Plantation Shutters or Blinds?

This was exactly the goal behind the recent refurbishment of Tyneside Golf Club in Ryton, a club founded in 1879 with a long and proud history in the region.

As part of a wider clubhouse transformation led by Sophie Cooper, the interior design aimed to create a sophisticated environment that respected the club’s heritage while bringing a refreshed and contemporary feel to the space.

A1 Blinds were proud to contribute to this project by supplying and installing the window dressings that would help tie the entire design together.

The Vision for the Refurbishment

The refurbishment of the clubhouse was designed to elevate the overall experience for members and guests. Whether golfers were finishing a round, meeting friends for lunch, or attending club events, the space needed to feel welcoming, refined, and timeless.

Interior designer Sophie Cooper and the team at House of Honnun focused on creating a balanced aesthetic that combined traditional elements with contemporary touches. Warm materials, elegant furniture, and thoughtful lighting all played a role in shaping the final look.

However, the windows were a key part of the design. Large windows are essential for bringing natural light into the dining and social areas, but they also require window coverings that complement the architecture and interior style rather than distract from it.

The solution needed to offer practical shading while maintaining the elegance expected from a heritage clubhouse.

The Solution: Roman Blinds for Classic Style

To achieve the right balance between practicality and aesthetics, Roman blinds were selected as the ideal window treatment for the space.

A total of 12 Roman blinds were supplied and installed throughout the clubhouse areas as part of the refurbishment.

Roman blinds are particularly well suited to heritage-style interiors for several reasons:

Timeless Appearance
Roman blinds offer a soft, tailored look that complements traditional architecture and classic interior design. Their structured folds add texture and warmth without overpowering the space.

Elegant Light Control
The blinds allow natural daylight to remain a central feature of the room while providing gentle shading when required.

Refined Finish
Unlike some more utilitarian window coverings, Roman blinds feel more like part of the interior décor, blending seamlessly with furniture, fabrics, and colour palettes.

For a setting like Tyneside Golf Club, where atmosphere and presentation are important, this style provided the perfect finishing touch.

Working Alongside the Design Team

Projects involving historic venues often require careful coordination between multiple teams to ensure that the final result reflects the original design vision.

Working alongside Sophie Cooper and House of Honnun, A1 Blinds ensured that the blinds were installed in a way that complemented the overall design scheme and respected the character of the clubhouse interior.

Attention to detail was important throughout the process, as the window treatments needed to align perfectly with the interior layout, furnishings, and lighting.

The result is a cohesive and balanced space where the blinds support the overall aesthetic rather than drawing attention away from it.

The Outcome for Tyneside Golf Club

The refurbished clubhouse now offers members and guests a beautifully updated space that remains true to the club’s historic roots.

The Roman blinds provide subtle shading and visual warmth, helping to create a comfortable dining and social environment throughout the day.

At the same time, the classic styling of the blinds enhances the interior design, reinforcing the sense of timeless elegance that defines the club.

For venues with rich history, even small details play an important role in shaping the overall atmosphere. Window dressings, when carefully chosen, can quietly elevate a space while maintaining the authenticity that makes heritage locations so special.

Respecting the Character of Historic Spaces

Refurbishing heritage venues is always about balance — honouring the past while ensuring the space continues to serve modern needs.

Projects like the refurbishment at Tyneside Golf Club demonstrate how thoughtful design choices, including the right window treatments, can help achieve that balance.

By combining traditional styling with practical functionality, the result is a space that feels both refreshed and timeless — ready to be enjoyed by members for many years to come.

The best blinds for south-facing windows manage strong daylight without leaving the room permanently dark. Thermal fabrics, pleated blinds, adjustable Venetian blinds, blackout blinds and motorised options can all help, depending on how the space is used.

South-facing rooms often receive extended periods of direct sunlight. This can be welcome in colder weather, but during spring and summer it may lead to heat build-up, screen glare and prolonged sunlight on furniture, floors and soft furnishings.

Why Do South-Facing Windows Need Suitable Blinds?

South-facing windows need flexible shading because the angle and intensity of sunlight change throughout the day. Blinds that can be adjusted easily give you greater control over brightness, privacy and comfort.

Internal blinds can reduce direct sunlight at the window, but results depend on the fabric, fit, glazing and room layout. Blinds should form part of a wider approach to summer comfort rather than being treated as a substitute for ventilation or suitable glazing.

Thermal and Solar-Reflective Blinds

Thermal blinds are designed to provide additional insulation at the window. A1 Blinds offers thermal fabrics intended to help retain warmth during winter and limit excessive heat during summer. Solar-reflective fabrics are particularly relevant for bright windows. Their specialist backing is designed to reflect more incoming sunlight than a standard decorative fabric. Thermal and solar-reflective materials may be available in roller, vertical or pleated styles, depending on the chosen collection. They can suit living rooms, bedrooms and home offices that need year-round comfort alongside light control.

Pleated and Cellular Blinds

Pleated blinds fold into a compact stack and take up very little room around the window. A1 Blinds offers lightweight, energy-efficient pleated materials, including dimout, blackout and double-honeycomb fabrics. Double-honeycomb fabrics contain structured pockets that create an additional layer at the glazing. This makes pleated blinds a practical option for sunny conservatories, patio doors and compatible uPVC windows.

