Functions of curtains
Curtains for the windows are designed to ensure that the room is not accessible to prying eyes from the outside, limit the light flow and beautifully complete the reconstruction of the room, giving it the necessary comfort.
Curtains also serve the same purpose. So there is no visible difference. But in fact, there are certain differences between these two window decorations.
Rules for choosing curtains to match the wallpaper or wall color
The main rule for choosing curtains for wallpaper is that they should not be the same color. Curtains will look beautiful if you choose a darker or lighter shade compared to the walls. The image should also not repeat the pattern on the walls. If the wallpaper is white with a bright pattern, the color of the curtains should be the same as that print. If the wallpaper is light with a blue pattern, then you need to choose blue curtains with a light pattern. Moreover, if there are small drawings on the walls, it is advisable to choose curtains with a large print.
Differences between drapes and curtains
The main difference lies in the fabric that is used to make the curtains. Curtains are made from dense and heavy fabrics, which are designed to completely protect the room from sunlight and prying eyes. Curtains can be made from lighter fabrics.
Due to their massiveness, curtains can serve as doors, especially in luxurious designs. They will provide privacy and partially block sounds and smells. Light curtains are not capable of such additional use.
Curtains bring majesty and luxury to a room (such curtains are especially good for the living room), and curtains can be used in less pretentious rooms.
Decorating window openings in the nursery
The nursery is a kingdom of colors. Curtains here often do not need additional decoration.
The only thing you can afford is to install original lambrequins. And if you still want something so cute and unusual, you should take a closer look at grabbers in the form of soft toys.
Curtain styles
Curtains in the interior are designed to emphasize the chosen design style and elegantly complement it with home textiles.
The main styles in which blackout curtains are most often used are strict classic (English and European) and life-affirming oriental styles, cute Provence, modern high-tech. Heavy fabrics will also look good in a brutal loft.
Types of curtains
Curtains can be classified conditionally based on the general characteristics of decor and fastening. Classic products are mainly used in rooms with a simple interior: they are straight and ideally suit any window opening. An indispensable feature of curtains on the curtains is the presence of ruffles, bows, and draperies. Metal rings - eyelets - are used to emphasize the texture of the fabric and form elaborate folds on the curtains.
One of the decorative and elegant methods of fastening is loops, which are sewn from the same fabric as the curtain fabric. It is possible to use a different material to create contrast and give the design of the room a special charm.
When decorating a room in a classic style, the curtains for the living room can be filled with padding polyester or tissue paper, which will add pomp and elegance to the window opening.
Provence
The curtains for this style are soft, with floral prints and delicate colors with light pink, blue, lavender or light beige tones.
These colors of curtains will add coziness and warmth to the room. They are most often used in cute living rooms or girls' rooms.
What types of pickups are there?
There are the following varieties of this type of curtain decor:
- fabric;
- consisting of a cord with tassels;
- magnetic (often represented by brooches and hairpins);
- in the form of threads with beads.
High tech
Cool and modern techno style is characterized by an almost complete absence of unnecessary decor. Therefore, curtains in this style are sewn from straight, even fabrics that do not have the pomp of other models. Curtains for this design are rectangles, devoid of smoothness and soft curves, preferably monochromatic colors.
The most popular colors for this type of window decoration are gray or silver metallic colors, shades of copper or bronze.
How to choose curtains for a specific room?
The design style, type of room, its parameters (area, height) and a single color scheme are taken as a basis. The room has its own functions, so the curtains should be different.
Important! Before purchasing curtains, measure your windows. The size of the product depends on this. Choose in advance what you need: short or long floor-length curtains. If long, you will need the height of the room.
It’s easy to choose beautiful curtains for the bedroom with 3D photo curtains; they will also become a wonderful decoration for the kitchen. Spectacular patterns can be found not only in textile options, but also in roller blinds and blinds. Designers claim that photo curtains are a universal solution for all rooms in any style. Fabrics used: gabardine, satin, blackout, etc.
Long floor-length curtains decorate the window well, adding elegance.
You can use tiebacks, fringes and lambrequins. Now they decorate not only classic long curtains, but also Roman and Austrian ones.
Experts share 6 types of fashionable curtains this year:
- curtains;
- tulle;
- Roman;
- products with lambrequins;
- Austrian;
- muslin.
