When choosing window coverings for your holiday home, as the property will not be used all the time, you should look to choose window coverings that will last a long time and suit the varied needs of different people.

To make your decision you can ask yourself these important questions;

• What style do you want – formal, casual or traditional?
• What’s your budget?
• Do you have neighbours or a main road looking into your property and need to increase privacy?
• Do you prefer a window treatment that will provide insulation?
• Which directions do the windows face and what kind of sun management is required?
• Do you need to manage glare in a working area such as the kitchen or study?
• If it is a window treatment for a bedroom, how light sensitive could the people be who will be sleeping there?

Some options are;

• Roller blinds (sheer, translucent and blockout),
• Roman blinds,
• Venetian blinds,
• Sheer curtains,
• Blockout curtains,
• Plantation shutters.

Understand the different looks they create;

• Blinds and plantation shutters provide a casual feel. Plantation shutters scream Hampton’s style holidays and are highly versatile and easy to maintain.
• Curtains create a more traditional look, but how much so depends on the heading and the fabric chosen.
• Curtains with swags and tails are far more formal and traditional compared to more relaxed, sheer-linen curtains.
• Sheer curtains provide a soft and sophisticated look. They boost privacy during the day, don’t need to be drawn, and can be used to create a formal or sleek and contemporary look.
• Lined curtains are best for insulation and blocking out light.

Choosing the right blinds;

• Roller blinds are often used as a double treatment, such as combining with a sheer and a block-out blind.
• Sheers can boost privacy and add solar protection in the day, but do not provide privacy at night.
• Block-out blinds are often used in bedrooms, these block sun and light, and create full privacy.
• Roman blinds are a more traditional and formal treatment that is often made from a feature fabric. It can be lined to form a block-out or unlined for a translucent look.
• Venetian blinds’ horizontal slats allow you to manage light levels with ease.

Layered treatments are ideal when trying to boost privacy and black-out light, without sacrificing your holiday home views. Having a sheer curtain over a block-out blind or shutter can also soften the harsh lines of the latter and are suitable for holiday homes because they will serve the varied needs of many different people and also look beautiful at the same time!

Happy Holidays everyone!