Window Furnishings, Curtains & Blinds in Melbourne

Made in Melbourne: blinds and curtains for distinguished properties

SOM Blinds specialises in motorised custom-made window furnishings, curtains and blinds Melbourne homeowners, prestigious builders and architects love. We have been designing, manufacturing and installing premium, automated window-furnishing solutions for Melbourne properties since 2002. Our products help transform your home to improve functionality, energy efficiency and style.

Benefits of choosing SOM Blinds

We offer our clients many additional benefits when they choose to work with us. These include:

Our long-established working relationships with many leading builders, architects, interior designers, and premium fabrics and blinds suppliers in Melbourne and abroad.
A professional, experienced and reliable in-house team that works exclusively for us—we don’t use contract fitters or third-party installers.
Guiding you through the whole process of planning your window furnishings for the best result—it’s all in the details.
In-house manufacturing and access to suppliers who meet our high standards of quality.
A focus on improving sustainability and energy efficiency in your home.

Window furnishings at SOM Blinds

Electric and Manual Blinds

Motorised electric or manual blinds can improve the energy efficiency of your home or office. They are available in block-out, sunscreen and translucent fabrics. Motors and fabrics have a five year warranty, with a lifetime warranty on SOM Blinds motorised components.

Curtains and Roman Blinds

Choose from a vast selection of fabrics and colours to complement your decor. Roman blinds and curtains are custom-made for a perfect fit and finish. They are easy to operate, safe and protect your interiors from fading. Roman blinds can also work well in tight spaces.

Plantation Shutters

Our timber and aluminium shutters are custom-made to fit different window shapes and sizes. They can be made in a variety of colours to suit your decor, are easy to clean and can be motorised for windows that are hard to reach.

External Venetian Blinds

Motorised external Venetians are a modern and effective light and heat control window treatment. Their fantastic ability to minimise heat gain can increase your home or office’s energy efficiency. They are easy to operate, durable and resistant to weathering.

External Motorised Blinds

Automated external blinds with sunscreen or blockout fabrics promote energy efficiency while improving the comfort of your indoor spaces. External blinds can also protect your flooring and furnishings against sun damage. Simple to operate, they can be programmed to open and close independently or when needed, using sun and wind sensors to trigger opening and closing. Motorisation is an excellent solution for hard-to-reach windows.

Folding Arm Awnings

Retractable roof blinds, such as folding arm awnings, help maximise use of outdoor areas. We supply beautifully designed markilux and markilux shadeplus products, along with OZTECH’s trusted retractable roof systems. Our huge range of durable outdoor awning solutions that serve multiple purposes will help you make the most of your outdoor space.

Honeycomb Cellular Blinds

The simple Honeycomb design of cellular blinds traps air between two or more layers of fabric creating cells that are arranged just like a honeycomb in a beehive. The trapped air in the cells insulates window glazing, preventing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Why custom blinds and curtains from SOM Blinds are a smart choice

At SOM Blinds, we work with builders, architects, interior designers and homeowners to design and deliver customised window furnishings for Melbourne properties. Here are 12 reasons why working with the confident, experienced and reliable SOM Blinds team is essential for your premium new home build or home improvement project:

1. Personalised style and custom design

Choosing us for your custom-made curtains and blinds in Melbourne gives you access to a wide range of products and premium-quality materials sourced from the best local and international suppliers. Our technicians and interior design specialists help you select the fabrics, colours, textures, patterns, tracks, rods, accessories, product types and combinations that suit your personal style, home décor and lifestyle needs.

We tailor solutions to your taste and your property’s requirements instead of using generic, off-the-shelf products. We also advise your builder and electrician about important details like recessed pelmet sizes and correct wiring if you opt for motorisation. Contacting us at the start of your project allows for forward planning to give better outcomes, while ensuring your window furnishings are in place before moving in.

2. Enhanced functionality and practicality

Choosing tailor-made window furnishings improves your home’s overall functionality and practicality. Our team understands how to apply the many advantages of customised window treatments, including improving energy efficiency, for your home.

We help you select options such as automation for opening and closing your blinds and curtains, light and heat control, privacy, accessibility and glare reduction.

SOM Blinds works closely with you and your design and construction team to deliver functional and easy-to-use window furnishings that look amazing!

3. Security and privacy improvements

Window furnishings help control your privacy—your individual priorities will determine our recommended solutions for you and your home. Some products provide privacy while maintaining your view, while others provide additional security. By automating your window furnishings, you can control them in your absence, so your home appears occupied when you are at work or on holiday.

4. Quality products and components for longevity

Our specially designed SOM motorised blind hardware has a lifetime guarantee. If you want a change, simply update your roller blinds with new fabric—the original SOM Blinds hardware still works perfectly.

Somfy, one of our automation partners, offers a five year warranty on their motors. Many Somfy motors installed with our products still operate perfectly after over 15 years.

Norman, our partner for plantation shutters, offers a five year warranty. Norman’s plantation shutters, made from timber and not PVC, are free from soluble heavy metals and lead, meeting International and European standards.

5. Accurate measurements for a perfect fit

An incorrect fit upon installation is a common challenge for homeowners with curtains and blinds in Melbourne. This can result in lack of light and temperature control, and aesthetic concerns.

The SOM Blinds team ensures windows and doors are measured correctly, especially advantageous for automated and motorised blinds.

Before finalising designs and commencing with manufacturing, we liaise directly with your builder, architect, interior designer and electrician to ensure all elements of your home’s layout and required functionality are considered.

6. Integration with your home automation system

Motorising your blinds is convenient. With the touch of a button or voice command, you can open and close your blinds without moving around. This is particularly helpful for those who find operating window furnishing systems difficult, such as those with mobility considerations and older people.

Integrating your blinds with your home automation system is the ultimate level of convenience, also helping you to control and operate them when you are away from home.

7. Automation products manufactured locally

We proudly manufacture our indoor roller blinds at our Burwood factory. Our motorised blinds use automation components developed by SOM Blinds, or produced locally in Melbourne from suppliers we trust.

Bernie Sombekke, owner of SOM Blinds, developed his first motorised blind system in 2002 with the help of local engineers and electrician friends. He can personally guarantee that our SOM-developed motorised blind systems will last a lifetime!

Manufacturing our indoor roller blinds in-house gives us greater flexibility and control over lead times.

8. Professional installation by the manufacturers

When you choose SOM Blinds, you work with our team from start to finish. Our professional in-house team installs your blinds instead of using third-party contractors. You always communicate directly with us—this means that the person installing your blinds understands the product and your home.

Inexperienced manufacturers may find installing products requiring automation complicated. Our highly competent team has over 20 years of experience manufacturing and installing motorised blinds in Melbourne. We work with your electricians and automation specialists to ensure our installed products function precisely as they should.

We often recommend hardwired window furnishings for Melbourne homes instead of battery motors which need ongoing maintenance. Hardwiring requires skill and experience, and we always advise our clients to make the right choice from the start of their project.

9. Local support and coordination

Melbourne homeowners who value efficiency and personalised customer service will find dealing with a locally based curtain and blind manufacturer incredibly advantageous. Contacting window furnishing companies based online, interstate or overseas can be time-consuming for more complex projects, installation and repairs.

SOM Blinds is a locally owned and operated family business with a showroom in Burwood, Melbourne. Our highly experienced team will help you navigate your design, manufacturing and installation requirements. We are just a phone call away if upgrades or repairs are required.

With over 20 years of experience, we know the best suppliers and have access to fantastic electricians to consult with for the desired outcome.

We also have an excellent working relationship with many of Melbourne’s most prestigious builders, who have confidence in us consistently delivering high-quality window furnishings for their clients.

10. Repairs and upgrades handled in Melbourne

We receive many calls from frustrated homeowners who cannot get after-sales service from their original supplier. Most of our repair work requests come from non-customers—a testament to our competence and quality workmanship.

In rare cases where fabrics or motorised components need to be replaced or upgraded on our SOM Blinds systems, our Melbourne-based team can do so quickly and easily, even years after installation.

11. Sustainability and energy efficiency

We are committed to running our business sustainably, by using new and improved methods and products that minimise waste. Our curtains and blinds also help reduce energy consumption and improve the home’s overall energy efficiency. When combining a curtain and blinds, Melbourne homes can benefit from even more energy savings.

By controlling how much sunlight enters your home or office, you can help control the temperature indoors. Professionally designed, manufactured and installed curtains and blinds for Melbourne homes can significantly reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling throughout the year, lowering energy consumption and saving on electricity bills. You can also lessen the need for additional lighting with window furnishings that allow the right amount of light inside for clear visibility.

12. Increase the value of your home

Customised internal and external blinds add sophistication and elegance to your property.

Investing in high-quality curtains and blinds customised to enhance your family’s lifestyle and your home’s functionality, along with improving energy efficiency, security and safety all contribute to the liveability and value of your home.

Whether you’re looking for energy efficiency using external blinds, or interior design using decorative blinds, curtains, sheers, Romans, or plantation shutters, we can help you make decisions you’ll enjoy using in your home for years to come. We can also show you clever and innovative window furnishing solutions that add value to your home and are practical and attractive to future buyers.

