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Welcome to the world of interior design, where every choice you make has the power to transform your home into a haven of style and comfort. While furniture and colour schemes often take centre stage, it's essential not to overlook the impact of window coverings on the overall mood of a room.

So let’s explore "The Psychology of Interior Design," and uncover how the shutters and blinds you choose can play a pivotal role in influencing the atmosphere of your home. Get ready to delve into the subtle psychological elements that can make your window coverings more than just functional additions to your space.

Let there be Light!

Imagine waking up to the gentle embrace of sunlight filtering through your shutters, casting a warm glow across your bedroom. Light has a profound effect on our mood and well-being, and the ability to control it through your window coverings is a key element of interior design. Here are some considerations for influencing the natural light in your home:

Natural Light Boosts Productivity

It’s no secret that exposure to natural light can elevate your mood and even enhance your productivity. With adjustable window coverings, like plantation shutters, you have the freedom to regulate the amount of sunlight entering your space, creating a bright and invigorating atmosphere that encourages positive emotions and great focus.

Creating Cosy Spaces and Privacy with Elegant Blinds

On the other hand, there are moments when we crave a cosy, intimate ambiance. Panel Glide blinds come in a huge range of fabrics to provide the perfect solution, allowing you to soften the harshness of external light and create a warm, snug environment. This is particularly beneficial during the cooler months, creating a sense of privacy and relaxation.

Colour Psychology in Window Coverings

When selecting your awnings, shutters or blinds, you’ll often be faced with a range of colour options and tones, so how to choose? For a calm and serene space, cool-toned blinds and curtains in white, serene blues, soft greens or a neutral palette can contribute to a calming atmosphere. These light colours are often associated with tranquillity and can turn your space into a peaceful retreat, ideal for bedrooms or relaxation areas.

In contrast, opting for warm-toned window coverings, such as rich browns or earthy reds, can add a touch of welcoming warmth and cosiness. These hues create an inviting atmosphere, making your living areas feel more comfy and sociable.

Material Choices to Create Texture

Looking for luxurious elegance or modern sophistication? The material of your shutters or blinds can evoke different emotions. Timber plantation shutters, for example, provide a sense of timeless elegance and earthy, natural warmth. Their organic texture can instil a connection to nature, promoting a grounded and balanced ambiance to your space. Whereas, if you’re keen for a more modern and sleek aesthetic, aluminium venetian blinds offer a stylish, functional alternative. Their smooth surfaces and metallic finish contribute to a more contemporary atmosphere, perfect for minimalist or industrial-inspired homes.

Conclusion

As you embark on refreshing or renovating your home’s interior, remember that shutters and blinds are not only practical additions but also powerful tools that can shape the mood and atmosphere of your home.

Whether you're aiming for a vibrant, energising space or a serene, calming retreat, the psychology of interior design comes alive through thoughtful choices in both soft furnishing and window coverings. So, don’t underestimate the transformative potential of shutters and blinds, and let the mood-altering magic unfold in your Aussie abode.

Regardless of your personal style and interior design dreams, the team at Factory Direct Shutters Awnings and Blinds is here to help you find the right window treatment to take advantage of the direction of your windows and doors.

Get our Free, Expert Advice on Shutters and Blinds to Suit the Psychology of your Home

If you’re having any trouble deciding on the best window treatments for the direction of your windows and doors, our team of specialists at Factory Direct Shutters Awnings and Blinds can help you make the right choice.

IWe bring our mobile showroom to you to select the best solutions for your home or workspace.  Contact us online or call now on 1300 077 125 for an obligation-free measure and quote, or free advice on the right product for your space.

As the Australian summer brings sunshine, warmth, and long days, it's the perfect time to roll out the barbie, invite your mates over and make the most of your home’s indoor-outdoor living areas.

To beat the heat and get the best out of your home and entertaining spaces this summer, let’s explore how you can achieve an amazing indoor-outdoor living set up using a variety of our diverse window covering solutions. How about these ideas to get you started?

