The presence of a door places increased demands on the functionality of curtains. Access to the balcony should have as few obstacles as possible. Balcony door blinds combine beauty and practicality. They can be a good compromise. Let's consider the options for these designs and what is better to choose.
Features and Benefits
Blinds are rarely associated with home warmth and comfort. It is more common to see this type of curtains in office spaces. This was the case several decades ago, but modern models are diverse. This allows you to choose an item to match the color and mood of the interior, as well as personal preferences.
Blinds were created to protect rooms from the sun and prying eyes. They consist of separate plates (lamellas) connected to each other by a strong thread. Today, an aesthetic one has been added to the practical task. Windows can be decorated with blinds only or combined with curtains. In the first case, choose devices with decorative slats that not only protect from the sun, but also decorate the room. In the second case, a light curtain is responsible for aesthetics, and blinds perform a protective function.
Blinds for a balcony door have advantages compared to standard curtains:
- Maximum protection from sun rays. In terms of protection from bright light, blinds can be compared with thick curtains or even surpass them.
- Greater access of oxygen. The pass-through design allows more air to flow inside. Regular curtains, especially those made of thick fabric, are an obstacle to air circulation.
- Space saving. Blinds fit more tightly to the frame, so they take up less space at the door and on the windowsill.
- Ability to adjust the intensity of light penetration. Thanks to the panels rotating around their axis, the angle of inclination changes. This allows you to choose the degree of illumination of the room.
- Easy to install. You can install the structure yourself with simple tools.
- Low maintenance requirements. Unlike curtains, most types of blinds do not require washing. The plates are wiped with a cloth or a special brush.
- Versatility. Thanks to a large selection of models, blinds can fit into almost any interior. The exception is the Baroque style with its pomp and tendency to excess.
- Convenience of using the balcony door. Every time you visit the loggia, the curtains need to be moved to the side and then straightened again. This causes inconvenience, and the curtain wears out quickly. Blinds attached to the door leaf solve this problem.
Where else can you hang roller blinds?
The wide range of application of roller blinds allows you to come up with something new every time, experiment and create a unique design in a single home.
Designers recommend replacing doors with roller shutters in the following cases:
- When the kitchen is small. In Khrushchev-era apartment buildings built in the middle of the last century, the size of the kitchen rarely exceeds 6 square meters. m. As a result, you have to literally “fight” for every additional centimeter of usable space. A roller blind for the kitchen impregnated from odors and dirt, installed on a doorway instead of a door, will be an excellent replacement. During cooking, to prevent kitchen odors from seeping into the common room, it is lowered, and when the need to isolate the kitchen area disappears, it is raised to the very top. Another current solution is to install such a curtain on a glass insert.
- When you need to arrange a corner for storing things. Sometimes designers recommend installing roller blinds instead of doors to the dressing room or instead of doors to the pantry, arranged in a niche. Behind a beautiful curtain you can quickly hide unnecessary things before guests arrive, and during cleaning, lift it and slowly sort out the accumulated trash. Such decor is always relevant, since in every room it will be in harmony with other textile elements, and if you get bored with the colors, over time it is not difficult to replace it without any special financial costs.
- Instead of cabinet doors. Such canvases are used to decorate built-in wardrobes, ordinary wardrobes in small rooms, cabinets on balconies, loggias, and under window sills. Safe and easy to use fabric blinds are suitable for closets in a child's room.
A roller blind instead of a door to the pantry is, first of all, convenient. In the children's area, a roller curtain is hung on the window, and in the living room area it covers the entrance to a small dressing room.
Rolls are very convenient for covering glass inserts on doors.
When choosing roller curtains for a closet, you should pay attention not only to lifting, but also to sliding mechanisms that open to the sides. This option will be especially convenient for small kitchen or children’s rooms, as well as cabinets equipped under window sills.
Kinds
According to the location of the panels, sun protection devices are:
- Vertical - have long been established in offices, but have also found application in residential buildings thanks to variations in color, material, and patterns. The structure consists of a cornice (plastic or aluminum), slats, weights, and runners. The mechanism is controlled using a plastic chain: the doors rotate in different directions, and the canvas can be completely moved to one side. For a balcony opening, choose a combination of a long leaf for the door and a short one for the window. The cornice is attached to the ceiling or wall.
- Horizontal - a more suitable model for a balcony block. The design can be mounted on a window frame, which provides much more convenience when opening and closing doors and windows. To go out onto the loggia you don’t need to move the curtain to the side. Horizontal slats (plastic, aluminum, wood) rotate up and down, and the entire canvas is rolled up if necessary. Often included are limiters that secure the structure from below. Thanks to this, the canvas does not dangle when ventilating or when the window is tilted. Limiters can be magnetic or plastic.
Blinds also include roller blinds for the balcony door. They have all the advantages of horizontal blinds. They are a canvas with a roller and a control chain. Once assembled, the fabric is wound onto a roller. The degree of lowering is adjustable: you can close the entire opening or partially. Roller blinds are attached to the wall, ceiling, frame. The last option is the most preferable, since it allows you to save space by the window.
