Essex Blinds & Interior Design - Window Blinds, Shutters, Curtains & Soft Furnishings in Chelmsford Essex
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Dressing Your Windows With Blinds

Curtains are a great way of defining a room’s style and the budget to invest. That said, blinds are just as versatile and come with some handy benefits. They can give you the option of maximum light, views or privacy on demand – making them an essential for many households. As well as providing interior design consultation, we also have experts who can supply and fit made to measure blinds in Essex and in surrounding areas.

However, there are plenty of curtains on the market that offer style and a versatile look while also giving you economic benefits. Curtains use less fabric- and thus cost less-than curtains, saving you space.

There are two main types of blinds – roman and roller. Although they look very different, interior designers say that it’s always best to make sure you get whichever suits your home best.

Roman window blinds

Roman blinds are a great option for homes that want to bring a classic, elegant style. They’re also ideal for controlling the light levels in the room and maintaining privacy.

They can be thin as well as see-through, depending on the chosen fabric. We advise you to keep in mind that you will see the horizontal bars through the thin fabric if this is your chosen option!

A good curtain maker will always line up the rods through natural partitions so that the rod is as invisible as possible.

You might match a black out curtain with a sheer roman blind, or you might layer two roman blinds on top of each other to create the desired effect.

We don’t just stick with one supplier for our window coverings. Sometimes, the interior designer will work with the client to determine what’s best for each individual room. Consider things like the size and shape of the window, as well as how it’ll be used and what type of curtain would look best in that room.

It’s important to consider the differences that could arise from shopping for a dress. We recommend having a professional opinion before making your final purchase decision.

Roller window blinds

Roller Blinds are sought after for many reasons, they’re affordable, accessible and have plenty of customisation options. Of course we need to mention that there are a few drawbacks:

Unlike when using a fabric for curtains or roman blinds, one should always ensure the fabric is made from specially-built blinds so as to avoid anything that might look cheap like plastic. This particular type of fabric can be hard to come by, but checking out existing samples beforehand can help.

Most brands still offer plenty of options for pattern, texture, and colour. But there’s nothing like the beauty of embroidered or applique fabrics which you can easily use in drapery or as window coverings.

Installing a roman blind

There are two types of blinds you can choose from. You can put them inside the window frame (as in this picture), or outside the frame, said to provide more light due to there being less distance between the window and its blind (perfect for bedrooms).

The downside is that it will permanently block the top of the window and not let in as much natural light. It’s still possible to use one of these blinds if you are going for a different style, but it might be easier on your eyes if you fix it outside the frame instead.

You’re going to get some light through no matter which option you pick, but both provide a high level of privacy.

Best of both worlds

Roller blinds alone may not suit a classic style interior, but they can make a great addition alongside Roman black-out blinds. It can create a seamless transition between traditional and modern styles.

The washable silk offers a cleaner look than the traditional Roman sheers, making it ideal for those who are on a tight budget or prefer a more modern style.

Discreet roller blinds

We mentioned in the last post that you could make your curtains more discreet by using a recessed curtain track. However, if that doesn’t suit your needs, you can always have the fixture hidden inside a box at the top of the ceiling. Designers often work with blinds. This is the case for many reasons, one of these would be that it can help make your finished look more tidy.

Roller blinds that are waterproof

When it comes to refurbishing an old place, you might end up with a shower with a window. When privacy is a concern, obscured tempered glass would allow for more protection but there are other options like water-resistant roller blinds that also provide you with some level of privacy.

Windows need to be protected from wind and water damage, which is why it’s worth considering using blackout curtains. Any fabric options are more for practicality than decoration, but these curtains will keep your windows looking great.

Interior Designer Job Description

As an interior designer, you are in charge of providing accurate and professional expertise for both residential and commercial room design. You begin the process by focusing on the client’s needs and developing a comprehensive plan to meet those goals.

