Author: pjs-admin

Why Choose Australian Made Window Furnishings Over Imported Alternatives

Post author By pjs-admin
Post date June 22, 2026
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When you are comparing quotes for blinds, curtains or shutters, the cheapest option is often an imported, mass produced product. It can be tempting. But window furnishings are not a throwaway purchase. They live in your home for years, they affect how every room feels, and they need to fit your windows precisely. That is where Australian made products pull ahead, and the gap is wider than the price tag suggests.

This article walks through the practical reasons to choose locally made blinds, curtains and shutters, from quality and fit to lead times, compliance and after sales support, so you can make a confident decision.

1. Quality and craftsmanship you can rely on

Australian manufacturers build to a standard rather than to a price point. Locally made blinds, curtains and shutters tend to use better hardware, more durable fabrics and tighter construction tolerances, which means they hang straight, operate smoothly and keep looking good for far longer.

Imported products are often produced in large runs with cost as the priority. They can look fine on day one, but cheaper components, mechanisms and fabrics frequently show their age sooner, with fading, warping or operating parts that wear out. Over the life of the product, the locally made option often proves the better value even when it costs a little more upfront.

2. A genuine custom fit for your windows

No two homes have identical windows, and Melbourne has everything from heritage terraces to modern builds. Australian made furnishings are produced to order, measured and built specifically for your openings. The result is a precise fit with clean lines and no awkward gaps. Whether you need shutters, blinds or curtains, every piece is tailored to your space.

Imported products are frequently made to standard sizes, which can mean compromises: a blind that is slightly too wide, a shutter frame that does not sit flush, or coverings cut down on site that never look quite right. A made to measure fit also performs better, sealing the window more effectively for light control and insulation.

3. Faster, more reliable lead times

When a product is made locally, it does not have to cross an ocean. That shortens the wait, makes timelines more predictable, and means that if something needs adjusting, it can be sorted quickly. Australian manufacturing also avoids the shipping delays, customs holdups and stock shortages that can leave imported orders in limbo for months.

For anyone building or renovating to a schedule, that reliability is worth a great deal. You get a clear timeline you can actually plan around.

4. Built to meet Australian standards

Products made and supplied here are built to comply with Australian regulations, including the mandatory safety standards for corded internal window coverings administered by the ACCC. That covers child safety requirements such as warning labels, cord securing devices and safe installation. With imported or grey market products, compliance can be inconsistent, and the responsibility for any gap can land on you.

Buying locally made furnishings from a business that handles installation gives you confidence that both the product and the way it is fitted meet the rules designed to keep your family safe.

5. Designed for the Australian climate

Local makers understand local conditions. Melbourne swings from hot, glaring summers to cold, damp winters, and Australian made products are specified with that in mind, from fade resistant fabrics for harsh sun to materials suited to our humidity. Well fitted, close sealing coverings also help with energy efficiency. As Sustainability Victoria notes, a single pane of bare glass can gain or lose up to ten times more heat than the same area of insulated wall, so a quality, properly fitted covering directly affects your comfort and running costs.

6. Real warranty and after sales support

A locally made product backed by a local business means that if anything goes wrong, there is someone nearby to make it right. Warranties are easier to honour, replacement parts are accessible, and adjustments or repairs can be handled without shipping components overseas or discovering the supplier no longer exists.

With imported products bought purely on price, after sales support can be thin. A warranty is only as good as the ability to act on it, and that is far simpler when the maker and installer are local.

7. Supporting local jobs and skills

Choosing Australian made keeps work and skills in the country. It supports local manufacturers, tradespeople and the wider economy, and it sustains the craftsmanship that makes a quality custom fit possible in the first place. For many homeowners, knowing their purchase backs local industry is a meaningful part of the decision.

Australian made vs imported at a glance

Factor	Australian made	Imported, mass produced
Fit	Custom, made to measure	Often standard sizes
Quality	Built to a standard	Built to a price
Lead time	Shorter, predictable	Subject to shipping delays
Compliance	Meets Australian standards	Can be inconsistent
Warranty support	Local and accessible	Often limited
Climate suitability	Specified for local conditions	Generic
Long term value	Strong	Variable

The bottom line

An imported product might win on the initial price, but window furnishings are a long term part of your home. A better fit, longer life, faster turnaround, assured compliance and real support after the sale all add up. That is why every blind, curtain, shutter and awning from PJ Shutters and Blinds is proudly Australian made and professionally installed by our own team.

