Curtains for a small window: how to choose, styles, models

When decorating the interior space of a private house, cottage or apartment, there are no trifles, because every detail and decorative item can affect the visual perception of a particular room. Curtains are also a decorative element that is of enormous importance for a window opening, which has a practical and aesthetic function at the same time. This textile is used to regulate the illumination of the room, as well as to hide household members from annoying neighbors.

However, recently, special attention has been paid to the aesthetic component, because curtains can become a decoration that emphasizes the window opening. The choice of curtains becomes more difficult if the room has a small window, which introduces a number of restrictions. How to choose the right curtains for rooms with small windows? Find out about it with us.

Classic curtains

Despite its centuries-old origins, the classic style of interior design remains relevant and in demand. With their charm they can transform any room beyond recognition, giving it rigor and elegance. A significant advantage in favor of choosing the classic style is the possibility of using it under almost any wallpaper and furniture, while maintaining clear and strict proportionality.

Read about: Greek curtains: harmony in simplicity and grandeur.

If you decide to turn to classic curtains, then you should pay attention to light, soft, discreet colors. These include beige, white, light yellow, soft brown and even honey. It is these colors that will allow your curtains not to stand out from the overall interior, but only to emphasize it, while letting a huge amount of daylight into the room.

You should not choose satin or silk fabric - they are quite difficult to process. The best solution for a classic style would be velvet, linen or cotton.

With a bright pattern

And in this room, two types of curtains are combined on one window: Roman curtains with a bright modern pattern and thick beige curtains. Illuminated by natural light falling from the window, Roman blinds look like stained glass. A very comfortable solution for a bedroom where the bed is located with the head of the bed facing the window.

The bedroom has a cozy atmosphere with hints of mid century.

Authors of the project: Anna Anelholm and Svetlana Matveeva. Photo: Kirill Ovchinnikov.

The bedroom has a cozy atmosphere with hints of mid century.

Authors of the project: Anna Anelholm and Svetlana Matveeva. Photo: Kirill Ovchinnikov.

Roman curtains

Even in Ancient Rome, they were used as decoration and addition to the interior of the imperial halls and chambers of wealthy Romans. The wide range of applications and versatility of fasteners ensure their wide popularity in the modern world.

The technical design of Roman blinds ensures simplicity and versatility of use. They are a rectangular sheet of fabric through which a rope is stretched lengthwise. Using manual force or an automatic drive, it is possible to adjust their height. At the same time, they are folded into rectangles of the same size.

Despite the simplicity of their design, they help to stylishly decorate a small window that often needs to be opened or closed with a curtain - in the kitchen, bathroom or living room. Versatility of use is provided by various fixation methods - they can be attached to the ceiling, to the cornice or to the top of the window frame.

To transmit light, it is recommended to use Roman blinds made of light, transparent, but at the same time rigid fabric. In this case, the volume of material required is much less than when sewing classic curtains.

Basic recommendations for choosing

The design of curtains on a small window requires compliance with certain conditions:

Preference is given to plain materials, which make the opening visually wider. And they remove the semantic load from the window.
Decor is excluded, which in this context is perceived as an additional obstacle to light. At the most, it is permissible to use simple checkered, polka dot or floral patterns.
The ban applies to long curtains, whose size forms an unfavorable contrast to a small window.
For such a window, a cornice wider than the opening itself is taken. As a result, it will appear slightly larger than it is. And interesting attachments on the cornice will additionally distract the attention of guests.
If curtains are used in conjunction with tulle, you can use decoration on the top of the curtain. Sometimes a lambrequin is used in this capacity, which creates the effect of a heavily cut curtain.
If the curtains are two classic canvases, you can use assembly. If the collection point is closer to the bottom of the window, a smooth line of expansion will be formed.
An alternative to classic curtains will be Roman blinds, which will perform the function of a lambrequin when folded. And when opened, they will add lightness to the interior.
Photos of small curtains prove that the choice should be guided by the stylistic design of the room. If the curtains on the windows stand out from the overall atmosphere, they will attract attention. And they will give out a small window opening.

If choosing curtains taking into account these requirements seems too difficult a task, it makes sense to consult with an experienced designer.

Japanese curtains

This style is the ideal solution for lovers of minimalism. It has absorbed centuries-old Japanese traditions, combining simplicity, elegance and lightness.

Read about: fabrics for roller blinds: textiles to guard coolness and privacy.

The design of the curtains consists of lightweight fabric panels that let in a lot of light - so they are an ideal option when decorating small windows. The fabric can be used plain or with patterns, but the overall background should still be light.

For installation, special fasteners are used that allow the curtains to be moved manually or electrically to the left, right or up, which ensures ease of installation and use.

Color solutions

Wallpaper is changed more often than a sofa, cabinets or kitchen unit. Therefore, choose a tone for the curtains for a small window that matches the furniture.

