What the Experts Say

Some of the world’s best known paint brands have already released their colour palettes for 2015. While they are varied, the one colour that is consistent throughout is blue in all its hues. Dulux has announced that their Colour of the Year for 2015 is a clear blue shade called ‘Tropic Night’. Equally, PPG has announced that theirs is ‘Blue Paisley’. Sherwin Williams have gone for ‘Coral Reef’ but still feature shades of blue in their palette choice for 2015 and Benjamin Moore has announced the shade ‘Guildford Green’ but heavily features shades of blue to complement this.

The Psychology of Blue

Blue has more complex and at times more contradictory meanings than any other colour. It is often associated with trust, loyalty, cleanliness or understanding and as it is a primary colour, it is widely used. Its complex nature even applies to the shades of blue. For example:

1.    Dark Blue = trust, dignity, intelligence and authority.
2.    Bright Blue = cleanliness, strength, dependability and coolness.
3.    Light Blue = peace, serenity, ethereal, spiritual and infinity.

The Global Meanings of Blue

53% of the world’s flags contain the colour blue. It is the most commonly used colour in corporate brand identity. Blue denim jeans are ubiquitous and worn worldwide across many cultures. The aristocracy is blue-blooded in all European languages. Along with black, navy and grey, a blue suit is considered the appropriate business attire.

The Theory behind Colour Combinations

When it comes to implementing a colour scheme to incorporate shades of blue into a home, it is worth looking at the basic ideas around colour theory. Here we look at two popular colour theories; complementary colour combinations and analogous colour combinations.

1. Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are directly across from each other on the colour wheel. An example would be red and green, or blue and yellow. In terms of interior décor, complementary colour combinations provide a very clear separation of colours, are more formal, and more visually challenging. Complementary colours create maximum contrast and maximum stability. They are often found in more formal rooms within a home such as the dining room for example.

2. Analogous Colours

Analogous colours are next to each other on the colour wheel. An example would be red and orange. Using an analogous colour combination in interior design usually lends itself to more casual, calming and muted looks in a room. In contrast to complementary combinations, analogous combinations are best used in the more informal areas of a home, a bedroom for example.

Combinations with Blue

When it comes to the colour blue, if you are choosing a complementary colour then both yellow and blue or orange and blue are good combinations as both will challenge the eye visually. By contrast, if you are choosing an analogous colour then purple and blue or green and blue will mute the colour scheme.

Incorporating Blue Hues into Your Home

You should always sample before you buy when it comes to paint, soft furnishings, curtains and drapes. Multiple samples and multiple shades will allow you to work endless combinations.

The 60 | 30 | 10 Rule

The best way to incorporate a colour into a room is to work with the 60 | 30 | 10 rule which breaks down colour into percentages. Divide your colour choice for a particular room into percentages as follows:
•    60% of a dominant color
•    30% of a secondary color
•    10% of an accent color

The 60% is the unifying colour throughout a room. When this translates across to a room it typically refers to the colour of the walls. The 30% colour provides visual interest, which typically refers to the room’s upholstery. The 10% is the sparkle to add on top, the added statement piece, for example a particularly striking singular piece of furniture.

So if you want to incorporate the blue trend for 2015 into your home, a simple way to do this is to include it as a statement piece such as a blue fabric covered lounge chair. If you want to add more, you could go up to 30% and change your curtains to incorporate blue into them as well as adding blue cushions.

Pull from the Pattern

Another way to look at colour is to look at the pattern of a key piece in the room and pull from that. For example, if you have a patterned rug or drapes, take your cue from that. Pull out three colours and use the 60 |30 |10 rule. It really depends on which colour you want to dominate the room.

Room Flow

If you want a consistent harmonious affect throughout your house, consider ‘flowing the colour’ from one room into another. For example, if you choose a royal blue  dominant colour in your living room and a vibrant purple as a secondary colour (working on the premise of analogous colour combinations) then pick up the vibrant purple secondary colour as an element in the kitchen for example. It could be as simple as your kitchen chair covers, but it keeps the flow of colour moving.

Child Safety

Always remember that safety is paramount when it comes to decorating kids’ rooms, particularly for young children. Choose curtains where you do not have to utilise long cords or rods as children may pull the rods down on top of themselves or get caught up in the cords, which can be a strangulation hazard. If it doubt, do not use cords. A lighter curtain is better than a heavier drape. Ensure that the curtains you use are simple and do not include any small items that children could potentially swallow such as loose tassels, crystals, or buttons.

Gender & Age

Naturally a child’s gender and age range play a big part in selecting the aesthetics of their bedroom curtains. If you have 2 children of different ages sharing a room, then consider a neutral pattern such as a print or polka dots. If your child has their own room, then you have more options. Young children (under 5 for example) love bright colours and lots of patterns as they are seeing these things for the first time and find them fascinating. Older children prefer specific images from recognisable TV shows, books, cartoons, musical acts etc.

Material & Size

Choosing curtain material is not just about colour or patterns, what is really important is how heavy or lightweight the fabric is which will dictate how much or how little light comes into the room during the day. If you have a very big bright room, choose thicker fabrics if you think it is important to block light in the early evening, when trying to put young children to bed. If you have chosen a bright fabric and your room has lots of light, remember that light fades colour faster. If your children have allergies, take this into account; a natural lightweight fabric that is easy to machine wash, might be a better option for you. Luxury fabrics such as delicate silk are best suited to adult bedrooms. Very long curtains can be a hazard as children love to play and pull things down. If you opt for a shorter curtain, a nice option is to add a matching soft Roman blind as well to finish the window treatment.

