Here's an option - repaint them. The same great timeless features of your shutters will be preserved but with a totally different feel. You could make them a super bright white. Or maybe, a cool light blue, a matching gray, or for the super bold, even a yellow or purple. Then, in a few years, when you tire of that look - paint them again. Now, it's true that we don't make any money teaching you how to use your old shutters in a new way over and over again, but helping people enjoy their window coverings is more important to us - as lovers of great window covering design.
So, how is this accomplished:
Prep the Shutters - remove your shutters, be sure you label them so that you know what window and what side of the window they go to. This will ensure that your shutters are aligned correctly after you are finished painting. Also, be sure to note where the hardware goes on the shutters.
Sand the shutters with a fine grit sandpaper, so that the paint will properly stick to the shutter. After you have them sanded, be sure to clean them so that they paint will be smooth and not have sand dust ruining the paint job.
Next, hang your shutters using temporary screws and string - so that the shutters can swing freely - and you can easily access the fronts and backs of the shutter
Now you are ready to paint - Be sure you follow all the proper safety guideline for painting - i.e. safety equipment, proper ventilation, etc.
First, apply a primer to your shutters, this helps the paint stay and last longer. There are many different types of primer, so do some research.
And here is the technique - Start with the primer, open the louvers to a 45 degree angle and spray, and then a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction and spray again. Finally, you will want to open them fully and spray in one continuous vertical motion - Repeating this step for both sides, and the tilt rod.
Be sure to allow the primer to dry completely, and then apply the paint using the same instructions as above. Make sure you give the paint ample time to dry before you hang your freshly painted shutters, you don’t want to ding them after all of that hard work.
This process can be repeated as many times as your color pallet changes. Most people will never endeavor such a project, for good reason. Others, will hire a professional painter or shutter restorer - yes, shutter restoration shops are around. But, for those folks who enjoy this sort of challenge, there is no reason your shutters can't be enjoyed through the hues and tones of your color sensibilities.
We would love to help you with your shutter project. Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost.