Shade in a South facing room?

[Yorky]

Our front room faces pretty much due South so we've had the curtains drawn almost all day for the last few days so that I don't fry while sitting on the settee (and so I can see the laptop screen!)

But I don't like having the curtains shut all day :(
Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives?
I wondered if vertical blinds would let more ligt in than curtains but still cut down the glare? I've looked at wind out awnings but they're a bit pricey as a solution for something which, tbh, is only a problem a few weeks of the year! DH really fancies building a pergola above the window but I'm no good with plants so would probably kill anything he tried to get to grow up it and I'm not sure if encouraging plants to grow up the house might not be good for it? And will it make the room dark when the sun isn't so fierce?

Thank you for any advice/opinions

What about shutters, they look nice and when the winter comes you could fold them away from the windows to let the winter light in.

We've got a voile (that's a net curtain to you) which is really helpful, but then it is over French doors so doesn't quite have the net curtain look if you're trying to avoid that. We often have the doors open and the curtain drawn across and the effect is nice, light and yet shaded from the full glare. We also have horizontal wooden blinds on a different south-facing window and they are great, but they are pricey. We got them from John Lewis.

to the translation indie!
I hate net curtains tbf, but was almost willing to try them the other day!
Why did you coose horizontal blinds over vertical? Do your DC try to climb them? We have 4, eldest 5.7
Thank you

We have the same problem and the window is huge. We have gone for vertical blinds which are great as you can tilt them to block out as little or as much light as you want. Ours divide in the middle so I can open them right up like ordinary curtains if I want. I managed to get some really stylish ones which everyone loves. I'm really pleased with them.

Any chance of a link please, fussy?

Sure Yorky. These are the ones I have in the lounge - they are quite fine so you can still see out. Very good prices. Also have others from them and their service has been pretty good.
www.blindsuk.net/verticalmm/fiji-walnut.html

Slatted shutters or wooden venitians would both work well as they can be adjusted as needed.