Your window treatments finish each room. However, if they are not cleaned or cared for properly it will make your room look untidily finished, and they will need replacing much sooner than ones that were treated well.

But just how is the right way to clean each different style and type of blinds?

Your blinds need to be cleaned once a week in the following manner, with a deeper clean and attention to detail once a month in order to keep them at their prime condition.

Whether you have fabric blinds, wooden blinds, PVC blinds or aluminium blinds the beginning processes for cleaning are the same.

1. Begin by using a soft cloth or a vacuum with a brush head attachment (if you don’t have either, use a hair tie to secure a fabric softener sheet over the nozzle) to remove the loose dirt from the blinds. If your blinds have slats, start with them tilted upwards first.
2. If you have plastic, vinyl or aluminium blinds they can be removed from the window for washing once a month – if you have wooden blinds you should never get them wet. If you have fabric blinds a different cleaning process is needed.
3. Take your blinds outside or place them in a bathtub if you have one, but don’t submerge them in water.
4. Wash each individual slat with a sponge or brush and remember to wash the cords well too.
5. Rinse the blinds and hang them over a clothes line or the shower curtain rail.
6. When they are completely dry, wipe them down with a fabric softener sheet to ensure all dust has been removed and to prevent more from accumulating.

If you have fabric blinds use a duster or cloth to regularly remove dust and prevent build ups. Dabbing a damn sponge on marks will help draw any stains out of the fabric.

Visit The Blinds Company in order to explore our extensive range of Blinds and Curtains, currently with free delivery Australia wide. 

There is nothing better than using fresh herbs to season your food. Whilst we love the convenience of being able to pick up fresh herbs in our local supermarket, they often go off before we have a chance to use them all. It would be easier, and tastier, to just be able to pick them off your own garden. 

But how easy is it to start an herb garden in your kitchen? 

-Easier than you think. 

For year round fresh herbs all you need is access to a window that receives at least 4 or 5 hours of direct sunlight every day – which in Australia we are not short of. You will also need the correct soil, watering patterns and housing for your plants. 

Lighting 

In order for your plants to grow you need to create a vegetative light cycle where so that they can receive (ideally) around 8 hours (or more) of direct sunlight (or artificial light) and around 8 hours (or more) of darkness. This encourages your plants to grow.

To help your herbs grow quicker, simply use fluorescent lights directly above the plants to give them a boost – it will also help your plant to produce more yield. 

Soil 

Soil is needed to flavour your herbs, however unexpectedly – it is the lower quality soil which will create the better plant. Head to your local gardening centre and ask for the best herb growing soil – herbs are full of delicious oils that create the explosive flavours. If you buy a good quality soil your herbs are likely to grow too quickly to have produced any oils when grown. 

Watering

Check your soil every day by touching the surface with your fingertips, it should be soft and moist – if it feels dry you need to water your plants. Water generously (until you see water leaking from the holes in the bottom of the container) and less often – but try not to over water or drown your herbs. 

Housing 

Housing for your herbs is very important. You will need containers with holes in the bottom as herbs like their soil to drain quickly. Line the bottom of your container with half an inch of broken tiles or slate and other smaller stones. You should choose a deep container to give the roots room to grow and create a much stronger plant with a much tastier yield. Always water your plants from the base in the soil, rather than from the leaves. 

Nutrients  

Ten days after your plants have been planted or transplanted you can start feeding them with added nutrients. Use 10ml per gallon of B1 plant mix and liquid seaweed in all the water you feed your plants after the 10^th day. This will encourage oil production due to the high levels of growth hormone and vitamins. 

Picking your Herbs 

Your herbs should be ready to pick around four to six weeks after planting or transplanting – or as soon as there are enough leaves to be picked without leaving the plant bald. If you are growing a herb that flowers, like basil, they are best picked when in bloom. You can find the highest levels of essential oils when you harvest or pick your herbs at the end of a dark cycle. 

Visit this Pinterest board to view a wide range of DIY containers that will look great in your kitchen, and be sure to send us in pictures of your herb gardens to our social media pages in order to be featured in a future article in The Style Mag!

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for many things- functioning properly in the work place, keeping your body healthy, not putting on odd shoes as you rush out the door….

But for those of us who struggle with insomnia, or can’t sleep unless all the conditions are perfect, it can be surprising to hear the list of things we need in order to get some sleep. 

Whilst there is no quick fix for insomnia or sleeping trouble, there are many things you can do to help encourage the body and mind to fall asleep when you need them to. 

Pillows

When choosing the best pillow for you, you must first determine what position you sleep best in.

Do you tend to sleep on your;

• Front – choose a softer pillow like white duck down or soft polyester.
• Side – choose a medium pillow like a feather and down mix or a medium polyester filling.
• Back – choose a firm pillow to help spinal alignment.
• Upright – choose a goose or duck feather pillow or opt for memory foam to help support you as you sleep. 

Mattresses

When choosing your mattress the firmness you choose should also be determined by how you sleep best.

Do you sleep on your;

• Front sleepers – if you sleep on your front, it is best to choose a soft mattress or a mattress with a little “give” to help comfortably accommodate your contours and curves.
• Back sleepers – if you sleep on your back, you will need a mattress with medium support, this will help distribute your weight evenly and ensure maximum comfort.
• Side sleepers – if you sleep on your side, it is essential that you choose a hard mattress to keep your back aligned throughout the night, protecting your spine. 

Duvets and Blankets 

When it comes around to buying a duvet or blanket for your bed – which is best to help you sleep? 

Natural duvets are created with down and/or feathers and though more expensive than synthetic duvets, will last a lifetime. They will create more heat with less thickness and enable your skin to breathe, even through a duvet with a high tog. 

If you suffer (even slightly) from allergies choosing a natural duvet can make breathing at night more difficult, so it is best to opt for a synthetic duvet. 

Synthetic duvets are created with either hollow fibre or microfiber and are much more lightweight than natural duvets. They are great for allergy sufferers, easy to care for and can be washed a lot more frequently, without the special care that is required for natural duvets. 

Cotton sheets are also a great choice in Australia, especially in the summer months. They will help to keep you cooler, and can be easily placed in the freezer for a few hours before you sleep, ensuring your bed is never too hot. 

Lighting 

Lighting is very important in the bedroom, especially if you are someone who has specific lighting needs whilst you sleep. Blockout blinds and curtains are used to block all light from the outside – perfect for night workers. Keep your block out blinds closed during the day to keep the room from overheating, then open when the sun goes down to let in the cooler evening air. Close before you sleep to keep out any early morning sun. 

Electronics 

Make your bedroom an electronics free zone. Charge your phones in another room and buy a traditional alarm clock. Get rid of the TV, tablet computers and laptops too – studies have shown that electronics in the bedroom not only affect our sleep with the artificial light stimulating us to be awake, they also prevent us from spending quality time with our loved ones. 

Have you successfully used any of our blinds or curtains to help create a great bedroom? Send us in pictures to be featured in The Style Mag or in our social media pages. 

We all want to keep our homes neat and tidy but there are always tasks we put off until they really, really need to be done. Venetian blinds inevitably seem to fall into this category, however with a bit of daily maintenance they don’t have to be so much of a bother. Follow our tips to keeping them clean on a daily basis and you may just be able to avoid having to do the dreaded ‘deep clean’.

Which blinds are you cleaning?

First off, you’ll just need to take note of which type of Venetians you are cleaning. Do you have timber, faux wood or aluminium blinds? Each can be cleaned in a fairly similar manner, you just don’t want to use water or any kind of liquid cleaner on timber Venetians as it can stain or warp the wood.

Remove Stains First

Let’s start with timber Venetians, as they are technically the most delicate and difficult to clean. Begin by checking the blinds for any stains or spots. If you do find any, first try going over them with a paper towel or clean, dry, soft cloth. If that doesn’t do the trick you can try a slightly damp cloth before moving on to an actual wood cleaner.

Apply a small amount of the wood cleaner to a soft cloth and gently rub the stain away.

For a faux wood or aluminium Venetian blinds, you’ll want to go through the same process, however these blinds are much more forgiving. You can remove stains using a bit of soap and water or a conventional cleaning spray.

A Thorough Dusting

Once you’ve spot-cleaned your blinds you can move on to giving them a good, thorough dusting. Again, a good soft cloth should do the job.

Just tilt your blinds all the way closed and run the cloth gently and carefully over each slat. If it hasn’t been long since your last cleaning you can do this with a duster instead. Once you’re finished with one side, tilt the blinds in the other direction and do the same.

We also like the idea of doing this with a cleaning glove or even an old clean sock over your hand. This gives you a good amount of control over what you’re cleaning and also allows you to go around the blinds’ cords where dust tends to build up. Just be sure never to exert too much pressure on any one slat.

If you feel so inclined you can vacuum the slats of your blinds using the soft brush that can be attached to the hose. Run it very lightly over each slat and do a quick check on the first one to make sure it isn’t inadvertently scratching the surface.

Wipe Clean

If you find that a dusting isn’t going to get the job done you will need to wipe your blinds clean. This can be done with a bit of water or a good eco-friendly cleaner. Wipe each slat dry with a paper towel or soft cloth.

Lastly, do take the time to go over your blinds with a dryer sheet. This will actually help them repel dust over time.

Home design can be such a fascinating subject once you delve a bit deeper into it; nowhere else can you not only take your time enjoying the creation of your work of art but then actually live in it! As the seasons change, however, design preferences change as well. Today we’re talking about one of the latest trends to hit the Australian design scene: organic texture blinds.

Blinds with organic textures are what really distinguish modern window coverings from those of the past. People are looking to get back to nature, to complement their homes’ minimalist appeal with elements to soften it. Certain blinds have the power to add texture and colour, and to bring warmth to the space as they serve their purpose; in this case, covering your windows.

Our Venetian Blinds are one of the most straightforward ways to add organic texture to your space. Timber Venetians in tones of mocha and sequoia are the antidote to stark whites, greys and blacks but combine surprisingly well with these cooler neutral hues. You can also opt for Ecowood (faux wood blinds), which have the benefit of being extremely resistant over time. They won’t warp or fade when exposed to moisture.

Roman Blinds are another great way to add a real organic feel to the space. These blinds allow you to choose which weave or finish you’d like to incorporate into the room. Their neutral colour palettes make them a simple complement to most design schemes, and with options like light-filtering Desert Romans it’s easy to see how they really bring out a natural element in the space.

Finally, you’ve got Roller Blinds to help you take advantage of the organic texture movement. They are also available in gorgeous finishes, to bring in natural illumination. Add in textures and colours ranging from Granicite blackout blinds to Durascreen and you’ll find many ways to customise your space.

For more information about any of our organic texture blinds please feel free to contact us.

One of the most significant benefits of designing with blinds is their incomparable ability to control the level of light you allow into a room. Windows are meant to illuminate a space, to keep it from feeling boxed in and ultimately to bring a bit of the outside in. But, when too much sun shines through you risk fading your furniture and of course the area can become much too hot.

When it comes to setting the levels of light exactly where you need them Venetian Blinds really fit the bill. Their simple operation allows you to enjoy multiple levels of light filtration.

With Venetians a simple twist of a wand or pull of a cord allows you to drastically change the look and feel of the room. You can even determine the angle of the light you’re letting into the space. They are also extremely easy to install; simply measure your window recess and hang them using the enclosed brackets and simple tools such as a drill, tape measure and screws.

When you want to let the full amount of light into the room, your Venetian Blinds can virtually disappear when completely drawn.

If concerned about this style of blinds looking a bit industrial, keep in mind that today’s models are quite far removed from the standard, slim aluminium blinds found in office buildings and other industrial spaces. This is where it really pays to request samples- our Ecowood and timber wood blinds work well within many natural, organic designs. Sometimes the samples of varying shades of Sequoia, Mocha and Maraschino Cherry need to be held against your furniture, wall colour and floors before you make your final purchase.

For more information please feel free to contact our friendly experts. We are available to help you select the perfect Venetians for any room in your home. 

Once reserved for industrial spaces and high rise offices, blinds may not be the first choice that comes to mind when considering window coverings for a design inspired by natural colours and textures. Today’s modern blinds, however can not only work well within a natural scheme, they can actually enhance an organic ambiance and bring in the perfect amount of sunlight to illuminate the room with the use of harsh electric lighting.

In terms of colour and texture, timber wood blinds are a ‘natural’ choice. Warm tones of mahogany or oak can really blend well with wood floors, or create a beautiful frame for a window overlooking a garden. If you’re working in a kitchen or bathroom you can achieve the same look with a long-lasting set of Ecowood Venetian Blinds.

You can also take a less literal interpretation of nature. Why not highlight a natural space using a gorgeous light filtering blind to let the light in? Sometimes it’s the most unobtrusive choice that ends up looking the most organic- a sheer white blind, for example, will let the other aspects of the room shine without calling too much attention. We also love the look and feel of hanging your blinds slightly lower in the window, allowing the natural light to shine in the top edge.

Roman blinds are a nice choice for a comfortable room with softer edges. Draping fabrics and rich textures can be amazingly cosy and inviting. While they may not scream Zen or ‘outdoors’ they do help to achieve a very simple, plush space that’s perfect for spending a bit more time in.

If you’re looking for the right window covering for a natural room, remember that your choices go beyond curtains; blinds can often achieve a similar or even better effect.

With good weather comes the desire to throw open our doors and make our living spaces, well, more liveable. If you’re looking to get out of the routine and freshen up your space, have a look at a few of the hot 2014 design trends that have caught our eye. Each can also be played up with the right blinds.

Wooden Panels and Timber Elements

Instead of being reserved for accents or trim, touches of timber are now regarded as an essential element to cover entire accent walls. Try adding a timber accent wall behind your head board with all white bedding, or wood finish drawers to a modern bathroom design. They can easily be combined with timber wood or Ecowood Venetian blinds.

Modern Tropical Décor

Maybe it represents our need to make our homes more relaxing and holiday-like or perhaps it’s just a good way to bring more of the outside in, but tropical décor has seen a resounding spike over the past several months. Accent palm-tree printed wall paper with neutral white light filtering roller blinds or turn to warm brown roman blinds to add texture to a tropically-inspired space.

Bold Pastels

Moving away from wood and natural tones, bold pastels are another strong trend for 2014. Designers are using increasing amounts of shades like aqua, robin’s egg blue and pale strawberry, adding them to designs with plenty of light. It’s all about creating spaces that are inviting and pleasing to the eye, with pops of more vibrant colour to add depth. When working with pastels you can accent them with neutral roller blinds to let these subtle hues become the focal point.

Metallic Everything

The thought of adding silver or chrome accessories to your home might not be so appealing but the latest trend focuses on elegant brushed metals like copper, pewter and nickel. Metals can actually be quite neutral, used either as accents or in larger amounts. Try playing with a metallic sculpture or bronze cushions to see how they work within your existing design.

Some homes are even taking advantage of metal paint on base boards and window frames, which is a great way to make use of this trend in a way that can later be painted over if desired.

Coastal Inspiration

Not to be confused with nautical stripes, ropes or anchors, modern coastal style is more about bringing the organic shapes and colours of the sea inside the home. You can draw from the beige, golden or bone colours of the sand; the greys, blues and turquoises of the ocean and the muted browns and slates of driftwood and stones.

This leads to the use of beautifully worn textiles, things that have (or look as though they have) had prolonged exposure to the elements. Items that have been crafted over time and now look perfectly lived in. You’ll also want to incorporate plenty of light, with blinds that can be drawn to let the sun and breeze in, or those that let the sun filter through as much as possible.

