Selecting curtain colors
To understand how to choose the color of curtains for the interior, you need to decide on several positions:
- What will the curtains be combined with (furniture, walls or decor)?
- Should they be in the same tone as the interior or, on the contrary, will they become a bright accent?
- Will they have a functional role or a decorative one?
An important factor in choosing curtains is the stage of creating the interior. If the renovation has already been completed (the walls, floors and ceilings are decorated, the decor is arranged), then the curtains are selected to match any of the interior elements. If the repair is just being designed, then the choice is guided by any of the proposed methods.
Neutral curtains
Curtains in a modern interior can be either contrasting or neutral.
Neutral colors include the following:
- white and all its shades (for example, milky, pearl, snow) - the color is especially relevant for Scandinavian interiors and various modern styles;
- beige - it fits well into rooms in contemporary, eclectic or classic styles, goes well with brown, gold and white colors;
- gray and its light and dark shades - colors suitable for rooms in a cold color palette;
- black is a very bright and active color, however, it is also rightfully considered neutral, suitable for a diverse color palette.
Curtains to match the color of the walls
The color combination of curtains and wallpaper in the interior is suitable for decorating small rooms, since the walls merge with the window into a single line, the space is not divided into parts. Also, the scheme for selecting curtains to match the color of the walls is considered the safest - there is no chance of making a mistake and choosing the wrong color. It doesn't matter what color the floor, ceiling or furniture is. If the walls and curtains are in harmony, then this is a winning option. You can play with shades and choose light brown curtains to match the brown wallpaper. By the way, they can be with a pattern, embroidery, pattern or embossing. This option will look elegant.
Curtains to match the interior color
Often bedrooms or lounges are decorated in one color, that is, the room is characterized as a “blue room” or “pink bedroom.” However, behind this formulation lies a combination of light and dark edges of the same color, its halftones and subtones.
To create the interior of a “blue room,” blue wallpaper and paint are selected, curtains and textiles are chosen in the desired blue shade, but with a pattern. This move adds liveliness to the atmosphere. Curtains fit harmoniously into the space without standing out from the general background.
Colored contrast curtains
Colored curtains in the interior are a bold accent that can completely transform a monotonous, strict design, filling it with the energy of rich colors. For neutral interiors, made in white, beige, gray or black, choose curtains in rich colors from the rainbow spectrum. For example, a white interior is enlivened by deep green curtains, and bright orange panels make it warmer.
Tip: if bright curtains seem too bold, then choose one of the neutral colors based on the principle of contrast with the rest of the color scheme of the room.
Tricolor or bicolor curtains
This scheme is suitable for both the final part of the work on the design of the room and the initial one. If the entire interior has already been decorated, then for textile decoration of the window several basic colors and patterns of the room are chosen. For example, straight-cut curtains in gray and golden colors are suitable for a modern interior.
When the interior is just being planned, the curtains are selected to match the rest of the textiles, and then the rest of the room’s color scheme is adjusted to match it. For example, beige and burgundy curtains will complement a carpet of the same color.
Combination of curtains and furniture
The next technique for choosing the shade of curtains is a combination with the color of the furniture. In this case, there are several solutions, some of them quite complex. So, a classic case would be a related combination: the color of the wood of the furniture is in harmony with the entire beige-brown palette.
And also the color of curtains and furniture can match, but at the same time contrast with the decoration of the entire area. These window treatments are a feature of traditional, often expensive interiors.
Complex compositions are characterized by the use of three colors. So, in a minimalist style, white-brown-green solutions are relevant today.
Shapes of modern curtains
When determining how to choose curtains for your interior, pay attention to the variety of their shapes.
Multilayer
Such products consist of several layers of fabric (usually two). One of the layers can be with a pattern, the rest are selected in plain colors. Multi-layer curtains look rich and are most often chosen for the living room or bedroom.
Lambrequins
Lambrequins have become widespread not only in the design of public buildings, but also in private interiors. Due to the different cut, lambrequins have different sizes and cut shapes. They are characterized by the use of several types of fabric, a combination of several colors, and the presence of decorative decorations in the form of eyelets, hangers, tiebacks, and fringes.
