Pick one or the other for both areas. Or post a picture that would make me change my mind. Doubtful...........but go ahead.

I don’t have a good pic yet. House is almost done! I think one or the other also so I’m going with that suggestion! I just needed to be pushed over the edge :)

I hate plantation shutters they are heavy looking block views and light and why people love them is a mystery to me but in order to answer the question we need to see the room but yes to the same window treatment in both spaces.

Yes, everything Jan said. They look great, are VERY easy to clean (much easier than any type of fabric), and can increase the value of a home. We love our shutters.

I actually find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with Jan and think Patricia could not be more wrong. I suspect anyone who so dislikes plantations has never lived with them. We have them (4" slats) throughout our home and love them. They are clean lined and sleek, yet classic. Most definitely worth the investment.

No matter how wide the blade, plantation shutters block light. That may or may not be an issue for you, but just information to have.

Consider that even when opened, the frame blocks light from both the sides and the front.

There is not an easy way to open them fully that is practical.

I say this, having lived in a home with them. Again, you may not find the light-blocking an issue, but you should know this.

I would choose the same application in both rooms.

Another benefit I've experienced is how shutters can "open" a space. My mom replaced some living room drapes with shutters, and the room looked larger. Everyone commented about it. Like IdaClaire, we have them throughout our home. We also like the continuity they provide on the windows from the exterior.

I disagree that they block light. With blades open, my rooms are sometimes blindingly bright.

Each louvre blocks light. The frame blocks light. Is that a bad thing? Depends on your climate, what you consider "dark" and 'bright" (very subjective I have found) and the look you want.

They are great for more tropical climates (keep the room cooler).

So, it is not a matter of plantation shutters being good or bad.....it is a matter of what function is best for you and what look you want.

I have spent more times that I can remember removing them in houses all over Calgary where clients founfd them heavy looking, hard to keep clean and yes even the wide ones block views and light.

During our remodel last year, we removed heavy, real wood 4" shutters from the dining room and was previously the office, now ladies lounge (aka DD1's living room). Both rooms have equal window and wall space. It was a great decision. They were large and blocked the light and view. I love the dining room now, and I did not remotely even like it before. I had custom drapes and sheers made, and actually open/close the sheers during the day to block sunlight, yet we can still see the trees.

As for the OP's question, I would do one or the other since the areas are in the same space, but if you post a photo it might change my mind.

Plantation shutters hard to keep clean? My goodness, a quick swipe of a Swiffer duster is all that's needed. It's funny how a small minority can be so adamantly opposed to a popular window treatment and rush to try to dissuade others.

Next we can hear from those who maintain that mirrors in dining rooms force you to watch yourself eat. ;)

ETA: Allison, you could hang paper bags as window treatments and your home would still be stunning.

CDR, you have a good point...there's no right or wrong and tastes just differ. However, "hard to keep clean" truly makes no sense. Seems all the shutters installed here in Southern CA make up for what's being removed in Calgary.

Right. I don't make decision for my clients or people on these discussions. I point out the advantages and disadvantages of a particular product, based upon good solid upfront information.

In this case, we have very little information.

I’m going to have to say that I hated having plantation shutters. They were such a pain to keep clean. Thankfully, that house has another owner to clean them now. I am looking for window treatments now for our living room and din8ng room that have a lovely view of Lake Michigan but would never dream of blocking them with plantation shutters.

"I don't make decision for my clients or people on these discussions. I point out the advantages and disadvantages of a particular product, based upon good solid upfront information."

CDR, that makes me think you're likely very busy with clients. :-)

Luckily, for us, we didn't have to make a decision about window treatments. The shutters were here when we bought the house. I told my husband I was thankful we didn't pay to have them all installed. His response was, "Trust me, we paid for them."

Maybe the good people who live up north don’t appreciate plantation shutters because they have less daylight then their southern neighbors?

I love ours, they are easier to clean then many other window treatments, hopefully they will never have to be replaced. I don’t understand the poster who wrote that they don’t swing open all the way? Ours sure do.

I also dislike plantation shutters and not something I would willingly add to a house. Yes, I have lived with them before, quite a lot of them in a 6000 sq.ft house with lots of windows. I also dislike mini-blinds. I just don't like the bars/slats look on a window. I live in sunny southern CA, so I now all about sun/light control.

No right or wrong, just a personal preference. Posters will be able to make better decisions for their own homes by hearing different opinions, likes and dislikes, of products they are considering.

Sorry i dont have a picture - house is just being painted now and i am two states away... Just picture a large great room windows on the west and windows on north side... I think i will go with them all the same and not do the plantation shutters in this room..... However, i will be doing them in my bedrooms and laundry - i like the look of them and i need to block out some Arizona sun :) THanks everyone for the input.

As for keeping them clean - i had no problem in my old house with them being clean and easy to dust - however maybe in areas wiith alot of humitiy the dust may stick a little more than in the Utah desert climate (?)

I love plantation shutters but all styles are not created equal. Shutters with a tilt rod for example adds more personality to the shutter but can look heavier than a hidden tilt - personal preference. Also, if you have a large window and you decide you want the double cafe look in an accordion style then that will add a heavier look to your window as will double doors. Before we had our windows done I researched and poured over different looks. We ended up going with a very clean look with hidden tilt, 3 1/2 inch louvre and a single door on 3 windows, double doors on all the rest. We even have them on our slider doors. They let more light in (and the look of the outdoor as well) than the blinds they replaced. And the control of the louvre is wonderful to change up the look. We have open concept and we ended up doing the window above the kitchen sink in a woven wood. All shutters are done in white as is the woven wood. The look is beautiful. I’d love to see a pic of your space to rule in or out the use of both shutters and woven woods. :)

...just to add to what I just said, we live in Florida and our shutters are absolutely light blocking when needed and we have more humidity here than in Arizona and there’s no problem keeping them dusted. I would suggest not rushing into a decision until you certain you do not want them in your open area. It took me a year and a half in our home (new build) before I pulled the button on them. Take your time and enjoy your new home:)

I think the tilt rods look more traditional and hidden rods more contemporary. Definitely personal taste. I use a Swiffer duster and slightly damp cloth for cleaning...very easy.

If blocking the sun is the aim I would suggest solar shades they block heat and UV rays allow you to still have aview and when it is dull outside you just raise them out of the way.

My windows are 72 inches tall and almost as wide. I’d need a ladder to swifter them. Not to mention having hands that hurt without doing housework. I’m with Patricia Colwell Consulting on this one. Love my sun shades which I topped with HPD double layer extra wide sheers.