Awnings 101: Enhancing your outdoor living space with style

With summer around the corner, awnings are fast becoming essential for homeowners who enjoy the outdoors. From sun protection to temperature control and energy efficiency, awnings make a compelling case if you're looking to give your home a stylish spruce. But are they worth the investment?

As one of Australia's largest wholesale manufacturers of premium quality blinds, the team at Blinds by Peter Meyer wholeheartedly say yes. "Awnings are a fantastic addition to homes, providing a range of benefits that enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor spaces," says Kelly-Jade Penton from Blinds by Peter Meyer.

One of the benefits of awnings is the combination of style and functionality. For homeowners who love spending time in their backyards, awnings provide comfortable shading for relaxation and entertainment all year round, rain, hail or shine.

"Awnings offer essential sun protection by creating shaded areas, which is especially valuable in hot and sunny climates. They help shield you and your home's interior from the harmful effects of UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and fading of indoor furnishings," explains Kelly-Jade.

She adds that "awnings help maintain a cooler and more comfortable environment within your home, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning during the summer months. This translates to energy savings and a lower utility bill."

Since its humble beginnings 35 years ago, Blinds by Peter Meyer has cemented itself as a leader in the blinds market, especially after becoming the official representative of Weinor, an award-winning outdoor awning and retractable roofing specialist based in Germany.

Although there are many awnings available, Kelly-Jade recommends three designs from Weinor:

Weinor Smaila Awning

The Weinor Smaila Awning features a sleek cubic design with decorative side end caps, making it perfect for small to large balconies and patios. It also includes LED lighting for added ambience, with 30,000 hours of energy-efficient lighting seamlessly integrated into the cassette.

Weinor Vertitex II with Plaza Viva Patio Roof

The Weinor Vertitex II Exterior Roller Blind, when combined with the Plaza Viva Patio Roof, creates a seamless system offering complete weather protection and privacy. This design offers two key benefits that exemplify style and functionality. Firstly, the Vertitex II features small cassettes and can span up to six metres wide without being obtrusive. Secondly, the Plaza Viva offers wind resistance and subtly integrates into the overall design, providing a visually appealing and highly functional patio solution.

Weinor Kubata and Kubata LED Awning

The Weinor Kubata Awning combines design and functionality with a sleek, minimalist cubic cassette shape. It features integrated LED spotlights with a long lifespan for maximum energy efficiency, illuminating evenings for 30,000 hours. With expansive projections of up to four metres and a total width of seven metres, this awning is well-suited for residential and commercial settings. 

"These exclusive Weinor products are available through Blinds by Peter Meyer, offering a wide range of customisation options from a variety of colours to an extensive selection of fabrics. Whether you're looking to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, or both, these awning solutions provide numerous benefits and cater to diverse outdoor needs," says Kelly-Jade.

While awnings are relatively straightforward to install and use, there are styling tips to consider to help elevate your home's unique aesthetic. Kelly-Jade shares her best design tips below:

Coordinate colours

"Select awning colours that seamlessly blend with the overall colour scheme of your outdoor space, including your patio furniture, cushions, and surrounding landscaping. When colours harmonise, they create an inviting and unified atmosphere." 

Kelly-Jade adds that Weinor offers a variety of colour choices, with 56 Standard RAL colours and an additional 210 optional RAL colours. "You can also explore My Collections 2, Weinor's new fabric range, featuring 143 innovative colour patterns. Weinor's fabrics are crafted with exceptional quality, utilising solution-dyed polyester or acrylic for superior colour retention," she says.

Mix and match patterns

"Don't hesitate to experiment with patterns. Combining patterned awnings with solid-coloured furniture, or the reverse, can add depth and visual intrigue to your outdoor area. Just ensure that the patterns harmonise cohesively."

Create a focal point

"Use your awning as a captivating centrepiece. Choose an awning colour or pattern that stands out and captures attention, helping to define the space with a unique character."

Before purchasing awnings for your home, Kelly-Jade recommends researching first to ask manufacturers the right questions.

"Look for reputable manufacturers with a track record of producing high-quality awnings. Brands with a strong reputation are more likely to provide durable, well-crafted products," she explains.

"Be cautious of exaggerated claims about an awning's performance, such as exaggerated UV resistance, durability, or ease of operation. Verify these claims with independent sources or reviews."

Learn more about the Weinor range from Blinds by Peter Meyer on Archipro.