The easiest way to see the difference is in person. Book a free, no obligation measure and quote and one of our consultants will talk you through the options for your home. You can get in touch here.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Are Australian made blinds and shutters more expensive than imported ones?

They can carry a higher upfront price, but they are often better value over time. Locally made products use more durable materials and hardware, fit precisely, and are backed by accessible warranties, so they tend to last longer and perform better than cheaper imported alternatives that may need replacing sooner.

Q. How can I tell if window furnishings are actually Australian made?

Ask the supplier directly where the products are manufactured and whether they handle installation in house. A reputable local business will be transparent about this. At PJ Shutters and Blinds, all of our blinds, curtains, shutters and awnings are Australian made and installed by our own team.

Q. Do Australian made products have shorter wait times?

Generally yes. Because they are made here rather than shipped from overseas, lead times are shorter and more predictable, and they avoid the customs and shipping delays that can hold up imported orders. As a guide, blinds and curtains usually take around two to four weeks, and custom shutters around six to eight weeks.

Q. Why does a custom fit matter so much?

A made to measure product fits your specific windows precisely, which means clean lines, no awkward gaps, and better performance for light control and insulation. Standard sized imported products often need compromises that affect both the look and how well the covering seals the window.

Q. Are imported window coverings safe?

Some are, but compliance with Australian mandatory safety standards can be inconsistent with imported or grey market products, particularly around child safety requirements for cords. Buying locally made products from a business that also installs them gives you assurance that both the product and the installation meet Australian rules.

Q. Do you handle installation as well as supply?

Yes. All of our products are professionally installed by our in house team, so you deal with one local business from measure and quote through to the finished install, and you have a single point of contact for any support or adjustments afterwards.

Looking for quality window furnishings made right here in Australia? Explore the full range at PJ Shutters and Blinds or book your free measure and quote today.

Curtains

Blockout vs Sheer Curtains: Which One Is Right for Each Room

Post author By pjs-admin
Post date June 16, 2026
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Blockout and sheer curtains sit at opposite ends of the same spectrum. One shuts light out completely, the other lets it drift in softly. Both are beautiful, both have a clear job to do, and the most common mistake homeowners make is choosing one when the room really wanted the other, or wanted both.

This guide explains exactly what each curtain does, where each one shines, and why so many Melbourne homes end up layering the two. By the end you will know which to choose for every room in your house.

What are blockout curtains

Blockout curtains are made from densely woven or specially coated fabric designed to stop light passing through. When closed, they darken a room dramatically, improve privacy and add a useful layer of insulation against heat and cold. You can see the range of blockout curtains in different fabrics and finishes.

The main benefits

Blockouts create the deep dark that helps with sleep, shift work and nurseries, and turns a media room into a proper home cinema.
With the curtains drawn, no one can see in, day or night.
The heavy fabric slows heat moving through the window, which helps keep bedrooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
A thick drape absorbs sound, softening echo and dulling outside noise.

Where they fall short

On their own, blockout curtains are an all or nothing option. Open, you get full light and full exposure. Closed, you get darkness and privacy but lose your view and natural light. That is exactly why they pair so well with sheers.

What are sheer curtains

Sheer curtains are made from light, semi transparent fabric that filters sunlight into a soft glow while keeping a gentle sense of privacy during the day. They add a feeling of height, airiness and elegance to a room. Browse the sheer curtains range to see the effect.

The main benefits

Soft light. Sheers diffuse harsh sunlight into a flattering, even glow rather than blocking it out.
Daytime privacy. They obscure the view in from outside during daylight while still letting you see out.
Airy feel. Light fabric keeps a room feeling open and bright, ideal for living spaces.
Glare and UV. Sheers take the edge off direct sun and help reduce glare on screens and fading on furniture.

