We love the blinds and the installation was perfect! You guys do a great job and deserve all the support you get.
J.H
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There are many different styles of shutters which can either be categorised as exterior or interior. Which one befits your home depends on the architecture or décor of your home. However, your taste is another vital consideration to take. In the world of shutters today, there are a variety of functional and fun shutters to choose from. The huge number of shutter styles makes it relatively difficult to make a choice. If you’re looking to make a choice for your home, here are the most popular shutters that you should take into consideration:
1. Louvred Exterior Shutters
These are lovely window shutter that is made with overlapping uniform wood slats which are set into a frame. They’re very popular among different home architectures and décor. For a natural look, you can have your louvred shutters simply stained. Alternatively, you can make choice of a paint colour that’s eye-popping in order to have them set against a home style with white saltbox.
2. Raised Panel Exterior Shutters
Raised Panel Exterior shutters can be used alongside a coordinating window box in order to come up with an inviting style of the country garden but still remain formal. Raised panel shutters are a decorative style of the shutter for any home. They can be used to give the home a different feel, depending on the décor used.
3. Board and Batten Exterior Shutters
The board and batten exterior window shutters can be found in various styles. They can be spaced or joined and arch-top or square in style. As implied by their name, board and batten exterior shutters are constructed from boards which are joined with battens or shorter crosspieces together. For instance, arch-black style can be great if you have curved windows.
4. Shaker Style Interior Shutters
The Shaker Style Interior shutters have solid panels which are flat. They help in blocking out bright lights as well as bad weather. There are functionally simple and plain, making them the perfect match for the traditional Shaker shutter style.
5. Plantation Exterior Shutters
If you’d love to give your home that laid-back Southern look, then, the Plantation Exterior Shutters are the way to go. The functional plantation exterior shutters are perfect for this. These exterior shutters have wide louvres that which you can close when it’s stormy but you can also open them to allow some warm breeze into the premise.
6. Café Style Interior Shutters
These shutters borrow their name from the French cafés in which they’re rather common and popular. Identifying Café Style Interior Shutters is relatively easy. Usually, they’re louvred and cover just the window’s bottom half so that the patrons of the café can have some privacy.
7. Cut-Out Exterior Shutters
Every person can use their own creativity in order to customise cut-out design exterior shutters. You can have shapes like stars, ships and shapes other that are geometric in nature. These shapes are the most common choices for cut-out shutter style popularised in the early 20th century.
8. Scandinavian Exterior Shutters
The Scandinavian Exterior shutters are characteristically identified by their design of joined board-and-batten which is solid. They also feature a dressing of bright colours and cut-outs. They can be closed to keep out snowstorms and howling blizzards. In snowy Alpine regions, they’ve got spots of colours provided by their decorations.
9. Combination Exterior Shutters
As the name suggests, combination exterior shutters are a result of a combination of two or more styles of shutters. The combined styles include raised panel, louvred and cut-out combo. Combination shutters are great for those looking for uniqueness by using the shutters to reflect their personality and style.
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Here at Unidrape Blinds & Interiors we are hosting our first ever Christmas Shopping Event. Please join us at our highly requested shopping event, that will be running across two days (Friday 16th & Saturday 17th of November)! With beautiful gifts, stocking fillers & decorations, we have everything to make you and your home perfectly prepared for the coming Christmas season. Our friends from local business ‘Treats Unfold’ will even be on hand, offering their professional and bespoke gift wrapping services. With complimentary fizz & nibbles we’re here to make Christmas gifting & shopping a fun, stress-free experience for our customers. We hope to see you there!
FRIDAY 16TH NOVEMBER (3pm-7pm)
SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER (10am-2-pm)
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Here at Unidrape Blinds & Interiors we will be hosting our first Christmas Shopping Event! Eagerly anticipated and highly requested, we would love for you to join us, at either our Christmas Shopping Event evening or morning (dates/times details listed below!) With beautiful gifts, decorations & stocking fillers, we have just about everything to make sure you and your home are perfectly prepared for the Christmas season…. We will even have our friends from local business ‘Treats Unfold’ on hand to provide their professional and bespoke gift wrapping services; making Christmas gifting and shopping a totally stress-free experience, all under one roof! So please join us for some festive fun, fizz & nibbles – we hope to see you there!