Color combinations can be as follows:

bright walls will go well with curtains in calm pastel shades or snow-white;
the combination of coffee shades with a beige palette is often used;
curtains in chocolate shades will make a small window wider. Coffee shades can be combined with cornflower blue and pistachio shades;
if there is a small window opening in the bedroom, then use muted shades for drapery;
a rather complex combination of black curtains with other tones. But when chosen correctly, curtains will add elegance to a space;
cornflower blue or deep azure tone in combination with snow-white will create either a light interior in a marine style or a strict and restrained one;
If you want to make an accent on the window opening, then use rich fabrics of the same color or with horizontal stripes for drapery. The number of colors in this case on the canvas should not exceed two. For example, this could be a combination of sea green and golden tones;
curtains should be chosen a couple of shades darker or lighter than the wall covering.

Curtains for a small window in Chinese style

They are flat sheets of fabric that are cut to the required size. Adjustable only manually using two vertical bands. A special feature is the weighting material, which is attached to the bottom of the curtain and stretches the fabric.

When choosing Chinese curtains, attention must first of all be paid to products made of transparent fabric. They are easily complemented with colored ribbons and form a single and unique style that fits well with small windows and emphasizes the bright and lush interior of the room.

Decoration of small windows

Decorating windows in the bedroom and living room is a real art. Although many pay little attention to this issue, without the design of a window opening it is impossible to design a thoughtful, balanced interior. How to choose beautiful curtains, what is the best fabric - light, airy or heavy, massive? Is it necessary to completely hide the window opening under the fabric or is it better to leave it open? Where to start designing window openings, what should you pay attention to when choosing fabrics?

Curtain design for small windows, photo

Country style

True rustic style involves using only natural colors and materials - in this case, curtains were no exception. Designers use three main fabrics - cotton, linen and chintz. Their simplicity and conciseness are ideal for this style.

Country is used in cases other than minimalism. They are hung on windows to complement the overall interior, filled with living vegetation, bright and rich flowers, and perfectly highlight furniture and accessories made of natural wood.

Drawings on a white background can be very diverse - berries, fruits and flowers. Despite the length of the curtains, the lightness of the fabric used allows them to be used even on the smallest windows.

Choosing a curtain style for the bedroom: “Provence”

Source: //mydizajn.ru
Stylish and fashionable curtains are very good to choose for decorating a sleeping room in the spirit of “Provence”. This solution will go very well with an atmosphere of calm, tranquility, and spirituality. For this purpose, it is better to choose curtains made of light chintz or viscose fabric, so that the natural material maintains environmentally friendly comfort in the bedroom. No less relevant would be the decision to stylistically decorate the room for sleeping and relaxation with complementary fantasy lilac elements.

Source: //designadvice.ru

In such a bedroom you should feel a sense of warmth and peace, and an intricate breeze can accidentally fly in through the window, reminiscent of the famous lavender fields of Provence. This is a place where dreams and reality meet, especially fascinating and unique. Mayonnaise Provencal is also from there, but relates more to gastronomic delicacies. On the contrary, mountain lavender is a symbol of purity, spirituality, peace, friendship, love and dignity. Because mountain peoples have always been distinguished by their love of freedom and inner “spark.” Lavender-colored curtains will remind you of the famous song performed by Sofia Rotaru about mountain lavender, the flowers of the mood for love.

Source: //house-biz.ru

You should not add elements of intricate patterns and prints to the Provence style in curtains, because in a small room it will look unnatural and inorganic. On the contrary, it would not be superfluous to place these decorative elements as decoupage on bottles, furniture, painted boxes, mirrors, and trellises. But even these souvenir interior details should not clutter up the space of a small bedroom. The refined romance of the Provence style should be harmoniously combined with other elements, stylistically correct and predominantly dreamy. The symbolism of lavender color in curtains should be beautifully complemented by the interior designer’s faithful assistant - the comfort and functionality of the recreation area. Each element in the design should serve one or more purposes. For example, the bed should be soft and the curtains should be beautiful and cozy. After all, they are a person’s protection from the sun’s rays or the moon and stars shining too brightly at midnight. The functionality of curtains also lies in their rich, aesthetically pleasing charm for visual perception.

Source: //stroy-podskazka.ru

Curtains for the bedroom should be moderate in color and size. You should not buy curtains with ruffles and frills, because they can visually reduce the space. If your room has a suspended ceiling with a special niche, the cornice can be hidden in it. This will create the effect of a falling “waterfall” of curtains directly from under the ceiling. Minimalism in style involves using patterns on curtains as little as possible: for example, you can choose “Roman curtains” with geometric patterns or even abstract intertwined geometric shapes. This will imbue a small bedroom with ornate romanticism and functionalism. Each of these patterns is colorful in its own way and is rich in notes of a flight of fancy, walking along the spatial roads of dreams in a dream and in reality.

Italian curtains

If you only need a few touches to complement your interior, pay attention to the Italian style. Simplicity and conciseness can compete with the magnificent classic style. In the hands of a skilled designer, these curtains will highlight any interior with any color scheme.

