Silk white full height shutters in bedroom window

The ultimate shutters buying guide

Hillarys content executive and author, Chloé Jones

Window Solutions and Styling Expert

Published: 12/04/2023

Updated: 05/09/2023

Which shutter style is perfect for you?

Let's delve into the world of shutters, and shed some light on all the styles available and their unique characteristics. Whether you're looking to upgrade your home's interior or add a touch of charm to the exterior, we're here to help you understand the various shutter styles so you can decide what's right for you.

What are shutters?

With our stylish collection of made-to-measure window shutters, you can transform your space from a cool summer sanctuary to a cosy and comfortable autumn retreat.

An elegant and practical window solution, plantation shutters are made up of horizontal louvres you can adjust to let in just the right amount of sunlight or to keep things private.

There's all kinds of colours and wood stains to choose from, with their timeless look blending seamlessly into any style of décor, whether you're into the classic, rustic vibes or a modern, chic aesthetic.

Plus they're amazing insulators, helping to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year round.

richmond tier on tier shutters on bay window in home office

Why choose shutters?

There are so many reasons to love shutters. Here are just a few of the way shutters make a wonderful addition to your home. We'll let you know more about these benefits below.

Timeless style: Shutters add a touch of classic sophistication to your home décor.

Light control: You can easily adjust the louvers to control the amount of natural light in your space.

Privacy: Shutters provide precise control over your privacy while still allowing light in.

Energy efficiency: They're fantastic insulators, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Durability: They're built to last, even in rooms you use most.

Low maintenance: Shutters are super easy to clean and maintain their good looks.

faso cornflower blue eyelet curtains in living room

Can shutters help to reduce heat loss?

Yes, when properly installed shutters can help make sure your space stays wonderfully warm with their insulating properties providing a barrier at your window to keep the cold out and warmth in.

Trapping the cold air before it makes its way into your cosy room is the best form of defence against the chillier weather and those pesky draughts.

On those winter days when the sun is shining, opening your shutters during the day allows sunlight to enter and heat the room naturally. When the sun sets or the weather turns cloudy, closing the shutters helps retain this heat.

In fact, results from our research with Salford University showed that our made to measure shutters reduce heat loss by 36%.

Our shutter styles

Full height shutters

Our most popular shutter style, full height shutters cover your whole window. They'll give you a classic and sophisticated look, providing outstanding light and privacy control. They suit all window styles and shapes and can be fitted to large expanses of glass, making them an ideal solution for patio doors.

As with all our shutters, you can choose from a range of louvre widths. Smaller windows or period style homes usually suit a slimmer louvre width, whereas large windows in contemporary styled homes benefit from a wider louvre.

See our full height shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters

A practical and stylish choice, offering fantastic control over light and privacy. Tier-on-tier shutters are made in two sections, allowing you to open the top and bottom panels independently from each other. This is really beneficial for rooms where privacy and light control are both important considerations, and also for multi-use spaces where you need flexible control over light.

Take a look at tier-on-tier shutters

café style white shutters on the bottom half of a dining room window behind a furnished dining table

Café style shutters

Café style shutters sit in the lower half of your window, providing excellent levels of privacy. As the name suggests, these shutters are popular in restaurants as they protect the privacy of diners, while still allowing in lots of light.

Classic white or custom coloured shutters are great for creating laid-back and fashion-forward interiors, while heritage hues and natural wood stains look great in chic, period style homes. For added texture and even more control over light and temperature, team your café style shutters with luxe curtains.

See more about cafe style shutters

Tracked solid wood shutters with ombre effect

Solid shutters

Solid shutters are a refined and elegant choice for any style of home or window, and are particularly good for reducing draughts and noise levels thanks to their solid panel design.

Solid shutters are also a great choice for large expanses of glass such as sliding patio doors, giving you flexibility to create the illusion of a false wall when the shutters are closed.

Have a look at solid shutters

Shaped shutters

Shutters are one of the few window dressings that can tackle unusual and challenging window shapes. From elegant arches and gable ends, to portholes and sloping sides, our shutters can be made-to-measure for any shape.

And best of all, our shaped shutters come in all colour options, from natural wood stains to custom colours. So you can make sure your feature shaped windows are truly dressed to impress.

See our shaped shutters

Shutter settings

Henley white full height shutters in bathroom

Where do plantation shutters look best?

Living Rooms: Shutters are perfect for living rooms that are overlooked - tilt the louvres to keep things private while enjoying lots of natural light. They'll help to reduce noise levels too, great if you live on a busy road.

Bedrooms: Choose shutters for your bedroom and you'll get a great nights' sleep. They help block out light to create a dark and restful space for sleeping. There's plenty of options to suit your style and budget.

Kitchens and Dining Rooms: These rooms tend to have higher humidity levels and are prone to moisture from cooking and washing dishes. Our moisture resistant shutters are specifically designed to withstand these conditions and are less likely to warp or be affected by moisture.

Bathrooms: Our Henley range is ideal for bathrooms. The shutters in this range are made from moisture-resistant ABS, which means they’re built to hold their shape and colour, even if your bathroom becomes damp and steamy.

Home offices: When you're working from home, comfort is key. Shutters are a stylish way to control light and screen glare and maintain your privacy too. And they'll help you keep your space at the right temperature all year round.

Door shutters

Our solid wood and full height door shutters can be fitted to a track, creating a smooth sliding mechanism that’s perfect for dressing doors, or for use as a stylish room divide. Depending on your window specifications, our tracked shutters can be fitted to a top track only or to a top and bottom rail.

When open, the shutters concertina back neatly, allowing you to fully enjoy the view from your window, or to enjoy open plan living.

Take a look at tracked shutters

Custom colour shutters in blue in kitchen

Bay window shutters

Bay windows are a lovely architectural feature that can that add charm and character to any room. However, their unique shape can make it challenging when it comes to controlling light, privacy and temperature control.

Shutters are a great choice for bay windows, helping to keep rooms cool when the temperature rises, creating an extra layer of insulation for a cosy feel during cooler months and controlling light and privacy all year round. Choose from full height, tier-on-tier or cafe style shutters – ideal shutter styles for all types of bow, box and bay windows.

See bay window shutters

What colour shutters can I have?

White cafe shutters in a cosy living room

White and cream shutters

Neutral colours can provide the perfect base for a cosy, inviting space, and shutters in white and cream bring that classic and timeless appeal.

Making rooms feel brighter, more spacious, and incredibly inviting, they act as a clean canvas, allowing you to easily switch up your décor without clashing colours.

Whether your home is modern, traditional, or anything in between, white and cream shutters not only provide excellent light control and privacy but also serve as a classic and adaptable design choice that stands the test of time.

Take a look at white and cream shutters

Pink custom colour tier on tier shutters in pink living room

Coloured shutters

A splash of colour makes a fabulous statement in any room, and with our custom colour service you can match your shutters to your furniture, your wallpaper, or even a favourite ornament.

Content creator Stasia Buckle chose our custom colour service to make her dreams come true with shutters in the exact bright pink shade she needed to achieve a Barbie inspired look.

“I decided on a bright Barbie pink with antique bronze fittings - I love that my windows are happy even when they’re closed.” – Stasia Buckle, Content Creator

See our coloured shutters