As a rule, homeowners begin decorating windows at the end of the renovation or use a change in the decor of window openings to freshen up the decor. That is why, when choosing a window design, it is necessary to take into account a lot of criteria. First of all, you need to decide whether your curtains, curtains or tulle will serve a purely decorative function or whether protection from sunlight will be necessary. You will need to take into account the location of the room in relation to parts of the world, the level above the ground (the first floor of an apartment building needs window decoration much more seriously than the windows of a country house, for example) and the purpose of the room, its functionality.
Then, you need to decide whether you want the window decoration to become the focal point of your room or to act in the overall color scheme of the interior. Along the way, you can decide on the method of mounting the cornices. If the renovation has already been completed or you are changing textiles in the finished interior, then all that remains is to choose the color and material of the cornice or string system for attaching curtains and drapes.
Several useful recommendations that may be useful when choosing a method for decorating windows in rooms with different functionality:
- if the walls are decorated with wallpaper with a bright or variegated print, then it is better to give preference to plain curtains and curtains in calm tones;
- matte wallpaper looks better with silk or synthetic curtain material and, conversely, wallpaper with embossing looks harmonious with matte window drapery fabrics;
- vertical stripes on the curtains will visually increase the height of the room;
- horizontal stripes as a print on curtains or curtains expand the space;
- a curtain rod located under the ceiling visually elongates the room in height;
- It is better not to use curtains with lambrequins in rooms with low ceilings.
Let's look at specific examples of how window openings can be designed in modern interiors, what color and texture combinations to prefer, what model of curtains to choose.
How to properly decorate windows with curtains in a modern style
Making window decor with curtains correctly is not an easy task. It is necessary to take into account the size of the window, the style and functionality of the room. Curtains should fit harmoniously into the overall interior.
Basic moments:
- If you have an unusually decorated room or colorful wallpaper, you don’t need to choose fancy curtains. It is better if they are simple, without additional elements, and the emphasis is on the texture and color scheme of the fabric.
- Silk and synthetic curtain material will go well with matte wallpaper, and matte fabric will go with embossed wallpaper.
- A vertical pattern on the curtains will make the room appear taller.
- Horizontal - will add volume.
- For a large room with large windows, anything is suitable: any fabric, pattern, tassels.
- The best option for small rooms with a small window is plain tulle. To darken, take not heavy curtains, but Greek ones.
London type
Curtains of this class cascade, and the bottom frill is somewhat akin to a New Year's garland.
It is recommended to place English-type curtains on small windows of rooms facing north, because... they let in a significant amount of sunlight.
The design of the curtains contains traditional British motifs - large roses, checks, vertical stripes, floral motifs. Such drawings fit very well into the design of small windows.
Typically, London curtains are used to decorate kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Curtain options
Window openings can be decorated in different styles: classic, electric, art deco, minimalism. There are many types of curtains that suit all styles and meet the latest fashion trends.
Curtains
Curtains made of light fabric (tulle, veil, organza). Curtains allow you to bring any idea to life. They not only cover the window, but also create comfort. They may have a pattern or design, the main feature is their lightness, so the shades of colors should be gentle, bed-like.
In addition to beauty, curtains also have useful functions:
- protection from view from the street;
- scattering of sunlight.
When choosing, you should consider: what care is required, how the fabric looks after washing, whether it allows air and light to pass through, whether it fades or not.
Curtains can be lowered to the floor or not reaching it, they can be hung in waves or tautly, it all depends on desire. They will fit into any room.
Curtains
For curtains, thick, opaque material or lined fabric is used.
Curtains should look voluminous; density is important in them. They come in both heavy (velvet, tapestry, jacquard) and light (cotton, linen, silk).
Designers often combine them with upholstery of upholstered furniture in the interior. They look impressive with pleats or ties.
When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the care requirements, the degree of light and air transmission.
Their main task is protection from the sun and light coming from the street..
In addition, they are used as decor; window communications are hidden behind them.
With lambrequins
Lambrequin - design of the horizontal top of the window. It can be hard and soft, geometric shapes and gentle waves.