Friday 16th November (3pm-7pm)
Saturday 17th November (10am-2pm)
Unidrape Blinds & Interiors, 13 Shoplands, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 7RH
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If you’re looking to revamp the interior style of your home, you should be well equipped in knowing where to start and what to do. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making the last touches in your kitchen or want to renovate your entire first floor; an interior design style is what you really need. This way you’ll be able to focus the efforts you’re putting in your décor. With the wide range of interior design styles available, you should be able to settle on what defines your personality. Knowing what will suit your home is important because it’ll determine the style you choose. Here, are some of the top design styles to pick from:
This interior design style is becoming very popular around the world. It draws its inspiration from fjords, snow and mountains found in the Nordic countries. It’s a great choice for bathrooms, living areas and bedrooms. You can layer fabrics, wools and fur on wooden or glass framework to obtain an absolutely cool Scandinavian interior. They offer plenty of texture, pared back cosines and clean lines.
This is a result of borrowed ideas from many different trends, periods and trends. The eclectic style allows you to break a bit of the rule, incorporate personality and have a little fun in your interior decoration. However, be careful not to lose sight of the sense of achieving balance within the decoration. Top eclectic interiors often blend in new, old pattern, colour and texture.
This interior style of design is characterised by exposed raw materials like brass, stone and bricks, among many others. To get the subtle and effective nod in your industrial trend, include stripped back floorboards or even metal fixtures. In this design style, statement lights are usually an important feature. This helps in softening the space as it would otherwise feel cold. Your guide for the colour palette should be the raw materials if you’re to end up with an outstanding industrial look.
Vintage interior design styles don’t have to always be old-fashioned as most people would assume. This style is versatile in a rather incredible way. This style enables you to bring your room together through the addition of key vintage pieces if you’re after retro and edgy or charming and pretty look. To have a great look with vintage style, you should keep clutter to a minimum to avoid an overly twee interior.
This trend began at the beginning of the twentieth century but still is part of our modern lives, including interior design. It was originally influenced by the Japanese design’s simplicity and is based on the less is more principle. In minimalist rooms, colour is used sparingly in order to avoid distracting or detracting from the room’s simplicity. For a minimalist space, the best colours include white, black and primary.
This style sprung up as a result of the search for a way to propel America from the traditional design conventions to the modern era in the 1950s and 1960s. It’s characterised by simple lines, clean, pops of blues and greens and a lot of rusty metals and wood. This style has a definite power of staying.
These are six of the most common interior design styles that you can use in your home. There are many more that we haven’t talked about here but are also fairly common in homes today. Such include coastal, contemporary, nautical, bohemian, farmhouse, urban modern and shabby chic.
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Just a quick note to say how pleased I am with the blinds you supplied. They look great and were actually fairly easy to install! Thanks again.
D.C (Supply Only)
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Excellent service from start to finish – faultless!
M & J Williamson
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Due to condensation, moulds are likely to form on the curtains, whether it’s on the windows or curtains used for other purposes. When you notice any mould on the fabric on the curtains, the best reaction is to ensure that they’re removed as soon as possible. This is because when they stay on the fabric for too long, they’re likely to leave very stubborn stains that will prove extremely difficult to remove. Hence, it will require you to hire a very experienced cleaner to have it cleaned off your curtains and you’ll end up incurring unnecessary expenses. However, the first thing to consider for every fabric is any instructions labelled for what can be used for cleaning to avoid making an already bad situation worse. Here’s how to go about getting mould out of your curtains:
The basic things that we’ll need for this project include water, stain pre-treatment, lemon juice, OxiClean or oxygen bleach, laundry detergent, salt, ammonia and spoon.
Follow the following steps to get the mould from the curtains:
These 13 steps and tips are great for getting mould out of your curtains right at home without having to spend a lot of money paying for the services of professional cleaners. The products are also easy to prepare right at home. For more information on the topic, please contact us via our Contact Us page.
