Your window style questions answered by resident Laura Ashley interior expert Kerry... read more
Whether you’re in the throws of sprucing up your living space or designing the decor of your new home, there are so many important decisions to be made. One that’s often overlooked is deciding how to style your windows, whether you opt for curtains or blinds, they can both dramatically enhance the look and feelĀ of your room. With the practical reasons of privacy and keeping the heat inside, a well dressed window can also pull together the visual aesthetic of your interior – adding an attractive focal point. From functional blinds in the bathroom to sweeping styles in the bedroom, our resident interior designer Kerry is on hand to cover the basics of simple window dressing style…
– How can I make blinds and curtains work together?
This is a question that is asked of me on a regular basis, where clients want the practically of a blind but the visually pleasing appealĀ of curtains. My top advice for having both curtains and blinds together is to have them at the same height on the outside of the recess. If your curtains are 15cm above the window then make sure to take your blind up the same height, it looks far better to have them in line with each other over the window.
Awning Stripe Dove Grey Curtain Fabric
– How can I maintain privacy in my living room windows without it preventing the light?
Sheer roller blinds are the perfect tool for maintaining privacy, without being too heavy. They offer a much more contemporary look rather than sheer curtains. If this idea sounds a little minimalistic, place a roman blind over the recess to bring colour and print to dress the window area. The sheer roller blind will ensure privacy during the day, but the roman blind can be pulled down come evening to lock in warmth and block out the light.
Swansbrook Amethyst Curtain Fabric
– Whats the best way to frame a window seat?
A window seat can be framed with either curtains or blinds, it simply depends on the style of window. If you have curtains and blinds inside the recess, this may not work if you plan to have scatter cushions at the back of the window seat. Whereas curtains, on the outside of the recess, framing the window with co-ordinating scatter cushions in different colours and textures will look and work well.
Summer Palace Cranberry Curtains
– How can I dress a bay window?
I find the best way to dress a bay window is to have floor length curtains on the outside of the recess, which will frame the overall window. If you were to have separate curtains for each window, it would make the bay look crowded and squashed inside, so to open up the window make sure you have the curtains on the outside. Additionally, you could add roman or wooden slat venetian blinds in the bay on each window, if you prefer a more modern look.
– Is there a particular blind I can use for the bathroom?
Bathroom blinds can be any type, you just need to think about the type of fabric that is being used. Use a fabric that will withstand damp conditions without shrinking. Bathroom windows can usually be above the sink, so silk isn’t often a practical option as it would mark with water splashes. The Laura Ashley range at Thomas Sanderson offer a beautiful selection of shutters in a variety of colour ranges suitable for bathrooms.
Thomas Sanderson Blinds / Bead Trim Roman Blinds
For more information on what type of blind will suit your home, why not check out our Blind Buying Guide?
Browse the Laura Ashley range of Made-To-Order Blinds and Curtains.