4 Hot Interior Trends Right Now

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Many homeowners like to stay on top of interior design trends, incorporating “what’s hot” into their home styling. At Totally Shutters, we have been keeping our finger on the pulse of interior trends to consider for your home:

Bold primary colours

Contrasting two or three primary colours against an understated background can create a striking visual in your room, impacting both the room’s space and shape.

A simple way to inject colour and make a statement into your room is with plantation shutters, available in a range of different colours and finishes, as well as our custom colour service.

Shabby chic

The shabby chic interior trend is here to stay. The interior trend adds character to a room and can be achieved through multiple avenues including, exposing wood or brickwork on walls and furniture or usage of vintage throws and cushions.

With shabby chic, the busier the room, the more character the space. Stained wooden plantation shutters complement this design.

Statement vases

Statement vases are a great way to add something different to your room. Depending on your preference, you can go as big and as bold as you like. Big statement vases will give your room a design feature and provide a talking point. They also look great on your windowsill, in front of plantation shutters.

Bring the outdoors in

Another timeless interior design trend is plants. As people have been spending more time at home due to lockdown, there has been a significant increase in plants around the home. From indoor plants and flowers to herbs, there are plenty of choices for your home.

For more information on wooden plantation shutters 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.

Keeping Cool With Your Plantation Shutters

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The UK has experienced some extraordinary weather changes and temperatures over the last few weeks, with temperatures reaching over 39 degrees in some areas.

As many of us struggled to sleep at night or work from home during the day, we know you will have been clutching on ways to keep cool. So here are some tips to stay cool on days where the heat feels too hot to handle:

Plantation shutters

Plantation shutters are ideal for warm days when temperatures are soaring, as they are fantastic for helping with temperature control in rooms. Closing your shutters in front of an open window will ensure that a breeze can still blow through the room and keep the room ventilated while the angling of the slats will prevent light from shining through.

As plantation shutters increase privacy levels, you can wear whatever you need to ensure your body temperature is cool without passersby observing.

Fans

There is a range of options when it comes to home fans. However, putting a bowl of ice in front of the fan is a great way to ensure that cold air is blowing on you when positioned correctly. Another option is to have a mister spray bottle next to the bed and occasionally spray yourself to cool down.

Lower your duvet tog

Many of us have a preference for our duvet thickness, but for a good night’s sleep, the ideal duvet may change throughout the year. For hot summer months, a duvet tog of 1.0-4.5 is recommended for keeping cool on an evening. Whereas a mid-range tog of 7.0-10.5 is ideal for autumn and spring.

For more information on plantation shutters for summer 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.

Choose Wooden Shutters for Your Home

For all-year-round cosiness in your home, choose wooden shutters. They add a touch of luxury, warmth and character to your windows. Here’s how to create your ideal look with our hardwood shutter range.

Why wooden shutters?

Whether stained or painted, wooden plantation shutters are the most practical and stylish window dressing. They give you complete control over light and privacy, they offer excellent heat insulation, and they’re easy to maintain.

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

Wooden shutters for all interiors

Wooden shutters compliment all properties and interiors too. For a rustic, industrial interior, dark plantation shutter stains will flatter the scheme. Whereas for a French-chic interior, a cafe style wooden shutters in a subtle wooden stain would look ideal.

If you’re the type that likes to change your interior every few years, wooden shutters are timeless and will suit any decor scheme change over the years. White shutters are our most popular plantation shutter option as the clean edge suits all decorations.

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

Ticking Off Your Home Renovations

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Home renovations are stressful, as your home becomes a building site, and lengthy works can leave you feeling hopeless as though there is no end in sight. Many of our customers choose to invest in plantation shutters while undergoing home renovations as the finishing touch to work undergone.

Whether you’re undergoing renovations and at a standstill with the amount of work that needs requiring, or seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of works, here are some tips from our shutter specialists to help you pull through:

Focus on your priorities

Home renovations can get overwhelming very quickly. A great way to keep grounded is to set your priorities and keep yourself focused on them. Although, it’s exciting for your dream interiors to become a reality, not everything needs to be complete at once.

