How to define your space with designer blinds

4. Choose thermal fabrics for energy efficiency

“Using a material designed for performance can make a significant difference to the thermal performance of a home or office, and simultaneously look stunning. All our blinds are made with high performance Ferrari fabrics from France, which reflect heat and stop it entering the building, ultimately saving on energy costs.” 

5. Consider motorised and smart control for blinds

Motorised blinds can be opened and closed simply by touching a button, a remote control, or an app on a smartphone. “Window coverings are a proven way to reduce solar gain and prevent heat loss, and if they are this easy to open and close, it's much more likely you'll remember to do so to benefit you and your environment. Additionally, the ability to set schedules to open and close them at specific times means you may never have to worry about them at all.”

Find out more about premium interior roller blinds from Shade Elements.

1. Choose quality fabric that suits the decor

This is especially important if the glazing takes up a significant portion of the room. When blinds are partially or completely extended, the material chosen will have a significant impact on the room’s aesthetic. “We have the largest fabric offering in New Zealand, which allows for complete design freedom and the opportunity to perfectly meet the needs of any project or design scheme,” Shade Elements’ Damon Campbell says.

2. For extended durability and crisp edges, choose laser cut blinds

Laser cutting offers the most advanced edge finish for blinds in New Zealand, and it’s a sought after option due to the ability laser cutting has to mitigate the risk of edges fraying over time, Damon says. “For New Zealand-made blinds, we are the only manufacturer in the country with a roller blind ultrasonic and laser plotting table to create these outstanding non-fraying edges.”

3. Seek blinds with high quality componentry

For ease of use and extended longevity, selecting the right componentry is vital. “The best componentry isn’t just for functional purposes either; it helps to create an elegance and a sleek appearance in the room,” Damon says. “For example, using colour-matched screws to attach roller blind brackets to the wall creates a seamless finish, with a large selection of coloured metal or stainless steel chains offer extended durability and superior performance in coastal properties where salt spray is an issue.

“Quality componentry always improves both aesthetic and functional aspects, and that’s why we only use Italian-designed componentry and ensure every part of the blind is optimised for ease of use. Our silent bottom rails all incorporate a protective backing to stop the blinds banging against the window, for example. It’s these details that take blinds to the next level.”

Other details that make a big difference to the performance of blinds include the tubing chosen, with the superior option being a specialised 45mm tube designed to stop the blind fabric creasing and waving when in operation.