Tangible Textures

This is a fun one to try out even if you’re not planning to do much to your space. Adding rich textures can be every bit as interesting as adjusting your colour scheme. You’ll want to branch out to patterns, touchable rugs and cushions, items evoking the feel of branches, waves, thick woven fabrics and even faux furs.

Texture can be added in line with your current colour scheme, or you can bring them in using different colours as well. Some of our blinds choices can even be textural- browse them all and feel free to contact our experts for the latest information on design trends.

Blinds have become more popular than ever in recent years; it may be due to the fact that they are so simple to install and operate. A simple pull of a cord or chain can raise and lower them, allowing you to let in the perfect amount of light. It could also be because they easily create a clean and finished look, giving any room that contemporary feel that so many home-owners are after.

Roman blinds are one of the most sought-after models available, offering a draping fabric look that actually tends to resemble traditional curtains a bit more than other options. They work well in almost any space- if you’re considering them for a room in your home (or the entire house) read on for a few important tips.

Inside or Outside the Window Recess?

With Romans you have the option of hanging them inside or outside the window recess, although it’s often recommended that you hang them outside. The reasons for this are not only aesthetic but functional as well.

When you hang Roman Blinds outside the recess, ie. above the window and extending beyond the recess on the sides, you completely cover the window. It makes for a clean, finished look. When raised, your Roman Blinds will be neatly folded above the window without obstructing the light as much as when installed within the recess.

Because the blinds hang a bit further from the window they are less likely to fade when exposed to direct sunlight. They are easier to fit and the sizing is a bit more flexible, which is especially helpful if you’re fitting the blinds yourself.

Design Appeal

If you like the look of draping fabric then Roman Blinds are a good option. They can actually help soften up a room with very angular lines. The blinds on our site are quite modern as well, so there’s no need to worry that they’ll look too traditional. To the contrary, they can fit with a traditional design scheme and give it a touch of contemporary appeal.

Use Roman Blinds in any room in your home- from a small bathroom window to a wide living room window with a view.

Functionality and Safety

Roman Blinds come with either a chain or a cord, depending on your preference. In order to comply with safety guidelines, you’ll need to install a chain or cord lock in order to ensure that a loose cord or chain is never able to form a loop 220mm or longer at a height of 1600mm above floor level.

Proper installation of the included cord cleat hook or chain tension device will ensure there is no dangerous slack hanging, meaning they are much safer for use in family rooms and children’s rooms than in the past. No blinds safety precaution is fool proof but if you take care to ensure the cord and chain are safely out of reach you’ll be able to rest much easier.

Letting in the Light

They may not be the first blinds you think of when you imagine light filtering blinds but Roman Blinds are in fact available in a number of textures. This is convenient as they don’t offer the flexibility of say, Venetian Blinds. They are either open or closed- wherever you decide to leave them is where they stay, with light shining in below.

Neutral and Timeless

By choosing a neutral toned Roman Blind you can ensure that it will stay current for years to come. They are relatively easy to care for and won’t look outdated with the changing of the seasons. In fact, they can often blend in with any interior design changes, meaning they’ll be one less thing to swap out.

To view our entire range of Roman Blinds click here. 

There’s a certain limit to what many of us achieve when it comes to DIY projects, but blinds are one of those things that most home owners can do in a few hours or less. This of course doesn’t take into account the hours poring over the options and viewing your samples in the window before purchasing but once you begin the task you should find it fairly easy.

Here we explain the process of ordering your blinds online from start to finish.

Your first task is to determine the windows where you’ll be fitting blinds and take accurate measurements. Learn how to measure your windows for blinds here.

You can then have a look at which blinds you like best and which will suit the needs of each room. A good rule of thumb is that timber wood blinds won’t hold up in wet areas like the kitchen or bathroom. But, if you like the look and feel of a timber wood Venetian blind you can always opt for an Ecowood (faux wood) blind instead.

Roman and roller blinds tend to work well in almost any space, and you can now make all blinds safe for children’s room with the help of a cleat hook to keep the cord out of reach.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of blinds you can order samples. We recommend viewing samples of roman and roman blinds in your windows at different times of day so you can really get a feel for how they look with the light filtering through. Venetian blind samples can be held against your existing furnishings and floor to view the contrast.

After you’ve ordered your blinds it will be time for installation. Your blinds will come with detailed fitting instructions but you’ll also find guides right here on our site. This article has additional information as well. If you get stuck at any time, our experts can help walk you through the process and troubleshoot any issues.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us! 

We all get the urge to decorate at least once in a while; the notion to update our space or make it somehow more live-able and pleasant to the eye. Spring growth is notorious for making people want to throw open their doors and make things light and bright. But, it’s not always easy to re-do an entire room- sometimes we need a quick fix! The following are a few fun ways you can add new Spring style to your home without spending too much time and without breaking the bank.

Add Flowers and Greenery

It may sound cliché but bringing the outside in really is the ‘Spring’ thing to do, and natural elements have the power to add colour and freshness to the space at a relatively low cost.

Try placing a lush, potted plant in a forgotten corner of the room, or a row of flowering plants on your windowsill. You can also take the time to rearrange your furniture a bit to give you a better view of the garden or greenery outside.

Although not permanent, a bouquet of fresh flowers is a guaranteed mood-enhancer. It’s also relaxing to actually take the time to arrange them- arranging a short vase full of fresh flowers with short stems is something anyone can do. Experts say to always buy more than you think you’ll need, as you can never have too many!

Paint a Ceiling or a Room

Painting is one of those things you can do in a weekend and it makes an enormous impact on the space. The tendency in Spring is to go for a lighter, brighter hue but you can also move entirely in the other direction; have a look at these inspiring rooms painted in dark tones.

Another option is to paint just the ceiling in a shade of grey or pale blue. It’s a subtle change that can add a lot of interest.

Let the Natural Light In

Evaluate your current window treatments to see if they might benefit from some replacements. Spring is bright and airy and you don’t want to block it all out. Try some light filtering roller blinds or sheer curtains to blow in the breeze. You can also loosely match your curtains to a table cloth or your bed linens to create a coordinated look, but keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be an exact match. Often even a slight correlation between your patterns or colours will help you achieve a great result.

Swap out your Accessories

When you’ve got a nice neutral base you can really work with your accessories to create a Springier look and feel. Trade dark-coloured cushions for lighter ones and heavier vases for crystal or bright coloured glass. Colourful patterns are also a good bet for this time of year- mix and match patterns that have the same base tones or complementary lines.

Update your Storage

You’ve heard of Spring cleaning, and updating your storage is a really nice variation to the theme. Pull your books off shelves and dust them off, but take the time to rearrange them when you put them back. You can purchase pretty book-ends or add photographs or figurines to really make your shelves a focal point.

Clean out wardrobes by donating old clothes to charity and storing away winter items, then go in and focus on your shelves, drawers and hangers. Arrange the clothes by colour and fold and stack them neatly- you’ll get extra points if you arrange them so that they can stay that way! It never hurts to pick up a few handy storage bins to make the task easier- this works especially well in kids’ rooms.

Try these decorating tips for Spring to breathe new life into your space, and feel free to contact our experts for further advice. 

Interior design trends are ever changing; every season brings new ideas for your home. However, going by the last few years there’s one thing that’s very clear: neutral tones are here to stay. White, beige and black are timelessly elegant. However, this does not mean that you should limit yourself to these particular palettes; it means you can play with contrast and creativity. Now is the time for fun accents and splashes of colour.

Neutral colours allow you to create great backgrounds that allow special furnishings to stand out and give personality to the room you’re decorating.  Brilliant colour accents can add a particular shine and life to a room. Furthermore, if you implement them in items like throw pillows, or any other piece that can be easily changed, you can have a room that looks fresh and new every season or even every month.