Pair Sliding Glass Doors with Elegant Sheer Curtains 

Sliding glass doors are a popular choice in many homes for connecting your indoor and outdoor spaces. Pair them with sheer curtains to create an inviting and breezy atmosphere. Sheer curtains provide a soft and light quality to your interior while allowing you to maintain a gentle visual connection with the outdoors. They let the light filter in beautifully, creating a fresh and bright, airy vibe while offering a little protection from the sun’s rays.

Plantation Shutters as an Alternative on Sliding Glass Doors

Looking for something a little sturdier than a sheer curtain, with the added bonus of extra privacy? One of the best options for covering sliding doors are plantation shutters. They look sophisticated, allow adjustable light and breeze flow, and are a durable option that last for years.

Zipscreens Create a Bug Free Dining Area

Zipscreens are great for decks, patios and balconies and are a game-changer when it comes to extending the usability of your space by creating a beautiful, bug-free outdoor dining area. Imagine enjoying an evening meal with your family in the fresh air of the outdoors, without the constant buzz of flies and mozzies. Not only do they keep unwanted bugs at bay but also help to filter sunlight and regulate temperature, ensuring an intimate atmosphere for your outdoor dining space.

Enclose Outdoor Areas with Balcony Blinds 

If you have an outdoor entertaining area or veranda, why not consider installing outdoor enclosures with balcony blinds for excellent weather protection? These blinds are designed to protect your outdoor space from the harsh sun, wind, or light rain and not only do they create a cosy atmosphere but also add versatility to your veranda or outdoor living area. When you're entertaining guests or just looking for shade, rolling down the blinds is a simple solution to extend the use of your veranda in all weather.

Awnings Create Shade for All Day Functionality 

A strategically placed awning can provide the perfect amount of shade for your alfresco living spaces. Folding arm awnings are a great option for covering large areas, such as pools, patios and outdoor entertainment zones. Their retractable fabric roof system gives you the flexibility to block or permit sunlight as required. Automate your awning for extra style and simplicity!

And while you’re sprucing up your home for summer, don’t forget those all important finishing touches to really bring in the summer feels:

Focus on Lightweight Textiles and Summer Prints 

It’s time to ditch those heavy curtains and throws. Opt for breezy, lightweight textiles that scream summer. Think about throw pillows with nautical prints to give your space a touch of beach chic, and don't forget stylish, lightweight throws for those slightly chilly summer evenings.

Indoor Plants

Create that seamless transition from deck to dining room with a little pop of foliage indoors. Potted house plants and fresh flowers not only add colour; they also do wonders for your indoor air quality.

Outdoor Lighting

Summer nights are made for outdoor gatherings, right? So, invest in the latest outdoor lighting to create a warm and welcoming vibe. String lights, lanterns, and solar-powered garden lights can transform your outdoor space into a cosy wonderland after dark.

Summer Scents

Last but not least, let's ignite all the senses and set the mood with summery scents. Stock up on delicious candles or fill a diffuser with fragrances like lemon, coconut, or vanilla.

Ready to get your home summer ready? Get our Free Advice on Creating your own indoor-outdoor living space.

When it comes to beating the heat and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living space, we've got the answer at Factory Direct Shutters! We know the best materials and styles to suit your home and can bring our showroom with materials and styles direct to you.

If you are looking for convenience, quality and reliability, along with expert advice, get in touch online or give us a call on 1300 077 125. Our experienced, friendly team will be happy to offer a free measure and quote and help you select the perfect solutions to enhance your home for summers!

How to Choose the Best Window Treatment for your Home

Whether you need a quick fix for a room with no window treatments or to add a touch of elegance to your home that lasts almost a lifetime, shutters and blinds both do a great job of controlling the light entering your home and providing comfort and privacy. What you choose can dramatically impact the appearance of the rooms in your home and there are many other factors to weigh up such as insulation properties, cost, longevity of the material, and maintenance requirements. Factory Direct Shutters Awnings and Blinds specialises in providing quality and affordable solutions for plantation shutters, blinds and a range of other window treatments and security options and can help you make the right choice for your budget, room and style preferences.