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Last week bought us lots of sunshine and heat but also ironically 2 new fabric collections from iLiv’s 2018 Autumn/Winter range!
iLiv are a leading fabric supplier, founded in 1987 in Lancashire in the United Kingdom. They create fabrics that are highly innovative, technical and creative for the interior design world. iLiv are one of the UK’s leading interior textile businesses, selling their fabrics in over 40 countries worldwide. Continually researching and developing the latest fabric trends and designs right here in the UK; iLiv are always bringing fresh new textiles ideas that can be used for not only curtains but also blinds, accessories and upholstery. Manufactured in Europe, iLiv’s range of fabrics are versatile, amazing quality and great value for money.
The new collection Isadore boasts rich, opulent designs in six luxurious colour ways (Ash Grey, Maize, Teal, Duckegg, Sapphire and Amethyst). A combination of classic damask patterns, traditional embroidery, modern geometrics, textures and sumptuous plains – this is the perfect versatile range for any interior concept. The Chalfont collection is inspired by the great outdoors; this range of bold patterns and hues is available in 6 different colour ways (Cayenne, Carmine, Jewel, Verdigris, Saffron and Mineral). This timeless selection of classic fabrics, again combines fabrics suitable for curtains, blinds, accessory and upholstery usage – a timeless staple fabric range!
Check out both of the new iLiv ranges in store now or browse online using our website & Houzz profile!
https://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/4089985/isadore-collection
https://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/4091179/chalfont-collection
Also…blog readers will receive an exclusive 10% discount, redeemable against any purchases from the new A/W 18 iLiv ranges! Simply quote the below discount code when placing your order! (T&C’s apply)*
10ILIVAW18
(*Terms and conditions: 10% discount code only available against purchases of iLiv fabric from the Isadore and Chalfont fabric collections. Discount codes only applicable for one order, per customer. This offer expires 01/10/2018).
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All the staff were very professional, very helpful and very friendly. I would definitely recommend you to friends and neighbours. Thanks for all your help.
Yvonne S
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When the warm weather comes back, almost every homeowner would love to step outdoors to enjoy it. This has resulted in the springing up of more and more outdoor living spaces. These areas are used for entertainment and lounging around the yards. The outdoor entertainment areas may be very nice. However, these spaces may go unused due to the summer sun becoming too unbearable for spending time outside. Awnings can change all these, especially if retractable awning is used. As a result, homeowners have realized that awnings can be worthwhile investments as they can benefit both the inside and outside of the house. The following are some of the ways in which the awnings can change the feel of your garden in particular:
1. Increases the Usable Space in the Yard
Awnings are an awesome way of creating and establishing boundaries for living areas in the outdoors. You can place one over a deck, chairs and tables or even an entire patio area. Other people even install the awnings over a portion of the swimming pool so as to offer shade to those who want to run away from the rays of the sun. At the push of a button, a motorized awning can be retracted, helping the homeowner with possibilities that are limitless.
2. Can protect against the damage caused by the sun
The awnings are a great way to provide good protection against the damage of the sun by shielding outdoor furniture from the direct sun rays. This reduces the chances of fading or discolouration.
3. They can help expand gardening possibilities
For certain plants, they need light conditions for them to grow. The awnings can be used to protect those plants that love to grow in shades from the harsh sun rays. They do this by filtering the sun for the plants that normally rely on sunlight that’s not direct to them. Such may also be placed over a permanent structure garden or over a patio container garden.
4. They can add aesthetic value to the garden
Some components of the garden often look much better when they are partially shielded from the sun than when they are fully exposed to the sun. Such garden components can give the best they’ve got in terms of appearance when they are shielded under awnings. It’s even better if the awning is retractable so that they can only be rolled over when they offer the best results and can be rolled away whenever they’re not needed.
5. Protection from unnecessary showers
Sometimes you may need to have your garden protected from the direct rainfall for various reasons. The direct rain can even damage your garden. Therefore, by placing an awning over it, you’ll be able to protect your garden plants from the direct rain showers thereby, making them grow more beautifully.