Loft
For industrial style, the main condition is practicality. Therefore, most often they use simple floor-length curtains placed on both sides of the window opening.
A restrained color scheme of gray or white shades without patterns will be an excellent complement to the simple decoration of walls, floors, and ceilings.
Modern tendencies
To beautifully decorate an apartment with curtains, it is not enough to understand the variety of products. Pay attention to modern trends in home interior design.
If earlier Provence or country styles seemed fashionable, today the minimalist style is more welcome. Its main characteristics are conciseness and simplicity.
It was previously mentioned that classics never get old. And indeed it is. The bottom layer is decorated with a transparent product in white or pastel. The top layer is decorated with thick fabric with a beautiful print.
Geometric patterns are serving as a new trend in interior design. Another highlight is the bright colors.
Asymmetrical curtains, which reveal individuality and describe the taste of the owner of the house, are also in demand. Curtains are divided into several types: the first option provides one short curtain, and another long one - all this frames the window opening. The second is one curtain for one side.
Modern trends in the design of curtains provide various color solutions to suit every taste. There are three common aspects you can follow to help you decide on the color of your curtains.
- A promising solution is to use two colors: a red curtain on the left, and a blue one on the right. This is called a game of contrast.
- It is also recommended to use two colors to decorate one side.
- The first side is for a curtain with a beautiful print, and the second is for a plain shade.
Another modern design option is to use sheer curtains that span the window and wall. The key advantage is the transmission of light in a softer form, which creates a feeling of lightness and expands the space.
It is necessary to choose tulle without a pattern in order to avoid unnecessary clutter. As for colors, curtains in any color scheme are welcome here.
Visual expansion of the room is possible with the help of short curtains that cover only part of the window and maintain the necessary lighting.
Roller blinds look laconic and original. Their use does not involve any difficulties, but expands the functionality in terms of light regulation.
For example, leave the roller curtains on half of the window, or open them all the way if you like to enjoy the morning sun. The simple straight shape allows you to choose the product in a variety of designs and colors. The ease of maintenance and practical use in any interior are impressive.
Material for making curtains
Durable and dense materials are suitable for sun-proof curtains. Additionally, such curtains can have a lining that will protect the main material from the sun and increase the service life of heavy curtains.
Natural or artificial fabrics are used to produce curtains. At the same time, synthetics are becoming a more popular material. It is more practical and durable, less susceptible to fading.
Most often, linen, jacquard, velor, velvet, and taffeta are used to make curtains. Lighter curtains are represented by products made from voile or organza.
Tips for choosing beautiful curtains
Experts offer any experiments. You need to adhere to the general style decision, but add your own twist to it.
For example, an impressionist interior (color block) with bright colors should be diluted. Curtains in calm neutral tones will look better in it.
Nowadays it is fashionable to combine styles in one room. They offer roller blinds with drapes. Be sure to take into account the height of the room. If the room is small and the ceilings do not have a sufficient height of 3 m, then it is better to choose shortened curtains in the children's room or in the kitchen.
Children will really like blinds, as well as Austrian or Roman blinds. Girls can choose a brighter shade: soft pink, yellowish, sand, crimson, lilac, etc. Boys can choose colors from pale blue, green, mint or gray to light brown.
It is better to choose beautiful curtains for the kitchen from light materials, translucent, to let in more light.
Advice! To increase the space, you need light walls (ceilings), furniture fronts and curtains.
It’s difficult to make sense of the sea of information; professional advice from designers will help you make the right choice and navigate the type of curtains, style and color palette.
Color spectrum
Traditional colors (gray, beige, chocolate) are increasingly giving way to shades of a brighter spectrum.
To decorate rooms, mysterious dark blue and purple, romantic lilac and lilac, soothing mint and olive, rich wine and burgundy, cheerful lemon and noble gold tones are used.
Curtains in black and white or other contrasting colors look unusual, capable of enlivening the most boring room.
Question answer
In a small kitchenette, you need to choose everything light in order to visually expand the space. For example: peach tiles on the walls, a slightly darker kitchen set (pale blue, light green, light coffee). Accordingly, the curtains will be the same or combined. Blue set + blue and white curtains + tablecloth, picture. Short asymmetrical curtains (plain or 2 colors) or 3D photo curtains with a three-dimensional pattern would be practical.
