Your window shutters don't have to be boring and serve one purpose. With a touch of creativity and an eye for detail, shutters can also be decorative pieces.
Consider using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shutters. They're versatile, stylish, and suit most architectural styles. You'll have a fantastic blank canvas for creativity with the right ones. Here are some fun, imaginative ways to revamp your windows using PVC shutters.
Add Color and Interest
Most homeowners play it safe with white shutters. White is one of the most popular colors and goes with everything. When well-maintained, it makes a home look pristine. But if you make a statement to your neighbors or add personality to your room, go for some color.
Choose a shade that matches your existing home's palette. If the walls surrounding your windows are already white, pick blue shutters with hints of green. This color combination is soothing to the eyes and promotes relaxation. Is your home exterior color a muted shade like gray? Use exterior shutters in vivid color like brick red. A hue that pops out of the background creates visual interest and adds curb appeal.
Many providers of premium composite PVC shutters offer them in various standard paint colors and designs. So, you have no excuse to settle for white. You could also paint your shutters your preferred shade. Unlike wooden shutters, PVC takes paint surprisingly well if you use the right kind of paint. Go for high-quality acrylic or latex paint designed for PVC products.
Mix With Blinds or Curtains
No one's saying you should only use PVC shutters and nothing else. Pair up different window treatments to create a stylish yet functional result. For instance, combining the sharp lines of shutters with the smoothness of curtains produces a lovely layered look.
Try pairing sheer curtains over full-height shutters for a soft, flowing contrast for your living room windows. In bedrooms, blackout drapes over dark-colored PVC shutters help control light and give the room a luxurious feel. Roman blinds are also great partners for shutters. They display an eclectic, textured look ideal for insulation and privacy.
What matters is balance. If you're not skilled at combining colors, stick with complementary shades. For example, pair white shutters with neutral or earth-toned fabrics for cohesion. Choose window fixtures in more understated colors for PVC shutters in a bolder hue.
Play Around With Louver Designs and Custom Cut-Outs
While horizontal louvered shutters are a popular choice among homeowners, they aren't your only option. You can still have clean and elegant PVC shutter styles in different shapes for your windows. Several shutter companies offer ones with arched tops, patterned cut-outs, or angled slats.
Transform your window with shutters with repeating geometric shapes--like waves or stars--or intricate lattice designs. These smaller details catch the light in interesting ways and change the entire atmosphere of a room.
Decorative custom shutters are excellent for windows in creative spaces, home offices, or even hallways. These designs show that flair and function don't have to be two separate things.
Use Café-Style Shutters for a Chic Look
Want to update your windows in a charming and clever way? Consider café-style shutters! These types cover only the bottom half but offer enough privacy while allowing natural light to enter.
PVC shutters in this style work exceptionally well in kitchen and bathroom windows. In these places, you often want light but don't want yourself on full display. Café-style shutters are also great for street-facing windows where people usually walk by.
Why not go a step further? Put a decorative window film or a fabric valance on the upper half. These pieces maintain the overall look's lightness and airiness while adding visual interest.
Put Planter Boxes on Your Shutters
PVC shutters can actually serve three purposes: covering, decor, and garden space. If you're into plants but don't have enough room for them, use your exterior window shutters as a vertical garden frame. Plants are the ultimate tool in decorating a home, and they work just as well for windows, too.
Windows that face direct sunlight in the mornings are also the perfect spot to grow herbs, flowers, or small veggies. Other plants you can put in a small window box include trailing vines and succulents.
Make sure the style of shutter chosen can handle the weight of your box planters. Louvered shutters may be the best option here. Mount lightweight planters directly onto the shutter's slats. Keep them as secure as possible to prevent the planter from falling or damaging your window.
Since PVC is moisture-resistant, you don't have to worry about your shutters warping or rotting with regular watering. If you use planters with proper drainage, your windows should be fine.
Convert Your Shutters as Sliding Window Doors
Looking for something a little more nontraditional? Try mounting PVC shutters on a sliding track instead of installing them with hinges. This technique works with wider windows or those that span across a wall.
Sliding operable shutters create a distinct visual element to your home. They allow you to control light and privacy in a flexible way. You can also design them to partially overlap each other, forming dynamic shadows as light changes during the day.
If you're worried about the effort needed to close your shutters, don't fret. PVC is lighter than traditional materials, making it easy to manipulate. Just make sure the shutters are installed correctly to prevent them from slamming into each other or damaging your window.
A little unique redesigning with your PVC shutters can help you reclaim your privacy while adding a hint of style.
Wrapping Up
If eyes are to humans, then windows are to homes. You can prettify your windows with high-quality PVC shutters while still keeping practicality in mind. There's a lot to explore in terms of colors, styles, and mixed materials. You're no longer limited to using the standard white shutter.
The best part is that you don't need a huge renovation budget to install shutters. You just need the right space, pieces, and choices. So, plan well and make your windows feel fresh and personal.