Interior designers are capable of coming up with initial design ideas and corresponding space plans, as well as product and material solutions. This can be useful in a variety of situations, along with coordinating the process of liaising with trades to come up with a cohesive project that will last from start to finish.

Typical tasks are Designers can help you decide what furniture should be closest to walls and if there are any pieces that could be rotated or replaced. They can also give their thoughts on the existing room layout and proposed reconfigurations.

Designing 2D and 3D plans for your home. Putting together the required furniture, fixtures and fittings required.

Managing the project timeline and scheduling with trades, supply orders and logistics.

Interior designers will be contacted by construction contractors and other trade specialists. I also consult with trade professionals like engineers and architects in order to ensure that all parties are able to have the most comfortable and effective interactions possible.

The goal of interior design is to increase the functionality and look of a space in a way that allows the occupants to work and live at their full potential.

An interior design agency will consider what the space is for when curating an room that is functional. Design schemes can have a positive impact on property owner and help create a functional, ergonomic environment.

A good interior design project should also include sustainability, as well as minimising the environmental impact it will have.

With different laws for commercial and residential sectors, designers should become familiar with all regulations related to product use and installation.

The interior design difference

As designers determine the physical space for people to inhabit, we need to make sure that safety is determined by accurate advice. This ensures that an interior space is looking as good from the inside as it does from the outside.

Incorrect advice or a lack of proper specification could break the law, incur unnecessary costs, and delay the process.

Interior design fulfilment

All an interior designer does is define a design and make sure it gets put into the space properly. You might want to focus on enjoyment, function, and airflow as well.

A designer, together with the client, will first plan all the layouts and design. They’ll then produce a plan and drawing so that you can approve it and move on to generation of a project timeline, based on material requirements.

Many interior designers are good project managers for their projects by providing instructions to various contractors and trade specialists.

Liaising with industry professionals

Interior designers has to be a jack of all trades and an expert in many different industries. For example, they may have to liaise with many different trades, suppliers and expertise for the supply of products or for installation on site.

To create truly great interiors jobs, designers need to have an understanding of subjects like law, engineering and health and safety.

Designers do a lot more than just come up with innovative new products and make them feasible for the market. They need to stay current with updates that might affect their design process and be knowledgeable about the latest regulations.

Interior designer qualifications

You can describe yourself as a decorator in the UK, but for protection and distinction from amateurs it’s worth the expense to become a qualified (if possible) designer.

SBID Accreditation is the top organisation and accreditation body for Interior Design in the UK. SBID Accreditation is a new level of professionals qualification that goes beyond university education and allows you to be more professional.

SBID members can progress in their rank and career level as they progress through the ranks of SBID. Allowing them to achieve their highest rank.

SBID accredits university course content as being of professional quality and also offers free membership for students enrolled in any university interior design course. This way, students can enhance their career prospects by gaining professional qualifications with SBID to start their career with a boost.

Interior Design Definition

You will need training to become an interior designer. They are tasked with creating cohesive and pleasing designs for homes and businesses; this requires studying architecture and space planning, along with formal schooling.

The 3 principles of interior design

When you’re starting up with your home decorating project, here are some basic design principles to try and remember:

When coming up with an interior design plan from the start, you’ll tie all of your space together nicely and keep everything on point.

There are a huge amount of options when it comes to home decor styles. The look that suits you the best could come with it’s own colour scheme and design features. For example,

Explore the different design ideas and styles to get a feel for what you’re into and what you like.

A focal point should be in every room, beautiful or interesting. Focal points attract audiences attention and help them focus on something specific. Having a lot of different focal points can make a space feel crowded though so take care when choosing what is right for you.

To create balance in your home, you’ll need to consider size, texture and placement of furniture. If a room has a lot of small items, it might feel cluttered. Consider adjusting the size or position of some items to create a sense of symmetry and spaciousness.

To create a contrast, you’re able to establish rooms that feel both balanced and complete.