Get the basics out of the way first; walls, floors, windows and their dressings. Home decoration can sway your attention or budget, but decoration is not a key component of your interior, it’s worth investing in longer lasting components for a little more for better quality.

Organise your time and budget

When it comes to home renovations, some things can be delayed or be more costly due to unforeseen circumstances. Keep this in mind when you’re organising timings and budgets.

You will likely have your budget set early in the process, so try to stick to this figure as the renovations take place. Keeping a spreadsheet to keep on top of finances is a good idea.

Trust your experts

If you have paid for experts to complete work, such as our shutter specialists, trust their experience and enjoy the moment to kick back and relax whilst they do their thing. You will be able to enjoy looking through the finished works once completed.

 

For more information on installing plantation shutters during your home renovations 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.

What is the Best Window Coverings for Large Windows?

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Do you have large windows in your home and are wondering what the best window coverings for large windows are? Are you looking for a low maintenance treatment that offers practicality whatever the weather while looking exceptionally stylish and elegant? There is a perfect solution available, and it is plantation shutters.

Best Window dressings for large windows

Window dressings include curtains, drapes, different types of blinds and plantation shutters. However, the only window dressing that can stand the test of time while offering outstanding practicality is plantation shutters.

Plantation shutters are constructed with horizon panels called louvres that can be easily adjusted to open or close according to your preference. There is a wide range of styles available, including tier-on-tier, full height, cafe-style and solid panels, made from a range of materials from hardwood, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and PVC.

Shutters on tracks

For large windows and patio doors, shutters on tracks are the ideal window covering. When combined with a tracked system, full height shutters create a stylish, timeless, suitable all year round and practical solution. The panels can be guided and supported in two ways:

Bi-fold

Supported by rollers at the top of a single track and a single guide channel at the bottom, bi-fold shutters fold back in a concertina form to allow full access to the window behind.

By-pass

With two sets of tracks and guide channels that run parallel, the shutters slide along the tracks in a single line, allowing each shutter panel to slide effortlessly past one another.

Both bi-fold and by-pass tracked shutters offer a smooth transition between open and closed. They allow for full privacy for homeowners with large windows.

For more information on shutters for large windows 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.

Shutter Styles to Steal from Design Experts

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You’ve decided that your windows would benefit from the style and practicality of plantation shutters, but have you worked out what overall look you’re hoping to achieve?

At Totally Shutters, we are often inspired by designers across the world, as they share their interior creations in magazines, on design boards and social media networks such as Houzz, Pinterest and Instagram. So, we thought we’d share some of our favourite shutter styles from interior-designed private homes, restaurants and swanky hotels.

Shutters with curtains

Plantation shutters are often styled with curtains in interior design. A soft curtain layered on top of the plantation shutters creates a delicate sheer style. Whereas a heavier curtain, such as velvet or linen for instance, then insulation levels will be exceptionally high.

Shutters in all-white setting

There’s something dreamy about an all-white aesthetic with white shutters. Add a few contrast elements such as colour-popping cushions, throws, and art, to make a real impact that will never go out of style.

Colour popping shutters

Plantation shutters can add a splash of colour to an all-white setting. With our colour matching service, we can make your plantation shutters in virtually any shade, making them a real show stopper.

Grey shutters that match the walls

Light grey walls look great with white plantation shutters, but for something different, darker grey solid wood shutters look fantastic while making a stark contrast. Try in the living room or bedroom with copper or brass light fittings and accessories for a true designer look.

For more inspiration, check out our regularly updated Instagram page, @TotallyShutters for plantation shutter styles we have recently completed.

For more information on plantation shutter and window maintenance, 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.

Reducing Heat Loss With Plantation Shutters

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder, as Winter is just around the corner, homeowners are looking for new ways to reduce heat loss to control their heating bills.

Plantation shutters provide an excellent way to improve energy efficiency in your home. According to a recent study by The English Heritage, when closed, shutters can reduce heat loss through a window by more than 50%.

If you’re looking for ways to conserve energy, reduce heat loss, lower heating bills and improve home comfort, plantation shutters are the solution for you.

Are Plantation Shutters Really Energy-Efficient?