Lambrequin is used to hide the imperfections of a window opening and as decoration. It looks great with curtains decorated with braid or embroidery. Suitable for rooms with high ceilings.
Curtains with a bright pattern look very impressive with a lambrequin, in combination with walls of plain, light shades. Fits well into a classic interior. Suitable for rooms with different functional purposes.
On the eyelets
Eyelets are very popular due to their ease of care and variety of options. They suit different styles and all kinds of design solutions. After washing, they are easy to hang, as the curtains have rings that fit onto the curtain rod.
Rings are made from materials such as wood, plastic, metal. If the curtains are light, then it is better to use plastic eyelets; they are inexpensive and do not corrode, unlike metal ones.
Wooden ones are environmentally friendly and suitable for lovers of all things natural. They harmonize well with country style.
If the curtains are heavy, then metal rings are needed.
Modern technologies have made it possible to create not only round rings, but also different geometric shapes.
An important point when using such curtains is the choice of cornice, which should also be combined with the overall design of the room.
To make the curtains on the eyelets look luxurious, you should take into account the following points - the rings are the color of the main material of the curtains or contrast with them.
The curtains should be 1.5 times longer than the cornice, then they will fold beautifully.
Sliding
Sliding model - fits well into any room and combines with different styles. They are practical and versatile. There are a large number of options: plain, with a pattern, and any quality. Design solutions are limitless:
- two stripes going down and gathered;
- assembled with interceptions and clamps;
- decorated with fringe and tassels.
Curtains can be opened in different ways:
- using the curtains themselves is not convenient and the fabric can be damaged;
- mechanically - movement occurs using a cord;
- electric - an electric drive is used.
Sheer tulle
Rooms where window openings are decorated only with tulle look original and modern. Tulle will not darken the room, but will protect from the sun and from views from the street
Often designers use a technique in which tulle smoothly transitions from windows to walls; this looks good in a nursery or bedroom. Especially if its color is snow-white or pastel colors.
The combination of tulle with heavy curtains is perfect for the living room; airy tulle will give the interior lightness and weightlessness. It is important that the tulle matches the main curtains. If the curtains are bright in color, with a pattern, then the tulle should be plain.
Today, tulle can be selected for any interior, as there are many types: organza, mesh, veil. There are thick and thin ones, in different colors, with patterns and embroidery.
Combined
The combined model of curtains is used for rooms with several windows. Window openings designed in various ways look harmonious, but it is better to use one fabric to support the overall interior and create the integrity of the room.
Designers often combine sliding curtains for large windows and Roman curtains for narrow ones. Sliding curtains on one side and a lambrequin on the other will be effective in the living room, especially if they are in harmony with upholstered furniture.
Another trick of the designers is curtains made of different types of fabrics and different colors combined together. When choosing them, you need to consider: the style of the room, the texture of the fabric, the color. Combined options are especially suitable for large windows.
What does the style say about window design?
The stylistic design of window openings is selected for a specific interior:
- classic - curtains reach the floor, decorated with intricate floral patterns, fringe, tassels;
- Provence – light natural fabrics with floral prints are preferred, curtains are made mostly short;
- minimalism - straight, plain (most often white, yellow, black, red) curtains on grommets or a cornice hidden in the suspended ceiling;
- baroque - forged cornice is decorated with peaks, balls, spears, leaves at the ends, lush luxurious curtains with lambrequins, tiebacks;
- loft - curtains are undesirable here, but if you cannot do without them, transparent, translucent options are acceptable;
- country - checkered curtains made of fine wool or linen, length up to the windowsill or floor;
- hi-tech - straight silver, bluish, dark blue curtains made of satin fabric or blinds of the same color.
What is better to choose: plain material or with a pattern?
The most advantageous ones are plain curtains; they are easy to fit into any design and are suitable for rooms with all kinds of prints and textures. Color range from light to dark. An unmistakable choice of curtain color will be a shade that harmonizes with the upholstery and carpets.
For small rooms, the ideal color is identical to the color of the walls; this will visually increase the space.