Here are some simple guidelines to keep in mind when comparing products and weighing up the benefits of plantation shutters versus blinds and where best to install them.

Quality vs. Budget

Shutters and blinds play a key role in the interior design and comfort of your home. Choosing the right option largely depends on your budget, personal preferences and their placement. Really consider what custom features you’d prefer to include too, such as cordless blinds if you have young children, or motorised blinds to make life more seamless, adjust for the weather or if you have hard-to-reach windows.

Whether it’s your first home or you’ve had loads of experience choosing window treatments, it never hurts to consider some simple guidelines when deciding on window coverings. When it comes to picking shutters or blinds, take time with your choice as you will be looking at them and through them every day. Better to weigh up the pros and cons of several options before installing them and having buyer’s remorse!

It’s always best to choose quality products that fit your needs and reflect your unique personal aesthetic. Purchasing the best quality window coverings you can afford is worthwhile because chances are they will last longer too. There’s a common misconception that blinds are better because they can be cheaper than shutters, but when weighing up how much shutters cost, it’s worth considering their upkeep and longevity because sometimes shutters can be the most cost-effective in the long run.

Need Help?

Our specialists at Factory Direct Shutters Awnings and Blinds are the experts, so let us help you. There’s no need to get overwhelmed about which window treatments to choose from. With decades of experience on the styles, materials, and variations of window treatments to suit different needs, we’re more than happy to help you to make the right decision on choosing between shutters and blinds.

Contact one of our team members today on 1300 077 125 and we’ll bring the showroom to you!

Benefits of Blinds

Blinds are a reliable and versatile window treatment that can fit any style and provide good air flow, light control and temperature regulation to be comfortable in your home. They come in a huge range of materials, fabrics, colours, textures and even patterns. Wooden blinds provide an earthy feeling to a home, while neutral tones in white or beige can be better to create a more industrial or modern vibe. So whether you prefer a home design that’s modern, traditional, boho or country, blinds can add a sophisticated look to really link the whole place together.

Something to consider when deciding between blinds or shutters is that blinds tend to suit smaller rooms with less space and can be paired with drapes or curtains to create a cozy, snug feeling. Whereas shutters can work better in more spacious, vast areas such as entertaining areas.

Blind Benefits

  • Affordable
  • Ideal for smaller rooms
  • Huge range of materials and colours
  • Good air/light flow

Advantages of Plantation Shutters 

White shutters in bedroom

Plantation shutters offer a traditional and timeless look to any home with wider louvers than blinds which allow more light through. Many people don’t consider the maintenance that window treatments require when choosing what’s best for their home either. It’s worth keeping in mind how frequently you’ll need to access your shutters or blinds for cleaning. With large louvers, typical of plantation and other shutters, less time cleaning is necessary and it’s easier due to the larger amount of space between each louver.

Shutters add a lot of texture to the design of a home too. One of the many benefits of shutters is that they can be mounted inside or outside of the window frame. Typically, homeowners prefer neutral and natural clean wood finishes or white for a traditional look with plantation shutters. By painting plantation shutters with bright colours, you can really personalise a space to suit your style and your home’s design.

Perhaps the best feature of shutters though is that they really become a part of the room, instead of just blending into the background. Whether it’s natural wood tones, crisp-and-clean white, or painted a vibrant colour, shutters can become a beautiful feature in your home. Since shutters can be tailor-made to fit most window sizes, they help add style and texture in those weird-shaped or difficult to decorate rooms.

Shutters Advantages

  • Timeless elegance
  • Longevity – they’ll last for 25 years or more
  • Ideal for larger areas
  • Great air/light flow

Weighing up the Costs

A challenge many people have when making the choice between blinds versus shutters is the cost. Usually shutters cost more compared with blinds, but there are long-term benefits which can well and truly offset that initial cost. Plantation shutters win out over blinds in the long run too because blinds typically last four to five years, whereas shutters can last 25 years or more with the proper care.