The question of colour brings us to a rather complicated design topic: what accent colours are best? You can always refer to Radiant  Orchid, the pantone of the year, for an elegant yet vibrant look. However, you may want to experiment with warmer hues like a bright and inviting orange or a particularly passionate shade of red. It all of course depends on your personality and the nature of the room. What works in the living room may not be ideal for the bedroom.  Take a look at the room you’re decorating, and based on aesthetics, personality and functionality determine which hues would work best as accents.

Remember that in order to really bring out your accentuated shades, you need to have a very solid and neutral background. It’s easy to think about how throw pillows interact with a couch or a table, however most people forget that light can make or break the mood of a room as well. When it comes to managing light and how it affects your furniture, blinds and/or curtains are an important consideration.

Roller blinds or blackout curtains are ideal for a room that’s artificially lit most of the time, or where you need to keep a particular level of illumination regardless of the time of day. These work especially well during the winter, as the right set of blinds can not only help you control your accents and illumination, they can also help to keep the heat inside the house. This adds a layer of functionality to their style. Artificially lit rooms are particularly great for accents; because the level of light is constant the colours you want to bring out will take centre stage all day and night.

Venetian blinds or sheer curtains on the other hand, can help you control when you want your accents to shine and when you want a more neutral and calm atmosphere for the room. The vibe of a room can completely change depending on how much you choose to open your blinds.

Blinds and curtains are often overlooked  or left for the last minute when it comes to interior design, because they’re considered hard to change and/or expensive. However, online retailers like The Blinds Company offer inexpensive, easy to install products that can really improve your home’s décor.  

With the right neutral background, the proper lighting and solid accents to provide proper contrast, you can give new life to an old space.

Play around with colour using these basic guidelines. This winter, don’t be afraid to experiment and add new things to make the space truly your own. 

The Blinds Company are unique to the Australian Market, providing great Blinds and Curtains for a great price.

You measure and install your own blinds, cutting the cost of having to meet a consultant or hire a team to install the product. The Blinds Company operate online and your Blinds and Curtains are not made until you order them, so you save money again by not having to pay for a large warehouse or showroom.

30 Day Guarantee

If you order samples of our product and you’re still not happy with the final product you have 30 days to send them back to us for your money back.

Price Promise

If you find our products cheaper elsewhere, we will refund the difference and an additional 10% – up to 7 days after you receive our product. 

Samples

The Blinds Company understand when buying something like Blinds or Curtains our customer needs to be sure of the feel and texture of the fabrics and materials, as well as the true colour which may not come across in image form.

That is why we provide a Samples Service. Samples of all of our Curtains and Blinds are available to order on our site and have delivered to your home – this way you can be confident in your purchase.

Free Delivery

We offer free delivery Australia wide to make the transaction easier for you, no matter how remotely you live we will get the Blinds or Curtains to you, at no additional cost.  

Easy to Install

Our Blinds and Curtains are not a DIY disaster waiting to happen- even the least DIY-inclined home owner can install them without a problem. 

We also provide step by step guides on our site on how to measure and install your Blinds or Curtains, as well as how to install their child safety accessories. 

Free Child Safety Accessories

Child safety is paramount to every parent, and everyone on the team at The Blinds Company – that is why we provide free child safety devices with every purchase and instructions on how to install them in the correct way. 

Visit our online shop to view our full range and order samples today.  

Whether you’re five years old or 50, your bedroom is your haven – your quiet and private area that is reserved for only you to enjoy.

Whether the bedroom in question is reserved solely for sleeping or is used for studying and playing too, it is essential to get the interior and finishing correct for the room to function to its full potential.

Depending on who the room is for the interior and window furnishings should match the needs and requirements of the room. Little details such as colour, material and style can go a long way to make huge differences to your home.

Children’s Rooms

Children’s bedrooms should be light, airy and welcoming. They should be a place a child can feel safe and where they can enjoy their freedom a little more than in other rooms in the house where there may be items that children should not be left alone with.

When it comes to choosing the correct window treatments there are many factors to consider in order to get them right. Does your child take naps? Do they go to bed before it becomes dark? If you answer yes to either of those questions it is best to choose Block out Blinds or Curtains. These Blinds and Curtains are created to block out all light and keep even a sun facing room dark and cool when necessary making nap times and bed times easier to establish.

One of the many advantages of choosing block out blinds or curtains is that whilst having the ability to provide darkness when it is light, they can be opened and tucked away into a very small space and will provide a seamless connection with the great outdoors.

As with installing anything in your child’s bedroom, safety is paramount; at The Blinds Company all of our Blinds and Curtains come with the relevant safety equipment and free instructions for installation (see our blog post on Blinds Safety with Children here).

Teenagers’ Rooms

Sometimes it may seem our teenagers enjoy being locked away for the evening, every evening with the curtains closed, headphones in and laptop on ignoring their surroundings. However, most sulking is just a phase and your child is likely to take pride in their room again soon.

Giving your son or daughter’s bedroom a makeover could in fact encourage your child to keep it cleaner, be more sociable and invite more friends to the house. It may even help them to snap out of the permanent bad mood that appears at 13 and lasts for two years.

Try to avoid Block Out fabrics – teenagers do not need any more encouragement to sit in the dark straining their eyes over computer and television screens. Choose a sheer or thin fabric in order to keep the room light and airy whilst maintaining their privacy.

Your Room 

Your bedroom is the most important room in the house; the luxurious sanctuary you may have been dreaming about your entire life. Collecting furniture, bedding and paintings throughout the years has meant you finally have the bedroom of your dreams and can go to bed in your perfect surroundings.

Whether it’s a walk in wardrobe, a 42” flat screen TV or an antique dressing table, you each have your own prized possession that has made the stamp on your room, however the key to a perfect bedroom is the ability to change the mood and atmosphere for its different needs.

Lighting and your choice of Blinds or Curtains are the perfect ingredients for introducing light control in the bedroom. Spot lights, or lights that can be dimmed, as well as candles are perfect for creating a mood whilst it is dark. A combination of Venetian Blinds and Sheer Curtains create the ability to manipulate light and therefore the overall atmosphere of the room; the curtains frame your view and add a touch of luxury to an otherwise simple interior. 

Guest Rooms

Guest bedrooms are the least trafficked rooms in our homes – even when guests are frequent. However, that doesn’t mean the interior should be compromised on, it should be simple, fresh and not focus too much on a singular theme or style.

Sleeping in another person’s home for the first time can be a little uncomfortable. Sleeping in a bed guests are not familiar with, and with sounds and light that they aren’t used to, can make for a restless night’s sleep – however guest rooms can also have to ability to feel like luxury hotels where you receive the unbeatable benefits of “knowing the owner”.

The trick to having the perfect guest room is simple – provide the tools to let your guest make up their own minds. For example provide a fan and a heater, a pair of Curtains and of Blinds, a duvet and a thinner bed sheet and leave your guest to decide what they would prefer. 

Roller Blinds combined with a pair of Curtains give your guests the choice about how much light they would like in the day, as well as the option of how dark they would like their room to be when they sleep – meaning they can sleep easy and you can be the hostess with the mostess!

Whichever room you are dressing in your home, be confident in your choice of styles and fabrics by ordering samples to be delivered to your door. The Blinds Company offers samples of Venetian, Roman and Roller blinds as well as Curtains. 

Moving away to University can be scary for both kids and parents. Parents are unwilling or unable to let go, whilst kids might act like they cannot get out of the home fast enough- but the truth is, most are terrified about having to look after themselves for the first time.

University halls or student houses are usually a far cry from our clean and organised family homes, however a couple of small changes and decoration choices can help your child feel at home in no time.

The first thing to think about when buying things to kit out your college rooms a comforter or duvet. The pattern, design and colour can be the foundations for the rest of your bedroom and once you have chosen a colour you love, the colour theme for the rest of the room will be easy to decide on.

It is always important to have a comfy bed – especially for those students who live in student accommodation and have to share bathrooms, kitchens and living areas. The best way to create a comfy bed is to use a mattress topper or to place a single duvet on top of the mattress – giving even the most tired and deflated of beds a comforting feel.