When choosing curtains with a pattern, you should especially take a closer look at geometric patterns, which are now in trend. It is necessary to combine the ornament with upholstery on furniture and carpets.
It is important, when using such curtains, not to overload the interior with color shades and textures.
In a room with plain, light wallpaper, bright curtains or with a pattern will fit well; they will become the center of the composition of the room. This is clearly visible in the photo.
Choosing material and style
When decorating a window with beautiful curtains, it is important to calculate both the quality of the material and its quantity. Please note that curtains are usually created by creating beautiful waves, so the material should be easy to drape and iron.
Consider both practicality and durability factors. For example, in a children's room and kitchen, the best solution would be to install curtains made of cotton and linen, since these materials can be easily cleaned even from problematic stains.
As for the color scheme and design, everything is selected based on the interior of the room. Consider furniture upholstery, flooring style, lighting accents and accessories.
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Make sure that the curtain does not blend in with the color of the wall covering, otherwise the room will look inharmonious.
Decoration of non-standard windows
Curtains not only decorate the window, but they can also be used to correct the shortcomings of window openings. Correctly selected curtains will hide any non-standard features. It is important to skillfully apply the secrets of window decoration.
The window is not centered on the wall
The best option for decorating such windows is a full-wall cornice on which combined curtains are located. An option is tulle and one wide curtain, tied to the side where it covers the wall. The use of different fittings and colors allows you to fit such curtains into rooms with different functions.
Big windows
If the window is large and does not look good in the overall interior of the room, the ideal option is two curtains on the sides with lambrequins. Vertical strips of fabric will cover part of the opening from the sides, and the lambrequin will become a distracting element, all this will lead to the effect of making the window smaller. In addition, curtains with a large pattern also lead to a visual reduction in the window.
Low option
The visual effect of enlarging the window is achieved if the curtains protrude significantly beyond the boundaries of the window opening and the cornice is installed 20 or 40 cm above the window, and the curtains are long, reaching to the floor. This is clearly visible in the photo.
Narrow windows
Narrow windows are often found in kitchens. The ideal way to widen a window opening is to hang a curtain rod longer than the window, perhaps on the entire wall. Thick curtains look good together with tulle; when opened, they will be placed on the walls, thereby making the window wider.
Designers often resort to using Roman blinds when decorating narrow windows. Also, use the option with one curtain, grabbed at the window level in one direction. The resulting diagonal changes the geometry of the opening.
For a low window
If a window is too close to the floor, it creates a gap between it and the ceiling, giving the appearance of a “flattened” space.
We invite you to find out how to decorate a low-lying window with curtains in a modern way. This will help make the room more harmonious.
Craftsmen recommend placing the cornice much higher than the window, or resorting to a little trick: making a drawstring or eyelets for the curtains.
Advice! To correct the problem, you should use curtains with small patterns. It can be ethnic motifs or a small floral print.
Design options for floor-length and short curtains
Floor-length curtains are a classic, they look attractive and are suitable for all rooms (bedroom, living room, kitchen) and different styles. They can be made of material of different quality and in different design solutions.
Short curtains are popular because of their practicality and variety of styles. They are suitable for Provence, rustic and classic styles. Fits perfectly into the kitchen, bedroom, children's room. Advantages of such curtains:
- open access to the window;
- cost savings;
- less susceptible to contamination.
Choosing a color
Cool or warm shade. All shades can be divided into warm and cold. Therefore, it is worth considering the influence of the cold and warm spectrum on the environment. Dark northern rooms will become even gloomier if you hang steel or blue curtains in them. The room will be depressing, seem damp and uncomfortable. This effect can be corrected with peach, carrot, light orange, yellow, terracotta, orange, mustard and chocolate colors. Warm, sunny rooms can be cooled down a little by adding any of the shades of water, air or greenery. For example, gray, blue, turquoise, indigo, cornflower blue, lilac, malachite or dark green.
