Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Conservatory blinds, and ten ways to update your conservatory
If your conservatory is overdue for an update, the following tips can
help give it a fresh new look without breaking the bank.
1. Conservatory blinds
Conservatory blinds are an easy way to update the look of your
conservatory with plenty of added benefits. You get privacy and protection from
the glare of the sun in a range of materials and colours to complement your
décor.
2. New seating
Whether it's a new settee or chaise, a soft armchair or a swing seat,
updating the seating in your conservatory is an easy way to refresh the look.
If new furniture is more than your budget can manage, you can still give your
conservatory a makeover with a few new cushions and cosy throws.
3. Homely touches
If you want a conservatory that looks and feels like an extension of
your home, choose cosy fabrics and wallpaper that give the space a "real
room" style. Sturdy furniture in rattan or wood are excellent for lending
a permanence to your conservatory so that you can enjoy it all through theyear.
4. Dining focus
If you use your conservatory as a casual dining room, don't ignore the
impact of a well-set table. Swap tablecloths and tableware for each season, and
dress up your table with a vase of colourful flowers or a show-stopping
centrepiece.
5. Soften windows
The full-length windows in a conservatory can sometimes benefit from the
contrast of soft, plush furniture. With little wall space to hang artwork or
photos, you can add colour to the room with eye-catching patterns and bold
shades on cushions, throws, furniture and conservatory roof blinds.
6. A touch of the outdoors
Achieve a pretty garden look indoors with potted plants and botanical
prints inspired by nature. Brighten up your conservatory with white furniture
and cushions to prevent the space looking too much like a jungle.
7. Statement furniture
Sometimes, updating just one piece of furniture with a bold statement
piece is all the renovation that your conservatory needs. Choose a great sofa,
a beautiful chaise or a retro-inspired dining set to add some style to a tired
conservatory.
8. Vintage charm
Carefully selected vintage accents, such as furniture, tableware, lamps,
artwork or even an antique screen in place of conservatory blinds,
can add charm and interest to your space.
9. French country style
Fresh white paint on walls and furniture provide the perfect backdrop
for tasteful blue accents and rustic touches. A casual French country style is
a lovely look for your conservatory.
10. Tropical accents
Think bright, bold colours and leafy green plants and trees to make you
feel like you're relaxing on a beach somewhere warm and tropical, no matter the
season.
11. Year-round comfort
Thursday, 18 January 2018
A beginner's guide to DIY conservatory blinds
If you've been considering blinds for your conservatory, you may be
surprised to know that you don't have to spend a fortune on bespoke design or
professional installation. With a little patience – and perhaps the aid of an
online video tutorial – you can DIY a decent set of blinds for your
conservatory.
We hope that this quick guide will help you get started.
The basics
You can find DIY conservatory blinds at most
builders’ supplies or DIY stores. These kits include everything that you'll
need to install your own blinds, including material, fittings and hardware. All
you need to do is measure your conservatory windows correctly.
There are four main types of conservatory blinds for you to consider:
·
Venetian blinds.
·
Vertical blinds.
·
Roller blinds.
·
Roman blinds.
There are pros and cons to each of these types of conservatory blinds, sodo some research to help you decide which is
best for your space. Keep in mind colour and style, durability, practicality
and energy efficiency.
Measuring correctly
The key to a successful DIY installation of conservatory roof blinds is to measure your windows
properly.Take your time with this step as it's critical to ensure a good fit.
If you want your conservatory blinds to cover just the glass pane
itself, measure only the inside recess of each window at the top, middle and
bottom for height, and the left, middle and right for width. Write down each
measurement, and then take only the smallest number for both height and width
as the true measurement.
If you want the blinds to cover the whole window, frame and all, measure
the outside recess of each window. Again, take measurements in three positions
– top, middle and bottom for height, and left, middle and right for width.
Fitting your conservatory blinds
The proper fitting method will depend on your DIY kit manufacturer, the
type of blinds you've chosen, and how your conservatory is built, but the basic
principles are generally the same.
It’s important to make sure that you're installing your conservatory
blinds straight and level to avoid the sloppy look of crooked window coverings.
Next, you'll have to decide if you want to fix your blinds to the window
frame or to the lintel. The instructions included with your DIY kit should
recommend the best method for the type of blindsyou've chosen.
Take care when drilling. Be sure tohave a good drill and sharp, new
drill bits at hand as drilling into a lintel can be difficult and drilling into
UPVC is a bit tricky. However, if you go slowly and measure precisely, you
shouldn't have much trouble.
Conclusion
Installing conservatory
roof blinds is
a project for experienced DIY-ers. If this isn't you, consider a more effective
solution with an insulated conservatory roof. You'll get dramatically improved
temperature regulation and energy efficiency without sacrificing everything you
love about having a conservatory for a lovely, comfortable space you can enjoy
all year round.
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