Interior Window Shutters – Everything You Need to Know

October 30, 2019
40 Comments
Posted in: interior design, window treatments

Last week you may recall that I put together a quick start interior design guide with a lot of the best posts in this body of 655 blog posts.

In that spirit, to make it easier, I’m putting all of the window treatment posts here via links, so this post too, will become a handy window treatment guide.

One thing a lot of you have been mentioning in the comments are plantation shutters.

To be honest, I’ve never done them any kind of window shutters and here are the reasons why:

Rarely have they even come up as an option. They are not at all common here, in the New York Metro area. I realize that in other parts of the country, particularly the south and maybe most coastal areas, they are popular.
They are super-duper expensive and clients freak out at the price. Yes, they do. They. Freak. Out.
Every installer has stated what a bitch they are to install. And, when I hear stuff like that, it makes me ~~upchuck my dinner~~ ummm… very cautious. The last thing a designer ever wants is having to eat thousands of dollars because of a mistake. It happens.

In addition, while interior window shutters serve the function of light control and privacy, I don’t find them especially appealing for the most part.

Well, that is… until I began to research this post. And, now, I’ve mostly changed my mind. Some of the window shutters I’m going to show you are stunningly beautiful! I know that is going to make some of you plantation shutter aficionados very happy.

Although, it really shouldn’t matter what I think. ;]

By the way, I will link the window treatment guide at the end of the post.

For now, let’s focus on the interior window shutters.

When most people talk about window shutters, they usually mean plantation shutters. However, not all interior window shutters are plantation shutters.

However, originally, shutters were only on the exterior of homes.

Photo by me taken in 2016 in Verona, Italia

@george.efth.photography on instagram – exterior window shutters

And, then, they came inside for better light control, as well as protection from drafty windows. And, of course, to have privacy.

@allweatherexteriorsuk on instagram

Shutters are very big both in warm climates and super-popular in the UK.

photo: me :]

Classic Homes Adam Architecture Bighton Grange – George Saumarez-Smith drawing room window. For more of this spectacular home click here.

However, as you can see above, not all shutters have louvers.

So, what types of interior window shutters are there?

Traditional Shutters – These are the shutters with the small louvers. They are usually about an inch or so.

Some of you might recall Lotte Meister’s fabulous house I got to visit last year. This room is a den in the home. And, here we can see what look to be traditional interior window shutters. For more of this splendid home, click here.

And, please follow Lotte on instagram!

Plantation Shutters. These might go by different names, depending where in the world one is. Most of what I will be sharing will be plantation shutters. And I will go over what I think is splendid and some things to look out for.

The difference between plantation shutters and traditional shutters is mainly the size of the louver.

It is far larger on a plantation shutter. They generally range from about two inches to over four inches. But, I prefer a smaller louver, even on a large window.

Yes, the larger louvers do let in more light, however, if you have the folding type, you can open them all the way.

Here are some super-wide louvers. As I said, I’m not a fan. #clunky

And, would prefer if you did not pin this image.

I don’t know the original source, but think that these extra tall interior window shutters look splendid on these doors or windows. I can’t tell for sure what they are.

And, the last style are the solid panel shutters.

Usually they fold back into the deep inset as you can see in the George Saumarez-Smith home above.

Let’s begin with the solid panel shutters. I really love them. Now, I realize that some will balk because you either have them open or closed. I guess it depends on the room. Sometimes shutters are only closed for privacy at night. And then it matters not if there’s light coming through or not. Right?

Fredendall Building – NJ addition

These are in a bedroom. And, as you can see the solid panel shutters fold back into the wall.

via the traditional shutter company – uk

The two images above are solid panel window shutters. And these are also known as full height shutters because they cover the entire window.

Loi Thai of Tone on Tone had made some lovely solid paneled window shutters for one of his homes in Maine. These are also known as cafe style shutters

The Art of Doing Stuff – Karen Bertelsen is a super talented woman. She actually made these interior window shutters. And, she shares a fabulous tutorial on how you can do it too. Please note that I said *you* haha.

However, my favorite style of interior window shutters are called either tier on tier shutters or double-hung shutters.

Furlow Gatewood has such shutters on some of his windows in one of his homes in Americus, GA. photo by Rod Collins. For more of this spectacular home and others on Furlow’s property, click here.

photo – Rod Collins

Mr. Gatewood also has some lovely full height exterior window shutters.

Well, everything he has is lovely! :]

New England Shutter Co. – They are calling these Edwardian Shutters. However, they too are tier on tier shutters.

Ingredientsldn on instagram – interior window shutters

Shut the door!!!

Crazy beautiful!

She also has a beautiful website where they sell home accents

And, one last image of solid panel window shutters

photo Michael Sinclair via house and garden-ven-house

Love me some real French Country!

Click here for fake French Country.

Uh, Laurel… Aren’t you going to have some window shutters with louvers?

Please scroll back to right above the last image. Thank you. The rest of the interior window shutters will have louvers.

Okay… sorry to do this to you. And another one to not pin, please.

What do we think? Well, I’ll tell you what *I* think.

I think that these dark, heavy plantation shutters are a mistake.

The rest of the plantation shutters will be lovely.

However, these are sold on Ali Baba. That’s reminding me of this post from a while back. I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around that.

And, is that a bathtub? For people? It looks way too small to fit anyone larger than a standard poodle.

via Shutterly Fabulous plantation shutters

And below is the before

Well, I think it’s fabulous both ways. That is definitely an architectural gem!

via theshutterstore – blue tier on tier shutters

How lovely is this blend of mid-century furnishings and neo-classical architecture.

Viking Blinds – Hunter Douglas plantation shutters

This is reminding me of that insanely gorgeous Parisian apartment. Those were a kind of Roman Shade, however.

via @shutterlyfabulous on instagram wood plantation shutters

Quite handsome wooden and stained shutters

via The Shutter Store – California-Shutters-cafe-style-premium-teak-shutters-in-Light-Oak

Southbeach shutters – Top-Set-Open-Bedroom-Yellow-Shutters-Hybrawood

Wow! Good morning starshine!!! (please listen along with me by clicking the link)

I think that we need shades for the shutters! haha

Blue Closed Shutters- southbeachshutters.co.uk

Wow! That sure is a commitment. Would you ever consider such a bold statement in something that costs thousands?

Closing with this image from Shutterly Fabulous. I think bathrooms are the perfect place for interior window shutters. And, these plantation shutters look just right.