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical curtains enliven the decor, making it original. Asymmetrical curtains are distinguished by the fact that one side is noticeably shorter than the other.
Rolled
Rolled ones are suitable for decorating a modern interior in a minimalist or high-tech style. They do not take up much space and perform a protective and decorative function at the same time.
Short
Curtains, cafe curtains and other short curtains are most often chosen for the kitchen or small rooms where they look appropriate. Regular curtains cover the upper part of the window, cafe curtains cover the lower part.
Choosing curtains with tulle
But the design of the window opening sometimes plays a decisive role in the decor of the room. Even perfectly combined colors of surfaces, pieces of furniture and decor that match in style, high-quality, beautiful textiles and soft upholstery will not “play out”, but will lose their attractiveness and charm if the window is incorrectly designed.
Tulle and curtains regulate the illumination of the interior space, and the light passing through the curtains creates a particular mood in the room. Not to mention the design, the method of draping and the presence of lambrequins: they are able to change the space, turning a nondescript small room into a bright hall, and a room of impressive size into a small, poorly lit closet.
How to choose curtain material
The variety of fabrics is very large: they are light and heavy, natural, synthetic and mixed, absorbing and reflecting light, dust-repellent and fire-resistant. Depending on special requirements, the fabric is coated with a protective layer against dust or moisture.
Among the most common types of fabric for sewing curtains, choose the following:
- organza, chiffon, voile - light translucent textiles that look airy on the window and create voluminous light folds;
- silk, satin - capricious reflective fabrics that look different in daylight and artificial light, with enough light they make the interior more elegant and richer;
- upholstery fabrics, velvet, brocade, jacquard - these are heavy fabrics, expensive in appearance and cost, suitable for decorating an office or living room;
- natural linen, satin or cotton is an environmentally friendly material that is suitable for a nursery or bedroom.
Problem solving
Draping a window can visually change the dimensions of a space. Dark, saturated colors and cool shades can visually reduce and narrow a room, making it more intimate and cool, while light colors and warm shades can expand the room and fill it with air.
So, in order to achieve a visual change in a long narrow room and make it closer to a square one, you need to make a shorter wall with a window more expressive and attract attention.
You can take curtains in rich colors with an active print or horizontal lines. If you want to create the feeling of high ceilings, then vertical stripes work well. When placing a window on an elongated side, it is better to choose textiles in pastel shades so that the wall seems unobtrusive and seems to disappear into the overall environment.
In areas with low ceilings, it is preferable to use light, light textiles; in areas with high ceilings, it is preferable to use curtains in active colors. To make the room warmer and more welcoming, it is better to give preference to warm colors: beige, yellow, ocher, brown, gold, mustard, etc.
This will be especially an ideal solution for northern rooms, where almost no light from the street penetrates into the windows. Another advantage of warm colors is that they visually bring the window closer and make it larger.
What types of curtains are there in style?
When designing an interior design in a certain historical or ethnic style, the designer selects furniture, decor, lamps and textiles of a certain type. These can be straight panels made of natural fabrics, lush expensive draperies or curtains with a functional opening mechanism. Among the main types of curtains, the following are most often used:
Classic
For classical and neoclassical interiors, curtains are selected from thick curtain fabric, complemented by decorations in the form of tiebacks, fringes, and hangers. Often curtains in a classic style are made in the form of a lambrequin, combining fabric of several colors.
Roman
Curtains made of small straight pieces of fabric with a special control mechanism are called Roman. Roman ones differ from roll ones in the way they are controlled.
French
They are a transparent monochromatic curtain made of light fabric, gathered into horizontal folds along all surfaces using rings on the reverse side. The curtains are assembled into more magnificent folds using a lifting mechanism and sewn-in scallops.
Japanese
Classic Japanese curtains look like rectangular frames covered with thick fabric. They move using upper and lower rails. Modern Japanese curtains have a lightweight design. They are a rectangular dense piece of fabric with a weighting agent at the bottom.
Austrian
This style is very similar to French curtains, but unlike the latter they are folded at the bottom.
Curtains and interior textiles
Of no small importance is the observance of the law of color harmony in the interior, when the drapery of the window matches the rest of the textiles in the room - pillow covers, bedspreads, tablecloths, etc.
Sometimes designers resort to an interesting solution - sewing curtains and decorative textiles from the same fabric. It is worth considering that here it will be necessary to repeat the pattern on the fabric on all products.
Methods for attaching curtains to a curtain rod
The appearance of curtains is influenced not only by their design, but also by the way they are attached to the baguette.
There are several methods of fastening:
On hinges: curtains usually have a simple rectangular cut, and are attached to a baguette using loops (sewn in or with Velcro).
With drawstrings: a universal option for any cut, fabric type and color.
On rings: suitable for any curtains made of lightweight material.
On grommets: great for light and heavy curtains.
Color and layering
Often rooms are draped with complex multi-layered compositions. But even in this case, color laws will apply; you just need to successfully arrange several layers of canvas according to the shade and learn to correctly see the color combination of curtains.
For example, if the bedroom is made in light colors, then you should not weigh it down with dark fabrics. The ideal option is several airy layers of satin, organza and tulle in bed colors.
Multi-layer curtains are most often used in the living room and bedroom, where it is necessary to give the room solemnity and splendor. In this case, curtains are often chosen in two colors, preferably monochromatic, and the third layer is in a pattern. The most difficult thing when decorating a window with multilayer textiles is not to overload it with decorative elements and prints.
When choosing curtains for your home, of course, it is important to rely on the basic criteria for choosing the color of textiles, but no less important is the owner’s own attitude and taste. Sometimes the most attractive rooms contradict all the laws of design.
How to adjust a window using curtains
How to make a window wider
A small room can be visually enlarged with a molding or cornice longer than the window. If the curtains completely occupy one wall, they will create the effect of a large room.
How to make a window taller
A low window can be easily adjusted using a cornice. To do this, it is placed directly under the ceiling. To hide part of the wall above a low window when open, use a lambrequin.
How to visually reduce a window
To visually reduce the window area, use bright colors and curtains that match the shape of the window. These can be blinds, Roman blinds, roller blinds or short curtains.
How to decorate a wide low window
Roller or Japanese curtains, which divide the window into several segments, are good for this option. Also, a large window can be visually divided into two using asymmetrical curtains, the long ends of which will be in the middle.
Purpose of the room
The psychology of color is the designer’s starting point when working on creating an interior; choosing a beautiful color for curtains sometimes becomes the main task at the final stage of arrangement.
So, the black and red palette of the newlyweds’ bedroom is not suitable for a child’s room, and gray curtains are also undesirable. Light pastel shades in the office can relax and break up the pace of work. Cheerful orange color will not allow you to properly relax in the sleeping area.
White curtains in the largest room, despite their solemnity, reduce the feeling of coziness, and beige curtains will be boring in a teenage room.
Meanwhile, there are also classic, recognized palettes for rooms with different purposes:
Children's
Children's room - curtains with a slight darkening effect are welcome to provide protection from the bright sun. A good option is thick curtains in combination with a light veil.
It is not recommended to use bright, intrusive colors, as this can irritate the child and will have a bad effect on rest. For children, blackout curtains with designs of cartoon characters are sometimes hung. The traditional solution is a pastel and yellow-blue palette.
Kitchen
Kitchen - usually the color of the curtains in this room is matched to the palette of the walls, apron or furniture fronts, or to match the tone of other textiles. White and green remain the most relevant and most versatile colors for the kitchen.
If there is not enough sun in the space where you cook and eat, you can brighten up the situation with the help of warm, life-affirming shades. This is one of the rooms into which printed textiles, for example, with floral patterns, will fit well.
Living room
Living room - the color of the curtains for the main room can be varied, the main thing is that the colors of the curtains and light tulle harmoniously match the overall color scheme of the room and take into account the nuances mentioned above. In general, this is just the right room where you can experiment with color.
Bedroom
Bedroom - to decorate this room there is a whole palette of light, pastel shades, those that set the mood for rest and relaxation.
However, those who follow trends in interior design know that today the so-called intimateization of space is gaining popularity. This means that lovers of gloomy dark rooms can rejoice, because fashion is on their side - you can hang any dark shades in the bedroom, including graphite gray and even black.
Popular today are blackout curtains, which darken the room, even creating complete darkness during the daytime. They also have the effect of sound absorption and thermal insulation.