The trend in 2022 is bright, rich tones; purple is ideal for high-tech. The style is characterized by fluorescent light, maybe purple + curtains + pillows + abstract painting. Nowadays, bathrooms with purple tiles and decorative plaster are at the height of fashion; even furniture for the living room and kitchen is produced in a rich purple hue.
A blue shade is ideal for a boy. It has a beneficial effect on the psyche and calms the child. You can choose light blue for the walls, and blue furniture, curtains and details. Marine and aviation style is perfect (the sky is also blue). Now even car beds, transformers, furniture and children's corners are rich blue.
Curtains are the most important interior detail after finishing and furnishing. Their design must be carefully thought out. The easiest way is to buy ready-made curtains, but they are often too boring and monotonous. The decor of curtains is designed to correct the situation.
As you can see in the photo of the curtains’ decor, it should be combined with the style of the room and its color scheme. Only in this case will you create an environment in which harmony and comfort will reign.
So, if the room is designed in minimalism, you need to focus on a minimum number of decorations in subdued shades.
Have you chosen a shabby chic design? Use an abundance of ruffles, various bows, ribbons, etc.
Decorating curtains
Despite the fact that the curtains themselves look very stylish and beautiful, many housewives think this is not enough.
Many additional decorations have been invented especially for them. These can be special tiebacks that help move apart stationary models in the daytime, exquisite lambrequins, fringe.
Decorative cords and fluffy tassels, metal or plastic clips, ribbons and bows are especially popular as tiebacks.
To give the room more elegance, the addition of tulle without patterns is used, the use of only one canvas instead of the usual placement of two stripes on both sides of the window, and various colors of traditional design.
Photos of curtains will be able to clearly show the classic options for placing blackout curtains and their more unusual analogues.
Rules for decorating curtains in the living room
For all types of interiors, there is a general design rule: if the decoration of the walls of the room is monochromatic, then it is recommended to choose textiles for curtains in the hall with a print. If the walls are covered with wallpaper with a pattern, then it is better to use a plain fabric. With a skillful combination of colors, light composition, and the right choice of fabric and drapery, curtains will create an excellent addition to the interior.
You may also be interested in: How to properly sew curtain tape onto tulle
Fabric with a light pattern that does not contrast with the color of the main fabric will help diversify the austere atmosphere in a living room made in cool colors. As an addition to the design, you can use a bright cornice that will match the color of, for example, table lamps.
Today, many stores that specialize in textiles for room decoration and design elements offer ready-made curtains. Buying ready-made products is a very simple and quick way to decorate a room. With the wide range of products offered, you can easily and practically decorate your rooms, creating a cozy atmosphere and skillfully highlighting the features of the interior.
High-quality fabrics are used to produce drapes and curtains. The quality of textiles provides the curtains with a long service life, wear resistance and ease of care. Among the variety of curtains, there are universal options that fit perfectly into any design.
Choosing curtains for the living room is a very responsible and interesting task, in which you need to combine a creative approach with a practical side. A skillfully selected shade or pattern will complement the interior, and numerous window decoration options will create a unique atmosphere.
We offer a few more photos of curtains in the living room:
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Photo of curtains
Proper care and washing
Curtains require careful care, which includes:
- Dry cleaning. Products must be vacuumed regularly using a special small attachment.
- Delicate wash. Before wet cleaning, remove all decorative elements. Curtains are placed in a special bag for washing. The machine is set to “wool” or “silk” mode and a temperature of no more than +30 °C. Dry the curtains unfolded on a terry blanket.
- Ironing. The temperature and ironing method are chosen taking into account the fabric.
- Storage. It is not recommended to leave the curtains folded, as folds will appear that are difficult to remove. For long-term storage, the canvas is wound on cardboard cylinders with the pile inward.
Exclusive window design: how to sew curtains with your own hands
The main advantage of handmade curtains is their originality. Sometimes you have to take on sewing yourself because of non-standard windows, when all the ready-made options simply do not fit in size. In addition to being necessary, sewing curtains is also a great pleasure. For those who have minimal skills in using a sewing machine, this will not be difficult.
The style won't be a problem either. You can view photos of classic, modern, minimalist curtains on the Internet, accumulate ideas, add your own creative details and create an interior miracle.
