Advice & inspiration
Guest post: Interior designer Claire Totman tells us why she favours shutters for her renovation projects Posted on 15 Aug 08:20 , 0 comments

Complete published article and photography
Guest post: Interior designer Claire Totman tells us why she favours shutters for her renovation projects Posted on 15 Aug 08:20 , 0 comments
Today, we are living through the explosion of plantation shutters and every other house you drive past is likely to have them. They are becoming increasingly popular and taking over our most common forms of window treatments; curtains and blinds.

I am, of course, a huge fan and have had them installed in to most of my projects.
But why? Because they aren’t cheap. So here my top five reasons as to why I will always choose shutters.

- They look fabulous from the outside of your home, creating that all important kerb appeal giving off that luxury look.
- They are an investment. Curtains and blinds will date and become worn over time whereas shutters are timeless. They will never go out of fashion and the white wood will go with any colour palette as a room is re-decorated over time. So in the long run, they are the cheaper option. There are shutters for all budgets, from MDF to basswood and premium hardwood. Shutters are not a fad, they’ve been around since Greek times!

- The simplicity of shutters will transform your room making it feel more bright and airy. The white of the wood is simple and elegant and gives that clean and crisp look. They give off such a wow factor.
- Shutters give you privacy that curtains and blinds simply cannot do. They offer such versatility. Go for ‘full height’ with a mid-rail so you can keep the bottom section shut for privacy but the top open for light or the ‘tier on tier’ option where the top section opens independently from the bottom. This means you can fold the shutters back to be completely opened if you do not wish to have them over your windows at all times. Shutters also offer great privacy by tilting the louvers so wandering eyes cannot see in but the natural light can still pour in.
- Shutters suit both traditional and contemporary styles. Smaller louvers and a tilt rod suit a more traditional style whereas larger louvers and a hidden tilt rod give off a more modern and contemporary look.
Here are some more images of my home and #millwatercobham project supplied and fitted by The Shutter Shop.


Claire Totman Designs specialises in high-end residential property development, project management and interior fit out design across Surrey and South London. You can follow her work on Instagram and find more design inspiration in her blog.
Ready to discover how shutters can complete your design project? Request a free on site survey for one of our experts to discuss available options with you.
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Share 0 Tweet 0 +1The Shutter Shop has spent more than 35 years helping homeowners find made-to-measure window treatments that work with the character and practical needs of their homes.
This article remains at its original URL as part of our complete journal archive. Its subject connects to the same specialist guidance our surveyors provide today: considering the window proportions, room, privacy requirements, light and the right product material before confirming a design.
A considered approach
Shutters are made to order, so good decisions begin with careful measuring and a clear understanding of how the room is used. Full height, café style and tier-on-tier panels each manage light and privacy differently, while bay windows, special shapes and wide openings need their own design response.
Our team can show you the current range of materials, colours, louvre sizes and hardware during a free home survey.
For confident DIY customers, selected shutter styles can also be measured and configured online. More complex bay, shaped and tracked installations are best discussed with our professional measure-and-fit team.
Explore the next step
Browse the related shutter styles below or arrange a free site survey to discuss your windows with an experienced specialist.