It is also worth considering the energy efficiency benefits of plantation shutters in your home. During summer, shutters are better at blocking out harmful UV rays that making our homes unbearably hot. Shutters also help reduce your power bills, especially in winter because they help regulate the internal temperature more than blinds.

Another benefit of shutters is that the resale value of your home can be increased compared with blinds as shutters are permanently fixed. The elegant and timeless look of shutters improves the appeal to potential buyers when you decide to sell your home. In this way, it’s again a greater return on the initial investment when choosing shutters over blinds.

How to Choose Between Plantation Shutters vs. Blinds 

Still torn? Both plantation shutters and blinds are fantastic options, and both have advantages and disadvantages when installed in your home. Both have wonderful features for enhancing the light, privacy and design of your home. A simple rule of thumb to follow is that blinds can be better optimised in smaller rooms, while shutters work brilliantly in bigger areas like loungerooms. It may also simply come down to budget. If it’s simply out of reach financially to install shutters, then the decision is made for you.

Get our Free, Expert Advice on Choosing Shutters and Blinds

Blinds and plantation shutters are both outstanding choices to install in your home. If you’re having any trouble deciding between the two, our team of specialists at Factory Direct Shutters Awnings and Blinds can bring mobile showroom to you and give you experienced and professional advice on options, styles, colours, and textures.

Contact us online or call now on 1300 077 125 for a free measure and quote, or free advice on the right product for your space.

We’ve all found ourselves tangled up in the various parts of vertical blinds or wrestling them to get outside quickly or visa versa. They’re dated, break easily, sway when you move the door or window and are horrible to keep clean. While it was once hard to find window treatments for sliding doors that allow enough coverage and make it possible to open and close sliding doors, there’s now quite a few more options available, which make a powerful design statement too. One of the best options for covering sliding doors are plantation shutters. They look sophisticated, allow adjustable light and breeze flow, and they last for eons, no matter how much you use your door. No trips, no tangles, no irritating flapping noise with the breeze, and no flashbacks to the 80s!

Plantation Shutters Cover Sliding Doors Better Than Vertical Blinds

Louvered shutters are fixed to the wall around your sliding door or are affixed to your opening<>closing doors and never move. Even when you open the door, your shutters will keep the glass covered as you slide the door back in place. By comparison vertical blinds hang from a track, and sway and swing every time you move them, creating jangling noises and potential for wear and tear. If you have a sliding glass door, the sturdy panels of shutters slide back and forth along a track. Either way, the more solid materials don’t bend or break, so you there’s no gaps possible compared with when a vertical blind fixture breaks creating an eyesore and ruining privacy or light blockage. When plantation shutters are installed on sliding doors, no one can see in so long as you have the panels and louvers closed. It also blocks out the sunlight and any harsh weather conditions such as strong wind or cold air.

Interior Shutters last longer Than Verticals

Window treatments on a sliding door need to withstand a lot of activity and the elements such as sun, cold and heat, plus the usual wear and tear from using them. This makes  stronger interior shutters a better option than vertical blinds. Their thick, solid louvers don’t flex or break apart from regular use or when your family members and pets knock into them. If you’re worried about the cold, heat, sun, or other weather elements negatively impacting them, then check out our Vivace Internal Aluminium Shutters. These lockable, cyclone rated shutters will last decades no matter how much traffic goes through the doors. They still provide the stunning traditional plantation shutter look and are available in a range of matt-finish colours. You can also add insect screens to further enhance the functionality of your aluminium shutters for all climates.