The textiles for such curtains consist of three layers. The middle one is black, visible only on the cut. The side facing the room comes in different colors. But the layer facing the window is light—usually white.
The classic color of a sleeping area is blue. Fans of delicate styles can hang curtains with flowers in the bedroom.
Cabinet
Office - universal colors for almost any workspace are all light shades that do not distract from work. By the way, scientists have long proven that the color white sets the mood for creativity.
If you want to enhance brain activity, then orange and yellow colors will help with this. But the whole palette of a conservative interior is traditional, which gives the work area laconicism and austerity; for example, you can choose green curtains.
How to choose curtains for a certain type of room
When choosing curtains to decorate a room, be sure to take into account its functional load, age and number of inhabitants.
Bedroom
To choose curtains for your bedroom interior, you should take into account the taste and age of the owner of the room:
- for a married couple, classic curtains and lambrequins are recommended;
- For a bachelor, the functional load is more important than the decorative component, so the curtains should not allow sunlight to pass through and protect from prying eyes. In this case, blackout, Roman or roller blinds are suitable;
- For a girl, you can choose blinds in combination with thread curtains.
Children's
Curtains are selected for the nursery to protect from bright light. Most often this is a combination of a light transparent veil with thick curtains. Curtains can also be with patterns of favorite cartoon characters (an option for the little ones). It is not recommended to use too bright colors for curtains in a nursery, as they will irritate the child’s nervous system, preventing him from falling asleep or simply calming down.
Kitchen
For this room choose functional short curtains with antistatic or dust-repellent coating. The best options are cafe curtains, blinds, Roman blinds or roller blinds. If you rarely cook in the kitchen, just make tea or heat up food, then a lush awning or a small lambrequin can also be a good option.
Hall
For the interior, curtains for the hall are carefully selected taking into account the color palette and the general style of the room. Most often they use French awning, Austrian, classic or multi-layer curtains.
Fabric selection
As for tulle, the modern fabric market offers a very large number of textures. Among them are organza, veil, mesh. These three materials are the most popular now.
Organza is made from polyester. It is good because it is very dense, but looks weightless and airy. Organza allows the sun's rays to pass through, dries very quickly, drapes and is not a dust collector. Its only drawback is that it does not allow fresh air to pass through well.
As for the mesh, it also allows the sun's rays to pass through well, but dust settles on it very quickly, so the mesh will quickly darken.
The veil is chosen by lovers of drapery, because it is soft and wear-resistant. The problem with this material is that it transmits sunlight quite poorly if it has patterns or ornaments on it.
Photo: the best ideas for selecting curtains for the interior
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How to hang tulle correctly
Once the fabric has been selected and prepared, all that remains is to hang it. Different methods are used for this:
- On fabric loops.
- For alligator clips.
- On the eyelets.
- On the curtain tape.
If you plan to select fabric for a particular fold size, you need to know the tulle gathering coefficient. It will help in calculating the footage that will be needed for a particular drapery.
No assemblies
It is most convenient to hang curtains without ruching or draping on wide fabric loops. They can be created from the same fabric.
Wide loops will keep the lightweight material from bunching up. A round cornice rod is suitable for this type of fastening. Beautiful tulle with wide loops will look impressive in a rustic, Provence or hi-tech style.
Depending on the characteristics of the room being decorated and the individual preferences of the hostess, tulle is selected in a specific color, pattern, and texture.
Thick fold
For beautiful drapery, it is better to use curtain tape. It allows you to carefully collect any folds: small and lush, large. The density and depth of the folds depend on the type of curtain tape.
Important! Curtain tape allows you to create even folds and secure them. This drapery option will look good with modern tulle on panoramic glazing where curtains are not used.
If you need to adjust the drapery from time to time, it is better to use alligator clips with loops. With the help of movable clips you can easily change the drapery. For example, move the bulk of the fabric to the edges, and leave a flat fabric in the center. Or, conversely, distribute the folds evenly.
You can decorate tulle curtains with special ribbons and ribbons, just so that their width is no more than 15 cm.
We combine different lengths
The combination of different lengths of curtains and drapes looks beneficial. In this case, the tulle is chosen 10 cm shorter than the thick curtain.