Fun Factor

Yes you have to consider safety first and blocking out light, but also remember not to go over the top, after all this is a child’s room and anything goes. This is the one room in the house you can have fun with the décor as children will grow up it’s only for a short time anyway, so you might as well make the most of it. If your kids’ love ducks, buy curtains with ducks on them, if your kids’ love Peppa Pig, buy curtains with Peppa Pig on them, if you kids’ love One Direction.…….you have a much bigger problem than curtain choices!  In the end, it is all about what makes them happy.

Number 1: Custom Made Vs. Off-the-Shelf

The first thing any homeowner has to consider when choosing curtains, is whether they should choose custom made curtains or off-the-shelf curtains. The benefits of custom made curtains means you can tailor them to your exact specifications – fabric, colour, trimming, length, lining and the finish. If you fancy adding a swag in a complementary colour to make the window a focal point of the room, it is easy to do. The benefit of an off-the-shelf option means it is more inexpensive, you have more room to spend on additional soft furnishings to bring the whole room together, if budget is an issue.

Number 2: Dimensions and Measuring

Before you even think about curtain shopping or commissioning a custom made pair, take out your tape measure and get your exact dimensions right. There is nothing worse than ill-fitting drapes to ruin the look of an interior. Decide how high above your window you would like your curtains to begin. Designers often hang curtains approximately 15 centimetres above the window frame. If you want to add more drama, consider hanging them higher. Measure from the top of the window plus add the extra centimetres where the curtains will actually hang from (15 centimetres or more) to the floor.

If you want a modern look, measure just to the floor. For a traditional look, add an extra 5 to 8 centimetres so the curtains gather on the floor. To measure the width of your window, add 10 to 20 centimetres on both sides and double the total number so that your curtains will look full enough when hanging. If blocking out light is a priority for you, extra centimetres around the perimeter of the window frame will help block it out.

Number 3: Colour and Fabric     

Your choice of fabric is key to the longevity of your curtains. Getting it right means your curtains will hold up over time. Getting it wrong means you will be replacing them more often than you would like. Choosing curtains that are too heavy means they may not fall crisply enough when drawn. If they are too light, it means they may not fall well. Sunlight fades fabrics over time. If your room has lots of light flowing in, it is best to avoid choosing brightly coloured fabrics. Neutral colours are less likely to fade and blend in better with a room. Silk, faux silk, velvet and linen are good choices that tend to hang well. The majority of curtain fabric can be lined with a thick insulating felt material. Interlining is where a piece of fabric slipped between the lining and the main curtain fabric can also help increase the longevity of your curtains.

Benefits

Curtains

So why choose curtains or blinds? What’s the advantage of either? The simple answer is, it depends on what you are looking for. Curtains can be used to frame a window, add warmth to a room and add texture and movement where none exists. If they are heavily draped, or sheer and transparent, they can add depth to any room. Rich hues can update an otherwise sparse and dull room.

They are easy to update if you want to change around your interiors in a hurry. Matching your curtains with some cushions and a throw in your sitting room can make all the difference. Adding billowing light with white or soft cream transparent drapes to a bedroom can bring in more light.

Blinds

If you view your choice of window dressing by the ability they have to control light, then blinds are the best option for you. The enduring benefit is the ability to create or make light disappear in an instant. Another advantage is the ability to block out the glare of the sun and the heat attributed to it. A big issue for any interiors that are subject to the glare of the sun, is colour fading over time. By investing in good blinds in the beginning, you will get more longevity from your interiors.

Styles

Curtain Pelmets, Swags and Tails

There are so many styles, fabrics and colours to choose from. Recent trends lean towards more natural and sustainable fabrics such as linen, cotton and bamboo, plus collections made from recycled fibers and new generation pvc free polyesters. When investing in curtains, make sure and think about adding a pelmet to provide the best light protection. Pelmets add an extra luxury finish to any set of curtains, and draw the eye as a feature point.

Need something that will make a statement? Swags and tails are the opulent choice to add an element of grandeur to your room. Endless choices of trim make them ideal for the ultimate customisation and an excellent choice to match trimmings to the rest of your interiors.

Roller, Roman, Venetian and Panel Blinds

Roller blinds are a great solution for achieving the perfect light, with minimal impact on design. They tend to feature as more practical options in a less formal family style environment.  In contrast, Roman blinds create a more chic and sophisticated look. Venetian blinds come in wood or aluminium. Wood is clean, modern and flexible. Aluminium allows you to slant the blinds giving more options in flexibility. They can be tilted to capture the light and the breeze. If you have a large segment of window to cover such as a French door, try panel glides.

 Maintenance

Always take into consideration how much maintenance goes into your choice of curtains or blinds as there is no point investing in good quality solutions if you don’t plan to take care of them.  Moisture, sun and pollutants in the air damage curtains, but fabric handling does the biggest damage of all. Make sure you purchase curtains with a good quality lining to reduce fading. Buy a flick stick or wand to reduce handling the fabric. If washing requirements state they need professional cleaning, then do follow the instructions.

With blinds, it is important to dust regularly. Most do not respond very well to chemical solvents or water. Where you see a stain, spot clean where necessary. Consider using your vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to keep roman and roller blinds clean. Just make sure not to stretch the fabric. Venetian blinds do well with a regular wipe of a microfiber cloth.

Our top tip is to make your life a whole lot easier and invest in motorisation. Whether it is remote control operated or wall mounted, there are multiple options out there that make it highly convenient.