Modern technology meets Mother Nature – this is how honeycomb shades are described by their manufacturers and for good reasons, too. Honeycomb shades are usually made from woven polyester fibres shaped into honeycomb formations, thus, creating small pockets that lessen wind and cold air penetration into the house. This results in lower energy bills since the house’s interiors are warmer than usual.
These shades usually come with two sides. Either sheer or opaque fabric is used on one side with the other side being a black liner, which can be controlled individually. Take note that black fabrics absorb heat, thus, lessening heat loss through the windows. Aside from energy efficiency, honeycomb shades are also great for maintaining privacy while also letting the sunlight in. These shades are designed with top-down, bottom-up construction so that you can close the lower portion while keeping the upper part open giving you more flexibility in the way you dress your windows.
Honeycomb blinds also work in reverse, so to speak, in the summer, where they allow plenty of light into a room while helping to reduce heat build-up.
This year is all about energy efficiency and the importance of finding ways to lower fuel bills as well as saving money. Interior designers won’t be neglecting the overall look of soft furnishings in a room, far from it! – they are including some exciting colours and innovative designs to help us make our homes better places to live, irrespective of the size or style of homes.
Standard blinds will also remain a large feature in this year’s window dressing trends. Plain, bold colours will be used on kitchen blinds to brighten even the smallest of kitchens, and patterns will abound to bring cheerful style to our homes.
The trend for using both curtains and blinds to dress a window will also remain on-trend in 2012. Coordinating fabrics and variations in textures will be used to give depth and body to rooms, for example kitchen rugs will coordinate with kitchen blinds and although each item needn’t be matching per-say the focus will address the need to harmonise soft furnishings, creating a balanced and well thought-out interiors for every interior design style.
Of course the emphasis in interior design will focus on value for money, more especially as the economy doesn’t look as if it’s going to recover much, if at all, this year. We will be looking not only for bargains in the January sales but throughout the year. Savvy shoppers will do their shopping online where the lower prices doesn’t mean you have to forsake quality.
