ways to improve your home without breaking the bank.

Refurbish your front door

The first thing you see when entering your home is the front door, so what better place to start? Over the years, elements can have a real effect, leaving it looking like it needs some TLC. Sanding the surface and applying a fresh coat of paint can leave your door looking brand new.

Repaint your interior doors

Another quick home improvement win is repainting your interior doors, cabinets and wooden furniture. With a quick lick of paint and some varnish, you can breathe new life into your home in no time.

Update your rugs

Changing your flooring is expensive and time-consuming – so why not add a throw rug that can help add another dimension and brighten up your room. A stair runner can also help improve the look of your stairs too.

Upgrade your window coverings

Plantation shutters are an investment that can help you save money over the years. Not only do they add value to your property, but they help improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your utility bills. They make your home stylish from inside and out, allowing for greater light control, helping to brighten up your home while maintaining privacy.

For more information on plantation shutters 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 Increase Home Security?

Plantation shutters bring many great benefits to your home, such as they help to reduce energy bills, increase the value of your property, reduce outside noise and increase light control. But did you know that plantation shutters can increase your home security too?

Approximately one-fifth of all unwanted household entries are through a window. Knowing this, it’s important to make your windows as secure as possible. Here is how shutters can help provide you with the secure window coverings you’ve been looking for:

Robustness

Compared to blinds and curtains, plantation shutters are more solid and robust. They are fixed to your window recess and intended to be a permanent fixture. Intruders would have to be extremely clever to get past your plantation shutters and keep noise to a minimum so as not to disturb you or your neighbours.

Privacy

Plantation shutters give you complete control over how much light can enter your home and privacy levels. As such, potential thieves cannot peer into your home and see your valuables.

Security

Plantation shutters are bespoke, made-to-measure and can be installed anywhere in your home. This means you can secure every window and be safe in the knowledge that your home is safe and looks fantastic too.

For more information on plantation shutters for extra home security 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.

The Noise Reduction Benefits of Plantation Shutters

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Outdoor noise can be a real distraction, preventing you from sitting back and relaxing or even sleeping. However, the installation of plantation shutters can help reduce the noise and creating a peaceful ambience.

What type of plantation shutters reduce road noise?

If you live on a street with consistent road traffic, solid shutters may be the solution for you. The solid panelled doors will block out most sounds when closed, allowing your home to be a peaceful escape from the outside world.

Made from solid hardwood and covering the entire window, solid shutters reduce noise and allow for a restful night’s sleep.

However, if the noise that enters your home isn’t too harsh, full-height and tier-on-tier plantation shutters are both perfect solutions to blocking out external noise.

Will louvred shutters help to keep my house quiet?

Both full-height and tier-on-tier louvred shutters have movable slats that can be adjusted to suit your requirements, whether that be to increase sunlight, increase privacy or block external noise.

If your street is noisy, the louvres can be closed to act as a second barrier on the window, making it harder for sound to travel into your home. Unlike other window coverings such as curtains and blinds, plantation shutters are fixed to the perimeter of the window, preventing external noise from travelling inside.

 

For more information on the noise reduction benefits of window shutters 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.

Decorate Your Home This Easter

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Easter is around the corner, with less than fourteen days until the holiday. And while it may be another one in lockdown, it doesn’t mean we cannot get into the Easter spirit. So, to help you get into the mood, we have put together a list of ideas to decorate your home for Easter that can continue into the rest of Spring.

Decorations Aren’t Just for Christmas

Consider your existing colour palette and choose decorations to complement your home. Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, and an Easter-themed one can add a little seasonal cheer to your front door. There are lots of ways to create a wreath; you could have daffodils or colourful eggs held together with wire.

Don’t forget to set your table for your Easter dinner. Tie napkins together with ribbon with traditional Easter imagery such as chicks or bunnies. Make it bright, fun and creative. Add colourful bunting around your home to extend the Easter theme.

Don’t Forget Flowers

Flowers make everything brighter, so bring the outdoors in with beautiful Spring floral arrangements. Add pink blossom branches along with daffodils and lavenders in a basket or vase by your plantation shutters. Enhance the floral scent with a diffuser, and your home will begin to look and smell like Spring.

Or the Chocolate

The best part about Easter is the sweet treats. Have a beautiful hamper of chocolate, hot cross buns and other treats to get you into the spirit. On the day, serve a delicious chocolate cake with Easter-themed decorations.

 

For more Easter-ideas, look on Pinterest. There are lots of fun ways to make the day and run-up fun. For more information on plantation shutters for your home or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All window shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Luxury Window Treatments at Affordable Prices

Plantation shutters are the most luxury and practical window solution out there but can seem out of budget for many homeowners. However, shutters don’t have to be an expensive investment.

Here at Totally Shutters, we have a wide range of made-to-measure plantation shutters available, ensuring we have a window treatment for every homeowner budget and interior taste.

If you’re wondering how to make plantation shutters more affordable, below we have provided some advice:

What type of shutters is the most affordable?

The style and material of your plantation shutters significantly impact the final price. Full height, solid, and tier-on-tier shutters are typically more expensive than cafe-style shutters as they cover the entire window, unlike cafe-style. Hardwood materials are considerably more expensive than other materials available.

