If you are considering shutters for your living room, you are certainly not alone. Shutters have become one of the most sought-after window treatments in Kent homes over the last several years. They have a refined appearance, an impressive lifespan, and they offer genuine control over both light and privacy.
If you have never purchased shutters before, however, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Which style is most appropriate? What louvre size do you require? Which colour will complement your living room? And what does the fitting process actually involve?
This guide addresses all of those questions in clear, accessible language. By the end, you should have a confident understanding of what suits your home and what to anticipate throughout the process.
Why Shutters Work So Well in a Living Room
The living room is typically the first space guests encounter when they enter your home. It is also where you spend the majority of your time, so it needs to feel comfortable throughout the day.
Shutters are well suited to living rooms for several reasons.
They provide highly precise control over natural light. Tilting the louvres allows a soft, diffused glow to enter the room without compromising your privacy from the street or a neighbouring property.
Shutters also maintain a clean, uncluttered appearance. Unlike fabric curtains, there is no material to accumulate dust or fall into disarray. They sit neatly within or around your window frame and consistently present a composed, polished finish.
Finally, shutters are designed to endure. Quality plantation shutters are constructed from solid timber or a durable hardwood alternative, and they can retain their appearance for many years with minimal upkeep.
The Three Main Styles for Living Rooms
When it comes to kent shutters, there are three styles that are particularly well suited to living rooms.
Full Height Shutters
Full height shutters span the entire window from top to bottom within a single panel or a pair of panels. This is the most widely chosen style for living rooms, owing to its neat proportions and timeless character.
Full height shutters are compatible with a broad range of window types, including standard rectangular openings, tall sash windows, and bay windows. They are an excellent option when maximum privacy and a clean, structured finish are the priority.
The panels can be opened fully to flood the room with light, or kept closed with the louvres adjusted to introduce a controlled amount of brightness. This versatility is central to their enduring popularity.
Cafe Style Shutters
Cafe style shutters cover only the lower half of the window, leaving the upper portion open to admit natural light from above while maintaining privacy at street level.
This style is particularly well suited to living rooms that overlook a pavement or a road with passing foot traffic. You can be seated in the room without concern about being observed, whilst still benefiting from the outlook through the upper section of the window.
Cafe style shutters carry a relaxed, Continental quality. They complement period properties and older homes especially well, both of which are found in abundance across Kent.
Tier-on-Tier Shutters
Tier-on-tier shutters consist of two independent sets of panels arranged one above the other. Each section can be operated separately, which provides the greatest degree of flexibility available in any shutter configuration.
For instance, the lower panels can remain closed for privacy whilst the upper panels are opened fully to introduce light from above. Alternatively, both sections can be adjusted to different louvre angles as the sun shifts position throughout the day.
Tier-on-tier shutters are particularly suited to living rooms that demand a high level of light and privacy management, as well as windows with a pronounced vertical height.
Choosing a Louvre Size
The louvres are the horizontal slats that run across each shutter panel. Tilting them regulates the quantity of light admitted into the room. They are available in a range of widths, and the size selected influences both the aesthetic character of the shutters and their practical performance.
The table below provides a concise overview of the most common louvre sizes and the contexts in which each tends to be most effective.
Louvre SizeBest ForLook and Feel47mmSmaller windows, traditional homesClassic, fine-detailed look63mmStandard living room windowsThe most popular all-round choice76mmLarge windows, modern homesBold, open feel with a bigger view when open89mmVery large windows, contemporary spacesMaximum view through the window
As a general principle, larger louvres admit more light when fully open and lend a more contemporary appearance to the room. Smaller louvres tend to suit traditional properties and windows of a modest scale.
If you are uncertain which size to select, 63mm represents a reliable choice for most living rooms. It occupies a sensible middle ground and is compatible with the majority of window proportions and interior styles found across Kent.
