Bring colour with shutters

Inspiration

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 13 February 2022 Updated: 12 September 2024

Inspiration
Tags: Shutters

A new dawn in colour

Shutters may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to coloured window dressing but these days there's more to shutters than just white. Take a rainbow walk through the colourful world of shutters in the here and now.

Does colour matter?

Colour plays a crucial role in interior design because it influences the ambiance and function of a room. And it’s not only the space that can be influenced - colour has a profound effect on our own moods and perceptions. Warm hues can create an inviting, energetic atmosphere, while cool tones tend to evoke calmness and tranquillity; a vibrant red can energise a kitchen, while a soft blue can create a calming effect in a bedroom. Neutral colours offer versatility and can make a space feel larger, plus they can act as a perfect backdrop for stand-out features, or a piece of furniture.

Neutral kitchen with black marble island and worktops and three curved bay windows dressed in French Ochre shutters, louvres opened.

Living room in mid blue with fitted unit, dark blue sofa in front of window, olive green upholstered chair to left, modern coffee table on mid blue rug and windows dressed in mid blue shutters, louvres open.

Some people like to fill a room with colour, and some prefer to just use it as an accent focus, perhaps matching shutters to existing décor, or a chimney breast wall. Others take the theme of colour and really embrace, as with this blue living room. With walls and unit the same colour and a lighter hue for the shutters the eye is pulled to the window and the light coming in, which stops the room feeling overcrowded. With furniture, soft furnishings and accessories in co-ordinating shades of blue there’s a lot of colour in one room but by adding a touch of a different but related colour, in this case green, it stops the room being too blue.

What are the colour groups?

When it comes to choosing colours for home decor, including shutters, it's helpful to understand the various colour groups. Each group has its own characteristics and can evoke different moods and styles. Let’s take a deeper dive into what’s commonly thought of as the main colour groups.

Close up of sunshine yellow shutter, partially open, louvres tilted.

Warm colours are vibrant and energetic. They tend to make spaces feel cosy and inviting.

• Red: Stimulates energy and passion. Ideal for dining rooms and kitchens.
• Orange: Conveys enthusiasm and warmth. Great for living rooms and social spaces.
• Yellow: Bright and cheerful. Works well in kitchens and bathrooms to add a sense of brightness

Bedroom with pale mauve wall, geometric pattern wallpaper to left with mauve bed dressed in geometric bedspread with mauve throw, dark wood floor and solid tracked shutters in mauve, partially open.

Cool colours are calming and soothing. They can make spaces feel more spacious and serene.

• Blue: Promotes relaxation and tranquillity. Perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Green: Represents nature and tranquillity. Ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
• Purple: Can be both calming and luxurious. Suitable for bedrooms and creative spaces.

Neutral lounge with rug in colour blocks of browns and creams and curved bay windows dressed in creamy-light beige shutters.

Neutral colours are versatile and timeless. They can complement any decor style and are great for creating a balanced look.

• White: Clean and crisp. Works in any room, making spaces feel open and airy.
• Grey: Sophisticated and modern. Suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, and offices.
• Beige: Warm and inviting. Great for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens

A different take on colour

Colour's not just about warm, cool and neutral - there's a whole range of other types of colour groups, and they tend to be trend-led, so let’s take a look at those too.

Close up of kitchen in white with grey marble worktop and island, pink wooden chairs in bay window dressed in pale pink shutters, louvres open.

Pastel colours are soft and delicate. They add a touch of whimsy and are perfect for creating a serene environment.

• Light Pink: Romantic and gentle. Ideal for bedrooms and nurseries.
• Lavender: Calming and elegant. Suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Mint Green: Refreshing and light. Great for kitchens and bathrooms.

Neutral bedroom with wooden bed with white bedding and beige accessories two floor to ceiling windows dressed in mid-colour wood shutters, louvres open with light rays filling room.

Earth tones are natural and grounding. They bring a sense of warmth and stability to a space and are very on-trend at the moment.

• Brown: Warm and comforting. Ideal for living rooms, studies, and bedrooms.
• Taupe: A blend of grey and brown, providing warmth and elegance, suitable for any room.
• Terracotta: Rich and earthy. Great for kitchens, dining rooms, and outdoor spaces.

Living room in cream with brown rug, pale beige sofa with terracotta cushions in plain and patterned fabric and floor to ceiling shutters in terracotta, louvres open.

Bold colours make a strong statement and add drama to any space. They are best used as accents to avoid overwhelming a room.

• Bright Red: Dynamic, attention-grabbing, works as an accent in living and dining rooms.
• Electric Blue: Vibrant and energising. Ideal for accent walls and decor pieces.
• Vivid Orange: Exciting and lively. Perfect for spaces like kids' rooms and creative studios.

When choosing a colour for your shutters, think about the feeling you want to evoke in each room and about how that colour makes you feel. If you don’t like that colour, you’re not going to feel content in that room, so don’t follow the trend if it’s not your thing. If you’re not sure about a colour, try incorporating it into a lesser-used room, like a guest room. View it at different times of the day to see if the light makes a difference to it, and how it affects you too.

Classic-style bedroom with white walls, mid-grey painted skirting and bay window moulding, dark wood floor, bed on left with white bedding and grey faux fur throw, sage green armoir on left and bay window with patterned glass to top dressed in mid grey solid shutters.

There’s another factor to think about when it comes to choosing coloured shutters – the window frame. Do you co-ordinate the frame with your new coloured shutters or not. Dependant on the fitting and the window itself it may be you have no choice but to leave it white, and that’s fine, the contrast between white and colour can be a nice feature. However if there’s a wood frame, or trim or architrave as with this window, painting the surround to match really unifies the look.

Exterior of a country house covered in foliage with michealmas daisies and a window dressed with internal yellow shutters.

When selecting a shutter colour, don’t forget to consider how it will look from the outside. Your choice will contribute to your home’s kerb appeal and can either harmonise with or stand out from the exterior colour scheme. For a cohesive look, match the shutter colour with other exterior elements like the front door, facias, or roof. If your home’s exterior is neutral, coloured shutters can add a vibrant touch. Alternatively, if your exterior is already colourful, you might opt for a more subdued shutter colour to avoid visual clutter.