Shutters and curtains together.
You do not have to choose. Shutters and curtains work well together with a little planning. Here is how to get it right.
- Free home visit
- Quote fixed for 30 days
- 10-year guarantee on composite
- No sales reps
Making shutters and curtains work together
Pole high and wide
The curtains need to clear the shutter panels when they open. A pole a little higher and wider than the window lets the curtains stack back against the wall, out of the way.
Dress curtains
Many people leave the curtains open all the time as dress curtains, for colour and softness, and use the shutters for light and privacy.
Bays
In a bay, the shutters sit at the windows and the curtains hang across the front of the bay or round it. Check the pole or track will not get in the way when the panels fold back.
Colour
White shutters go with almost any curtain fabric. If you choose a coloured shutter, bring a fabric sample to the visit so you can see them together.
Room for the louvres
Tilted louvres stand out a little from the panel. If the curtains hang close to the window, they can rub. A little gap avoids that.
Or no curtains at all
Plenty of people take the curtains down once the shutters are in, for a cleaner look and more light. It is up to you.
More: Can I keep my curtains with shutters? · Furniture, radiators and windowsills
Curtains and shutters: your questions
Do I need a new curtain pole if I have shutters fitted?
Not always. If your pole is already high and wide enough for the curtains to clear the panels, it can stay. If not, it will need moving up or out before fitting day. Moving it is down to you, and we'll show you at the visit where it needs to go.
Should I take my curtains down before fitting day?
If they're in the way of the window, yes, please have them down before we arrive, along with any blinds or nets. If that's hard for you, just tell us and we'll see if we can help (it isn't part of the quote).
Shutters or curtains: which keeps a room warmer?
Both help keep warmth in on a winter evening, and they work well together: shutters for light and privacy in the day, curtains drawn at night. There's no tested figure for these shutters, so we don't quote one.
Can I keep net curtains or voiles with shutters?
Usually there's no need, because tilted louvres give you privacy in the day. Any nets in the way of the shutters need to come down before fitting day. If you'd like voiles for softness, they can hang on a pole in front, as long as the panels can still open.
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Also worth a lookSee the samples in your own home
Book a free home visit. We measure every window, bring samples to see and touch, and email you a fixed written quote. Made to measure and fitted in roughly 4 to 6 weeks from confirmation of your order.