Where they fall short

Sheers do not provide darkness, and once the sun goes down and the lights come on inside, that daytime privacy reverses. People outside can see in, while you see only your own reflection. For privacy after dark you need a second layer.

Blockout vs sheer at a glance

Here is how the two compare across the things that matter most when you are deciding.

Factor	Blockout curtains	Sheer curtains
Light control	Blocks light completely	Filters light softly
Daytime privacy	Full when closed	Good, see out not in
Night time privacy	Full when closed	Little, needs a layer
Insulation	Strong	Minimal
Room feel	Cosy, enclosed	Light, open, airy
Best for sleep	Excellent	Not on its own
Best for living areas	As a paired layer	Excellent

Which curtain for which room

Now to the practical part. Here is what we generally recommend room by room, and why.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are the strongest case for blockout curtains. Darkness supports better sleep, and the extra insulation helps the room hold a comfortable temperature overnight. The ideal setup for most bedrooms is a layered one: sheers next to the glass for soft light and daytime privacy, with blockouts over the top to pull across at night.

Nurseries and children’s rooms

Daytime naps depend on darkness, so blockout curtains earn their place here too. Choose cordless or motorised heading styles so there are no cords within a child’s reach, which keeps the room safe as well as dark.

Living and family rooms

These rooms are usually all about light and atmosphere during the day, which makes sheers the hero. They flood the space with soft light and frame the windows beautifully. Adding blockouts gives you privacy and warmth in the evening and lets you darken the room for movie nights, so a layered approach suits most living areas.

Media rooms and home theatres

Here blockout curtains do the heavy lifting. Full darkness removes glare and reflections from the screen, and the fabric absorbs sound for better audio. Sheers are optional in a dedicated media room since the priority is darkness, not daylight.

Dining rooms and studies

Sheers suit dining rooms where you want a bright, welcoming feel for daytime meals. In a study or home office, sheers cut glare on your monitor while keeping the room light, although a blockout layer is handy if you ever need to darken the space for video or presentations.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Heavy curtains are usually the wrong call in wet, steamy rooms. These spaces are better served by water resistant blinds or PVC shutters. If you do want fabric for softness, a simple sheer can work on a window away from the splash zone.

Why layering both is the smartest option

By now a pattern is clear. Sheers and blockouts solve different problems, and layering them on the same window gives you the full range in one elegant setup. During the day you draw the sheers for soft light and privacy. At night, or whenever you want darkness, you close the blockouts.

Layering is one of the most popular ways to add depth, texture and function to a room, and it works with a range of heading styles including S fold and pinch pleat. For an even cleaner look, motorised curtains let you open the sheers and close the blockouts at the touch of a button or on a schedule.

The energy efficiency bonus

There is a comfort and cost reason to favour a layered, well fitted setup. Australian guidance widely reports that a large share of a home’s heating energy is lost, and much of its summer heat is gained, through the windows. A close fitting curtain capped with a pelmet traps a pocket of still air against the glass and noticeably reduces that transfer, advice echoed by Sustainability Victoria. Blockout fabric does this best, while sheers add little insulation, which is another reason to pair the two.

Caring for your curtains

Vacuum gently with a brush attachment every few weeks to keep dust from settling into the fabric.
Air the curtains occasionally and address spills promptly with a method suited to the fabric type.
Rotate or fully open curtains on very sunny windows to even out any sun exposure over time.
Follow the specific care guidance for your fabric, which we provide with every order.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the difference between blockout and sheer curtains?

Blockout curtains are made from dense fabric that blocks light, giving you darkness, night time privacy and insulation. Sheer curtains are made from light, semi transparent fabric that filters sunlight into a soft glow and provides daytime privacy while keeping the room bright and airy. They do opposite jobs, which is why many homes use both.

Q. Can you put sheer and blockout curtains on the same window?

Yes, and it is one of the most popular setups. Sheers hang closest to the glass for soft daytime light and privacy, with blockout curtains on an outer track to close at night for darkness and warmth. This double layer gives you full flexibility from one window dressing.