Popular Colour Choices for Kent Living Rooms
The majority of homeowners in the UK opt for white or off-white shutters, and the reasoning is straightforward. A clean white finish is enduring, works harmoniously with almost any interior colour scheme, and contributes to a brighter, more open atmosphere in the room.
That said, there are further options worth exploring depending on the aesthetic you wish to achieve.
Bright white is crisp and contemporary. It performs well in modern homes and rooms with a light, understated interior.
Off-white or cream is softer and warmer in tone. It is well suited to period properties and living rooms with a more traditional character. Many Kent homes, particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, are complemented beautifully by an off-white finish.
Light grey has grown considerably in popularity in recent years. It sits comfortably alongside the neutral palettes prevalent in Kent interiors and introduces a refined, modern quality without appearing too stark.
Painted colours are equally available. Some homeowners select a shade that coordinates with their window frames or reflects their broader interior scheme. A muted sage green or a restrained navy can be particularly striking in the right living room setting.
Whichever finish you choose, your shutters will be manufactured to your precise specification. The colour is applied prior to installation, ensuring a consistent, even result throughout.
Shutters and Energy Efficiency
Something many homeowners overlook is that shutters can contribute to retaining warmth in the home. When closed, the shutter panels form an additional barrier at the window, which assists in reducing draughts and thermal heat loss. This is especially relevant in older Kent properties where the windows may not offer the most efficient insulation.
The UK government provides guidance on domestic energy improvements, including measures to reduce heat loss through windows. You can explore this further through the GOV.UK Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home tool.
Shutters are not a substitute for double glazing, but when used alongside well-performing windows, they can make a meaningful difference to how warm and draught-resistant your living room feels during the colder months.
What Happens at a Home Visit
Once you decide to proceed with shutters, the typical next stage is a home visit from a specialist. The following outlines what that process involves.
Step 1: The consultation. A member of the team visits your home to assess your windows and discuss the available styles, louvre sizes, and colour options. There is no obligation to commit on the day.
Step 2: The survey. Your windows are measured with care. As shutters are made to measure, precise dimensions are essential. Even windows that appear to be a standard size may have subtle variations that must be accommodated.
Step 3: The quote. You will receive a detailed quotation based on your chosen style, louvre size, colour, and the number of windows to be fitted.
Step 4: Manufacturing. Once you confirm your order, your shutters enter production. They are custom-built to the exact measurements recorded during the survey.
Step 5: Installation. When the shutters are ready, a fitter attends your property to carry out the installation. The process is generally tidy and efficient. Your fitter will verify that everything operates correctly before completing the visit.
The full process from the initial home visit through to installation typically spans several weeks, depending on the supplier and the scope of your order.
Common Questions About Living Room Shutters
Do shutters block out all the light? Standard shutters are not blackout products. When the panels are closed and the louvres are fully shut, the room will be considerably dimmer, but some light will continue to filter through. For complete blackout in a living room, such as for a dedicated home cinema, solid panel shutters are the more appropriate solution.
Can shutters be fitted to bay windows? Yes. Bay windows are among the most popular applications for plantation shutters across Kent. They require more involved measurement and installation, but the finished result is invariably impressive.
Are shutters easy to clean? Yes. A wipe with a lightly dampened cloth is generally sufficient. As there is no fabric, shutters do not accumulate dust in the way that curtains tend to.
Can I have shutters fitted in a rented property? This depends on your landlord’s consent. As shutters constitute a fixed installation, permission is required before proceeding. A number of landlords are willing to agree, given that shutters can enhance the value and appeal of a property.
Ready to Find Out More?
If you are based in Kent and considering shutters for your living room, the most productive next step is to arrange a home visit. You will have the opportunity to view samples of the various styles and finishes within your own home, in your own light conditions, which makes the selection process considerably more straightforward.
The VIP Shutter Co is a family business based in Rochester, serving customers throughout Kent. With over 20 years of experience in the shutters and blinds industry, the team is approachable, knowledgeable, and operates entirely without sales pressure.
Get in touch today to arrange your free home visit.
