Indoor Shutters: Why They Work with Any Room

Part of the reason why plantation shutters are such a sought-after addition to the decor of a home is their versatility. Shutters simply look great in almost any room in which they are installed and have so many different applications–whether you’re looking to add an instant touch of style to a space or you’re seeking privacy and security.

We’ve gone ahead and put together a breakdown of why plantation shutters are the perfect addition to any interior and covered some of the ways in which they can be used in your home. We’ve gone room by room and ticked off all the reasons why you should include plantation shutters the next time you’re looking at updating or redesigning your living space.

The Living Room

The living room is the epicentre for relaxation and social gatherings, particularly if you’ve got a smaller space or don’t have a backyard for entertaining. Shutters work so well in these spaces because they fit in with almost any decor–whether you’re after something laidback or a bright, open space where friends and family can gather.

A shuttered window is a delicate touch that creates a welcoming feeling of openness throughout a room, unlike heavy curtains or roller blinds, but can just easily play a big role in creating a cosy, pastoral feeling that makes you feel like you’re out in the country.

What’s more, living rooms often have a different design to the rest of the home when it comes to windows, as there’s more space to work with and there’s less of a focus on privacy than there is in the bedroom or bathroom. Since shutters work with almost any window type, you don’t have to worry about being confined to just one type of ‘look’ for your living room.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is where the functionality of shutters is a dream for any homeowner, particularly those of us who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. In addition to providing great insulation from the outside climate, plantation shutters come in a range of durable materials, such as PVC, which is easy to clean and maintain.

Protection from the elements, particularly heat, is important in a room where food is being prepared or left out in the open. Since conventional glass windows provide little insulation from the outside climate, extreme heat from outdoor temperatures can make a space uncomfortable to operate in, not to mention spoil fresh food.

The kitchen is also where your window furnishings are liable to get stained or accumulate grime and buildup, so you need an option that can withstand extreme conditions and are easy to clean. Shutters can be easily cared for with regular cleaning with a cloth and their durability ensures they won’t wear and break even in busy, messy areas like the kitchen.

The Bathroom

The bathroom certainly comes with its own set of aesthetic ideals, but even the most lavishly designed bathroom needs to account for privacy. A sense of privacy and security is by far the most important element to good bathroom design and shutters provide ample seclusion without sacrificing the look and feel of a space.

We know now that shutters are durable and resilient against moisture and humidity, particularly if you’ve chosen PVC shutters, which have the added benefit of being easy to clean and maintain. But shutters also make the perfect addition to the bathroom area thanks to their security.

Shutters are comprised of adjustable blades in a frame that cover the width of your window. When open, plantation shutters invite light into a room and create a warm, welcoming feeling. Closed, your shutter blades work to completely seal off a room from the outside world, ensuring you can rest easy in knowing you have total privacy.

The Bedroom

The bedroom provides an interesting case study for the benefits of plantation shutters, effectively combining the considerations of all the other rooms of a home into a single space. The decor of a bedroom must factor in mood, look, functionality, and privacy all at once.

Ultimately, the bedroom needs to be anything you want it to be. You want to feel invited into your own bedroom and create a space awash in natural light and offers a view of the outside world, but a space that can instantly turn into a secluded haven where you can have time to yourself. Since we spend so much time in the bedroom, it’s also a space prone to accruing dust as well as stains on your decor elements.

It’s little wonder then that shutters prove such a popular choice in the bedroom. Easily cleaned and simple to use, plantation shutters ensure natural light when you want it and privacy when you need it. At night, plantation shutters create the perfect conditions for restful sleep by sealing you off from street lighting, neighbourhood cars, and other sources of light that can disturb you and ruin your private haven.

—Dan Field is cofounder at The Shutters Department. He’s passionate about using technology to make the complex simple, and is on a mission to make DIY plantations shutters cheap and easy for everyone.