Q. Do sheer curtains give you privacy at night?

Not on their own. During the day sheers let you see out while obscuring the view in. After dark, once interior lights are on, the effect reverses and people outside can see in. For night time privacy you need a blockout layer, a blind or a shutter behind the sheers.

Q. Are blockout curtains good for keeping a room cool?

Yes. The heavy fabric slows heat passing through the window, which helps keep a room cooler in summer and warmer in winter, especially when the curtain fits closely and is topped with a pelmet to trap a layer of still air against the glass.

Q. Which curtains are best for a bedroom?

Blockout curtains are the top choice for bedrooms because they create the darkness that supports good sleep and add insulation overnight. Layering sheers underneath gives you soft, filtered light during the day, so the room does not feel dark when the blockouts are open.

Q. Are sheer curtains worth it if I already have blinds?

Often yes. Sheers add softness, height and a sense of luxury that blinds alone do not provide, and they diffuse harsh light beautifully. Many homeowners pair sheers with blinds to get the practical light control of a blind and the warmth and style of fabric in the one room.

Not sure how to layer your windows? The team at PJ Shutters and Blinds can help you choose the right fabrics and combinations during a free measure and quote.

Window Blinds

Child Safe Window Coverings: Cordless and Motorised Options Explained

Post author By pjs-admin
Post date June 10, 2026
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Window coverings are one of the most overlooked safety hazards in the family home. The cords and chains that operate older blinds and curtains can form loops, and a loose loop within a young child’s reach is a strangulation risk. It is a confronting subject, but the good news is that the danger is almost entirely preventable with the right products and correct installation.

This guide explains the risk, the Australian rules that exist to manage it, and the cordless and motorised options that remove the hazard altogether. If you have young children or grandchildren in the home, or you manage a rental property, this is worth reading in full.

Why window covering cords are a serious risk

The danger is real and well documented. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reports that around one to two children die in Australian homes each year as a result of non compliant blinds and curtains. The risk comes from loose or looped cords and chains, which can wrap around a small child’s neck. You can read the regulator’s safety guidance on the ACCC Product Safety website.

Children are naturally curious, they climb, and they can reach cords from a cot, a bed, a couch or a chair pushed near a window. Because window coverings often stay in place for twenty years or more, many older homes still have cords that were installed before the current rules and may not be secured safely.

What Australian law requires

Australia has two mandatory safety standards covering corded internal window coverings, both administered by the ACCC. The supply standard, the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard, Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010, sets out requirements for how these products are made, labelled and packaged. The installation standard, the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014, sets out how they must be installed.

The key installation rule

In plain terms, a corded internal window covering must be installed so that a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 millimetres or longer at less than 1,600 millimetres above floor level. To achieve this, cords are secured using a cleat or a cord guide, and those securing devices must be positioned at least 1,600 millimetres above the floor, which is roughly head height for an adult and out of a child’s reach.

Installers must also fit the required safety components, attach their name and contact details, and leave all warning labels in place. This is why professional installation matters. A survey by the ACCC of corded blinds and curtains in 131 display homes once found that only about ten per cent complied fully with the standard, which shows how easily this gets missed when it is not done carefully.

The simplest solution: remove the cord entirely

Securing cords correctly works, but the most reliable way to protect young children is to choose window coverings that have no operating cord at all. Modern cordless and motorised systems do exactly that, and they look cleaner too. Here are the main options.

Cordless and child safe options

Cordless roller and roman blinds

Spring assisted and cordless lift systems let you raise and lower a blind by hand, with no chain or cord hanging down. They are a straightforward, affordable upgrade for bedrooms and living areas. Explore the blinds range for cordless friendly styles.

Plantation shutters

Shutters are inherently child safe because they have no cords or chains at all. You tilt the louvres and fold the panels by hand. That makes plantation shutters one of the safest choices for a nursery or child’s room, with the bonus of being hard wearing and easy to clean.

Panel glide and certain curtain styles

Panel glides operate with a wand rather than a cord, and many curtain heading styles can be drawn by hand or with a wand, avoiding loops entirely. These suit large windows and sliding doors where safety and a clean look both matter.

