By far the most popular colors for plantation shutters are neutral tones. These include Bright White which is a true white, Silk White which is a softer white, and Shell and Biscuit which are both more taupe shades but still very neutral shutter colors.
There are many shutter colors to choose from, but the most popular is a stately black. Because they fit with any home exterior, black shutters are universally appealing. White is another popular exterior shutter color.
The most common choice for painted shutters is often to choose a finish that is the same colour as the walls or lighter rather than opting for a darker option which will stand out in the overall aesthetic.
White instantly brightens a space because of the way in which it reflects and diffuses light. White plantation shutters will block out light when you need them to, but they'll also effectively direct sunlight into your room when you want the room to be bathed in sunlight.
Another way to make a shutter more modern is to select a wider louver. A 3.5-inch or 4.5-inch louver allows for more light and air when they are open, offering a picturesque view to the outside.
Plantation shutters look great when paired with curtains; but especially if you have shutters that open into the room, curtains surrounding shutters can become cumbersome. The trick to pairing curtains with shutters is to select and position your curtains wisely.
Ask Joanna Gaines, of course. In her new design book, Homebody, Jo revealed a particularly stylish fix for this issue: Plantation shutters.
When it comes to how to choose the right white paint for plantation shutters, evaluating lighting is essential. If your windows get plenty of direct sunlight, ivory white might create a blinding glare. In that case, you'll want to think about cream-colored or grayish-white plantation shutters.
Sheltering us from the harsh sunlight eventually takes a toll on your blinds or shutters. This is more noticeable if you have white or very light coloured window treatments. After some time, you may start to notice that your white blinds or shutters have begun to turn yellow.
Traditional wisdom will tell you to match your plantation shutters to the trim; however, with today's bold colors in trim you may choose to go with a classic white or off white instead. You have to decide how often you will change your décor.
You want the shutter color you decide on to complement, rather than clash, with your current home decor. If you have a traditional looking home, for instance, a bright shutter color may look a little out of place. You will also want your chosen shutter color to complement the window frame.
Your home's shutters should coordinate with your front door. While it's a “safe” approach to match your shutter color with your front door, you can also simply go one shade lighter or one shade darker (without the risk of clashing!) to add some uniqueness and style to your home's appearance.
Curtains with shutters work best when the curtain pole is raised higher than your window frame and when they fall floor length. Don't be afraid of pairing shutters with curtains. While it might seem like an unusual style choice, with a little consideration it can be a fabulous and elegant feature of any room.
Basswood is now the most popular wood for shutters, outpacing pine and poplar. These can be painted and stained, and are light, flexible material that makes them good for a variety of designs. However, they're not moisture resistant and they cost more than synthetic shutters.
While people tend to choose flat colors for siding, gloss or semi-gloss paints are often chosen for trim and shutters. This is because glossy paint will bring out the details, which you would want to avoid on the walls to minimize nicks and scratches – but could be great to emphasize your shutters.
Choose White and Wooden Rustic Tones
Available in white and neutral beige paints, or stains ranging from light Natural or Golden Oak to darker Coffee or Black Walnut, you are sure to find a color to match your farmhouse interior style.
The term “plantation shutter” originated in the American South, due to their sophisticated style and keeping plantation homes cool in the summer. For similar reasons, people in the West now refer to this window treatment as “California shutters.”
LIGHT CONTROL
No matter what a retailer may tell you, plantation shutters are not a 100% blockout product. While they block a large amount of outside light and offer complete privacy, there's still a small amount of 'light bleed' around the blades.
Black or dark colors, like cobalt, can really make the shutters pop and dress up your home's exterior. Light-colored shutters that are only a few shades darker than the rest of your home create a seamless, classic look for a more traditional home.
White Shutters Maximize Energy Efficiency
You may already know that lighter colors tend to reflect heat, while darker colors tend to absorb it. That means that white shutters themselves won't be vectors through which heat passes into your home, whereas a darker window treatment would be.
Soft Gloss paints have a slightly duller sheen level than semi-gloss paints, and offer superior resistance to stains and dirt. Soft Gloss paints are characteristic of exterior coatings offering protection against UV rays. These paints are typically used for exterior doors, trim and shutters.
Sherwin Williams – Alabaster
Joanna painted the main living areas of her own farmhouse Alabaster and she continually uses it in homes she designs on Fixer Upper as well. It's a great color to use on walls and trim both. We painted the shiplap in Mouse House this color.
One of the best places to start with window treatments that suit a modern farmhouse look is a custom set of plantation shutters. Their classic design suits a wide range of interior styles, and their modern construction ensures energy efficiency and convenient day-to-day use.