6. Allows you to enjoy barbecues even when it’s rainy
When you’d love to enjoy your barbecues and suddenly it starts raining, you may have to prematurely end your barbecue. However, with awnings, you can still get to enjoy your barbecue without any interruptions even when it’s raining cats and dogs. This is another way that you can change your garden’s feel using awnings.
Conclusion
Awnings are a great aspect of any garden. Use them over yours to reap all the above benefits and make the best out of your garden.
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We are so happy to announce that here at Unidrape Blinds & Interiors, we are now official stockists of the fabric brand, Fibre Naturelle.
Based in the U.K, Fibre Naturelle has in-house developed a unique range of high end fabrics, suitable for soft furnishings, window dressings (curtains & blinds) and upholstery, since 1994. With a versatile selection of fabrics; ranging from chenilles, crewels, wools, cottons, luxury linens & soft silks, Fibre Naturelle creates new & exciting textiles for the interior design world, that are easy-to-use for both home and commercial interior environments.
This week we received the first sample collection in our showroom, Fibre Naturelle’s latest fabric range launch; the Spring/Summer 2018 collection. Composed of 6 different fabrics; two modern printed velvets, two versatile plains, a floral printed cotton & a stunning faux silk. Together the fabrics, Hana, Tulipa, Cambridge, Linden, Hawaii & Mistral create the perfect Spring/Summer fabric collection, suitable for any style of home. The versatility of this range means that the collection includes fabrics suitable for not only curtain and blind usage, but also for upholstery and accessories.
We love this bold and vibrant range and think it is the perfect collection to allow you to make a statement and combine fabrics, throughout your home. The extensive range of colours available means that there is something for everyone and any room, any style or any design scheme. We cannot wait to see what Fibre Naturelle’s next collection release will be like; so keep an eye out for the launch of their Autumn/Winter 2018 collection, coming your way this September! Check out the full Spring/Summer 2018 range from Fibre Naturelle by popping in to our shop or browse online, using the link below & if you’re subscribed to our mailing list, keep an eye out for an exclusive discount code email & more info about this new exciting fabric range:
https://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/users/amanda_duffield
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Originally I went to one of the big stores, but couldn’t believe the price I was quoted for just for one set of curtains! I then found Unidrape and went along to their shop. Kelly in the shop was fantastic and nothing was too much trouble in trying to help me (I’m useless at making design choices). She arranged to get me a few samples and also arranged for Amanda to come and do a survey and help me make my final choices. Amanda too is fabulous. Helped me choose the correct style of curtains and also Perfect Fit blinds. The order was made and the date given for completion was correct to the day. Amanda and Harry came to fit both blinds and curtains. Cannot tell you how pleased I am. They look absolutely fabulous. I therefore recommend Unidrape 100% to any future customer.
Carol S.
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If properly chosen, blinds can add an element of style and complement any home. In case you have the intention of transforming your home, it’s the great idea to go for blinds. From Venetian to Roman Roller blinds, there are different materials of this type of window treatment that can get you the aesthetics that you desire.
Another reason why homeowners use blinds is that they offer privacy. They can be adjusted to block the outsiders from peeping into your house. Another benefit of the blinds is that they keep the house warm or cool depending on the season. However, due to the huge number of blinds available today, it’s no mean task to choose the right one for your home. To make it easier for you to make the right choice, we want to discuss features of the blinds so that you’re well informed before you purchase one.
1. Styles and Patterns
There are various styles, colours and patterns of blinds that one can choose from. However, the secret here is to take into consideration the colour and décor of the place where you want to use the blinds. The common ones you can choose from include vertical, cordless, roman and mini blinds. Ensure that you stick to those that can amplify or enhance the colour and décor of the space.
2. Amount of Light Inside
Blinds give you the power to have control over the amount and intensity of light that gets into your space. Therefore, it’s upon you to decide whether you want the window covered fully or partially, depending on the intensity of light you expect to get in. This way, if you’re sleeping, you won’t be disturbed by the sunrays. They are also great if you’ve got children as it doesn’t disturb them whenever they sleep. Also, the level of privacy at home is raised.
