According to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australians spent over 12 billion last year on home renovations and upgrades to beautify their home. With the trend showing no signs of slowing down, people are increasingly turning to Plantation Shutters in Sydney for a cost-effective way to dramatically improve the look of their home.
Plantation shutters are a great choice for any room of the home, but are especially suited to living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Installing shutters on each window in a room ensures consistency and design flow. Each shuttered room will feel complete, cohesive and full of character, as well as look beautiful.
They complement the style of any home
Plantation shutters are an ideal window treatment for Australian homes. Their tropical style suits our climate and outdoor lifestyle and brings a strong architectural aesthetic to both the inside and outside of the home. When the slats are open, plantation shutters allow air and light to flow through your home. Tilt the slats to the angle you require whilst still retaining privacy.
Plantation shutters are an elegant addition to the home that elevates the interior design, whether traditional or contemporary. They are timeless in their visual appeal, and if your decor changes, plantation shutters may be able to be repainted at a later time.
Put shutters on every window in the room
Plantation shutters are a great option for any room of the home, but are especially suited to living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Installing shutters on each window in a room ensures consistency and design flow. Each shuttered room will feel complete, cohesive and full of character, and look beautiful too!
Plantation shutters are also a smart choice for those with a pet dog. When the shutters are tilted to let the light in, they will still prevent your dog from barking at every person who walks past the house. In some instances, shutters can be designed with a split-tilt, which allows the top section to be open while the bottom stays closed.
Combine shutters with curtains or drapes
Shutters are extremely versatile and the perfect partner to other window treatments. With plantation shutters you are never limited to just one type of window treatment on your windows.
Plantation shutters do not completely block out the light. If you are planning to add them to bedroom windows, you will need blackout curtains as well. Ceiling mounted blackout curtains work well with plantation shutters, allowing easy access to the windows and darkening the room at night.
For older homes with 1950’s style windows, plantation shutters can add architectural shape and modern style. In living areas, adding curtains alongside shutters brings softness. You can even pair plantation shutters with sheer curtains. With the shutters tilted and windows open, sheer curtains provide movement and beauty to your room.
Use them to enhance the size of the room
One of the biggest advantages of plantation shutters is that it makes the room look larger and more spacious – yet also intimate and cosy. White plantation shutters ensure light enters and bounces around the room while providing privacy. With plantation shutters in place, you may also find that you don’t require as much overhead lighting. A sense of space becomes most important in smaller homes and apartments, so using lamps in your shuttered rooms also makes the rooms feel larger.
Coordinate the furniture and decor
White plantation shutters are designed to brighten and open up any room. The plantation shutters’ timeless style will complement prints, paintings, curtains and a variety of decor. Whether you have a minimalist or Hamptons-style interior, or a more decorative one, plantation shutters can match any style or colour scheme. Shutters can also be a feature element in the room. You can hang artwork alongside the shutters for a tasteful, well-lit display that seamlessly coordinates with your throws, cushions and furniture.
Let natural light change your room and mood
Having a horizontal louvre makes it easy to control light and privacy. Plantation shutters block out 90% of light when closed and the frame of a shutter prevents movement so there is no rattling or moving in the wind. Plantation Shutters can be hinged, bi-fold or sliding to give more versatility with light and privacy control. When the slats are open, plantation shutters allow air and light to flow through your home. Tilt the slats to the angle you require whilst still retaining privacy. They also offer a good architectural line to the window or door with easy maintenance. Shutters can be custom-made for all types and sizes of windows and doors.
Optimise their energy-efficiency
As mentioned earlier, plantation shutters let you control the amount of light getting into a room. At the same time, they are an excellent form of insulation to keep the cold of winter and heat of summer from entering the home, making it possible to control the amount of heat or cold within your home. The insulation properties of plantation shutters maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the home. For instance, during the cold winter months, keeping your shutters closed will trap the heat generated from the stove and oven within the kitchen. This drastically reduces your heating bills as you can set the thermostat lower to make your home more energy efficient.
Upgrade the kitchen and laundry
The biggest impact that plantation shutters can make in the home is in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home, which makes the sleek style and practical functionality of plantation shutters ideally suited to kitchens. Plantation shutters are popular for wet areas of your home, such as the laundry, bathroom or kitchen for this very reason – they are sturdy and resistant to humidity and moisture. You can make a strong design statement even in these functional rooms. You can even extend your plantation shutters to storage areas within your home. For example, you may use plantation shutters to hide an open laundry or wardrobe. Plantation shutters can also fill a void in a wall, breaking up an open-plan space with multiple purposes. Custom-made plantation shutters means you can install them anywhere to complete the style of your home.
Low maintenance for long lasting style
Plantation shutters add low maintenance charm and elegance. They are easy to clean and do not require heavy maintenance. On a regular basis, remove dirt and dust with a vacuum. If your shutters are extra dirty, wipe them down with white vinegar to keep them clean. Interior shutters gather dust, which is why it is essential to clean them regularly. Wipe the dust off each slat of interior shutters with a dry or microfiber cloth. You can also use the vacuum with a dry brush attachment on a low setting to clean each slat. The slats don’t move around, so you can easily wipe off dust, fingerprints and even grease and grime due to the special coating on most shutter slats. This will guarantee that they keep their pristine look for decades.
Less is more when choosing a panel layout
Having your plantation shutters custom-made means you can select the exact panel layout that will enhance your windows. If you aren’t sure what to choose, always opt for the least complex design. The first step in selecting your panel configuration is to follow the window. Following the window will ensure all your windows open seamlessly to let in the fresh air, and your room will have a natural flow.
You must also consider how the shutters will look from both inside and outside your home. An uncomplicated panel layout will provide the most aesthetically pleasing exterior to give you the full style benefits.
Final thoughts
Plantation Shutters are the No.1 upgrade for new and existing homes in Sydney. When you look at the many benefits, you can clearly see why. Not only do they improve the look of any room and add a classic style that is always on trend, but they are great insulators to keep your power bills down, they let you control the light, and ultimately they add value to your home, should you decide to sell in the future.
When you decide to buy plantation shutters, it is important to know all the options available so that your interior upgrade or renovation is rewarding and lasts for decades. A plantation shutter purchase can be significant, but the improved visual appeal, light control, and increased value to your home make it a worthwhile one.