In short, yes. Plantation shutters are the most energy-efficient window dressing on the market and will help reduce heat loss in the winter months and reflect heat in the summer. Plantation shutters are great insulators, trapping the cold air between your shutter and window.

Do Plantation Shutters Prevent Heat Loss?

Plantation shutters are the best way to prevent heat loss through the window. When the shutter panels and louvres are closed, they can reduce heat by more than 50%. This percentage increases with secondary glazing.

Do Window Shutters Keep Heat In?

As plantation shutters add a layer of insulation to your window, they will keep the warm air in your room and block out any draughts. The solid material of shutters provides a more effective solution to other window solutions such as blinds and curtains.

 

For more information on reducing heat loss in your home with 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 Plantation Shutter Material for your Window

Often, some customers feel overwhelmed by the many plantation shutter solutions they’re faced with, which is perfectly normal when deciding the best solution. But, Totally Shutters are on hand to help walk through the entire process one step and one decision at a time.

In this blog post, we will discuss the different plantation materials that we offer, each possessing its unique advantages. The two materials that we offer for our plantation shutters are Paulownia hardwood and waterproof UPVC:

Paulownia Hardwood

Our Paulownia Hardwood shutters are a great choice if you’re looking for a particular colour of shutters, as they can come in a wide range of colours and stains.

Paulownia is a strong and lightweight hardwood that comes from a sustainable source. Boasting an engineered core, Paulownia offers excellent dimensional stability, reducing the possibility of warping.

Paulownia offers exceptional stability which is perfect for high access areas. Due to its engineered core, Paulownia offers excellent dimensional stability which hugely reduces warping.

Due to the hardwood construction, Paulownia shutters aren’t as waterproof as our UPVC shutters.

UPVC shutters

UPVC shutters are sturdy and immune to damage from water. If direct water contact or moisture is a concern, UPVC shutters is the perfect choice.

UPVC shutters are most popular for kitchens and bathrooms. They look great behind your sink, where there is always potential for a splash, or in a wet room where they will get direct contact with water.

Not only that, UPVC shutters are our most affordable shutter material and come in a number of different styles.

 

For more information on finding the right plantation shutters for your home, 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.

Planning a Loft Conversion? Get Your Window Dressing Right

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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.

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.

Wood or MDF Shutters?

Plantation shutters are increasingly gaining popularity in the UK as more homeowners discover the benefits of the window covering. However, with many different options available, it can be hard to know which shutter option is best.

The two commonly used materials are wood (namely, basswood and paulownia hardwood) and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) – but what’s the difference between the two and which should you opt for in your own home?

Note: although wood and MDF are the most popular materials used to manufacture window shutters, there are many more materials to consider. But for now, this blog post weighs up the pros and cons of both wood and MDF shutters to help you decide between the two.

Wood Shutters

Pros

  • Wood is stronger than MDF making it more suitable for larger openings where a more sturdy fixture is required (i.e. doorways and bay windows)
  • A natural material, the different grains and finishes of wood can add charm and authenticity to your shutters
  • Wood is lighter than MDF and is, therefore, easier to use and install
  • Different types of wood is available, each coming with a variety of individual qualities and benefits
  • Wood comes with various colours and finishes to suit any style of home interior

Cons

  • Due to the high quality of the material, wood is pricier than MDF
  • Susceptible to humidity, wood shutters are not suitable for rooms that are humid (i.e. bathrooms and kitchens)

MDF

Pros

  • Made from various different woods and topped with a plastic coating, MDF shutters are a lot more durable than wood shutters
  • MDF shutters have a natural appearance and can be difficult to distinguish from expensive real wood options
  • As MDF shutters have a plastic coating they’re a lot easier to clean
    Cheaper than wood, MDF shutters are a great choice for people on a budget

Cons

  • MDF is available in fewer colours than wood
  • MDF heavier than wood and harder to install
  • Somewhat less flexible than wood, MDF shutters have limited placement options available when it comes to intricate shapes and designs

 

For more information on wood, MDF and other shutter options available, or to book your free no obligation in-house survey, contact us today on 0203 960 6963. All shutters come with a 5-year guarantee.