Plantation shutters are a staple of modern interior design. As their name suggests, these versatile shutters were originally designed for use in the 18th Century plantation houses of the Americas. The hot climate of the new world made heavy curtains impractical, whereas the design of the plantation shutter allowed for a cool breeze to flow through the room while providing privacy and security. The popularity of plantation shutters has meant that designers have created a real smorgasbord of designs using this classic template.
With all this variety, choosing the right plantation shutters for your home can seem like a daunting task. We have put together five essential tips for choosing the right shutters.
- Consider your privacy
As is always the case in interior design, form and function are inexorably linked when choosing shutters. In today’s non-stop world, privacy is a commodity,but the right set of shutters can help you achieve some much-needed peace and quiet. Thinking outside the box is important when designing a stylish and functional interior. With plantation shutters being so versatile, clever designers have used them to create private spaces in unconventional ways like installing them to cover glass doors.
- Let there be light!
One of the best reasons to install shutters is to control light in your space. The sheer variety of plantation shutter styles means that the full spectrum of light control solutions can be sought if you pick your style carefully. If you want a blend of privacy and constant light, Café Style shutters are a good choice. Café shutters only cover the bottom two-thirds of your window, allowing lots of light to filter through regardless of whether they are opened or closed.
- Don’t feel like you need to make your mind up
Choosing the right plantation shutters can feel especially hard when you are putting together a room with multiple uses. If you can’t decide what to prioritize when buying plantation shutters, a tier on tier system offers the most versatility. These shutters have two sets of hinges per face – a bit like an old fashioned stable door. The good news is that if you can’t decide whether to completely shut out the light, tier on tier shutters mean that you don’t have to.
- How do you want your shutters to open?
Beyond the traditional hinged arrangement, plantation shutters can be installed in a baffling variety of ways. A good tip for making up your mind on a plantation shutter system is to consider who will be using your shutters beside yourself. Don’t want your kids to close your shutters without permission? Café shutters are for you. If you want everybody in the house to be able to bathe the room in light, your best bet is a system that smoothly slides open on a track system. These are a little more expensive than regular plantation shutters but are amazing for covering French doors and perfect for houses where children need to be able to open them without reaching up for a handle.