Motorised blinds and curtains

Motorisation removes the cord completely and replaces it with a remote, a wall switch or your phone. There is nothing for a child to reach, and operation is effortless for everyone in the household. PJ offers motorised blinds and motorised curtains, which can also be set to open and close on a schedule.

Cordless vs motorised: how to choose

Both remove the cord risk. The difference comes down to budget, convenience and the window itself.

Consideration	Cordless	Motorised
Cord risk	Removed	Removed
Cost	Lower	Higher
Ease of use	Manual, by hand	Remote, switch or app
Large or high windows	Can be harder to reach	Ideal, effortless
Smart home and scheduling	No	Yes
Power needed	None	Battery or wiring

Some motorised systems are plug and play, while others may need hardwiring, in which case an electrician is involved. We will explain what your particular setup needs during the quote and can coordinate the wiring if required.

A room by room safety checklist

Nurseries and bedrooms. Choose cordless, motorised or shutters. Never place a cot, bed or change table near a window with a corded covering.
Living and play areas. Keep couches, shelves and anything climbable away from corded windows, or switch to cordless and motorised options.
Whole of home. Walk through every room and check for loose or looped cords within reach at floor level or near furniture a child could climb.
Existing cords. If you are keeping corded coverings for now, make sure cleats or cord guides secure every cord at least 1,600 millimetres above the floor.

A note for landlords and property managers

If you own or manage a rental, child safety around window cords is not just good practice, it is tied to your duty of care to provide a safe property. Corded coverings should be inspected, hazards identified, and safety devices fitted where needed. Switching to cordless or motorised coverings during a refresh removes the issue permanently and is increasingly expected by tenants with young families.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Are corded blinds illegal in Australia?

Corded internal window coverings are not banned, but they are tightly regulated. They must comply with mandatory supply and installation standards, which require warning labels, safety components, and cords secured so that no loop 220 millimetres or longer can form below 1,600 millimetres above the floor. Choosing cordless or motorised products avoids the cord risk entirely.

Q. What is the safest window covering for a nursery?

Cordless blinds, motorised blinds or curtains, and plantation shutters are the safest choices because none of them have an accessible operating cord. Shutters are especially popular in nurseries as they are also durable and easy to keep clean. Whatever you choose, keep cots and furniture away from windows.

Q. What is the 1,600 millimetre rule for blind cords?

Under the Australian installation standard, a corded internal window covering must be installed so that a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 millimetres or longer at less than 1,600 millimetres above floor level. Cleats and cord guides used to secure cords must sit at least 1,600 millimetres above the floor, which puts them out of a young child’s reach.

Q. Do motorised blinds need an electrician?

It depends on the system. Some motorised blinds and curtains are battery powered or plug and play and need no electrical work. Others are hardwired and require an electrician. During your quote we will assess your setup, explain what is needed, and can coordinate an electrician where required.

Q. Can I make my existing corded blinds child safe?

Often yes. Fitting cleats or cord guides to secure every cord at least 1,600 millimetres above the floor brings existing corded coverings into line with the safety rule. That said, the most reliable protection is to replace corded coverings with cordless or motorised alternatives, which remove the hazard completely.

Q. Are all of your products child safe?

All of our products meet Australian child safety regulations, and we offer cordless and motorised options across the range for added peace of mind. We are happy to recommend the safest choices for any room where young children spend time.

Want to make every window in your home safe for young children? The team at PJ Shutters and Blinds can recommend the right cordless and motorised options during a free measure and quote.

Child safety around window cords is a sensitive subject. If you would like authoritative guidance, the ACCC Product Safety website has detailed information for families.

Blinds Curtains Shutters

Blinds vs Shutters vs Curtains: How to Choose the Right Window Furnishing for Your Melbourne Home

Post author By pjs-admin
Post date June 4, 2026
No Comments on Blinds vs Shutters vs Curtains: How to Choose the Right Window Furnishing for Your Melbourne Home

Choosing window furnishings sounds simple until you start shopping. Blinds, shutters and curtains all cover a window, yet they behave very differently when it comes to light control, privacy, insulation, cost and the overall feel of a room. Pick the wrong option and you can end up with a bedroom that never gets dark enough, a north facing living room that bakes every summer afternoon, or a beautiful fabric that looks tired within a couple of years.