In the summer you will need thinner sheets but even in a mild summer a thicker duvet can make all the difference to your night’s sleep – especially if you’re trying to save money by not switching on the heating.

Trying to personalise a room that doesn’t belong to you, that you will probably only live in for a year and one that you cannot paint, build additional furniture or rearrange to make your own, can seem like an impossible task, however a few small changes can really help.  

Photos and posters are a student’s best friend – they are temporary, personalise the room perfectly and help new friends to understand your likes and dislikes. They can be packed away at the end of the year and taken to your new student digs in the New Year. 

Using Blinds or Curtains is another great way to personalise your room. Instead of the stained, broken and hospital style curtains that your student accommodation came with, why not change them for a nice pair of blinds or curtains that you can use throughout your years at University?

We recommend using Blinds or Curtains with “block out” capabilities as we know many students tend to live at night and sleep during the day – our “block out” products are perfect for keeping out the bright sun on an early weekend morning, as well as allowing in natural light to encourage studying.

Wherever you’re off to for University, or whether you’re a parent who isn’t looking forward to saying goodbye, follow these few tips in order make your home away from home as comfortable, personalised and homey as possible. 

Anyone with young children will tell you how difficult it is to contain a child’s mess – whether they have one child or twenty, somehow there are toys all over the house all of the time, no matter how many times you put them back.

For those children who use their rooms to play and have fun, it can be difficult for them to then associate the room with calm and peace when it comes to night time. It is proven that when bedrooms are reserved for night times only, children are more likely to sleep better and for longer.

A couple of toys in the bedroom is great for young children who occupy themselves on weekend mornings, however too many can distract your child from sleeping at night (the need to play for ‘just a bit more’ is common among children).

Creating a playroom in your home reserves a place for children to play as much as they like, making as much mess as they like, without it spilling into and taking over your home, or distracting them from sleep and homework which take place in the bedroom.

A playroom also helps to keep sibling rivalry at bay as it is not the room of one or the other. The toys, books and games are generally shared as opposed to belonging to one child. If you don’t provide a television in your child’s playroom the child will be encouraged to use his or her creativity and imagination for games and stories – just like you did when you were young!

Playrooms create a haven for kids to enjoy within your home; a place they can feel relaxed, at home and proud of when their friends visit to play. And, having an entire room dedicated to toys makes you a very cool parent.

If you have the space and you’re tired of the children taking over, check out some of these ideas on Buzzfeed, to help get your creative juices flowing and take back your house! We can also help you choose the perfect Roller, Venetian or Roman blinds for the space. 

As summer turns to winter there is no better time to redecorate or design your home interiors and brighten up a tired room.

As a couple you may have already decided on the colour scheme, created a layout, chosen the finishing touches- you’re ready to start your weekend make over project!

The only problem; he wants to paint and you want to paste.

There are many pros and cons to both techniques, with each material offering a different look, finish or texture and both needing different application methods and care.

To Paint or Not to Paint

There is no denying that the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to colour your walls is with a fresh coat of paint.

With the introduction of ‘all-in-one’ paints, that combine paint with primers and undercoats, painting has never been simpler – just fill your paint tray, dip in your roller brush and away you go.

Paint now comes in many different finishes, such as; eggshell, matte, satin, flat and semi or high gloss. The different types of paint not only have an impact on the final project, they also work with the elements in the different environments within your home. For example, high gloss paint is perfect for kitchens and bathrooms as it is rarely affected by condensation and can be easily wiped clean of stains and slashes – unlike matte paint.

You can also use different tools to change the texture of the paint and how it looks on your walls. For example, experiment with plastic bags, old rags, sponges and stencils to create different looks which will brighten up boring walls and add depth to your room without a costly price tag.

Prepping is minimal:

• Remember to cover your carpet or flooring in a dustsheet or newspaper to prevent paint droplets or splashes from ruining your belongings.
• Remove all nails, staples and blutac from the walls.
• Fill any holes or dents with spackling paste or polyfiller and sand down once dry.
• Stick masking or painters tape around your light fixtures, skirting boards, door frames and electrical outlets – this will prevent any messy lines or smudges.

The only, but major, disadvantage of painting is the mess – paint has a habit for getting everywhere. You will find splashes in your hair, it will get all over your hands and if you don’t cover everything it will somehow find its way onto the only thing you didn’t cover or remove from the room.

To remove water based paint from your skin use soap and warm water, however to remove oil based paints you will need turpentine or paint remover to help shift the stain.

To Paste or Not to Paste

Wallpaper offers a more sophisticated and appealing ambiance to your room. It incorporates personality and can add a homey touch and warmth to an otherwise ‘flat pallet’. 

Wallpaper is an investment, as opposed to a cheap and quick make over fix. They are made, especially the higher quality papers, to last over ten years and protect walls and plaster.

They come in many different colours, patterns and textures, and can be found to suit everyone’s needs and desires. Patterned papers with a vinyl finish are perfect for children’s bedrooms and playrooms as they are easily cleaned and the patterns help to disguise stains and marks on the walls.

Wallpaper makes the perfect statement in any room in your house, however, they don’t tend to do well in kitchens and bathrooms as the moisture and humidity in the air can cause the paper to become detached from the wall. 

Wallpaper comes in many different styles, textures and colours. It can be found with fabric patches, embossed patterns, and different thicknesses as well as being available in a variety of patterns to suit every room from the nursery to the office. The different colours, patterns and textures add depth and instant glamour to a lifeless room.

The cons of choosing wallpaper are the installation and removal tasks. It is extremely time consuming to mount wallpaper, often requiring two or more pairs of hands and a good eye if you’re fitting patterned wallpaper. It can be frustrating and tedious to ensure all air bubbles are brushed or pushed out before pasting the next column.

Removing wallpaper is equally as difficult – although it only needs to be done every ten or so years – the paper will need dampening or steaming to encourage the bond between the wall and paper to separate. The glue then needs to be removed or scraped from the walls and the surface needs to be sanded down and cleaned thoroughly before paint or paper can be applied again. 

So… To Paint or to Paste?

Painting is quick and easy, albeit a little messy, whilst pasting wallpaper is a more tedious job but with a much longer life span.

If you know you will not being staying in your home for another five years, paint it rather than wallpapering – it will be easier to sell without your individual tastes and preferences.  Invest in wallpaper when you know you will be staying in your home indefinitely. 

Paint will provide an instant change for a very small cost and a room can easily be prepped, painted and left to dry in one day. Wallpaper will create a more personalised and luxurious affect, but will take a weekend or two to create the look.

Whichever option you choose, let us know how it goes! We can also help you select and install the right blinds to complement your choice.  

Redecorating can be an expensive experience, but when given the right tools any space can be transformed with a little money and a lot of creativity. These five budget friendly ideas will give an instant change to your interiors and look more expensive than they really are.

Pillows

Instead of decorating your sofa with small and uncomfortable cushions, buy much bigger 22 inch or larger pillows and stuff them with an insert one size larger that the pillow case. The overstuffed and oversized pillows will scream luxury whilst creating a comfy and homey place to share with the family.

Fixtures

The fixtures and fittings in your home may be the same as all of your friends’ – they are purchased in bulk by builders and used in most homes. To add an instant touch of glamour for little cost simply update your light switches, plug sockets and light fittings.

Flooring

Rip up your carpets and replace them with hardwood flooring and large rugs. The wooden floor will create a lavish look whilst an assortment of rugs will be soft and comfortable under foot. Whilst hardwood flooring may seem expensive, it is a worthwhile investment and lasts a lot longer than standard carpets.

Accessories

Whilst gold represents luxury and riches, it usually comes off as tacky when used for interiors. However, silver adds an instant touch of glamour to any home. Think picture frames, trinkets and mirrors – these will reflect the light as well, helping your home to feel brighter and more welcoming.

