Interior decorating and lowering utility bills with shutters
This article was updated on 05/26/21.
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Window treatments inside your home are an effective and inexpensive way to transform a room or area as well as providing privacy and lowering your energy bills. A common misconception when thinking of shutters is to imagine those ugly, bulky metal sheets that hang down from shop windows at night; a playground for graffiti artists and vandals alike, as an impediment to ruffians like Antifa anarchist thugs.
But consider this — interior window shutters fitted into your home is actually a horse of a different color. Not only are they visually appealing and can create the perfect finish to any newly decorated room, but they can also increase the level of home security and privacy experienced within your home.
Interior wooden shutters are available in a wide range of colors, styles, and sizes, meaning most interior designs can remain consistent throughout.
However, for those who are still struggling to find a suitable design or color to suit their needs, why not have your own custom-made shutters? Many manufacturers and retailers will be happy to provide shutters tailored to the individual’s needs.
The problem with window treatments, as is the case with most of your modern or antique furniture, is that it will need replacing or sprucing up every now and again. This can be an expensive and inconvenient process but sometimes subtle changes can create a whole new look.
For example, a lick of paint or new handles or knobs will provide you with an instant transformation for your windows, eliminating the need for brand new shutters. There are several techniques that can be used to spruce up your window accessories.
Here are the most inexpensive, effortless yet effective ways of doing this:
Painting your Shutters
Depending on your reasons for painting, and the condition of the wood, this can be a great way of removing the need to purchase new shutters. If your home is currently being decorated in a different color or style, it may be necessary to apply a solid coat of paint to them.
Don’t worry if the shutters have been painted before, just use light grit sandpaper to rough up the previous coat of paint then dust it off well. If you happen to get down to bare wood at any point, be sure to apply primer before painting. Keep in mind that oil-based paint should be covered with oil-based. Latex-based paint should be covered with latex-based. Note: if you suspect you have lead-based paint, do not sand it or remove chips.
This method is ideal for shutters that are experiencing wear and tear and are in need of a face lift. However, if the wood is in good condition then polyurethane or a clear or translucent paint may be more suitable.
This will add a flair of authenticity to your room or home as the natural wood grain and variation will be visible to see.
Adding Accessories to Shutters
Whether it is a change in handles, knobs, or hinges, a shutter’s appeal will certainly be increased by attaching new accessories. A clean, polished and sophisticated look can be achieved. Take note of other subtle touches around the home before making a decision regarding which addition is best for you.
For example, if door handles, light switches, and plug sockets are all chrome, chrome shutter handles will achieve a level of consistency throughout the house.
Not only are interior wooden shutters a great addition to any home but they also have the potential to last well beyond that of other standard window treatments. However, if you already have shutters fitted, by following the tips above you are sure to fall in love with them all over again.
Do you have any interior wooden shutter upgrade tips for our readers? Scroll down to the comments section below and share.
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About the Author:
Kelly R. Smith is an Air Force veteran and was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation, financial, and energy-trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at Considered Opinions Blog where he muses on many different topics.
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