This guide breaks down the three main categories side by side so you can match each one to the way you actually live. Everything here is written with Melbourne homes in mind, from heritage terraces in the inner suburbs to new builds out in the growth corridors, and every product we mention is Australian made and custom fitted by our team.

The quick answer

If you want a single sentence to start with, here it is. Shutters are the premium, permanent, low maintenance choice that adds value to your home. Blinds are the versatile, budget friendly all rounder that suits almost any room. Curtains bring softness, warmth and a sense of luxury, and they insulate beautifully. Most well designed homes use a combination rather than committing to one across the board.

Now let us look at each option in detail, then compare them directly.

Shutters: timeless, durable and built to stay

Plantation shutters are rigid panels fitted with adjustable louvres, mounted in a frame around the window. They are the most permanent of the three options and behave almost like a piece of architecture rather than a soft furnishing. You tilt the louvres to control light and privacy, and you can fold or swing the panels open to clear the glass entirely.

What they do well

A quality shutter can last for decades and rarely dates, which is why buyers often see them as a fixture that adds resale appeal.
Light control. Angled louvres let you direct light up to the ceiling or down to the floor, giving fine control over glare and privacy at the same time.
Easy maintenance. There is no fabric to wash. A wipe with a damp cloth keeps them looking new, which makes them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and homes with allergies.
A closed shutter adds a solid barrier across the window, helping to slow heat moving in or out of the room.

Things to weigh up

Shutters are the largest upfront investment of the three, and because they are custom built they take longer to produce, typically six to eight weeks. They are worth the wait for the rooms that matter most. PJ offers plantation, PVC and timber shutters, with PVC suited to wet areas and timber prized for its natural warmth.

Blinds: versatile, practical and easy on the budget

Blinds are the workhorse of the window furnishing world. The category covers a wide spread of styles, including roller, roman, venetian, panel glide, slimline and motorised options, so there is almost always a blind to suit a given window and budget. Browse the full blinds range to see how broad the choice really is.

What they do well

Blinds usually offer the lowest entry price while still looking clean and contemporary.
Blockout rollers give you total darkness for bedrooms, while sunscreen rollers cut glare and heat yet keep your view and natural light.
Space saving. Blinds sit flush to the window, so they suit narrow rooms, kitchens and windows above benches where curtains would get in the way.
Fast turnaround. Blinds are generally quicker to produce than shutters, often within two to four weeks.

Things to weigh up

A single layer of blinds offers either privacy or view, rarely both at once, which is why many homeowners pair a sunscreen roller with a blockout roller on the same window. Fabric blinds also collect a little more dust than shutters and benefit from an occasional vacuum with a brush attachment.

Curtains: warmth, softness and serious insulation

Curtains add the element that hard furnishings cannot: softness. Floor to ceiling fabric frames a room, absorbs sound, and brings a sense of height and luxury. The range runs from light, airy sheers through to heavy blockout drapes, plus elegant S fold and pinch pleat headings. You can explore the full curtains collection for the different looks.

What they do well

A close fitting curtain capped with a pelmet creates a pocket of still air against the glass, which is one of the most effective and affordable ways to slow heat loss in winter.
Fabric softens hard surfaces, dampens echo and makes large rooms feel warmer and more intimate.
Sheers by day and blockouts by night give you light, privacy and total darkness from the one window dressing.

Things to weigh up

Curtains need floor space and wall space either side to hang and stack well, so they suit larger rooms more than tight ones. Fabric also needs gentle care over time, and very sunny windows can fade certain materials, which is something we help you plan for during your consultation.

Side by side comparison

The table below sums up how the three options stack up across the factors most Melbourne homeowners care about. Treat it as a starting point rather than a rule, because the right answer always depends on the specific room.