3. The Materials and Options of Blinds
There is a wide range of materials that are used in making the blinds. You can choose the materials based on the style as well as per your budget. The options of blinds are so many to the extent that each and every room can be matched with its own using the kind of décor and interior design. For instance, for wooden interiors, you can go for faux wood blinds. Other materials to choose from include natural wood, plastic, bamboo or aluminium.
4. Ease of cleaning and maintenance
In comparison to other window treatments, blinds are by far much easier to clean and maintain. To this, you’ll only need simple water solutions and soaps. However, some may be more difficult to clean as compared with others. For example, vertical blinds versus the horizontal blinds. Also, other blinds require you to clean them by completely removing them from the window. Still, there are others that can be cleaning while still fixed on the windows. Without a doubt, the one that doesn’t have to be removed is much easier to clean and is more preferable.
Conclusion
So, your choice of blind must take into consideration the colour of your home or the walls of the house. Both the interior and exterior of your house will play a role in the style, colour and pattern of blind that you opt for. There’s no doubt about the fact the alternatives in the market are numerous and one can easily get confused. However, when you know what you want, you’ll have no trouble picking the right one for your home
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Our full length dining room curtains are great! They did require altering after they had dropped & had to be returned to the makers. The material was heavy & dropped more than anticipated. However, throughout the whole procedure Amanda & Harry were charming and professional when fitting the curtains & delivery times were met. We would certainly recommend Unidrape!
Margaret McKercher
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There are a variety of styles and options for window coverings and treatments. However, the most common types of blinds are wooden blinds and fabric blinds.
Generally, wooden blinds are made from hard slats of wood. On the other hand, fabric blinds are window coverings composed of one or several pieces of fabric. Deciding which one to get will depend on a lot of factors including privacy and light control, durability, cleaning and maintenance, and style.
This is arguably the most important function of any window covering. Both choices provide privacy and light control depending on your preference. Both blinds offer complete privacy. However, their ability to block or allow natural light into a room differs.
Wooden blinds are composed of horizontal slats which are adjustable based on how much natural light you need or want. On the other hand, fabric blinds offer less light control since they are made from a single piece of fabric. The material will also determine how much natural light will pass through even if it stays closed — the sheerer the fabric, the lesser light gets blocked; whereas dark-coloured fabrics and those made of heavier material are able to block out more natural light.
The need for light control will depend on the type of room that the blinds are placed. Bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms may benefit from more natural light than other rooms.
Since wooden blinds are made from hardwood, they are more durable than fabric blinds which are more vulnerable to wear and tear. However, there are low-quality wooden blinds that are prone to warping and swelling because they weren’t properly sealed or finished.
Wooden blinds are easier to clean. Simple dusting and wiping with a soft, dry cloth (since moisture can damage the wood) will keep your blinds clean. Look for wood cleaners, such as lemon oil, to retain the blinds’ brand-new shine.
Fabric blinds, on the other hand, usually have special washing and cleaning instructions depending on the material. Spot cleaning is also a bit trickier for fabric blinds. For serious stains, you may need professional cleaning.
Both wooden and fabric blinds come in a variety of colours and styles that would suit any theme or motif.
You could go for a classic, neutral finish for your blinds. Or you can check out more customized styles to give your blinds a unique look. Fortunately, both blinds are flexible when it comes to attaining a particular style.
Wooden blinds are available in different finishes and types to go with a number of themes. They can lend a certain luxurious appeal or rustic charm to a room. Dark wood is more masculine and minimalist, while lighter shades are cosier and more casual.
Meanwhile, the options and colours for fabric blinds are practically limitless. Sheer fabric blinds make any room seem softer and airier, while the more opaque ones give off a sleek and elegant vibe.
