On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 29 I May/June 2019 | Page 24

Premier Shades
The 5 biggest mistakes people make choosing
Window Coverings
Whether is renovating your existing
home or moving into a brand-new place,
there are 5 fundamental mistakes you
must not do when choosing your
Window Coverings.
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Buy cheap, buy twice. Don’t get me
wrong, there is always a time and a
place to buy cheap. You might be moving
soon; blowing up the place, maybe it’s
a room that is never used...or the little
window in the garage? That makes sense!
But let’s talk about your own home
that you live in now. This is the place you
want to feel comfortable and relaxed in.
The wisest thing to do is spend money on
quality window furnishings in the most
lived, visible areas of your home. Usually
the Lounge/Dining area and also the Master
bedroom. Get what you really want in these
areas. Remember most window furnishings
will last up to 8 years. We’ve all heard
stories of friends who claimed that got a
‘bargain’ only be stressed with shoddy work,
tardy tradesman and poor quality goods.
Everything has to match. No it
doesn’t! When it comes to window
furnishings, every room in the house does
not have to be the same. But it can if you
like. Let me explain. Just like people have
feature walls, people have feature window
furnishings. People have themed coloured
rooms, themed textures or casual versus
formal areas. You need to make a decision
on whether your blinds will be a feature in
the room, compliment an existing feature
– say a lounge, or be a neutral backdrop to
compliment a stunning view! Sometimes
the blind is the feature, sometimes the
room, the view or the furniture is the
feature. All answers are correct!
Choose style over function.
Sometimes, you have to choose
function first, and then work out the style
that suits you. Think about how often do
you use that sliding door? Are you in and
out of it all day every day? Do you have a
kitchen window that the neighbours can
see straight in to? Then choose something
practical.
Most window furnishings are fabric
and as sturdy as they can be there is only
a certain amount of abuse they can take.
Also remember things like ‘block out fabric’
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Screen roller
for bedrooms to protect your sleep from
early morning sunlight. ‘Block out blinds’ are
great for hot western facing windows that
heat up the house. Remember, a block out
blind darkens the room. On a hot day you
may not want the house dark, so ask your
window furnishing consultant for advice on
giving you privacy and protection from the
sun without a dark house.
There’s nothing wrong with it.
Outdated stained mouldy blinds need
to go! Just because they still work, does
not mean they are suitable for your
windows. Everything has a lifespan. Think
of it this way. If you went to sell your
home with blinds like that, what would the
new buyer think? It screams out “neglect”
and they start looking for faults in the
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S E N I O R S O N T H E C OA S T
Dual Roller
Straight drop screen fabric
home. You wouldn’t sell a dirty car. Like a
fresh coat of paint, new blinds add a fresh
look instantly to a room for a minimal cost.
Remember the Environment. The
insulation of your home can be really
influenced with the right blinds, awnings
or shutters. Considering a large
percentage of the heat and
cold enters your home via your
windows, blinds are a great
insulator. Anything you put on
the inside or outside of your
window will slow down the
process and help keep your home
better insulated. With the cost
of energy these days, blinds and
awnings are a good a tool as any
to save you money by keeping
your home better insulated.
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Article supplied by Sharon Tieman. Director. Premier Shades, Awnings & Blinds.
18/482 Pacific Highway, Wyoming. Ph: 02 43248800 www.premiershades.com.au