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Harper sunshine roman blinds paired with daisy spring roller blinds in pastel themed bedroom

Best blinds for light control

Written by Yvonne Keal

Product Management specialist

Written: 03/08/2015

Updated: 21/06/2024

Bright ideas to create shade and keep the summer sun at bay

As the days get longer and nights are shorter we see lots of natural light flood into our homes.

At this time of year it’s important to pick the right window dressing to suit your needs. With our bright ideas to control the summer sunshine, we’ve made light work of making the light work for you.

 

Longer days and shorter nights are here, so we’re seeing lots of natural sunlight flood into our homes. Now more than ever, it’s important to pick the right window dressing to suit your needs. With our bright ideas to control the summer sunshine, we’ve made light work of making the light work for you.

We’ve previously explored ways to filter the summer sun and show the best ways to use blackout window dressings. When the midday sun is at its peak certain rooms and even outdoor spaces can become too hot to enjoy. Here we share our favourite ways to keep the inside cool and create stylish shaded areas for the outside. 

Conservatory Blinds

Conservatory roof blinds are a great choice for creating shade and a comfortable internal temperature. Fabrics with a sun reflective coating prevent light from being absorbed in the summer and offer an insulating layer in winter, allowing you to enjoy your conservatory all year round.

white conservatory roof blinds in a yellow shaded conseravtory
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Shutters

When the sun beams through a window it’s a shame to completely block out the summer light. Our Shutters offer a great solution to controlling light, heat and privacy too. With tilting louvres, you can create several different looks, leave them open for a bright, fresh feel, tilt them for shade or in the cooler months close them to create a warm snug.

white bedroom shutters
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Pleated blinds

Lots of windows or south-facing rooms will often become a summer sun trap. Pleated blinds are neat and stylish, and with the option of a reflective backing, they will help to keep a room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. For a really sleek look try Perfect Fit blinds - they simply click into place between the glazing and beading of uPVC windows, with no need for drilling.

beige perfect fit pleated blinds
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Awnings

Being outside in the summer sun can often be sticky and uncomfortable. Awnings offer stylish shade from the midday sun and shelter from other climatic conditions. Sun and wind sensor options give the opportunity to enjoy being in the garden with family and friends from spring right through to the autumn.

We hope you have found this guide on bright ideas to create shade and control the heat in the summer sun useful! 

white and grey striped awning on a contemporary patio area
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Bailey taffy curtains and delizia blush Romans in bedroom

Best for rest

Our natural alarm clock tells us that when it’s daylight it’s time to wake up. But as we spring forward to lighter mornings and brighter evenings, you might not want the extra sunlight disturbing your slumber. 

One of the simplest and smartest blackout choices is a Roller blind in a blackout fabric. Alternatively, all of our curtains and Roman blinds are available with blackout linings to help create a restful environment all year round. Layering the two together not only looks great, but can also be extremely effective in blocking out light. Once you’ve achieved total darkness at your window, check your room for any electrical items that may emit light as you sleep, and switch them off where possible.

Flexibility to filter

Summer is a time for enjoying sunny spaces and shutters are perfect for giving you flexible control over light and temperature so you can relax in comfort this season.

Open the louvres to let the light filter in, or close them fully to keep your room cool.

These Tier-on-Tier shutters from our Dalston range allow the sun to shine through the top half of the window while maintaining privacy at the lower half.

 

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Did you know?

Shutters, Venetians and voiles are great for keeping out bugs when your windows are open, while still letting the breeze flow through
Marco Cinder grey perfect fit roller blind in patio door frame with contemporary furniture and grey accessories

Sleek solutions

Rooms with doors or lots of glass that let light in can become uncomfortably hot in summer.

Perfect Fit blinds are a sleek solution that help control light and glare, simply clipping into your uPVC frame to become an integral part of the door.

The blind is operated by a tab and the neat fit means that light levels are effectively controlled, especially at the sides of the window where light can sometimes leak through. 

They are are available as Pleated, Roller and Venetian blinds and they are no operating cords or chains with a Perfect Fit blind, so it’s also a great choice for a child’s room or nursery.

explore pleated blinds

In the shade

The windows in this garden room give amazing views but can let in too much heat and light when the sun shines.

With individual Roman blinds‚ the garden is still the focal point but the blinds can be adjusted to block out any harsh glare as the sun moves throughout the day.

Adding a specialist lining to your Roman blind will help to keep heat in when the winter months come along so you can enjoy your garden room at all times of year.

 

Top tip

A specialist lining like a blackout lining will help keep your room cool in summer and warm in winter
Natural pale grey Pleated blinds dressed on doors and windows, with white Highgrove Pleated blinds on the conservatory roof.

Timeless treatments

Conservatories are lovely open spaces to sit and relax, but just like any glass rooms they can get unbearably hot, especially when the sunlight shines directly down through the roof.

Conservatory roof blinds are a great choice for creating shade and a comfortable internal temperature.

Fabrics with a sun reflective coating prevent light from being absorbed in the summer and offer an insulating layer in winter, allowing you to enjoy your conservatory all year round.

 

view conservatory blinds
Pearl olive green floor length pinch pleat curtains paired with voiles in cosy living room

All year rounders

We all know how unpredictable British weather can be, so for flexible light control throughout the seasons, think about teaming sheer Voiles with curtains.

In summer, the Voiles allow light to gently filter through your window while maintaining daytime privacy. In the evening and during cooler months, your curtains will add an extra layer of cosiness.

Curtains are particularly good for windows without a recess, or for bay windows where you want a continuous flow around the curve. Choose floor-length curtains for full-on glamour, or, if your window is situated above a radiator or behind a bed, select a length just below the window sill for a neat finish.

Top tip

Opening the windows even while your curtains are closed will create a steady flow of fresh air and prevent your room getting stuffy
white nook pleated blinds fitted on bifold door windows which are partially open from a sitting area into the garden

Keep your cool

While patio and sliding doors are great for bringing in lots of light, strong summer sun can make rooms with lots of glass uncomfortably hot.

Specialist ThermaShade™ Pleated blinds have a solar reflective coating that helps regulate the temperature of a room to keep things cooler during the hot summer months.

 

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