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Furniture has existed for as long as we can remember. We shop for it online and in stores every day, but do we really know the different styles that exist out there? Those of us who are enlightened enough to know the different styles of furniture have certainly been applying the idea of styles whenever they shop. However, there are those who just don’t like any specific style while others know the styles, but they don’t give much thought to it. To them, any style is okay. Or even a mixture of the styles can do for them. If you don’t know the styles of furniture that exist, here are the top 5:
The furniture that falls into this category is those that were designed either in the US or Europe after World War II. This is the typical classing of those that were designed during this period, but it doesn’t mean that all that was designed at the time belong to the class. The modern style of furniture is characterized by geometric and clean lines which appear very sleek. They don’t spot a lot of curves or patterns. The dominating colours of the modern designs are solid colours. The subsets of modern style furniture include Art Deco, Lacquers, Retro, and Southwest.
The contemporary designs of furniture are the ones that are in existence today. Styles do change and as such, what is contemporary now isn’t the same as that which was contemporary in the 80s, during the early 2000 or even presently. Contemporary styles are made up of a wide range of designs and they can fit with most other styles one may be having at home. Currently, the trending contemporary furniture is classified as European, American, or Japanese. Similar to the modern furniture style, contemporary style furniture feature straight and sleek geometric lines. They are made of very light or dark colours, smooth metals, lots of glass, and wood, making them easy to maintain and can fit anywhere in the house.
When you see traditional furniture, the first thing that comes to your mind is home. This style uses patterns such as florals and plaids. The woods used are the warm and rich ones such as cherry and mahogany. The most common metals used include bronze and brass. Some traditional furniture is ornate, but most are casual. With correct use, the traditional furniture can easily make you feel at home.
In comparison to the traditional style of furniture, the classic furniture style is often more ornate. The main difference between the two is that the latter may appear as though it belongs to the museum while the former has a feel that is richer. Classic furniture exists in a number of subgroups which include Georgian,
Tudor, Victorian, Louis XV, and French Provincial, among others.
These are the long-lasting furniture that is made of materials of the best quality. The vintage pieces of furniture are older but can last a lifetime without significantly getting damaged. They are associated with the mid-century which existed in most places. Vintage furniture is of different styles and has different costs of buying.
Whatever your taste is, these are the 5 top styles of furniture that you can have in your house. You’re also at liberty to mix the styles and come up with a style you feel best suits you if you so desire. The list of options for mixing the styles is endless.
We hope you found this article helpful, our team is always happy to help with any questions you may have. You can get in contact here. Our blog is always getting updated with new blogs with new information, you can find more of our blogs here.
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Very very good, thank you. The quality of their service is excellent.
J. Trappitt
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I found the service was very good and the staff very polite and helpful. I would certainly recommend them to friends & I can’t see how you could improve the service that they provide.
D.E.Martindale
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When it comes to buying your window coverings, we find that many people struggle to choose between blinds or curtains. Both have their benefits, but other than the difference in aesthetics, are there any other real differences that you should consider before buying?
Navigating the world of interior design is no mean feat, and we hope that our analysis here of the pros and cons of each will help you make the right decision when it comes to your window coverings – and save you time and money replacing the wrong choice later!
Light control
The main difference between blinds and curtains is the flexibility with your light control. Blinds of course can be open, closed, or partially opened to allow in the amount of light that you wish, making them a practical addition to your home. However, light control may not be a big factor for you, and if so, curtains are an equally good choice.
Coloured blinds and curtains to match décor
Since both curtains and blinds can be made with an array of coloured fabrics, if you wish to match patterns or colour schemes, both curtains and blinds such as Roman, vertical or pleated blinds would work well. In this instance, you can often choose the exact colour or pattern you wish to match – the only difference is the functionality of opening and closing, and whichever you prefer.
With a curtain, you can simply open and tie back or have them operate on a motorised opening and shutting system, while with blinds you can also have a motorised control system fitted or operate with a drawstring and a twist lever to operate the louvres. Since you will be doing this action every day, you should definitely consider which you prefer best – and everybody’s different. Also, different blinds and curtains feel different to operate, so it can be useful to visit your curtain or blinds supplier instore to get hands-on and find your favourite by trying a few. If you’re short of time, consider blinds or curtains you’ve experienced and liked in the past and how they were controlled, and opt for this.
