Blinds that won't break the budget!
"There are plenty of options if you're on a budget," says Sarah Quilliam, head of product design at Hillarys. "Whether you want a quick change or a complete makeover, blinds can be
one of the simplest and cheapest ways to transform a room.
"With more and more people spending money on doing up their homes, it's wise to invest in some good quality window dressings, especially if you have young children or particularly large windows. Buyers will also be looking for an immaculate finish so if you're thinking of moving, make sure you bear the windows in mind.
"Even though curtains can look very luxurious, they are often fairly expensive as you have to buy lots of metres of fabric to create plenty of folds. By choosing some suitable blinds, depending on your room and what it's used for, you won't break the bank and you'll have a
much sought after clean and contemporary look.
"We've asked our customers to tell us about some of their blind queries based on having a tight budget. Here are some of their most frequently asked questions:"
- We've recently made our conservatory into a playroom. The Pleated roof blinds were pretty expensive so we're looking for a cheap option for the sides. Any suggestions?
- My hallway is freezing! Is there an economical window dressing to help keep the warmth in?
- My kitchen is south facing so I don't feel I need any light control, but I'd still like to dress the window with something. Which low priced option is best?
- I love the look of shutters but don't quite have that sort of money to spare! Are there any blinds that will give me a similar look at a fraction of the cost?
- Space is a real issue in our flat so we need something inexpensive to divide up the lounge and study. Please help!
- I've bought a property to rent out but I'm on a bit of a tight budget when it comes to furnishing. Is there anything that would match the wooden furniture I've already
bought?
Q
We've recently made our conservatory into a playroom. The Pleated roof blinds were pretty expensive so we're looking for a cheap option for the sides. Any suggestions?
A
The world is your oyster when it comes to deciding on blinds for the sides of your conservatory. And good on you for making the space into a room you can use all year round!
If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful for the kids, then go for Roller blinds as they're really functional, easy to clean and well priced. There are loads of bright colours if you want to make the playroom fun and colourful, and equally there's plenty of muted shades to choose from, depending on what style you've gone for.
Q
My hallway is freezing! Is there an economical window dressing to help keep the warmth in?
A
Honeycomb blinds will be perfect for your needs. They're a brilliant budget option for sound thermal properties as they trap air for maximum energy efficiency, making them especially
effective for those areas of the house that can be a bit cold and draughty. In appearance, they look very similar to Pleated blinds so you'll get a really neat and tidy look at your windows.And as they insulate your home, your heating bills should be reduced too!
Q
My kitchen is south facing so I don't feel I need any light control, but I'd still like to dress the window with something. Which low priced option is best?
A
If you want to dress the window for decorative purposes only, then your best option would be an unlined Roman blind. As these types of blinds don't have the light dimming properties usually associated with fully lined Romans, the light actually filters into the room, creating a
lovely glow instead. The lack of lining allows the fabric to have a modern and sleek appearance with tighter, more streamlined folds when the blind is raised. They're also great value as they're approximately 30% cheaper than standard Romans!
Q
I love the look of Shutters but don't quite have that sort of money to spare! Is there any blind that will give me a similar look at a fraction of the cost?
A
Look no further! The slats on Wood Venetian blinds look pretty similar to the louvres on plantation Shutters. There are some lovely wood stains and painted finishes out there and if you choose a smaller slat width, you'll be able to reduce the cost even further. You could add a bit of glamour and sophistication to your windows by ordering them with a matching tape. This will also fake the look of the rail that's used on Shutters when adjusting the light.
Q
Space is a real issue in our flat so we need something inexpensive to divide up the lounge and study. Please help!
A
Venetian and Roller blinds are extremely affordable and versatile so you can think outside the box when it comes to using them in your home. A simple way of adding another room without building a new wall is to separate two spaces with a sleek aluminium Venetian. These stylish blinds are often overlooked for rooms other than the kitchen and bathroom, but they're great for light control and there are a wide variety of colours, special effects and finishes available.
You can even have a wood effect Venetian for a snip of the price compared to its wooden cousin!
Q
I've bought a property to rent out but I'm on a bit of a tight budget when it comes to furnishing.Is there anything that would match the wooden furniture I've already bought?
A
Wood-effect Venetians or Woodweave blinds would both work really well, depending who you're renting the place out to. Young professionals and families may prefer the practicality of
wood-effect Venetians, whereas Woodweave blinds would be ideal for students as they're particularly hardwearing. Both types can be easily cleaned, but if you want to save a small bundle then I would go for Woodweave. They're great for creating a lovely light-filtering
atmosphere and you'll easily find a few styles that will match up with the tone of your wooden furniture.
To arrange your free home visit call: 0800 916 6516 or click: www.hillarys.co.uk
ROI - 1800 409 468
Hillarys has a HUGE range of images, so please let us know if you're looking for anything in particular, be it room, colour or blind type led, and we'll do our best to find something suitable.
For more information, product for makeovers or high resolution images, please call Sarah or
Emma on 0115 950 9955 or email us at sarah.able@darkhorsepr.co.uk or
emma@darkhorsepr.co.uk