My kids (boys!) are like little human tornadoes...everything they touch breaks. I used to have roman shades in their rooms, but they broke them more than once, and I had to keep sending them out to be repaired. I replaced them with wood blinds, but after one of those broke, I finally took them out and had plantation shutters installed in their rooms. So far I've found them indestructible. I like the look too with the wide slats. Very happy with them and they keep the light out when closed, which my boys need.

If cost is not an issue, go with shutters. Dan Kugler has great prices on both shutters and blinds. I got the latter as I didn't want to pay for a house full of shutters to cover our extra large windows. I'm really happy with them - got faux wood in the nursery as I'm sure DS will try to destroy them as he gets older, but they look just like the real wood ones we have in the rest of the house. Definitely be super diligent about the cords though. I've read a couple tragic stories lately that are truly terrifying. We do have to cover the blinds with curtains in the nursery for it to be very dark.

4" shutters amazing

I'll be the contrarian here and say not blinds or shutters. Go with something like Roman shades that you just lift up and pull down without any cords. We had shutters in our house, but when we had to replace the windows, we took them all out.

No matter what you get, make sure you get something that blocks out all the light for a nursery.

I like shutters and agree that they are timeless in all but the most contemporary houses. We don't have them, fwiw. We are considering them, but we're warned that they cost twice as much as blinds and block a lot more light. The light blocking is great for bedrooms, but might bother you elsewhere.

But I do love the way they look.

I installed shutters from Next Day Binds in my daughter's room before she was born (only that room and I am not a decorating person either). They shut out the light really well----almost (but not quite) equally to room-darkening curtains. I also think that they look great, and we get compliments on them.

Anonymous wrote:We just installed shutters and I agree with pp that they are timeless.

Would you mind sharing where you bought them?

OP here: Our house was built in the 80s, thus neither new or high-end. It is just a regular 5BR, 2.5BA house that we've been living in for 5 years with the mini-blind look.

I'm so indecisive when it comes to home decorating decisions--it took us 2 years and the threat of Thanksgiving at our house to make me pick window treatments for our downstairs!

I've been doing a lot of online looking, but might have to venture out to an actual store to see which I might prefer.

For those that have shutters, do you have them in your bedroom and does the light coming through wake you at the crack of dawn?

We just installed shutters and I agree with pp that they are timeless.

Shutter are easier to clean and actually are a structural part of the house so it will improve the value. Shutter are timeless.

We have shutters. The prior owner, who is an interior designer had installed them. Granted they weren't installed recently, but I absolutely love them and we got a lot of compliments on them. They just seem so much easier than blinds and I am glad to have them. I think really it's a matter of personal preference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I feel like shutters are dated, but everyone who spent a ton of money in the last few years is going to chime in otherwise.

Most new, high end houses do not have shutters, OP, if that matters to you.

Most high end houses do have shutters or drapes.

New high end houses? In 2014? Keep telling yourself that.

Anonymous wrote:
I feel like shutters are dated, but everyone who spent a ton of money in the last few years is going to chime in otherwise.

Most new, high end houses do not have shutters, OP, if that matters to you.

Most high end houses do have shutters or drapes.

I feel like shutters are dated, but everyone who spent a ton of money in the last few years is going to chime in otherwise.

Most new, high end houses do not have shutters, OP, if that matters to you.

World's worst decorator here.

I'd like to replace all the cheap mini-blinds throughout the 2nd floor of our house. (10 windows in 6 rooms)

First room up is going to be a nursery. I was looking at the thick wood blinds, but know about the strangulation hazard with cords on blinds and am considering interior shutters instead. No cords, but are there other hazards I should consider? If i do shutters in there, I'd probably want to do them in all the rooms. I think. How much light is really blocked? Would I still need curtains?

Is this something I could have my very handy DH measure & install or should I go with one of the local blind installation companies?

Any opinions are appreciated.