The canvas has different colors and patterns, but rarely the opening is decorated only with roller blinds. Thin curtains are selected for them.
There is another type - pleated. Such products consist of two profiles, which are mounted on guides at the top and bottom of the frame, and a folded fabric is fixed between them. Unlike the models described above, the pleated can be folded not only up, but also down. The canvas moves freely and is fixed in any part of the window.
Which curtains to choose for going out to the balcony?
Just as in the case of a regular window opening, curtains for a window with a balcony door are selected based on the purpose of the room and the interior used in its design. Each room has its own design rules that follow when choosing fabric for curtains and cut.
Balcony in the bedroom
In the interior of a bedroom it is common to use soft, delicate shades, and this rule also applies to curtains. They are chosen a couple of shades darker than the wallpaper, or are in harmony with the pattern on the walls. Also, curtains can be the same tone as the bedspreads, a modular picture on the wall, or a panel above the head of the bed. A special charm in the bedroom is achieved by using lambrequins - they will add homeliness and comfort to the bedroom design.
To ensure a complete rest, the window in the bedroom is decorated with two types of curtains, night and light. The first of them are sewn from heavy fabric that does not allow daylight to pass through. Light curtains cover the window during the day, creating a special atmosphere of airiness and transparency. Instead of night curtains, you can hang roller blinds, horizontal blinds or Roman blinds. But it should be taken into account that horizontal and Roman types of curtains will only cover the window, and the glass of the balcony door will remain open. For apartments located on the lower floors, this can be a problem, so it is better to opt for roller blinds or thick fabric curtains.
Important. Curtains for exiting to the balcony always consist of two stripes. They converge opposite the door handle - this makes it possible to go out onto the balcony without moving the curtain along the eaves to the side.
Balcony in the living room
In the living room, when designing an exit to the balcony, you should be guided by the style in which the room is designed. In a spacious living room, you can use your maximum imagination and hang curtains with lush drapery, lambrequins, and all kinds of folds. In a room of modest size, the volume of the folds will look out of place, although you can also give free rein to your imagination when thinking through the design of the curtains.
During the day, the curtains are in the open position, and during this time they can be assembled in a special way, using decorative tiebacks with magnets, ribbons, twisted cords with tassels and fringe. All kinds of accessories for curtains allow you to decorate your exit to the balcony with a twist and make it your own.
Important. No matter how much you would like to hang the first model of curtains you like on the window in the living room, first of all you should correlate their design with the interior of the room. The window and door to the balcony should not stand out from the overall design.
A new product in the world of curtains is thread curtains. They are threads attached to a dense fabric strip. They are made in different colors, come with patterns, with threads of different thicknesses, and can be decorated with glass beads, beads and other decor. In addition to being decorative, thread curtains have another advantage - you can walk through them anywhere, simply by moving the threads apart with your hands, and they will return to their original position. When going out onto the balcony, you do not need to move the curtain along the cornice.
Balcony in the kitchen
If there is access to the balcony from the kitchen, this is a great advantage, the dream of every housewife. When decorating a window with a balcony door, you should take into account the size of the room. Usually it is not spacious, so it should be designed as concisely as possible. Roller blinds will help with this. They are installed on the frame and cover only the glass, so they do not take up extra space.
Colors
The color of the lamellas practically does not depend on the material from which they are made. Modern technologies make it possible to add any color or imitation of textures. Plastic can be painted to resemble wood, and wooden plates can be white. The fabric color options are endless.
In the first case, the tone of the curtains should differ by several shades. This calm design is suitable for children's rooms, bedrooms, and lounges. In the second case, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to be in the room.
Bright blinds should complement other items in the interior of the same color: chandelier, upholstery, paintings. Then the overall impression of the room will be harmonious.
Roman curtains
An equally profitable option for a kitchen with a balcony. Moreover, Roman blinds should also be used to drape balcony windows to get the perfect combination.
Roman curtains are fabrics with transverse slats attached to them. When opened, the curtain gathers into amazingly beautiful folds. When closed, virtually no light passes through.
How to choose
Manufacturers of blinds offer a wide range of products that differ in shape, material, color, and control method. Everyone can choose the option that suits them in terms of configuration and cost. It is important that the model harmonizes with the overall space and does not look like an alien element.
For a balcony block, the best option is roller blinds or horizontal blinds on the door. They are compact and do not create obstacles to access to the loggia. A variety of colors allows you to choose a canvas for any room. Roller blinds in the living room or bedroom can be complemented with curtains. It is better not to hang curtains, so as not to “weight down” the window opening.
Interesting! The option of installing blinds inside a double-glazed window is popular. In this case, the control mechanism is brought out.
How to choose for windows of different shapes?
Blinds on the balcony allow the windows to take on a more thoughtful, deep and stylish look. However, windows can be not only standard, but also of various shapes and designs. Let's consider special cases in more detail.
Blinds on sliding windows on the balcony
Both horizontal and vertical models with a ceiling profile are suitable for sliding windows.
The photo shows a loggia with horizontal slats on sliding windows.