Shutters Are More Elegant and Timeless Than Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds have been around for ages and no longer fit with modern décor which prefers natural materials and connecting the outdoors with the indoors. They can take us back to 80s and 90s corporate offices and many are made from flimsy, cheap looking materials. While interior shutters have been around for more than 500 years there’s a reason for that –

they have a timeless elegance, which suits all types of aesthetic. Check out our blog on the Ancient Origins of Plantation Shutters for more information. Match other wood tones in your home with classic hardwood shutters or check out the range of colour schemes to fit well with your design style.

>> Shop Plantation Shutters

Shutters Insulate Your Screen Doors Better Than Vertical Blinds

Sliding doors pose a problem for energy efficiency in houses. Their large areas of glass magnify the sun’s heat and warm up your house in summer. At the same time, cold drafts can sneak in around their frame in winter. Both issues drive up your energy costs as your heating and cooling system works overtime to maintain a consistent temperature inside.

The Vertical Blind slats don’t fit tightly against each other or the door frame to block heat and cold like shutters can. Alto Polyresin shutters and others in our range can block a significant amount of temperature transfer when closed. They include weatherstripping that keeps out most drafts, and their louvers block out harmful and harsh UV rays when closed.

Looking for Alternatives to Vertical Blinds for Your Sliding Door? 

Talk to us at Factory Direct Shutters and Blinds. We can help you choose the best solutions that are ultimate in style, security and durability.

When you need window treatments for a tricky sliding door or another large window, we can help navigate the best solutions. Get in touch online or give us a call on 1300 077 125. Our experienced, friendly team will be happy to bring the mobile showroom to you and help you select the perfect solutions to enhance your home.

With Autumn gently making itself felt, Winter is just around the corner. This means cool to cold nights and higher electricity bills. (Gulp..) As temperatures drop, it therefore becomes much more important to keep our houses warm, comfortable and most importantly to reduce heating costs!

When it comes to keeping your family and your house cosy, having shutters installed in your home can make a huge difference to comfort and living costs. In this blog we explore shutter options to enhance the warmth, comfort and appearance of your home.

Keeping Heat in

Windows are certainly designed to let light and air into a room, but they also let a considerable amount of heat out. Did you know that a huge amount of heat is lost through windows? It’s about 30% of a home’s heating energy in fact. That’s why your window treatment needs to be a priority before winter hits. Having Plantation Shutters installed ensures you keep the cold out and the warmth in.

Shutters Allow Sunlight in 

Plantation shutters also allow you to adjust the amount of sunlight that enters your living areas and other parts of the home you need to keep regulated, like the bedrooms.

During Autumn and Winter you can open the louvres of your plantation shutters and allow sunlight to enter the room and help heat it up. When plantation shutters are installed, it’s possible to ensure there is no gap around the window edges when closed. This helps trap heat inside your home.

A plantation shutter can reduce heat loss better than a curtain or blind.

Shutters Provide Best Adjustability

Of all the types of window treatments plantation shutters can be easily adjusted to suit any weather conditions. On cold winter days and nights shutters keep the warmth in by preventing cool air from entering the home. On warmer, sunnier days, just adjust the slats on your plantation shutters to increase how much sunlight enters.

Whether they’re installed in the living room, bedrooms, kitchen or elsewhere, Plantation Shutters will add a touch of class to your home and keep your family comfortable during the colder months.

Keeping Bills Down and Warmth Up

Winter weather often brings with it an increase in electricity usage, and your wallet may feel the sting! But with the right window treatment, you can keep the bills down and stay warm at the same time.

Plantation Shutters not only add timeless elegance to your home, but they can also play a major role in reducing heating costs and ensuring your house stays snug during winter months.

Plantation Shutters are one of the most insulating window treatments on the market. They provide an insulative barrier between the inside and outside of your house by trapping cold air between the window and the shutter and absorbing extremes in temperature.

Looking for Advice on Winter Window Furnishings?

The colder months are approaching, so let us help you create your very own winter hideaway. Our experienced team can provide you with personal advice on the best shutters, curtains and blinds to insulate your windows and keep your home toasty warm.

Book your free in-home consultation today for a free measure and quote or give us a call on 1300 077 125 to have all your questions answered.

