You need to be able to choose curtains for a large window correctly so that they are a logical continuation of the design solution. A true romantic's dream: build a house with access to a garden, light a fire in the fireplace and hang beautiful curtains on a large window. In the evenings, you can gather with your whole family near the crackling fire and listen to the singing of night birds. And in the morning, open the windows wide and fill the living room with air and sunlight. Yes, huge floor-to-ceiling windows fill any room with a unique charm and inspire designers to create incredible interiors.
Rules of good manners: options for decorating windows with long curtains
So, you decided to decorate the windows with curtains yourself. The first questions that need to be answered are:
– Which curtain to choose?
– At what height should it be fixed?
– How long should curtains be so as not to look ridiculous and old-fashioned?
– How to calculate fabric consumption?
Curtain length
The length of the curtain is selected as follows. You need to mentally attach the draped curtain to the wall near the edge of the window so that it covers the side frame and part of the wall. If you allocate too narrow an area for the shifted fabric, the fabric will puff up to the sides, expanding downwards, which is not very beautiful and not at all stylish. If it is too wide, the drapery will disappear. Having decided on the width, you need to multiply it by two and add the width of the window. This will be the length of the curtain (excluding decorative elements along the edges).
Curtain length calculation
Possible mistake: if the length of the curtain matches the width of the window, then the room will become darker during the day - the edges of the opening will be covered with curtains. The interior will greatly lose in expressiveness: the openings will seem visually narrow, their proportions will change not for the better.
Curtain mounting height
Soviet design standards dictated that curtains should be hung 10-15 cm above the opening. For Khrushchev apartments, this recommendation is still valid, but if the ceiling in the apartment is higher than 2.5 m, then you should “push off” from the ceiling.
Curtain mounting height
A universal option for high rooms is to hang a curtain at a distance of 15-20 cm from the ceiling. Some structures are attached directly to the ceiling and covered with an overhead cornice. In this case, it is advisable to choose a cornice with a width of at least 15 cm.
Attaching curtains to the ceiling with an overhead cornice
Possible mistakes: a low cornice looks poor and can negate all efforts to create an interesting interior. A curtain attached to the ceiling and not covered by a wide cornice gives the impression of incompleteness of the window design, even when choosing a successful curtain style.
Curtain length
What length is appropriate? For long curtains to look stylish, the gap between them and the floor should be 1-1.5 cm, no more. Curtains that flow to the floor look gorgeous - in this case, you need to add another 20-50 cm to the length to the floor.
Curtains flowing onto the floor look chic
Selecting the type of fabric
Before choosing the cut, color and pattern of curtains, you should determine what mode of lighting and dimming is needed in the room, and based on this, the type of textile. Its consumption depends on the type of fabric.
If the windows face north and do not touch the wall of the neighboring house, and the soft daylight will not disturb anyone, then you can get by with tulle curtains.
Light tulle is suitable for a window facing north
South-facing, sunny windows will most likely require thick curtains. They are also necessary in the office to remove glare from the computer screen.
For south windows you will need thick curtains
Those who like to sleep during the day or in the morning choose blackout curtains, that is, completely light-proof. They can be light and even white, but they do not allow the sun's rays to pass through. The option of decorating a window with blackout curtains is also relevant for those who like to watch home cinema.
Blackout curtains for those who like to sleep during the day
Draperies and fabric consumption: how much does the luxury effect cost?
There are design styles in which drapery is not relevant: for example, Scandinavian or Japanese. But in many cases it is precisely this that gives the interior a touch of luxury.
There is a so-called drapery coefficient, which shows how many times the width of the fabric exceeds the width of the opening - the ratio depends on the type of textile chosen:
– Curtains made of light fabrics – coefficient from 2 to 3.
– Medium density curtains – from 2 to 2.5.
– Heavy curtains – factor 2.
– For some styles (Scandinavian and partly Provence) – coefficient 1.5. This is the minimum value below which modest “granny” curtains are obtained.
Calculation of fabric consumption for curtains
When the drapery coefficient, curtain length and panel length are selected, fabric consumption can be calculated. The length of the curtain is multiplied by the coefficient and 5-10 cm is added for processing the edge. Then the resulting number is multiplied by the length of the curtains and 20-30 cm is added for processing the edges. Get the total fabric consumption for two curtains.
Ideas for decorating curtains for windows with complex shapes
In real apartments, there are frame designs or window opening shapes for which typical curtain design options are not suitable. Let's look at a few examples.
Asymmetrical window sash
The frames are wide, asymmetrical in width, with inserts, transoms and vents, it is difficult to drape them so that they look attractive not only in the evening, but also during the day. Tulle curtains are not able to disguise the bulky frame structure, but Roman blinds will come to the rescue.
Roman blinds will disguise the bulky frame structure,
During the day, they can be raised by half or one third of the window, leaving the most unsightly part of the frame covered, which, by the way, is less visible through the white fabric.
A good option is to decorate the window with curtains and blinds - its advantages are clearly visible in the photo.
