For hundreds of years heavy curtains have hung from thick curtain rods, framing windows and adding to the décor of their surroundings. Thick velvet, organdy or fine lace curtains were used to adorn ornamental windows. They kept rooms warm and added to homes’ privacy. Before the advent of curtains however, in many cultures, wooden shutters such as the now popular plantation shutters, were used to keep out dust, heat, light and noise. Romans used Roman blinds to keep out light and dust, and the now famous venetian blinds originated in Venice.
There are pro’s and con’s to both fabric curtains and wooden shutters.
Curtains are very decorative. They are soft and look lovely when drawn to the side. They’re easy to fold and arrange.
On the other hand, the cons of curtains are starting to weigh heavily in their disfavour. Perhaps it’s not so much the cons of the curtains as the pros of wooden shutters.
Wooden shutters are much easier to clean. Run a rag or a feather duster over them and they’re clean. Curtains made from fabric, however, require much more attention when it comes to cleaning them. While fabric, hung on windows, can help insulate a room from the cold, wooden shutters have been known to be much more effective in controlling levels of heat during summer, and cold during winter, in a room.
Shutters help direct the amount of light that flows into a room. Fabric curtains, on the other hand, have to be left wide open or pulled to the side, leaving little room for controlling the amount of light that filters into a room.
Wood blends with almost any furniture in the room. Curtains often need to be changed whenever the décor of a room is changed. So, any remodelling usually involves buying and hanging new curtains. Plantation shutters, for example, blend naturally with any décor. They do not need to be changed as often as curtains. In fact, you can often keep your wooden shutters for years on end without needing to change or replace them.
That alone can mean a substantial savings for you. Fabric curtains are generally more expensive than wooden shutters, plantation shutters or blinds. Cheap fabric curtains do not look good. Vinyl curtains should only be used in bathrooms or in kitchen windows. If you want to fit your living room out with nice looking curtains or blinds you have few choices. Many choose wood venetian blinds, or blinds or shutters. These look classy and can withstand many home re-decorations. Fabric curtains usually need to be changed each time you redecorate. That is costly!
If you are looking for a classy look for your room, you would be wise to choose wooden shutters such as the plantation shutters. You really can’t go wrong if you choose those!