Window Treatments

Always choose a specialist in Blinds or Curtains to ensure luxury and quality in your purchase. Create a mixture of block out curtains and venetian blinds to design a home where light can be controlled and manipulated, whilst interiors can be protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

A few very small changes can make a big difference to your home and the atmosphere it creates. Do you have any other ideas for big changes at a small cost? Let us know in the comments below. 

A bathroom should be a place the whole family can enjoy; it should be fun (and safe) for families with small children, offer a bath or luxury shower to help you relax at the end of the day and most importantly – it should be comfortable and have all the things you need on hand.

It can seem impossible to think of storage ideas that will not take any more space away from your bathroom, but we’ve gathered a few “hacks” to help you make the most of your bathroom space. 

There is plenty of space in the bathroom that is never used and almost always overlooked for storage – for example, that gap above the bathroom door is a great place to install some storage. Installing a shelf above your door doesn’t take any space away from the room, yet provides a tucked away area to store neatly folded towels or even display some pretty, decorative items. The added bonus of high-up storage is that it draws the eye upward in a small space.  

Also, consider the space underneath your sink – is there a way you could build a cupboard around the stand of the sink or install shelving to include additional storage? Other great tips include using a magnetic strip (glued to the inside of your cupboard) to store hair pins, tweezers and nail clippers – the things you can never find when you need them!

Organise your current cupboards with shelving, boxes and even bits of plastic piping. Keep medicines in a box on a high shelf- this will keep them out of reach of young children, out of sight of snoopy guests and most importantly, in a place where you know everything is together if you need it in an emergency.

Another fun idea is to use wine racks to store multiple towels in a very small space; the towel/wine rack can be hidden behind the door or fixed between the toilet and sink, taking away no additional space in the room. 

Lastly, if you’re redecorating your bathroom (or giving it a storage make over) and wish to replace your window coverings, choose Ecowood Blinds or Roller Blinds instead of Basswood; the latter can crack and become disfigured if regularly exposed to the humidity of the bathroom.

For any questions about bathroom storage or which blinds are best, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly experts.

In days gone by everyone grew their own foods, it was the norm for most families to designate an area of the garden for fruits, vegetables and herbs – however, the introduction of supermarkets meant a rapid decrease in home grown produce.

It is only now that the popularity of ‘grow your own’ has blown up again. Whether it is because people are becoming increasingly conscious of the environment, are trying to keep costs down or are trying to avoid pesticides and chemicals, it has created a trend – with the help of Social Media and sites such as Houzz and Pinterest, which has spread ‘green fingers’ to every corner of the world.

Growing at home, either inside or out, can encourage children to understand the process of the food chain and demonstrate the importance of adding the right things to keep it healthy. Children can be encourage to eat more vegetables too, when they have planted them themselves and nurtured them throughout their growth – and as everyone knows, fresh produce tastes a lot better than shop purchased. The following are a few types of gardens to consider for your home, no matter how much space you have available.

Pallet Garden

Reusing pallets to create new furniture and different items around the home has recently become very popular, with numerous indoor and outdoor ideas being shared on the web. Many people have taken to building benches, tables and even beds with the recycled materials.

More recently the idea of using pallets to create vegetable or herb gardens has become quite widespread.  Pallet gardens can be hung on walls, used to create walls or divisions within your current garden or simply used as decoration on your patio – check out this tutorial from Urban Dirt TV on how to build your own pallet garden.

Vertical Garden

Vertical gardens are an awesome way to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables in a small space; they are perfect for city apartments or homes with small gardens.

There are many different and easy ways to create these at home- you can create both inside and outside vertical gardens. Other ways to build them include stacking pots or using felts – have a little look online to see which ones you like the look of best and which would work best in the space you are using. 

Traditional Vegetable Patch

If you do have the space, a vegetable patch it is probably the best way to grow the largest amount of vegetables. They are easy to maintain, easy to keep pests out of and they make it easy to harvest your ripe produce.  

Another advantage of using a traditional vegetable patch is that you can easily change the vegetable plants to match the season and have a variety of produce throughout the year.

The disadvantages are that it takes up a lot more space than a more modern vegetable grow, so would only work in gardens with a large amount of space. Weeds need to be pulled regularly and the soil is prone to infection so needs to be treated. 

Hydroponic Gardens

Plants don’t need to be grown in soil – they need the nutrients from it in order to grow. This means plants can be grown in water, reducing the chances of infection. It also means that water based vegetables (like cucumbers or lettuce) can grow much more quickly in a shorter space of time. 

Slightly more complex than the other grow systems, hydroponics can require some hi-tech equipment to set up, but an increasing number of ideas involving much simpler systems are emerging, enabling practically everyone to have one at home.

In a hydroponic garden the PH of the water is very important- it needs to be monitored every single day and nutrients must be added. Check out this ‘E-How’ article on how to create your own hydroponic vegetable garden.

Whichever way you decide to grow your own vegetables, know that you are helping yourself AND the environment by doing so. If you’re building your own vegetable garden, or have already, send in your pictures to our facebook or twitter profiles for a chance to be featured on our social media pages! 

Here at The Blinds Company we love to follow new trends that we’ve taken advantage of in our own homes or that we think might be useful for our readers. Today we’re sharing a fun idea that has multiple measurable benefits and can be used in different rooms: Chalk Board Walls. Read on to find out more!

Chalk boards have come a long way since the squeaky blackboards that stood at the front of classrooms all over the world, whilst these chalk boards have long since been replaced with the new, high tech, interactive whiteboards – the use of blackboards is still very popular in the Interior Design sector.

Whilst physical chalk boards are a thing of the past, a new modern twist on the blackboard has taken the diehard decorators by storm – chalkboard paint. This black paint can be painted onto most surfaces to turn it into an instant writing space that can be used and reused for a lifetime.

The blackboard concept of being able to ‘wipe the slate clean’ offers a unique platform for notes, messages, reminders and even decoration – as they can be adapted or changed at a moment’s notice. The unique paint can be used on most surfaces which offers options of one of a kind decoration within your home.

Kids Rooms

Younger children, as they begin to write and draw, love to scribble on the walls in and around your home – it is a nightmare, it is unsightly but for some reason you still keep finding your children’s names written in hidden and forgotten corners of the home.

Paint one wall in your children’s room with the chalk board paint; for now it will hopefully encourage your children not to draw elsewhere in the house, whilst in the next few years it can inspire young children to play ‘teachers’ and subconsciously learn through the ‘retelling’ roll. The wall will be great for your child all the way up to teenage years – offering a huge area for study and revision as well as a space for friends or family to leave messages and share memories.

Decoration

Using the chalkboard paint to decorate your home makes for beautiful, personalised areas that can be adapted and updated as often as you please. This is great for fashion following couples, growing families and those of us who fancy a fresh start and change of scenery more than once every few years.

Different blocks of chalkboard paint can create areas for quotes and inspirational messages, whilst painting a dining room table, a bookcase or even a door, opens the window to unique and adaptable interior design.

Shopping and To Do Lists

Pinning notes to the fridge that never get checked or read is now a thing of the past – paint an area of the kitchen (or room you know everyone will see it in) with chalk board paint to have an area where the whole family can share messages, remind each other of ‘to-dos’ and plan the weekly schedule.

Lunch Box Love Notes

Paint the inside lid of your child or partner’s lunch box- when you prepare lunches for them you can leave messages, reminders and well wishes for the long day at school or work – then can they be wiped clean and reused, ready for the next day and new messages!

Other Great Uses

Chalkboard paint isn’t only for writing on – it can be used to make small unique adaptations around your home that will make it stand out from all the rest. Dip the stems and stands of your wine glasses into the paint to create a two tone dip dye look –as a bonus it can be labelled with guests’ names at large parties. Chalk paint can be used to paint and label almost anything – herb jars, plant pots, beauty products – and can be wiped clean and relabelled afterwards.

You could also paint pumpkins black with chalkboard paint at Halloween for a scary twist on the traditional lantern or create bunting by painting small triangles of card and painting them – the bunting can then be used over and over for any occasion.

