?By layering two blinds, one on top of the other,you can achieve a very individual look and help to reduceyour fuel bills,? says Sarah Quilliam, head of product design at Hillarys, the UK?slargest supplier of made to measure blinds and shutters.

?Pretty much anything is possible when it comes tolayering blinds but there are some basic tips to follow to make sure that theyfit together properly and look the best they can.

?Use the blind behind to do the job of controllingthe light. Generally a Venetian blind or roller blind is thebest type of blind for this. A venetian is more precise because you can tiltthe slats, while a roller blind will either let all the light in or none atall. For extra light control you can also opt for a blackout fabric which worksespecially well in children's bedrooms.

?The blind infront is then used to provide the design detail or splash of co-ordinatingcolour. Roman blinds work particularly well in this role although a printedroller or pleated blind are also good choices. And according to research from Nottingham University, roman blinds are also themost energy efficient, giving savings of up to ?102 a year on fuel bills.?

?On a practical note, you must ensure that thewindow recess is deep enough to fix both blinds into the top and still allowthem to operate. And it's always a good idea to have the control cords of eachblind at opposite sides so they don't get tangled up.?

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For more information on shutters and roller blinds, visit http://www.hillarys.co.uk