The shape of your window and the colour of your shutters will also impact the price. Shaped shutters and shutters on a track system are slightly higher price. Our basic colour palette comes at no additional costs, whereas our custom colour matching service involves an extra charge.

How can I make plantation shutters more affordable?

At Totally Shutters we do offer a discount for those with considerable DIY skills who can install their made-to-measure plantation shutters themselves, however, this is not advised.

Instead, to make your plantation shutters more affordable, we suggest you take advantage of our online discounts that are available at selected times throughout the year.

Investing in plantation shutters

Whether you opt for full-height, tier-on-tier, solid or cafe-style shutters, you can rest in the knowledge our range of plantation shutters are an investment, adding value to your property and helping you save on energy bills.

For more information on affordable plantation shutters, 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 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.

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.

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.

How to Fix Your Plantation Shutter Slats

Plantation shutters are incredibly stylish, and once installed, a real source of pride and joy within your home. However, accidents happen and wear and tear can impact the overall appeal of your plantation shutters. In the rare event one of your louvres becomes damaged and requires repairing, don’t worry, as it’s a simple process that most DIYers can accomplish.

Fixing a plantation shutter with a tilt rod

Along with your replacement slat, Totally Shutters will send you staples to attach to the slat on the rod, and pins to attach the slat to the panel.

Firstly, you will need to remove the damaged slat. Using a pair of pliers, carefully snip the stable on the damaged slat and ease the slat from the push rod gently. Tapping with a wallpaper scraper gently between the slat and the solid upright section of the shutter panel will help dislodge the slat from the panel.

Now you’re ready to fit your new slat. First, take your replacement pins and insert on either side of the slat. Take the spring-loaded pin and push the larger section into the hole on the panel. Push the pin in and align the slat to the hole.

Next, you will need to attach the slat to the push rod. Take the shorter staple, dab a small amount of superglue on the end of the staple and insert it into the holes on the slat. Push the staple into the holes until it can’t go any further. If desired, you can touch up the staple to blend in with your panels.

 

In the unlikely event your plantation shutter slat has been damaged and needs replacing, call Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963 and we will send you a replacement slat promptly.

How Vegan is Your Home?

It’s Veganuary! With many participants swapping their diet and lifestyle to vegan for January.

As society grows, we are getting much less ignorant about the suffering of animals for human vanity, with veganism being as popular as ever in 2020. But veganism goes beyond dropping the meat and dairy. Animal-baed products are all around us, from the shoes we wear to the chairs we sit on.

As more and more people turning towards plant-based diets, we ask, is vegan decor on the rise, and how vegan are our homes?

Vegan homes on the rise

A recent survey conducted by Hillarys found more than two in three vegans admitted their homes weren’t vegan-friendly, with more than half (56%) struggling to adapt to a completely vegan lifestyle.

The main challenge for creating a more vegan-friendly was lack of knowledge, as more than half of respondents (56%) claimed they’d made some effort but struggled to know what products were and were not considered vegan.

However, more and more interior and furniture companies are making the shift towards vegan-friendly to not only stay on-trend and ahead of the market but to match their ethos and morals.

At Totally Shutters, we believe once more alternatives to leather and wool become available, more interior and furniture companies will adopt veganism and vegan homes will become more mainstream.

Start with small steps

We all want to do our bit and make our home’s more environmentally friendly, but it’s virtually impossible to immediately go all-in when it comes to veganism; making small steps and changes in our everyday life is what makes all the difference.

Start by ditching the leather, wool and silk, and when decorating your home, choose vegan-based paints. When sourcing furniture, choose a local company who manufacture their products in the UK to reduce your carbon footprint and always opt for a sustainable window solution.

 

For more information on the eco-friendly benefits of windows shutters, or to book your no obligation in-house survey, contact Totally Shutters today on 0203 960 6963. All shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.

Dog and Pet Proof Window Treatments

Even the best-behaved dogs can occasionally find themselves in a spot of mischief – something pet parents need to accept. But few household items seem to bear the brunt of bad behaviour than windows.

Of course, remote controls, pillows and shoes are commonly the main focal point of canine frustration, but window treatments are often destroyed in homes too.

Why do dogs damage window coverings?

There are many reasons why dogs unleash their destructive instincts on window treatments. Often boredom and separation anxiety are at play, but the main issue is a dog’s instinct to be territorial.

Often when dogs see people, pets or prey outside their home, they will bark or scratch at the window and often the window treatment suffers. Plantation shutters prevent dogs from seeing passersby outside and can prevent this behaviour from happening.

Characteristics to seek in dog-friendly window shutters

There are two main traits to look for when seeking a dog or pet-friendly window covering for your home. These include:

Cordless design

Dogs are curious creature, and when faced with a blind cord will naturally explore the foreign object. To prevent the dog from chewing, or worse, get caught on the dangling cord, it’s best to eliminate the problem with plantation shutters. All plantation shutters are cordless.

Complete window coverage

By covering the window entirely, you will prevent your dog from seeing the types of things that will prevent him/her barking, slobbering and destroying your window coverings. Made-to-measure plantation shutters are made to fit and cover your window entirely, the slats can be adjusted to stop your canine from seeing out while letting light in. The tilting of slats will also prevent the trapping of limbs.

 

Although not completely pet-proof window treatment, plantation shutters are ideal for homes with dogs. For more information 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.