Curtains-blinds in the bedroom interior
If we are talking about the interior of a classic design, then in the design of windows it is better to replace the blinds with thick patterned tulle paired with thick curtains - for example, as in this photo.
Light tulle paired with thick curtains
Living room with a bay window: options for decorating windows with curtains
A living room with a bay window initiates the most interesting design ideas, but certain difficulties arise with the design of the windows. Sometimes it is possible to select several short curtains for tulle and drapes - but this is only possible with large distances between the openings.
For a bay window, which is a single frame structure, designers offer Roman blinds, roller blinds and blinds.
Decorating a bay window with Roman blinds
An effective design for decorating bay windows with curtains is shown in the following photo. Curtains and tulle are hung on a straight curtain attached to the ceiling, while an alcove area is formed near the window - a great place for relaxation, where you can place a couch or bench with cushions. Designers often make a bench high, up to the level of the window sill, then it becomes possible to contemplate the surrounding nature. The last option is good if the view from the window is really wonderful.
Straight curtains frame the seating area in the bay window
Underrated new products - interceptions and grommets
Actually, we will not talk about the latest innovations in curtain design, but about those ideas that deserve more frequent use.
The circumstance that delays their widespread distribution is the lack of ready-made models for sale. However, eyelets can be ordered at any curtain workshop, and even a novice seamstress can sew interceptions.
Eyelets are holes crimped with plastic or metal through which the cornice is passed. This method of fastening forms beautiful folds on heavy curtains without a lot of fabric consumption: the drapery coefficient is 1.5. Decorating windows with curtains with grommets is suitable for most popular design styles, as demonstrated by photos of interiors in the classical style, Provence, and Art Deco.
Window decoration with eyelet curtains is suitable for any interior
Drapery with interceptions is recommended for medium-weight textiles. It is performed with a coefficient of 1.5, but the folds on the curtains are not as noticeable as with eyelets. The photo shows the decoration of windows with curtains with interceptions: they set off the interior design in the spirit of country (especially French Provence) and Scandinavian style.
Drapery with interceptions for interiors in Provence style
How to choose the right curtains for your interior: designer’s advice
Some basic tips on how to choose curtain designs:
- Curtains can be an excellent option not only for decorating a window, but also for zoning in a small room or studio. They allow you to rationally and proportionally organize space or separate certain areas, for example, a niche for a bed or wardrobe.
- Bright curtains can visually adjust the space and increase the volume of small rooms.
- To combine curtains, when choosing materials of different colors, it is recommended to select them according to style.
- For ease of operation of curtains, it is necessary to choose the most convenient options for attaching blinds.
- The choice of fittings is also influenced by the type of cornice; it can be plastic, wood or metal.
- It is desirable that the color of the curtains matches the main shade of the walls, upholstery or textiles.
- According to Feng Shui, it is believed that the design of curtains should be selected individually for each room, for example, thick and opaque fabrics are suitable for the bedroom, and simple roller blinds will be enough for the kitchen.
Down with the lambrequin – long live the lambrequin!
It is quite obvious that the lambrequin in the usual sense, with rich draperies and intricate shapes, is a thing of the past - it is not offered even for a classic interior. But Milan prepared an unexpected surprise.
Those who like to cover the upper border of the window opening with a lambrequin will remain on the crest of fashion, observing two conditions:
– the lambrequin has a medium or short length, rectangular shape, simple folds;
– there are no curtains or tulle on the window.
Short rectangular lambrequin in a modern style
The most acute moment is the absence of curtains on the window, compensated by the drapery of its upper part.
Window decoration with a lambrequin without curtains
Velours
Velvet and velor, which returned to furniture upholstery last year and were welcomed by consumers, now assert royal dignity in the rich decoration of windows. Moreover, velvet and delicate plush go beyond classic design. In modern interiors, velvet suddenly met linen - linen curtains were shown at the fair, the bottom of which was trimmed with a wide strip of plush creeping along the floor. This daring combination caused a resonance, and we can assume the further development of the idea of decorating a window with vintage curtains.
Luxurious combination of velvet and linen
Damask pattern and floral patterns
The dominance of the damask pattern at the Milan fair was so obvious that fashion observers had to look for an alternative. Since damask motifs themselves appeal to the classics and are very demanding for interior design, graphic designs in the form of complex lattices, well known from IKEA products, are offered as a simplified option.
Curtains with a simplified version of the damask pattern
Another leader in curtain design is plant motifs in the form of ornaments, photo prints and free compositions - this type of window design has a great future in Provence, Scandi, country, Art Deco and vintage styles.
Curtains with floral patterns in Scandinavian style
Kitchen windows: new old
In the design of kitchen windows, “cafe” style curtains have practically disappeared, but Roman curtains and blinds, which have long been familiar from fashion catalogs, but have not yet taken a noticeable place in real interiors, are being promoted as promising.
Laconic window design in the kitchen with Roman blinds
Short curtains remain in trend, but are sewn with cross-drapery in mind: the curtains are raised upward, Roman-style, through rings or with a drawstring gather. Thus, during the day, only a semblance of a lambrequin remains from the curtain, which forms the appearance of the modern design of the kitchen window.
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).