Panoramic windows
For such window openings, you can choose vertical slats to the floor, which can reach up to 6 meters in length or more. Panoramic windows on a small French balcony are decorated with horizontal slats and pleated blinds. They look light and make the room more spacious.
Materials
Depending on the material of the slats, blinds are divided into:
- Aluminum - inexpensive and practical, resistant to external influences. Do not fade over time. Thin metal panels can become deformed under mechanical stress.
- Plastic is the most affordable and common material. From excess ultraviolet radiation, plastic lamellas become fragile and can break.
- Fabric curtains can fully replace curtains due to the decorative nature of the panels. They are presented in different colors, plain and patterned. The fabric used is special with protective impregnation, which prevents dust from being absorbed and also protects against fading. Most often, fabric blinds are made of polyester.
Window decoration with a balcony in the kitchen
Let's start with photographs of errors so that it is clear what to pay attention to next.
Errors
We remember what we really want.
Too transparent and small
Too thin tulle, short curtains up to the middle of the window, a narrow strip of curtains covering only part of the balcony - all this does not fulfill its function.
This also includes thread curtains (muslin) - they are very practical and it’s convenient to walk through them to the balcony, but that’s where the advantages end. They do not correspond to the modern design of kitchen curtains - they are morally outdated.
High and other strange lifts
An overly high garter looks ridiculous.
The idea is clear - it is supposedly more convenient to walk from the kitchen to the balcony. But firstly, this is solved differently, and secondly, this does not fit even into normal classic kitchens, and in modern ones such a garter will completely destroy the entire design.
Horizontal a la theatrical or French selections are also a miss.
How to install it yourself
It is easy to install the product yourself. It does not take much time and does not require special skills. Many manufacturers include detailed instructions and also include the necessary fasteners.
Let's consider the stages of installing horizontal blinds on a frame:
- Prepare tools: drill, screwdriver.
- Attach the blind rod to the top of the frame and mark where to drill.
- Screw the brackets. To install the cornices of vertical blinds, it is rational to use construction dowels, which are driven in with a special gun.
- We attach the cornice.
- On the lower part of the frame, under the glazing beads, mark the exit points of the fishing line threaded through the slats of the blinds, and drill the same neat holes.
- Remove the plugs from the ends of the planks.
- We remove another round plug, under which there is a unit.
- Remove the bottom bar by untying the two knots.
- We remove excess plates from below if the blinds are too long.
- We attach a plastic rotating mechanism (transparent stick) to the hook.
- Insert the bottom bar and cut off the protruding threads.
- We insert all the pulled out plugs.
- Take a plastic retainer.
- We make markings, drill holes, and fasten the fastener with a screw.
- We fasten the clamp on the other side.
- We insert the bottom bar into the clamps.
- The ends of the fishing line are inserted into the plugs, and the plugs are inserted into the holes in the frame, resulting in tension in the fishing line.
- We check the functionality.
Blinds with vertical slats are attached using a similar technology. Only the mounting location is not the frame, but the wall or ceiling.
Video instructions for installing blinds without drilling:
Blinds
Vertical or horizontal designs in a kitchen with a balcony are only welcomed by designers. This is the best option because it is very aesthetic and reliable.
Vertical blinds with plastic slats to match the main interior of the kitchen, are easy to clean, and cover the windows from prying eyes and sunlight. Manufacturers produce a huge variety of products in this product line. Therefore, choosing the necessary option will not be difficult.
Photo ideas
When decorating a balcony door, you can move away from the traditional options with curtains and drapes and choose comfortable and modern blinds. They have many advantages, including a large selection of models. This makes them a universal way to protect a room from excessive light and ensure privacy.
Lightproofness of roller blinds
One of the functions that roller blinds perform is protection from sunlight. The level of light transmission will depend on the choice of the canvas itself: dense or translucent. Of the dense fabrics, 2 varieties are in greatest demand: Dimout and Blackout.
- The first ones partially transmit the sun's rays, creating a 90% darkening effect.
- The second type is a very dense structure that 100% protects the room from sunlight.
Very often, buyers prefer a day-night design or a zebra curtain, where dense strips of fabric alternate with translucent ones. This allows you to control the amount of sunlight in the room, darkening it the way you want.
Installation and fastening
One of the advantages of roller blinds is their ease of installation. You don't have to buy anything extra. Everything you need is included in the kit. Therefore, all you need to install the structure is a level and a screwdriver.
To the ceiling
To attach the curtain to the ceiling, follow the following step-by-step instructions:
- Using a level, we measure and mark places equidistant from the window.
- Use self-tapping screws to secure the bracket to the ceiling in the marked places.
- We fix the structure on these fasteners.
When installing the curtains on the wall, you will need to repeat the same scheme with a small addition: you will need to drill holes in the wall, securing dowels with screws in them.
To the window frame
Usually, when installing roller blinds on plastic windows, people turn to specialists for help. But you can secure the structures yourself by following simple recommendations:
- First you need to thoroughly degrease the surface.
- Remove the protective film from the curtain fasteners.
- Now you can screw the bracket to the window frame.