Visit this tutorial on Houzz to explore how to make the paint yourself at home. It can also be picked up in most good hardware and home decoration shops. 

This summer has been one of the hottest summers ever recorded in Australia; international sporting events were halted, tarmac melted on the roads, bush fires increased and temperatures as high as 45°C were recorded. A recent report titled ‘Heat waves: Hotter, Longer, and More Often’found that whilst heat waves are common in Australia, record heat or heat waves have been happening at three times the frequency as cold snaps or low temperatures. Between 1971 and 2008 the duration and frequency of Australia’s heat waves have significantly increased, whilst the ‘hottest’ days are hotter than ever before. With so many extremes happening in our day to day weather, alongside the speculation that the changes in weather are due to climate change, it poses the question; why aren’t we living more eco-friendly? Many people are under the illusion that to help the environment they must live without electricity, the internet, warm showers and move to the middle of nowhere. However, as much as the environment might be better if everyone did that, it is not practical for the majority of us. Choosing an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to mean waving goodbye to life’s little luxuries or breaking the bank. Here are some quick, easy and inexpensive solutions to making your home more eco-friendly. These changes will not only have a positive impact on the environment but eventually your pocket too.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the home, used not only for meal times and food preparation but often as an area for homework and coffee with friends. With so many activities taking place in one room of your house a lot of waste can be produced in a very short amount of time. Place a small plastic bin with a lid in your kitchen, utility room or just outside the kitchen door and use it to recycle all your food waste. Food waste can be composted and in turn be reused to promote growth of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables in your garden. Don’t be tempted to run the dishwasher unless it is full – and if you only have a couple of things wash them in the sink instead. Try to unplug all electrical items at night, other than the fridge and freezer – even just plugged in coffee machines, microwaves and toasters can use electricity and cost you money. Try to recycle all cans, papers and plastics.

Bedroom

The bedroom is one of the least used rooms in the house, usually preserved for privacy and sleeping as opposed to a common meeting place in the house but it can still produce its fair share of waste – especially when children are involved. Remember to unplug chargers, televisions, beauty appliances and switch off the lights. It can be easy to leave the lights on in your bedroom, especially if you wake in the dark and the sun comes up before you leave (the natural light hides the lit bulbs). Invest in a pair of block out curtains or blinds to not only ensure privacy but prevent the warmth from escaping at night whilst the sun and heat can be blocked out during the day. Leave curtains drawn in the day to protect furnishings and to keep the room cool, ready for when you need to sleep at night and are less likely to turn on the fan or AC. If you have AC in your home and don’t have singular room control, turn it off and instead turn on a couple of fans in the room you’re using - putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan will create your own AC.

Bathroom

The bathroom is the room in the home where we waste the most water. Older toilets that have larger flush capacity (sometimes up to 12LTRS), leaky taps and high pressure showers are all big players in the wasted water game. If you have any leaks get them fixed – it will not only save you money but also save your bathroom floor if leaks have been going on a long time. If you’re planning to update your bathroom this year, make the change to a low capacity flush toilet – if you’re not planning on updating your bathroom look into the cost of installing a more environmentally friendly one.

Living Area

Like the kitchen, the living area is a very commonly used area of the home. The room is commonly used as an entertainment centre and home to the television, music systems and family computers. Ensure all electrical items are unplugged at night and in the morning when your family leave for work or school (most televisions are turned off for the night before midnight and left plugged in over 12 hours until they are switched on again in the late afternoon/early evening). A great way to help the environment is to try and control the temperature in your home without using electricity. Keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter can be very difficult for those who don’t have the correct window treatments. In order to protect your home and furnishings from the sun’s harmful UV rays and keep the heat out of the home you’re trying so hard to keep cool it is recommended to fit a pair of block out blinds. Block out blinds, whether you opt for roller or roman, offer the unique advantage of choosing just how much light you want to let in the room and controlling the amount as the sun moves throughout the day. Block out blinds will also help to keep heat in in the winter months when the temperature drops. Whether you’re ready to take a big leap or a little step into preventing global warming and climate change, these tips will guide you on the way to being more eco-friendly. We hope you find this information useful – if you have any other tips or suggestions to add to our list please don’t hesitate to let us know. Visit our online store to explore our full collection of Blinds and Curtains.

Keep your blinds looking as great as they did the first time you hung them in your home. A small amount of maintenance goes a long way when it comes to looking after your window treatments and by following these simple tips you can prevent the nightmare that is the dreaded ‘deep clean’. Completing these steps once a week will ensure your blinds look better for longer.

Roller and Roman Blinds

• Take a duster or clean cloth to remove surface dust once a week.
• Wet a sponge with mild detergent and warm water to remove any stains, marks or stubborn dust.
• Use a dry cloth or sponge to dry the blinds.
• Invest in an art gum eraser to shift any remaining stains or marks – but remember not to scrub too hard otherwise the fabric could become distorted.
• Remember never to use harsh chemicals, bleaches, solvents or alcohol based cleaning products as it will discolour and damage fabrics.

Aluminium and Ecowood Blinds

• Place blades in the open position.
• Raise the blind evenly and lock in place.
• Take a duster or dry cloth over the blades.
• Lower the blinds again, ensuring blades are still in the open position.
• Wipe each slat individually with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
• Dry with a clean cloth.
• Dust blinds weekly with a dry cloth or duster to prevent build ups.

Wooden Venetian Blinds

• Never use water or soap on your wooden blinds, the moisture will be absorbed into the wood and as a result the wood will expand, warp and crack.
• Use a soft cloth or brush to clean each blade once a week.
• For heavy dust, use a vacuum cleaner to help remove it.

For any questions about blinds maintenance or cleaning, feel free to contact our friendly experts.

Clocks, calendars and work schedules are reset and New Year is the best time of year to focus on those changes that will make your life more comfortable and enjoyable. Studies show that making big clear outs and changes in our home can have positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing, encouraging us to make similar changes in our personal lives. A great way to give your home an uplifting, new look is to change your window coverings. Old beaten blinds and curtains can be upgraded to give the whole room a new focal point and fresh, clean feel. Upgrading blinds and curtains can also give a tired, plain room a large splash of colour, without the difficulty of painting or re-wallpapering every wall.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are usually very humid places. This means it can be difficult to find fabrics and materials that aren’t affected by the air born moisture, as well as all the slashes and stains that are a by-product of cooking. Eco Wood Blinds are perfect in any kitchen or bathroom, or homes at the beach. Eco Wood looks and feels like real wood, yet it is made from treated PVC so it remains unaffected by humidity as well as being wipe clean.

Living Rooms and Dining Rooms

Block out roller blinds are a great addition to any living room or dining room; they can add blocks of colour to neutral rooms, which is especially great in rented homes when painting might not be an option. Roller blinds offer you the choice of how little or how much sun you want to let into your home at any time. The block out capabilities also have great advantages, such as being able to watch television during the day in a sun facing room.

Bedrooms

Roman blinds can often offer a homier look than Venetian or roller blinds in bedrooms; they softly frame the windows and have lovely draping fabric. If you have young children or babies who take daytime naps, a block out blinds can be another great option. They completely block out the light, whilst allowing you to have them slightly open for a ‘night light’. Whichever room you decide to make over this New Year, be sure to visit The Blinds Company for all your blinds and curtain needs.

Kitchens are the busiest areas within our homes, and as anyone will tell you, they are used for many other functions than just making three meals. Although usually unintentionally, the kitchen becomes the hub; the busy center where meals are prepared, snacks are stolen and some of the most important conversations take place. With the kitchen being the busiest room in the house it is essential to choose blinds (and other furnishings) that you not only love to look at, but are practical and easy to clean as well. You’ll want something attractive yet practical.

Which Blinds are Best?