Use different shades of the same color. Having renovated an apartment, housewives strive to decorate it with new curtains. The main advice in this case is not to buy them in the same tone as the wallpaper. Otherwise they will get lost. Contrasting shades may also not be suitable if they do not harmonize with the color of the furniture. It is best to take the upholstery palette of upholstered furniture as a basis. In the bedroom, it is better to combine all the textiles with each other: a bedspread, decorative pillows, a tablecloth or napkins on a table, united by one idea, texture and color will create a positive atmosphere. For the living room, just choose curtains to match the soft corner. In the kitchen, the main place is occupied by the set, so the curtains are matched to the cabinets and shelves.
Choose the right contrasting color combinations. If you want to use two or more colors in your design, then it is best to use a color compatibility table.
Desaturated pastel colors are suitable for decorating a small area; they create a feeling of freedom of space. This effect is especially obvious when using light translucent fabrics. This palette is also appropriate in large rooms if they have a public or work purpose. For living rooms with a large area, you can safely use dark, muted tones. They are especially relevant in the bedroom, as they shade the rays of the midday sun, shield them from prying eyes, and create a feeling of privacy. When choosing a color for curtains, do not forget to take into account the wishes of family members. This is especially important for children and adolescents.
Design options for one curtain
One-sided curtains are especially suitable for classic, country and Provence styles. Such curtains must be complemented by asymmetry in the interior of the room itself. The positive side of this model:
- minimum material;
- easy to use, it is secured with a clamp and can be opened if necessary;
- does not retain sunlight or air;
- allows you to significantly change the interior of the room.
One-sided curtains are suitable for both a large hall and a small kitchen.
Rules for choosing curtains for panoramic windows
The rules for choosing curtains for panoramic designs are quite simple:
- The curtain model should be as simple and functional as possible, so that you can always easily lift or move them if you want to admire the view from the window.
- Since the light transmittance of curtains is affected not only by the properties of the fabric, but also by the density of the draperies, it is better to choose an option in which the textiles are light and translucent, and the number of folds is small. This will protect against too much sunlight, but the room will still be light.
- Curtains are made from fabrics that are easy to wash and dry quickly. They must be UV resistant and not fade in sunlight.
- The design is simple but effective. Even asymmetry is possible, since when choosing such an original solution, the large window sizes are balanced and the room becomes more comfortable.
- Curtains for windows should be plain or with large patterns. The small pattern on the panoramic openings is lost.
- Curtains are selected to match the color of the interior and are not overloaded with decor, since tassels, ruffles, and complex-shaped lambrequins on the windows look out of place.
Interior decoration without curtains
In modern interiors, curtains are often not used when decorating windows, especially if it faces a loggia. There are several ways to decorate a window without curtains:
- special sun protection film - it is applied to glass (panoramic windows);
- mirror glass - have good light characteristics;
- frosted or light-diffusing opaque glass - makes the room brighter;
- window tinting - relevant for the bathroom;
- blinds;
- Electromechanical windows are an innovation; by pressing a button the window becomes opaque, but they are expensive.
You can also decorate a window using a created composition that changes according to your mood.
Cons of panoramic windows
Panoramic designs have disadvantages. For example, heat loss in an apartment. Even if double-glazed windows with good thermal insulation characteristics are inserted into the windows, their performance is lower than that of a block or brick wall. Sometimes the problem is solved by installing windows with a wall, but this looks ineffective.
In addition, you need to take into account that such windows are much more difficult to clean. Often you have to hire professionals for the job, which entails costs. In a house where there are small children, such windows are unsafe.
This option is more suitable for a studio than a family home.
Fashion trends in design
Over time, fashion changes, including window decoration. Designers have developed new models corresponding to the times. Should be considered:
- presence of volume in the model and originality in drapery;
- rich colors;
- the key point is the use of natural fabrics.
Roller curtains and Roman models remain in fashion. Curtains with large patterns are also in trend now. Complementing the composition with accessories is another plus (tiebacks, bows, fringe, hairpins).
Patterns on fabric
If you prefer patterned rather than plain fabric, pay attention to its features.
