Window Trend for 2018 – Let in the Light

What is the number one window trend for 2018? Maximizing Light!! You won’t hear much about this, when you google window trends…you will get pages upon pages of companies selling window treatments.

Let’s face it – window treatments are huge business! Interior designers make bank on selling window treatments to their clients. Have you ever used a designer to select and hang window treatments? Ridiculously expensive!

When we moved into our home 2 years ago, we were faced with over the top window treatments on our doors and windows, that were installed by a designer. The window treatments were heavy black silk curtains, undoubtedly very expensive, but they made the room dark and gloomy. And they were placed on top of plantation shutters!! Really?! Maybe it was a trend at the time?

We removed them shortly after moving in to highlight pretty white plantation shutters. I very much like interior shutters especially with wide slats. These shutters are timeless and look beautiful in homes of different architectural styles.

Background of Interior Shutters

Interior Shutters have been around for hundreds of years.  They were used in 18th century plantation mansions built with classical architecture. Shutters with operable louvers are described as traditional shutters, California shutters, or plantation shutters. Plantation shutters, typical of warmer climates have only two shutters per window and wide louver blades.

Are Planation Shutters Still in Style Today

Plantation shutters have been used for hundreds of years in homes. But just because they are old, does that mean they will always be in style? Are styles from years ago still worth using today?

I think yes, interior shutters are still in style. They may not be as popular as they were in the early 2000’s, but they are still very much in style. Besides looking great, they serve a very important function. Few window treatments offer the flexibility in light control like plantation shutters.

Interior shutters look great with architectural styled homes like cottages, french country, traditional, coastal, farmhouse, and contemporary. The one exception where I feel shutters are not a good fit are in modern homes. Modern homes welcome natural light with prominent windows and elegant, open spaces. Shutters or curtains throw off the clean, contemporary aesthetic and overall feeling of the room.

Pro’s and Con’s of Plantation Shutters

Advantages

• Can easily customize the look and have shutters that will perfectly fit a window.
• Many companies will come to your home and custom-measure the windows for you.
• Shutters will keep your home cooler during the summer and lower your electric bill. They will also protect your flooring, art, and upholstery from being faded by the sun.
• They are incredibly durable and built to last. With no strings or fabrics to worry about, these are sturdy pieces of art that will improve the appearance of your home and last a very long time.
• Because these shutters are generally left behind when one sells their home, they can be factored into the home price. This means that they increase the value of your property.

Disadvantages

• There aren’t a ton of different colors, materials, or textures to choose.
• Since plantation shutters are usually custom-built, this means they are more expensive than other alternatives.
• Shutters will need to be maintained and cleaned.
• Depending on the weather and your usage, you will have to adjust your shutters from time to time. For more information on adjusting your shutters, check out post HERE.
• Unlike shades that can be opened completely and hidden from view, plantation shutters will always be on the window.

Let the Light Shine In

So with all of that being said..it was a difficult decision..but we have decided to remove our shutters to allow more light to enter the family room.

I do love them and the sunburst shutters on the arches are very pretty. But they do obstruct the light, even when the shutters are open.

When fully closed, the room is dark.

And so the process begins! My husband takes on the job of removing the shutters. The room is already looking brighter.

Now to figure out where to store these things! We plan to keep the shutters in case we ever decide to sell, at which time we would reinstall them back onto the windows.

Light is pouring into the room now 🙂

The greenery in the backyard is now prominent and looks beautiful through the large windows.

So far, I am happy with our decision to remove the shutters, what do you think? Drop me a line.

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