All the smells, spraying and steam that are byproducts of cooking fall on the surfaces in our kitchens making moisture fall and form in places it usually wouldn’t. This makes fabric a very uncommon choice in the kitchen as it isn’t wipe-clean, is easily stained and changes appearance on contact with liquids. The best choices for blinds are therefore Venetian Blinds or, if fully rolled away when cooking or washing up, Roller Blinds.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian Blinds offer privacy without compromising on style or natural light. They obstruct the view into your house yet they allow the sunlight to flood in. This style of blind is easy to clean and comes in a variety of materials; Aluminium, Ecowood and Basswood. Aluminium and Ecowood are recommended for use in the kitchen as, unlike Basswood, they don’t warp or crack in the heat or humidity. Ecowood – a PVC blind, treated to look and feel like timber – is a great choice for the kitchen as the material cannot be penetrated by any substances; it can also be easily wiped clean. Aluminium Venetian Blinds are also very resistant to heat and humidity and the metal won’t warp or crack; they can be easily wiped cleaned and take up a lot less space than either Basswood or Ecowood Blinds, with each blade only measuring 25mm in width. These blinds offer the added convenience of being able to position the blades at any angle – offering you unlimited control over privacy and how much sun light you want in your room.

Roller Blinds

Roller Blinds come in a variety of materials, with a variety of thicknesses, each for different purposes around the home. They can be rolled up to reveal the whole window or at a height of your choice for sun filtration purposes. You’ll find roller blinds in a variety of colours and styles and can be used to compliment any room in the home– in a kitchen, a coloured blind can make up for a lack of colour on the walls. They come in many different thicknesses, from black out blinds to sun screens - they also help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Things to Consider

When it comes to blinds for your kitchen, it really comes down to privacy, light and the view from your kitchen windows. Does your kitchen window overlook a private garden, where you can easily leave your blinds open to enjoy the view? Perhaps your kitchen opens out onto a busy street, where you’d like to have a bit more privacy while still enjoying the natural light. You may even prefer a darker blind, to help accent the light provided by your kitchen lighting. Whatever the desired look for your kitchen blinds, The Blinds Company offers a great selection of options that are custom cut and ready to fit after three easy steps. Contact our experts to find the right blinds to complement your home.

Reusing and Reclaiming Old Pallets

Pallet Sofas

Pallet Flower Beds

Pallet Shelving

Pallet Tables

Pallet Swings

How to Create a Relaxed and Tranquil Home

Coming home to a peaceful and relaxing environment is paramount for a happy household. Whether you’re five, 25 or 55 your home is where you come to wind down after a long day and have fun with those you love; it is the one place you are free to truly be you. Having a happy home and a place to unwind is easy to achieve and the benefits are infinite. Simple differences such as the removal of clutter, changing of routine and updating your accessories can make the biggest of changes to your life, both at home and outside.

Organise

Having an organised home encourages you to organise your life, thoughts and work, as well as creating a clean and fresh atmosphere free from clutter and chaos. Invest in some storage solutions that work with your space, such as shelving above doors, under stair cupboards and bookcases. Anything that doesn’t fit should be put into storage outside of your home, given to charity or recycled where possible. Organise your clothing and shoes as well as cutlery and crockery – no one needs 20 knives and forks, it just makes more washing up! Hang everything in your wardrobe back to front and if you wear it, replace it in the right way – anything that is still back to front after six months can be taken to your local charity shop or sold online. Organise the chores and jobs within the home and share them with your family and housemates. It is important to try and balance the tasks with other people so everyone has as much time to relax – if someone cooks, someone else does the dishes, for example.

Bedroom Rules

Bedrooms should remain reserved for sleeping and spending time as a couple. The recent popularity of Social Media and advanced technologies such as laptops, tablets and smart phones have meant more and more couples bring their work and friends to bed with them in a virtual form. Having electronics – even televisions – in your bedroom can mean it takes you longer to fall asleep at night and sleep for less time. Your mind should associate your bedroom with sleep, instead of technology, encouraging it to switch off quicker and you to fall asleep easier. Using Smart Phones in the bedroom could even be damaging your relationship. Leave all technology outside and have a conversation – for many of us it has become too much of a routine to be online until our heads hit the pillow.

An Area for You

It may not be practical to have a private area like an office or dressing room just for you. However it is always possible to create a small space to wind down and relax, read a good book or just take a nap. Living in Australia we’re lucky to have some of the best weather and freshest air in the world. If you have an outside – even if it is just a balcony – take advantage of it and create your own space. Hang up a hammock, create a mezzanine or even turn that shed into a private refuge.

Aromas

Candles, potpourri and infusion sticks can all be used to change the mood in your home. Lavender, camomile and vanilla can all be used to fill your space with a relaxing and positive atmosphere. Better still, create your own – simmer a pot of your favourite smelling fruits and spices and your home will smell amazing.

Lighting

Lighting is key to creating the perfect atmosphere in your home. Spot lights that can be turned on individually or dimmed are perfect to create any mood you desire, whilst maintaining the practicality of having bright lights when needed. Blinds and curtains can also be used throughout the home to create the perfect setting for each room. For example, block out blinds are perfect for children’s rooms to block out the light for daytime naps and to maintain privacy at night. Venetian blinds are great for the living room as the light can be controlled throughout the day and evening to keep the amount of light you desire. Venetians ensure that your living room is always light and fresh whilst protecting your eyes and furniture from harmful rays.

Accessories

Whilst keeping clutter to a minimum is important, making your house your home is also essential. Incorporate minimal accessories but choose items that have connotations of comfort; throws, cushions and candles for example. Family photos, photos of travel and inspirational quotes can also help to make your home more relaxing, as well as encouraging happy memories even when life is tough – it is important to remind ourselves of our achievements, loved ones and life experiences. Always remember your home is yours and being able to wind down should never take a back seat – reclaim your home and have a more balanced and tranquil life. Here at The Blinds Company we are passionate about homes and creating the perfect atmosphere for everyone, whether you’re a family, a new couple or young roommates. Browse our online store to view our extensive range of Blinds and Curtains that help you make your house a home.

White Christmas

Vivid Colour

Rhythm & Blues

Hello Sailor

Go Troppo

Botanicals

Natural Selection

Black & White

Floral Boho

Celebrate the 2013 Pantone Colour of the Year

Hello Spring

Hi,

I’m beyond excited to share news about my new collaboration, as Style Editor, with The Blinds Company, a fab new online window furnishings store.

Ok, let’s talk windows.

Windows are the eyes of our homes - they frame our view of the outside world. We all seem to want to flood our homes with as much natural light as we can get, and once we have it, funnily enough, we realise the real décor dilemma is actually more about controlling the light, not the quantity of light.

So understand that window furnishings need to be as functional as they are beautiful, to be good. Yes, it is all about form and function, but not necessarily in that order.

Design perfection is simply a lot of small things done well. A great room, or indeed a great home is all about telling a visual story and setting a mood. So when you’re trying to make decisions, for your home, it’s simple... just think about how you want the space to feel.

Before you start shopping, the functional aspects of the room need to be considered first. I call this finding your ‘Room Reality’. It’s about assessing your room – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Once we know what we don’t like about a room we can do something about it, together with the fact that we will understand exactly how the room needs to function. Then it’s just a question of recognising what to conceal and what to reveal. Which bits of your room are worth showing off? Which elements can become a strong visual hit or focal point?

Now look at the various window furnishings style options that ‘fit’ the function of the room. Remember, I said design is about a lot of small things done well... well, this is about ‘seeing’ the possibilities when you’re looking for things. It’s the almost the same process we use all the time to buy clothes!

Of course, the windows of a room are very important in influencing the overall style. Window fashions (furnishings) can be used to manipulate the ‘architecture’ of a room – they really do present the perfect opportunity to play with colour, texture, scale and pattern.

I love sharing ideas and and bringing ideas to life...and I’m looking forward to finding inspiration and workshopping our ideas - so join our conversation.

Chat soon,
Jacinta