BY BONNIE, THREE BIRDS RENOVATIONS
When it comes to blinds I’ll admit I was traumatised by seeing those old aluminium venetians everywhere as a child, their blades bent with a tangled cord that looked and felt like the knots in my hair I’d been wrangling with for days. This was my view of window coverings until two years ago when Lana and I made a trip to our local Luxaflex® showroom. O-M-G, were we blown away by how far blinds have come! #lightyears. How had we missed this progression? Suffice to say, I now know that window coverings are super important. They’re visually a major part of a room, and something that you will interact with every day so you need to get them right.
Here are the 5 most important factors you need to consider when selecting blinds for your home:
Personally, I love waking up to sunlight beaming on my face, but Erin and Lana are the complete opposite and I suspect most people prefer their bedrooms dark, to allow for those Sunday sleep-ins. If that’s you, you might want to consider ‘blockout’ blinds like the ones Lana chose for Ruby’s room. There are also ‘room darkening’ materials, which are great for TV rooms where glare can be a problem at certain times of the day. Some blinds provide better darkening than others, so if this is important to you, talk to an expert to make sure you get the right product for your needs.
Think about this for all your rooms not just bedrooms and bathrooms. Privacy creates a sense of security and safety in your home. If your room faces the street, the neighbour’s house or a pathway where people walk, think about the level of privacy you’ll want for both day time and night time. Even if you like running around in the buff, passers-by might not want to see it! Luxaflex® have a wide of variety products, operating styles and fabrics available, that will provide you with the ultimate day and night privacy control.
This is less about looks and more about home comfort, which is key when talking interior design. Depending on which direction your windows face, you’ll need to decide whether you want to let light in or block it out. The aspect of the house will also determine the room’s temperature and so it is important that the right blind or awning is selected for insulation and energy efficiency. Luxaflex® has a large range, from Evo Awnings that help prevent the unwanted hot air from entering your windows, to one of the most heavy-duty, insulating blinds around, Luxaflex® Duette® Architella Shades.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing colour, texture and designs of blinds and shades. Lighter colours will make a room feel bigger and brighter while darker colours can make a room feel smaller and more intimate. Generally, we choose window coverings to match the wall or architrave or contrast it to make a design statement.
Remember that when your window coverings are closed you’ll be able to see the colour of them from outside your house too. White is the most energy efficient choice because it reflects the sun but if you have a dark-coloured facade, white might not be the best look from the outside – in that case a dark backing may be better.
I love that all Luxaflex® Window Coverings are designed with child safety in mind. With so many kids and their friends in my home I need to make sure that the blinds don’t pose a safety risk. Many cord-free and child-friendly options are available, that are also non-toxic and easy to clean. Luxaflex® has ticked this box for me.
Want to learn more from Three Birds Renovations about choosing the right products for your project?
The Reno School is Three Birds’ six-week online course. You’ll be sent new modules weekly that you can download and complete at your own pace.
They’ll also share bonus information like videos, exclusive supplier offers (yes, you’ll get a Luxaflex® discount!) and special events.
You’ll find all the details here: www.therenoschool.com