Selecting the best window furnishings in Melbourne

The professional, experienced and friendly SOM Blinds team can help you choose the right window furnishings with the perfect blend of style and function for your new home or renovation, whilst enhancing your lifestyle. Take advantage of over two decades of window furnishing experience—we know what works and what doesn’t, as you can see in our portfolio of successfully completed projects. We have been working with some of Melbourne’s leading designers and builders for years, along with receiving repeat business and referrals from our many satisfied customers.

The team at SOM Blinds is committed to exceeding your expectations and transforming your vision into reality. Your home or project deserves nothing less!

What factors affect which window treatment to use?

Several considerations can influence your decisions when choosing the best blinds and curtains for your Melbourne property. These include:

Architectural style

Melbourne’s architectural styles vary significantly, from Federation and Victorian-style homes to modern and contemporary designs. In our experience, choosing curtains and blinds that complement your home’s aesthetic and overall design works best. For example, traditional properties generally suit classic window furnishings and accessories, whereas wave-fold curtains perfectly complement modern home designs. Our experienced blind and curtain specialists can recommend options best suited to your property.

Sizes and types of windows and doors

The type and size of your windows significantly influence your choice of window furnishing solution. Many door and window styles require additional accessories, mountings and pelmets to install blinds and curtains.

Check if your windows and doors open with panels that move outward or have panes that slide horizontally or vertically. Recessed windows and doors, or those with large door handles and window winders, need to be considered when designing customised blinds and curtains that fit perfectly. Architraves around the windows can also affect the amount of room available to mount your window furnishings.

Room dimensions, use and furniture placement

Consider the room’s use and overall size. Larger rooms designed for family entertaining are often well-suited to full-length interior curtain and blind combinations, whereas a bedroom facing the afternoon sun may also need an external motorised blind to stop heat from reaching the glass in summer.

The direction the window faces and whether it gets morning or afternoon sun will influence the most suitable blind and curtain combination. Other elements can include furniture choices and positioning, artwork, type of flooring and the joinery in the room.

Lighting and privacy objectives

Lighting dramatically impacts your home’s mood, decor and temperature control. Light control and privacy needs differ depending on how and when the room will be used. Bedrooms often require extra privacy and complete darkness at night, while inviting natural light into living spaces during the day adds a sense of spaciousness.

Block-out, sunscreen or translucent blind fabric allow you to choose the level of light control and access to views your blinds will provide. A dual blind system uses two blinds—one a block-out and the other a sunscreen or translucent blind, giving daytime privacy while allowing light into your space. Adjusting plantation shutter or external Venetian blades also lets you control the amount of privacy or light.

The right combination of curtains and blinds for each room will give privacy and added security in the evenings while making the most of daylight hours. Controlling it with a home automation system programmed to open and close your blinds at specific times of the day, keeps your home and family comfortable and safe.

Our team of custom-made blind and curtain experts will discuss your household’s lifestyle, privacy and lighting needs to prepare a personalised recommendation specific to your home.

Street appeal and external views

The view from outside your Melbourne home is often an important consideration when choosing blinds and curtains. This includes outdoor alfresco areas, front facades and rooms that face neighbouring properties.

In some cases, you may choose different external window coverings for the rear and front of your home, either for aesthetic reasons or to comply with strict heritage codes and council regulations. In other circumstances, different options for ground and upper floor rooms can work well.

What is the price range for blinds and curtains in Melbourne?

Curtains and blinds can differ in price exponentially depending on many factors, including:

Automation and wiring requirements
Installation complexities
Number of rooms
Size of windows and doors
Types of blinds and curtains
Quality of materials
Fabric and accessory selection

The SOM Blinds team has over two decades of experience and a reputation for designing, manufacturing, supplying and installing superior quality customised curtains and blinds for Melbourne properties. We love to work with clients seeking a premium experience and tailor-made products for their second, third or forever home.

Trust your project to Melbourne’s blind and curtain specialists

We are known for our skilled workmanship and attention to detail as confirmed by our excellent client reviews, repeat business and referrals.

Our clients include builders, architects, interior designers and homeowners from across Melbourne, including the inner north, bayside, eastern and south eastern suburbs. We’d love to help you if your home or project is located anywhere from Port Melbourne to Sandringham, including Albert Park, Brighton, Hampton and further east in Burwood, Ashburton, Malvern, Armadale, Camberwell, Hawthorn and Kew. We also service the Mornington Peninsula by special appointment.

If you’re building, renovating or upgrading your home and are ready to work with one of the best premium blinds suppliers in Melbourne, contact us for a quote or make an appointment at our Burwood showroom. Here, you can speak with our Melbourne blinds and curtain team about the best solutions for your home, while viewing our extensive range of window furnishings. Alternatively, arrange a site visit to discuss your project in person at your home.