Large windows can create an airy, spacious feel, infusing your rooms with ample natural light while maximising views and creating a sense of closeness to the outdoors. In summer, large windows can also help make the most of any natural breezes to cool your home.

Our sub-tropical Queensland climate creates many opportunities for outdoor entertaining and alfresco dining during the warmer months. Glazed sliding or bi-fold doors are common features of Queensland homes, and provide an important link between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling glass, while a stunning design element, can prove somewhat challenging to furnish. Which window treatments work best on those large windows and glass sliding doors? Here are some of the best options to consider.

Curtains to Frame and Accentuate Large Windows

There’s nothing quite like a stylish set of drapes to infuse a room with drama and traditional opulence. Curtains have a distinctive style that works particularly well in large spaces, where they can effectively frame and accentuate windows while offering a raft of other functional benefits.

Large windows are great for amplifying the natural light, though unfortunately, they can also let in a lot of unwanted glare and heat during the warmer months, and allow too much warmth to escape in winter. Floor-length drapes are a stylish solution for insulating large windows, particularly when paired with matching pelmets.

Sheer curtains are a great way to add a touch of softness and daytime privacy to large windows and doors without blocking the views or natural light, while the combination of blockout drapes and sheers provides the best of both worlds.

Panel Glide Blinds Add a Touch of Elegance

Perfect for those larger windows and sliding doors, panel glide blinds are a chic and versatile window furnishing. Overlapping fabric panels create clean, modern lines, and the panels stack smoothly to the side when not in use. Operated via a wand or chain, the blinds can be configured to open and close in any direction.

Best of all, panel glide blinds come in a huge range of stylish fabrics and colours to complement your individual style and décor. We’ve got everything from understated neutrals to bright colours and bold prints – you can even customise your blinds with panels in different coloured fabrics for a stylish design statement.

You can also choose from a range of opacities to optimise the amount of light and privacy in your home. There are so many fabulous options with panel glide blinds.

Versatile Vertical Blinds Are Back in Fashion

Originally a design favourite of the 80’s, vertical blinds are enjoying a well-deserved resurgence in popularity, with modern fabrics featuring an array of striking colours and patterns. Their popularity as a window furnishing can be attributed to their practical functionality and ease of light control.

Vertical blinds are tailor made for large windows and sliding doors. They create a feeling of height and spaciousness within a room, while their unique horizontal stacking abilities enable them to fold neatly away to the side of the glass, ensuring they won’t disrupt either the view or the workings of a sliding door.

Roller Blinds for Clean Lines and Minimalistic Style

The sleek, minimalistic lines of roller blinds can be customised to complement windows of any size. If you’re looking for a modern and understated yet practical furnishing for large windows or sliding doors, roller blinds could be your perfect solution.

These blinds take up minimal space and – depending on the fabric you choose – they can either blend seamlessly into the background or add an eye-catching burst of colour to your room. They also come in your choice of transparent fabrics for light filtering and daytime privacy, or blockout fabrics for extra insulation, complete privacy and light blocking when required.

 

Plantation Shutters for Hamptons-Inspired Homes 

There’s nothing quite like white plantation shutters on large windows to complement a Hamptons-style interior. It’s a design scheme that embodies the relaxed yet sophisticated coastal feel of many south-east Queensland homes, and a perfect way to work with the natural light and spacious feel afforded by abundant glazing.

An enduring style icon, good-quality shutters can capture the breezes, filter the sunlight, and providing privacy and security in a way no other window furnishing can replicate. Our made-to-measure door and window shutters are available in solid timber, polyresin or aluminium, with a range of colours to choose from.

Need Inspiration? We Can Bring the Showroom to You

If you have large windows or glass sliding doors to furnish, we have the window treatments to match! Get in touch online to book in your free measure and quote, or give us a call on 1300 077 125 to chat with one of our friendly consultants. We can bring our mobile showroom to you and help you select the perfect window treatments for your home.