Factor	Shutters	Blinds	Curtains
Upfront cost	Highest	Most affordable	Mid to high
Lifespan	Very long	Moderate	Moderate
Light control	Excellent and precise	Good to excellent	Good
Insulation	Strong	Moderate to strong	Strong with a pelmet
Maintenance	Very low, wipe clean	Low	Higher, fabric care
Privacy plus view	Both via louvres	Needs two layers	Both via layering
Adds resale appeal	Yes, seen as a fixture	Less so	Depends on quality
Best suited to	Long term, low fuss rooms	Almost any room	Living and bedrooms

How to choose room by room

Rather than picking one product for the whole house, match the furnishing to what each room needs.

Bedrooms

Darkness and privacy come first. Blockout roller blinds or blockout curtains give you the deep dark that helps with sleep, and many homeowners layer sheers over the top for a soft daytime feel. Shutters with solid or close fitting louvres also work well where you want a clean, permanent look.

Living and dining rooms

These are the rooms guests see, so style carries more weight. Sheer curtains paired with blockouts create a designer layered look, while plantation shutters deliver a crisp, classic finish. Large windows and sliding doors often suit panel glides or S fold curtains that stack neatly aside.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Moisture and heat rule out heavy fabric. PVC shutters and water resistant roller blinds handle steam and splashes, wipe clean easily and hold up far better than curtains in these spaces.

Home offices and media rooms

Glare control matters most. Sunscreen blinds tame screen glare without blacking out the room, and blockouts turn a media room into a proper cinema when you want it dark.

The Melbourne climate factor

Melbourne asks a lot of a window, with hot dry summers and cold damp winters in the same year. Window coverings do real work here. According to Sustainability Victoria, a single pane of bare glass can gain or lose up to ten times more heat than the same area of insulated wall, so the right covering directly affects both comfort and running costs.

In practice that means closing blinds and curtains on hot afternoons to keep heat out, and closing them again on cold nights to hold warmth in. Close fitting curtains with a pelmet, snug shutters and well fitted blockout blinds all reduce the load on your heating and cooling. For west and north facing windows that cop the worst of the summer sun, pairing internal coverings with outdoor blinds or awnings is the most effective approach of all.

Why not have the best of all three

The homes that look and perform best rarely commit to a single product. They layer. Sheers and blockouts on the living room windows, plantation shutters in the kitchen, blockout rollers in the bedrooms, and outdoor blinds or awnings to protect the alfresco. Because every product is Australian made and custom fitted, you can mix styles across the home and still keep a cohesive, considered finish.

The simplest way to get it right is to start with a free measure and quote. One of our consultants will walk through your home, talk through how you use each room, and recommend the right mix. You can get in touch here to book a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Which is cheaper, blinds, shutters or curtains?

Blinds are generally the most affordable option, especially basic roller blinds. Curtains sit in the middle to higher range depending on the fabric and heading style, and plantation shutters are usually the largest upfront investment. Shutters often work out well over the long term because they last for many years and add appeal for buyers.

Q. Are shutters or curtains better for insulation?

Both insulate well when fitted correctly. A closed shutter forms a solid barrier across the window, while a close fitting curtain capped with a pelmet traps a layer of still air against the glass. For the strongest result in a cold room, heavy blockout curtains with a pelmet are hard to beat, and many homeowners combine fabric with a hard furnishing for extra benefit.

Q. Can I mix blinds, shutters and curtains in the same house?

Yes, and most well designed homes do exactly that. Matching each product to what a room needs gives better results than using one type everywhere. Keeping a consistent colour palette and a similar level of quality across the home ties the different products together visually.

Q. What is the best window furnishing for a bedroom?

For sleep you want darkness and privacy, so blockout roller blinds or blockout curtains are the most popular choice. Layering sheers over blockout curtains gives you a soft, filtered light during the day and full darkness at night.

Q. How long does it take to get window furnishings made and installed?

As a guide, blinds and curtains generally take around two to four weeks from quote to installation, while custom shutters take longer, usually six to eight weeks, because they are built to measure. You will get a clear timeline during your quote so you can plan around it.

Q. Do these products meet child safety rules?

All corded internal window coverings sold and installed in Australia must comply with mandatory safety standards, and cordless and motorised options remove the cord risk entirely. We can recommend child safe choices for any room where young children spend time.

Ready to work out the right mix for your home? Explore the full range at PJ Shutters and Blinds or book a free, no obligation measure and quote.