It’s official: for homeowners in search of on-trend blinds Melbourne has the goods
BLINDS | TRENDS
Written By Malcolm Young | 5 minute read
Melbourne is often touted as the style capital of Australia and it’s certainly the home of directional fashion. But it’s not just the fashionistas of the Victorian capital that show this off to best advantage. If you’re after stylish windows ‘wearing’ the latest blinds Melbourne homes certainly fit the bill. There is undoubtedly an element of laid back style in most Australian homes, and in Melbourne this is given extra edge.
The population of the city of Melbourne is diverse and varied meaning a huge number of products can be targeted at many different market segments. For example, the owners of a top notch Victorian terrace in East Melbourne might opt for opulent drapes over blockout roller blinds or plantation shutters to give their interiors a heritage feel, while also protecting heirloom furniture from fading or reinforcing their sense of security. Meanwhile young couples taking up residence in Melbourne’s growing number of swanky new ‘yuppy’ apartments might opt for sleek venetian blinds or vertical blinds in most rooms, perhaps with the addition of on-trend sheer drapes in the lounge and bedroom.
Many new homes in Melbourne’s outer suburbs are benefiting from the possibilities offered by much wider width blinds designed to cover the expansive windows that have become increasingly fashionable in recent years. Meanwhile with warehouse conversions still regarded as hot properties, the inner, formerly industrial suburbs of the Victorian capital are receiving makeovers with tricked up windows, finished by sleek venetian blinds, translucent roller blinds or updated vertical blinds.
In fact retailers are reporting that vertical blinds, once thought of as a rather boring product destined for use in offices, warehouses and other commercial sites, have made something of a comeback in the Victorian capital, thanks to the release of revamped versions in fashionable colours and prints. Roller blinds are also a go-to product in Melbourne because they’re simple, affordable and never go out of style. They can also be hung as dual roller blinds, which blend the benefits of two roller blinds on one bracket, creating greater control over light entering the interior and visibility to the exterior. Other strong sellers in the Melbourne market are roman blinds, panel blinds, venetian blinds and cellular or honeycomb or honeycell blinds.
“Honeycomb or honeycell blinds are a really great item, particularly in Melbourne because of their great insulating properties, which work wonders to keep homes warmer during the cooler months, but also function well in the Melbourne summer. They’re available in a wide range of colours and provide a contemporary look that works well with today’s modern décor,”
says one observer of the market for blinds in Melbourne.
He adds that one of the most prominent reasons for blinds’ growing uptake in Melbourne is that many modern blinds offer light control and/or energy saving benefits. As mentioned, cellular blinds are great for controlling heat and optimising insulation, while dual roller blinds have a highly effective blockout function. Vertical blinds and venetian blinds also allow for maximum light control.
Thanks to the rise of informative online arenas in the home décor and ‘green’ and energy saving spheres, Melbourne consumers are also increasingly well educated about the fabric used in their blinds. Many of them are opting for blinds made from sunscreen fabrics that allow for the control of heat and light as well as an outside view. Translucent fabrics ensure privacy during the day while diffusing the light entering the interior of the home. Melbourne consumers also expect their fabrics to meet certain standards. For example, most good quality blind fabrics are designed to withstand Australia’s harsh climate and usually come with a warranty, fire retardant and non-flammable properties; dust resistance, stain resistance, UV and fade resistance, bacteria and mould resistance.