The Italian style is dominated by minimalism, dark colors predominate, but light and transparent fabrics are most often used. Due to such combinations of the weight and shade of the fabric, moderate transmission of daylight is achieved. This is suitable for lovers of mystery and mystery.

Design of curtains in the bedroom interior

Curtains for a small bedroom source : //designadvice.ru
The design of curtains in the interior of a small bedroom can be decorated in various styles, depending on aesthetic taste preferences. Some people like the classic design option with lush curtains, carved cornices and massive curtains. And others prefer the original design in high-tech style. Real “gourmets” in the interior also love to pamper themselves with the “Provence” style in the interior and plunge into a purple-blue lavender fairy tale thanks to decoupage elements on furniture and well-chosen prints on curtains. The design style of high-tech curtains, on the contrary, does not abound in the accumulation of various details, but maintains a strict outline of the lines without unnecessary elements and design features. But all these decor options are more suitable for a large bedroom and do not “fit” into the interior of a small room at all. The compositional features of a small room should not be cluttered with an abundance of colors, tones and shades, so in this case it is better to choose a minimalist style.

Source: //remontbp.com

Curtains play a significant, special role in the design of interior details, so they must be chosen with extreme care. Each of their elements can either correct or, conversely, spoil the entire compositional ambiance of the room. The bedroom can be visually expanded in area or narrowed by varying shades, textures, textures, cut and the presence or absence of prints on the curtains. Each element in them is responsible for saturating the bedroom with vital energy. Curtains should look cute and unpretentious in order to complement the overall picture of the interior.

Grandma's curtains

The style is very similar to country, but more subdued tones are used here. Most often, all that remains of the country style is a white or beige background, which is diluted with fabric inserts of a different light, for example, red or burgundy. In this way, both the simplicity of the products and the emphasis on home warmth and comfort are achieved.

This style is one of the most ideal for decorating rooms with small windows - because they cover only the lower half of the window, filling the room with a huge amount of natural light.

What are they needed for?

The living room is a room for receiving guests, for celebrations and holidays. This is the face of the house, which is boasted to friends. If it is uncomfortable, then they are unlikely to want to visit you again. When entering a room, a person first of all pays attention to the windows, it just so happens. This means that curtains are responsible for the first impression of the room. They are the ones who make the room liveable. And in this article we will talk specifically about curtains in the living room.

Curtains have an ancient history. Even in Mesopotamia, windows and doors were draped. And today, as then, curtains perform several functions:

protect from the wind;
save from the scorching sun;
prevent the penetration of insects;
create protection from dust and noise;
kept from prying eyes;
decorate the room.

In the Middle Ages, the utilitarian function of curtains came to the fore - in castles with narrow windows, curtains created protection from the sun and wind. Nowadays, it is the decorative function that is once again gaining importance. Of course, even today they save from heat and drafts, but in the living room they primarily give completeness to the interior.

Hourglass

Most often, this solution is used for narrow windows. For sewing, a single piece of light but durable fabric (organza or tulle) is used, which is attached to small cornices or strings at the top and bottom. The material, as a rule, is chosen in light colors - beige, white, the color of baked milk, light brown or gray. All kinds of bows, braid, and longitudinal lines look great.

In the middle, the canvas is intercepted with a ribbon, which can have the color that was used to sew the curtain itself, or another shade that can emphasize the overall interior of the room, the color of the window frame or furniture. Thanks to this element, this style resembles a huge hourglass, hence the name.

This is an ideal solution for small windows, since thanks to the interception of the canvas in the middle, space is created on the sides for the passage of daylight.

Roller curtains

If you want to achieve maximum ergonomics, it is recommended to use roller blinds. They are practically weightless, since either very thin plastic or light fabric is used to create them. Using manual force, they are rolled up onto a special roller, which allows you to control the length of the web at any time. Thanks to this, the choice of material shade is limitless - even if the fabric is dark brown or black, you can adjust the length of the curtain at any time to allow the required amount of light to pass through. They are attached to the top of the window frame, which saves you from searching for a suitable cornice.

Important

When choosing material for sewing, you must not forget about the fire hazard of light and transparent fabrics. The most dangerous solutions in this regard would be long curtains made of weightless fabrics; they should not be used in the kitchen or nursery.
You should also pay attention to solutions that use plastic - if it catches fire, it tends to instantly fill the room with acrid smoke. It should be used in well-ventilated areas.
You should not use long curtains on windows that small children can approach - there is a chance that the child will pull it off, damaging the curtain, cornice, or be injured as a result of their fall.

Print: geometry

This small bedroom has wallpaper with a dense floral pattern, painted surfaces, and curtains with a light and airy geometric print. Thanks to the elegance of this pattern, there is no feeling of overload with decor.

There is a tiny dressing table by the window: a small bedroom is not a reason to give up comfort.

Author of the project: Ekaterina Vladimirova. Photo: Sergey Ananyev.

There is a tiny dressing table by the window: a small bedroom is not a reason to give up comfort.

Author of the project: Ekaterina Vladimirova. Photo: Sergey Ananyev.