Material and fitting differences
One of the biggest differences is the materials used and how this impacts the feel of your home. Generally, blinds offer a cleaner and more modern look due to the fact that they are with made from wood or lighter, more refined fabric, and can be fitted to the glass space of each pane exactly or just cover the window area. In contrast, curtains nearly always extend past the window area and are often made of much thicker, plush fabric which can give a much warmer and cosier feel to your home.
This warmer feeling can also be literal in certain instances, since the thicker fabric can act as a better insulator than thinner blinds – but only if not placed over a radiator. If curtains cover a radiator based under the window it can allow a lot of your paid-for heating to escape up and out through the glass. Not very useful! However, whilst thick curtains are great insulators, there are also specially designed energy efficient blinds such as the Honeycomb design, so if you want a more modern, minimalistic feel, these might be a better choice for you.
Blocking Out Light
When it comes to blocking out light, most thick or lined curtains are the clear winner over the majority of blinds, since they extend past the window area in all directions and do not have gaps in-between like the blind slats. Whilst blinds can be fully closed to block out most external light, any blinds with rotating louvres are bound to let some light in, so if you’re the sort of person that needs complete darkness to get to sleep, these aren’t the option for you – or at least your bedroom!
However, there are a few blinds that offer excellent light exclusion such as Roman or pleated blinds that are both fitted to the window or pane itself. With these blinds you’ll need to get them lined with special material to get the full blackout effect. Some curtains also need to be lined to get the same effect if they are thinner, but most thick curtains will do the job on their own.
Maintenance
Finally, maintenance for wood blinds is thought to be the quickest and simplest, since you can use a duster or vacuum cleaner to remove the majority of dirt and dust to keep them looking tip-top. As for material blinds and curtains, the ease of maintenance depends on the design. Long vertical blinds can be awkward to clean, whilst some curtain and blinds fabrics (such as roman blinds) can easily be detached and hand washed or put through the washing machine (do check your individual blinds for cleaning instructions).
We hope you found this guide useful, and if we didn’t cover your query above, then do get in touch and one of our team would be happy to help!
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Good product range and lead time, competitive price and efficient installation. Really appreciated the objective advice on colour and product choice, obviously the result of experience.
Dave C.
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Very good service, not all items arrived at once so they took two visits to our house. We love the products and friendly staff so much that my in laws also had blinds fitted by them.
R.H
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Amanda and Kelly provide an excellent service. They listen to what you would like and make valuable suggestions. The quality of the curtains, blinds and soft furnishings we purchased is very high. They arrived when stated and were fitted well. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Unidrape. I have used them 3 times now and will continue to do so.
Anita
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Originally enquired a well known retailer but accidentally came across Unidrape and found the quality so much better. Well price and very professional. Will definitely recommend.
Maria
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Experts reiterate that all vertical blinds should preferably be cleaned while still hanging in the places where they usually are. This should be the case with all the types of the vertical blinds which are made of plastic, wood, and fabric. Most people believe that if they soak their blinds in warm water, they’ll end up with well-cleaned blinds. This is not the case. Rather, the procedure damages the blinds by causing the fraying of the fabric of the blinds. Besides, putting back the blinds in their place after washing them can be a tricky affair. To be able to carry out the cleaning of the blinds without taking them down, there are certain steps that you can follow. It’s, however, important to note your blind’s cleaning instructions. Also, test the fastness of the colour of your blinds in a small area before proceeding. The following steps will help you clean your blinds right where they are:
1. Dusting the vertical blinds
By the use of a microfiber cloth, try to dislodge loose dirt or dust from the slat of the blinds. Alternatively, you can do this by using a blind duster that is specially designed for that purpose. Take caution not to use dusters that are featherweight as they just push the dirt and dust around, not actually dislodging them. You should avoid using such dusters as possible. Another cheaper option for dusting is the use of your old sock. Turn it inside out and use it to dust. When you are dusting, work your way from the top as you head for the bottom. This should be repeated for every slat on the blind.
2. Vacuuming the vertical blinds
The second step following the dusting stage is the vacuuming stage. Dusting doesn’t remove all the dust as they should be. Here, make use of the brush that is attached to the vacuum cleaner to clear any loose dirt and dust that remain on the slats. Again, vacuuming should be done from the top heading downwards to the lower end of the blinds. This is done to avoid unhooking of the slats. Be keen enough to remove all or most of the dust and dirt that may have remained after the first procedure.
3. Cleaning the vertical blinds
Thirdly, dilute a detergent in a bowl or bucket. It’s preferable to ensure the container is filled with the dilute detergent though. Into the container of detergent, dip a microfiber cloth, squeezing any excess liquid out. Watch out to ensure that the blinds don’t become too wet. Also, if you make the water too hot, it may cause the slats of your blind to start fraying and losing shape. When starting out, have the cloth pinched around the very first slat. As you do this, work downwards starting from the top and pulling all the way down to dislodge the dust. After cleaning each slat, don’t forget to rinse the cloth. When the cleaning solution becomes too dirty, ensure you change it. If you come across dirt that is too stubborn, you can add baking soda to the solution.
Conclusion
These three steps are extremely helpful in cleaning vertical blinds without having to pull them down. When going through the steps, don’t forget to have a towel placed under the blind. This helps prevent any damages to the carpets and flooring.
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Excellent service from Amanda and her team from visiting the shop, estimating and having 3 blinds selected and fitted. I would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Andy
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If you tuned in to the 10th episode of 60 Minute Makeover on Friday evening you may have spotted us or our products featured in the episode. We were super happy with how the blinds turned out and are so glad we could help towards such a great project! Find out more about our products featured in the episode, below!
Last year we had the privilege of helping 60 Minute Makeover complete a project local to the shop! In the Hertfordshire episode, our Roman blinds were featured in a super stylish Children’s Room (& right next to Peter Andre!)
The team have now put together a piece below about the products used and the ideas & inspirations behind the fabric choices we put forward to meet 60 Minute Makeover’s designer Ben Hillman’s brief.
FABRICS USED
Passion – Fuschia:
Passion, colour Fuschia is a plain Chenille fabric, that we used for one of the Children’s bedroom (Right-Hand window) Roman blinds. Using this iLiv fabric on a Roman blind not only created a bright, fun and luxurious window dressing, but practically also provided blackout to the bedroom. The ‘Fuschia’ colour cheerfully complemented the vivid Pink tones, incorporated into the geometric wallpaper print, as well as the vibrant pink rug; tying together the room’s composition and providing the perfect finishing touch!
Kendal – Candy:
Kendal, colour Candy is a plain Woven fabric, which we used for the other (Left-Hand) Roman blind, in the Children’s bedroom. This soft, muted fabric balanced out the brighter tones featured in the room and gave a more subtle and cosier touch – perfect for creating an energetic but relaxing ambience simultaneously, in this colourful bedroom space. The lighter tones of this iLiv fabric harmonise with the muted Pink tones featured again in the wallpaper and on other interior accessories, such as the fun and modern art prints positioned on the walls. Using differing colour intensities and textures on the window surfaces enhances the depth and interest of the scheme; to successfully create a fun, bright and tactile room – perfect for children!
Booking a Free Survey:
Here at Unidrape we offer a free survey service for local addresses. We also provide Installation and Supply Only services, dependent on your requirements. To book a survey appointment or to find out more about our products & services we offer, either pop into the shop, give us a call (01707 376088) or drop us an email at info@unidrape.co.uk
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So the secret is out, the project we were working on back in September will be shown on 60 Minute Makeover (tomorrow at 7pm on Red Quest)!
We were contacted by Shiver, ITV Studios to help them with a project for a local deserving family. We had great fun working with the production team and designer to come up with the perfect fabric choices for window dressings, to work with the design scheme. Using beautiful fabrics by iLiv, our Roman blinds looked fantastic in a super stylish Bedroom! After a last minute dash back to our shop, we helped out also with the Living room and installed one of our stunning Neo Brushed Stainless Steel curtain poles.
The team had a great day out – the production team were all super lovely…and of course we did get to meet Peter Andre…! Check out the episode tomorrow (Friday 16th February), at 7pm (on Red Quest); to see if you can spot any of the Unidrape team or products!
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