When performing the work directly, you should use the following tips:
If you have minimal sewing skills, then it’s easy to sew curtains with your own hands
- You should buy a cornice first, and then fabric;
- Measurements must be taken after determining the location of the cornice;
- when purchasing fabric, even taking into account seam allowances, it is worth purchasing a piece 10-15 cm longer in order to have a reserve in case of unforeseen errors;
- if you plan to decorate with additional elements made of fabric, you should definitely make a pattern for them, and then cut out parts from the material using it;
- purchase thread for sewing that is 1-2 shades darker than the fabric;
- attach and iron all folds and folds.
Helpful advice! When sewing curtains from very thick fabric, rough side seams should be avoided. Instead of a hem, you should use an overlay.
Curtains: a convenient way to separate rooms and zoning space
The use of curtains instead of a door to close the opening has become less and less common, but for certain layout features this is a completely appropriate option. They are harmonious in classic rooms with large doorways. Curtains can have various decorative additions, for example, lambrequins. Photos of curtains of this design clearly demonstrate how you can divide rooms, giving them comfort and covering the fastening with original fabric additions.
Curtains are great for zoning space in the house
Interior curtains can be used to separate the office from the bedroom. They will tone down the severity of the work furniture, making the room more comfortable, and will not disturb the glamor of the bedroom environment.
Using curtains you can zone a room. If the dimensions of the fabric are large, that is, the dividing line is long, it is better to choose a plain fabric. A ceiling structure made of pipes is suitable for fastening, and it is better to hang curtains on grommets. When zoning in this way, strength is important. And the movement of the blades during the opening process will be smooth.
Curtains with eyelets are highly aesthetic. The fabric gathers into identical folds when closed, and the rings themselves are decorative elements.
Combination of curtains with Roman blinds or Austrian curtains
These design options for window openings are used in rooms designed in modern design styles.
These combinations are often found in rooms decorated in directions not inherent in the minimalist style, thereby giving the living room the warmth of home comfort.
Ultimately, the choice will depend largely on the personal preferences of the owner and the overall interior of the living room.
Decorative design of curtains: these are lambrequins, frills, drawstrings, tiebacks
There are many ways to decorate curtains. An unusual cut, various laying options, and additional elements are used. Models should be considered based on the quality of the fabric and the style used in the interior. If you don’t have an exact idea about what products to buy or how to decorate curtains, then you can turn to photo collections on the Internet. Among the main decorative elements of thick curtains are the following:
- lambrequins;
- frill;
- drawstrings;
- pick-ups.
A lambrequin is a drapery that is located at the top of the curtains and is placed along the entire length of the cornice. Lambrequins are:
- soft - flowing fabric is laid in a certain way;
- rigid - the fabric is glued, the structure is quite rigid, without folds;
- combined - have both hard and soft parts.
Lambrequins add solemnity and festivity to the curtains and the room as a whole. In the photos presented, the curtains and lambrequins are made from fabrics of the same color, as well as from different ones. Multi-colored options enliven the interior.
You can decorate curtains with frills, tiebacks, curtains and lambrequins
Frills are an interesting decoration for curtains. They can be made in the upper part, which adds completeness to the window composition, or along the edge of the curtains. Typically, frills have a edging made of glass beads, braid, cord and other elements.
The drawstring serves as both a method of fastening and a decorative decoration. A cornice is threaded into the horizontal pocket, which helps create nice small folds.
The simplest and most effective way to decorate curtains is with tiebacks. The canvases are assembled and fixed using all kinds of tapes, braid, loops made of fabric identical to the curtains or contrasting fabric, pins and other accessories.
Helpful advice! When planning to use tiebacks as curtain decoration, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the material of the fixing elements. Daily tying, fastening and pinning should not leave any traces of damage on the canvas.
Curtains
Curtains are a type of curtain made of soft, loose, often even translucent or transparent material (voile, tulle, organza, mesh). Curtains can cover the window partially or completely and consist of one sheet or several. If there is only one canvas, it can be draped over the cornice and cover part of the window without ever having to be removed.
Two panels (or more) will move if the window needs to be closed, and move apart if it needs to be open to view. To do this, curtains need special fastenings: “Methods of fastening curtains to the cornice.”
Curtains will never completely block light. For example, the familiar tulle, one of the types of curtains, performs a decorative function, only slightly scattering the light.