A1 Blinds’ pleated blinds are cord-free and can also work with the Perfect Fit system, providing a neat, drill-free finish on suitable frames.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds provide precise light control through adjustable horizontal slats. Instead of completely lowering an opaque blind, you can angle the slats to direct bright sunlight away from televisions, desks or seating areas. Aluminium and faux wood Venetian blinds can suit kitchens and bathrooms, while wooden styles add warmth to bedrooms and living rooms. Venetian blinds are effective for glare and privacy control. However, the gaps between the slats mean they are not normally the first choice for a room that requires near-total darkness.

Blackout Blinds

Blackout blinds use dense or layered material to reduce incoming light significantly. They work particularly well in south-facing bedrooms, nurseries, home cinemas and rooms where screen glare is a recurring problem. A blackout material does not necessarily mean that the complete installation will remove every trace of light. Free-hanging roller blinds usually leave some space around the edges, so fitting style is just as important as fabric choice.

Ask A1 Blinds about made-to-measure systems that sit closer to the glazing or provide greater overlap where strong room darkening is required.

Motorised Blinds

Motorised blinds are especially useful for high windows, large glazed areas or rooms containing several blinds. A1 Blinds’ systems can be controlled by remote, wall switch or compatible smart home controls. Easy operation allows blinds to be closed before the strongest sunlight enters and reopened once the sun has moved away. Motorised roller blinds can also create a clean finish without hanging operating chains.

How Should You Use Blinds in Hot Weather?

Close the blinds before direct sunlight begins heating the room. Waiting until the indoor space already feels hot will make the accumulated warmth harder to manage. When the outdoor air becomes cooler than the indoor temperature, safe ventilation can help release heat. Official hot-weather guidance also recommends closing blinds or curtains on windows exposed to direct sunlight. Blinds can help limit direct exposure to furnishings, but complete UV protection should only be claimed where the specific fabric specification supports it.

Find the Best Blinds for South-Facing Windows

Choose thermal or solar-reflective blinds for broad temperature control, pleated blinds for compact insulation, Venetian blinds for adjustable daylight and blackout blinds where darkness matters most.

A1 Blinds offers free home consultations, measuring and fitting across the North East and North Yorkshire. Book an appointment to find the best blinds for south-facing windows in your home.

At A1 Blinds, made-to-measure blinds can be designed around large glazed openings, including bifold and patio doors. The right option depends on whether you prioritise a soft decorative finish, precise light control, compact operation or motorised convenience.

What Should You Consider Before Choosing Bifold Door Blinds?

The best blinds for bifold doors must work with the whole door system, not just the glass. Handles, hinges, opening direction, and the amount of space around the doors can all influence which blind will work. You should also decide whether you want one blind covering the full opening or separate blinds fitted to individual panels. A free survey from one of our professionals can identify potential obstructions and ensure the finished blinds do not cause any inconvenience.

1. Allusion Blinds

Allusion blinds are one of the most distinctive options for bifold doors. The design combines flowing fabric with rotating vertical vanes, creating the softness of curtains whilst having the added benefit of the flexible shading of vertical blinds. The fabric filters external light while helping to maintain privacy. When the bifold doors are open, you can walk through the blind without drawing the complete system to one side. This makes Allusion blinds particularly practical for rooms with regular garden access. Allusion blinds are best for homeowners who want an elegant, airy finish that complements large windows and doors.

2. Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are a practical and versatile choice for wide glazed areas. The individual fabric slats can be tilted to soften bright sunlight, opened for a clearer view or closed when more privacy is needed. Made-to-measure vertical blinds can cover broad openings such as bifold, patio and sliding doors. They are also available in a wide range of colours, materials and finishes, making it easy to coordinate them with your interior décor. Vertical blinds are a great option when flexible light control and easy everyday operation are the main priorities.

3. Panel Blinds

Panel blinds use broad sections of fabric that move across a track. Their simple vertical lines suit modern extensions, open-plan kitchens and contemporary living spaces. When opened, the panels stack towards the side of the glazing. The available space should therefore be checked carefully to ensure the stacked blind does not restrict access to the bifold doors. Panel blinds are worth considering when you want clean full-height coverage with fewer fabric sections than a traditional vertical blind.

4. Motorised Roller Blinds

Motorised roller blinds are ideal for large, high or frequently adjusted window coverings. A1 Blinds offers systems that can be controlled using a handheld remote, wall switch or compatible smart home controls. Motorised blinds remove the need to operate several large blinds manually. They can make it easier to reduce glare during the brightest part of the day and reopen the blinds when you want to enjoy the view. The number and size of roller blinds required will depend on the width and configuration of your bifold doors.

5. Perfect Fit Blinds

Perfect Fit blinds clip into the window and door frames without drilling; the blind moves with the opening panel, creating a neat and integrated appearance. Roller, pleated and Venetian-style Perfect Fit options may be available, giving you a choice of fabric coverage or adjustable slats. Fitting blinds to individual panels can also allow each section to be controlled separately.

Not every bifold door is compatible with Perfect Fit blinds. The frame design, glazing beads, handles and folding movement must all be assessed before an installation is confirmed.

Which Bifold Door Blinds Are Best?

Allusion blinds are ideal for flowing style and walk-through access. Vertical blinds provide versatile shading, while panel blinds suit minimalist interiors. Motorised roller blinds offer convenient operation, and Perfect Fit blinds may be suitable where individual compatible panels need coverage.

A1 Blinds offers free home consultations, measuring and fitting across the North East and North Yorkshire. Book an appointment to compare fabrics and find the best blinds for bifold doors in your home.