Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Using Natural Elements in Wood Design



Incorporating wood into your interior design elements is a wonderful way to add elegance and warmth into your home. If you like the look of wood, one way to use it in your design is with interior wood shutters. They look nice, can be used alone or with additional window treatments, and allow for both natural light and privacy.

Additional benefits to using wood interior shutters is that they offer insulation during cold weather, are easy to clean, and are good options for homes with interior decoration for children. As they are sturdy and typically do not use a cord for opening and closing (which poses a choking hazard for young children).

If I have wood blinds, do I need curtains?
Many people like the look of wood shutters. They instantly give your home a classy look, and may even help raise the resale value of your home should you choose to sell. When you opt for these window coverings, you have the option of using curtains in addition to the shutters.

However, on their own, they look nice and offer a variety of benefits, from privacy to insulating effects. If you like both a classic and contemporary look, shutters can do the trick. They're a time-honored design element, and also work very well with any type of interior design, from traditional to a minimalist contemporary room.

Interior wood shutters are available in natural woods, or painted in soft, natural colors such as whites and beiges. You can find them in real or fake (faux) materials as well, so regardless of your budget, you can likely find a shutter to meet your needs. Many shutters made of natural woods, such as ponderosa pine, can be finished using almost any type of stain, thereby giving you a full range of options.


Many styles and interior design options are available for both wood and faux wood shutters. There are many traditional slatted styles available, for example, but also variations such as solid panels, cutouts, and combinations. They may open accordion-style, or as a complete piece (like an interior door mounted shutters ).

Installation of interior shutters is generally quite simple, and you can do it yourself or have them professionally installed. They can be mounted both inside the window frame and outside, so you need to examine your windows and determine the best mounting option for your needs. Your style preference may also determine the best method for installation.

Interior wood shutters are also available for specialty windows, such as arched or palladium, so if you have these types of windows, you do not need to rule out this type of wood for wooden blinds . Additionally, many companies offer custom-made options, which allow you to use shutters on odd-sized windows or doors.

Varieties of hardware options are available for wood shutters as well. So you can compliment other wood interior design elements in the room. The combination of many shutter and hardware style options allow you to create a unique window treatment for your home.

Choosing Interior Shutters
As soon as you begin shopping for interior shutters, you will soon discover that there are many suppliers from which to choose. As with all types of purchases, comparing prices, styles, and options will help you make the best decision. First, determine your budget. This can help narrow your choices, or at least point you in a certain direction. Interior shutters can vary greatly in price. If your budget allows you greater flexibility, one way to narrow your options is by choosing a general style.

The best interior wood design shutters by ponderosa offer a number of looks, as there is build-in flexibility. Wood shutters are more expensive than faux, but they are durable and stylish. If you prefer a real wood, this may be the way to go. These shutters can be stained or painted to meet your design preferences. Interior faux wood shutters also come in a variety of looks, but you will have to choose from one of the available colors. If you're on a budget, however, faux shutters can save you a bit of money. They are often nearly half the cost of real wood shutters.

Keep in mind that real wood shutters require different care than faux wood interior shutters. If you have young children, for example, you may want to consider interior faux wood shutters, as materials such as plastic and vinyl can be cleaned easier (and crayon will come off much easier!).

As with all major purchases, find out your options ahead of time as far as customer satisfaction and warranties. This is particularly important when purchasing custom-made shutters. If you decide you don't like them, will you have any options for returning or exchanging them? Warranty considerations are also important on any type of shutter, particularly those claiming to last a lifetime.

Warranties vary from one manufacturer to another, so be sure to inquire about this. In addition, many warranties are considered void if the product is not installed using specific methods. If you plan to install your shutters yourself, you may inadvertently void any warranty.

Learn first how to build wood shutters. And find out if the shutters chosen must be installed professionally for the warranty to remain in effect. Some companies offer free installation, so look for this option as well. If you choose to install the shutters yourself, consider looking for those with pre-drilled holes, so you won't have to do that part yourself. This option also helps eliminate the possibility of your damaging the shutters during the installation process.

Caring for wood shutters

Real wood shutters will need more maintenance than the faux kind, but some people find that it's not that much extra work, and the look of the real wood is worth it. If your shutters are painted, they will probably need repainting at some point in time. For stained wood shutters, care for them as you do you wood furniture.
Use a quality polish when cleaning. You can find specialty-made dusting tools for slotted shutters. Vinyl and plastic shutters are quite easy to care for, which makes them ideal if you have young children or simply want a low-maintenance shutter. No matter if you have wood or faux shutters, if they're in a high-moisture area, such as a bathroom, check for mildew on occasion.

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