A large pattern looks good in large and spacious rooms. In a small room it will look too aggressive and visually reduce the space. In addition, a large pattern should not be used on small-sized curtains.
Small patterns are great for small spaces. It also looks good on small curtains.
Vertical lines visually increase the height of the room. Lines of varying thickness and direction can create optical illusions and organize the dimensions of a room. So, fabric with a vertical stripe will help to visually raise the ceiling. It is better to use the maximum length, straight cut and attach it to the cornice under the ceiling.
Horizontal lines will visually expand a narrow space. To adjust the proportions of a narrow and long room, you can use curtains with horizontal stripes.
Repeating the pattern in other textiles. Images of fruits and vegetables, nature, flowers and plants, animals look good when repeated in other textiles. For example, in the bedroom the bedspread and curtains can be decorated with one floral motif, and in the kitchen the theme of baking, coffee, and fruit will look natural.
Repeating the pattern on the wallpaper. An interesting design solution could be to repeat the same pattern on textiles and wallpaper. Many well-known brands produce collections of wallpaper and fabrics that can be combined in one interior. However, here you need to be careful not to make the room too colorful.
Designer fantasies - options
The window provides endless possibilities for imagination and the embodiment of ideas; there is nothing impossible or forbidden in its design, and this is clearly visible in the photo.
At all times, people have tried to decorate windows, and today attention is also focused on them, because they are the eyes of the house. It is the design of the window that is the final touch to the interior of the room and gives it comfort.
The meaning of the style
When decorating a window, you can combine several types of curtains together, if necessary. For example, ornate translucent curtains with a lambrequin will decorate a living room or bedroom, and classic curtains will fit into absolutely any interior style.
Liftable Roman, English, French or Austrian curtains will fit perfectly into a traditional interior.
Cafe curtains and short curtains will fit seamlessly into the kitchen.
Photo gallery
Types of modern materials
Curtain fabrics have a number of features that will help you determine the best place to use them.
There are the following types:
- 1 Artificial ones have the largest number of items. Among them, the most economical is viscose or polyester with a mixture of linen or cotton. Products made from artificial materials have an affordable price and excellent performance.
- 2 Natural ones are made from natural raw materials, so they are great for children’s rooms and bedrooms. Caring for them will require time and care. Linen linen is considered the most popular. No less popular options are jute and bamboo.
- 3 Mixed ones include cotton, silk and other fabrics, the threads of which are of natural and synthetic origin. They are practical and affordable, just like artificial ones do not wrinkle and wash well.
Curtains, purchased not spontaneously, but deliberately, can correct the proportions of the room and bring comfort to it. Consider the features of the room, its style, color harmony with furnishings, and then your choice will be justified and pleasant.
General rules
The design of curtains in a private home should correspond to the overall style of the home. When choosing a suitable curtain model, you should take into account the color scheme and dimensions of the room. The degree of illumination of the room is no less important. After all, the density of the curtains depends on how brightly the room is illuminated by the sun's rays. Window textiles should not only create beauty indoors, but also protect the room from excessive sunlight.
Knowing the nuances of room design, as well as the predominance of colors, you can choose the most successful curtain color. If the living room has 4 windows through which a lot of sunlight penetrates, blue or green curtains will cool the room a little. On the contrary, for a bedroom where there are 2 or 3 windows and it feels cool, it is recommended to purchase red and orange curtains in the photo. This design move will fill the room with warmth and comfort.
A private house differs from a traditional apartment in its special atmosphere and unique interior. It is almost impossible to find two identically furnished houses. Taking into account the individuality of each building, it is recommended to select high-quality fabric for curtains in a country house. Curtains in a private home in the photo, made of taffeta, will look great in interior design. This material has an excellent appearance. Using taffeta for sewing curtains, you don’t have to come up with an original product design. Thanks to the excellent fabric, the curtains will turn out flawless.
If the house has 4 windows or 3 windows, which are small, you can purchase curtains from fashionable fabrics - chameleon organza or hi-tech. The first type of material changes color depending on the user's viewing angle. The second one is pierced with small metallized threads, creating a glowing effect.