Another option for combining different lengths is tulle made of two transparent multi-colored materials. The fabric closer to the glass is chosen in neutral shades, and the outer fabric is chosen in color. The length of the neutral fabric will be classic, and the colored outer material will be 10 cm longer than the floor level. Thanks to this combination, a neutral fabric will create a slight haze near the window, and a light colored fabric will turn into the main accent of the decor.
Another option for combining different lengths is a short curtain with long curtains. This option is suitable for a small opening.
The most complex option for combining different lengths is 2-3 canvases hung in a cascade. This option will create multi-tieredness and volume in the window.
A fairly common option for adding expressiveness to curtains. This option involves the use of standard fabrics: tulle, organza or voile lambrequins.
We combine different textures
A classic option for combining different textures is the use of thin tulle and heavy curtains made of velvet or velor. This contrast makes the window appear deeper, but it is not suitable for small rooms. Simple curtains with light drapery of different densities will look impressive on modern panoramic windows.
Another option for combining textures is to use thin material and rough, heavy decorative elements: cord rain, heavy embroidery, rhinestones.
Advice. The use of heavy decorative elements allows you to stretch the curtains, so that they hang evenly.
Although this is not a mandatory aspect, it will still add zest to the interior, and the curtains will become much more elegant. For this, tiebacks, garters, laces, braid, fringe, beads or rhinestones are used. The main requirement is that the elements are selected strictly to match the overall design of the room.
Decorative cords
You can secure decorative cords in different ways:
- Sew them to the tulle in advance. To prevent thin fabric from sagging or stretching, it is necessary to reinforce the upper horizontal edge with an additional cord or curtain tape.
- Attach to double curtain tape.
- Secure it on a separate tape and hang it on an additional runner in the cornice. This fastening method will make the decorative cords independent of the main fabric.
The defining fact that keeps classic curtains on the pedestal of popularity is the nobility of the materials.
Lambrequins
A tulle pelmet is usually created by draping a separate strip of fabric over an additional curtain rod. To do this, a strip is cut out, draped on a curtain strip with beautiful flounces and hung.
Advice. It is better not to use hidden fastenings or semicircular lambrequins for tulle. Since thin material can easily stretch and deform.
Lambrequins made of colored transparent fabric look beautiful; they create important accents in the room, without overloading the interior. In this case, you can take two colored strips of fabric, which you can drape using weave or intersection.
By playing with classic curtains, the appearance of the window, its proportions and even the size of the area can change dramatically. This, of course, is achieved through visual effect.
With and without curtains
If the tulle is hung with curtains, then for this option it is necessary to choose a cornice with two runners. In this case, the canvases are hung on separate runners. The design of the cornice can be any:
- Open round rods.
- Cornice with hidden fastening.
- Cornice with additional external decor.
Fastening tulle without curtains is done in the same way as with curtains, but requires great care, since all the details are visible to the eye.
The modern style, which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, is still relevant. He is characterized by slight negligence and ease.
Features of window design with tulle
Correctly chosen tulle will become a special accent of the interior or a neutral background for decorative items. It is distinguished by its transparency, smooth or openwork texture in neutral or bright colors.
Tulle simultaneously protects the room from the sun's rays and lets them through, while dissipating them, which brings an airy and cozy atmosphere to the interior. Lightweight fabric drapes well and holds its desired shape.
The photo shows an example of a bedroom where there is no cornice and the curtain falls from the niche. This option is suitable for a small room with a wide window.
Rules for choosing tulle:
- Tulle and curtains in the interior should be contrasting or complement each other, differing in shades. If there is a pattern on the curtains, then the tulle should repeat it, or remain neutral;
- It should be selected to match the style and color of the interior, taking into account whether the emphasis will be on the window, or whether it will become a background for other interior items;
- If there is no connection to a specific interior style, then a safe choice would be tulle in neutral beige and white shades without a prominent pattern;
- When sewing individually, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the fabric, its shrinkage during the sewing process and then washing; it is best to select curtains from a photo;
- When choosing natural tulle, you should remember that fabric with the addition of polyester wrinkles less. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the material is impregnated with a special antistatic and dirt-repellent agent, especially if the textiles will be used in the kitchen.
