Whether you’re an avid art collector or simply love the paintings, prints and photos adorning your walls, protecting them from the damaging effects of sunlight is essential. Natural light enhances the ambiance of a room, but over time, UV rays can cause irreversible damage to your artwork.

Fortunately, with the right UV-filtering window furnishings, you don’t have to choose between preserving your collection and enjoying a bright, beautiful home. Here’s how smart window furnishing choices can help protect your art without compromising on design or comfort.

Understanding UV Damage: What’s Really at Risk?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is invisible to the naked eye, but it’s a major contributor to fading and degradation of delicate materials. Pigments in paintings, ink on photographs, fabric fibres, and even framing materials are all vulnerable.

The damage happens gradually and can often go unnoticed—until it’s too late. Colours may fade, paper may yellow, and surfaces can become brittle. If your artwork is in direct or ambient sunlight, even for a few hours a day, it’s at risk.

How Window Furnishings Can Help

1. Blocking Harmful UV Rays at the Source

The most effective way to preserve your art is to limit its exposure to UV light. UV-filtering window furnishings like roller blinds, plantation shutters, and outdoor blinds provide a protective barrier that significantly reduces UV penetration.

Modern fabrics and materials can block up to 99% of UV rays, depending on the product and weave density. Unlike tinting or window film, window furnishings offer both UV protection and interior styling flexibility.

2. Managing Light Without Losing Aesthetic Appeal

Some homeowners worry that too much shading will make their rooms feel dark or closed in. But today’s window furnishings are more sophisticated than ever.

Screen blinds, for example, filter UV and visible light while still allowing you to see outside. They’re ideal for rooms where you want to maintain brightness and preserve the view—like living areas, studios, or galleries with large windows.

Meanwhile, translucent blinds soften and diffuse natural light without completely blocking it, creating an evenly lit environment that reduces direct UV exposure and prevents harsh shadows across your art.

3. Temperature and Humidity Control

UV protection isn’t just about light—temperature stability matters too. Heat build-up from direct sun exposure can cause canvas to stretch, paper to warp, and adhesive to fail over time.

Insulating roller shutters and layered blind options can help regulate internal temperatures, especially in sun-facing rooms. This is particularly valuable for homes in Melbourne or Sydney where summers can get intense. Stable environments help preserve both art and comfort.

Best Window Furnishing Types for Art Protection

Roller Blinds with UV-Filtering Fabrics

These are one of the most versatile solutions for art-heavy spaces. Available in blockout, translucent, or screen styles, they let you tailor your light control depending on the room’s needs.

Choose screen fabrics for bright but indirect protection, or full blockout blinds for complete darkness in rooms like home theatres or storage areas with valuable pieces.

Plantation Shutters

Not only are plantation shutters timeless and beautiful, they also offer precise light control. You can easily adjust the louvres to angle light away from precious artworks while still letting daylight into the room.

They're particularly good for traditional or Hamptons-style interiors where both form and function are important.

Outdoor Blinds and Awnings

Outdoor solutions add an extra layer of sun protection by stopping UV rays before they reach your window glass. This reduces heat and glare indoors, while also shielding delicate artwork from environmental stressors.

Outdoor blinds are a smart addition to gallery-style rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows or large glass doors.

Room-Specific Tips for Art Protection

Living Rooms and Hallways

These high-traffic areas often feature family photos or art collections on display. Opt for screen or translucent blinds that balance visibility and UV filtration without darkening the space.

Bedrooms

If you have sentimental or valuable art in the bedroom, blockout blinds or plantation shutters can keep morning sun from doing long-term damage.

Home Offices or Studios

Creative spaces often feature personal artwork or inspirational prints. Choose adjustable blinds or shutters to give you control throughout the day as lighting changes.

A Smart Investment for Art and Homeowners

Art doesn’t just enhance a space—it often holds personal, cultural, or financial value. Protecting it is a smart, proactive step for any homeowner. And with the added benefits of energy efficiency, improved privacy, and stylish design, UV-filtering window furnishings do more than just shield—they elevate the space as a whole.

Why Choose Security Plus?

At Security Plus Shutters, Doors & Blinds, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Australian families create homes that are stylish, secure, and protected from the elements. Our custom-manufactured window furnishings are made with quality materials designed to last—and to defend.

Whether you're safeguarding a single prized piece or curating a full gallery wall, our team can help you choose the right solution to preserve your collection.

Let Us Help You Protect What Matters

If you’re ready to enjoy the sunlight without risking your treasured artwork, our expert team is here to guide you. We offer tailor-made solutions with in-home consultations across Melbourne and Sydney.

Contact Security Plus Shutters, Doors & Blinds today to discover the ideal UV-filtering window furnishings for your space.