Short curtains are called curtains whose length and width do not exceed the dimensions of the window opening. This solution is associated with a number of advantages: material savings, less hassle with washing and ironing, more free space in the room, interesting possibilities from a design point of view.
Short models, when selected correctly, can decorate windows in the reception room - living room.
What is the main difference between short curtains and long drapes?
First of all, practicality. In addition, shortened curtains can be made in the form of a pair of curtains that conveniently open the window to let more daylight into the room. Moreover, the main curtains can be on the floor.
In most cases, the choice of housewives falls on short curtains for the kitchen if the space below the window sill is occupied by a set or household appliances. Short curtains fit very harmoniously into any interior.
In living rooms they are used as an addition to multilayer structures for window decoration.
Examples of unusual short curtains in living room design
If you want to get a more unusual option, you can not only combine different shapes and decorations, but also modernize them. For example, you can use the following options:
- Curtains in the form of a wide, intricately twisted ribbon. They are most often made of light translucent fabric.
- Long, 30-40 cm lambrequins. They are made from dense material, such as calico, satin or jacquard. Moreover, they are decorated with bows, folds, tassels and other elements.
- A short tulle lambrequin in the living room right up to the window sill. It consists of transparent soft waves that fall neatly. Moreover, such curtains can be asymmetrical, two- and three-color, multi-layered.
When striving for an unusual result, it is important not to overdo it. It is necessary to design the curtain composition based on the overall interior of the living room. For example, if the room has wallpaper with a large pattern, then it is better to choose curtains of a single color or with an ornament that exactly repeats the ornament of the walls.
The advantages of short curtains
They give free access to the window. In addition, short curtains do not block the heating system, which allows you to maintain the optimal temperature in the room. It is much easier to care for short curtains and drapes because they are less susceptible to contamination.
If the housewife decides to sew such curtains to order, less fabric will be suitable for their production. Due to this, the products will cost less.
Advantages and disadvantages of short curtains
They are lighter and easier to wash. It's very practical. In addition, it is worth using several sets of curtains in turn to decorate the windows of the room.
Not all of them have to be short. When you get tired of hanging long curtains, you should change them to light ones. This is more appropriate in summer.
If roller shutters, blinds of any type, Roman or Japanese blinds are used as curtains, they are even easier to care for. It is enough to wipe them with a dry or damp sponge, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, and do not wash them at all, since the fabrics have a special dustproof impregnation.
Flaws:
- Do not cover the old battery under a window.
- Low ceilings in rooms with short curtains are not harmonious.
- If your window has a narrow opening, they don't look right.
Curtains to the window sill in the sleeping room
Short curtains for the bedroom are an excellent solution when decorating non-standard window openings. Often in private households they are made in the shape of an arch, a triangle, or too narrow, wide, or round.
In this option, you should choose a curtain made of thick fabric and sew neat short curtains, adjusting them to the size and other parameters of the window.
Features of design tricks
With the help of short curtains you can brighten up the defects of the rooms or highlight the advantages. By using rich colors of the curtains themselves, you can focus on the window.
For large window openings, bright palettes are used; for small ones, it is better to use muted colors.
Curtains selected according to the shape of the window will divert views to large ceilings.
A wide opening will be hidden by tulle with many tiers and at the same time it is possible to use lambrequins.
It won’t take much time to help the room acquire an elegant look; it’s worth hanging original holders.
It is possible to make the window wider using a long cornice. Short tulle, together with thick curtains, will clearly increase the size of the opening.
What else can you think of for the bedroom?
Short, lightweight curtains or tulle will perfectly complement roller blinds that are attached directly to the frame on the glass. The canvas is quite dense, so if necessary, it can be used to reliably drape the window from the penetration of excess light. An excellent solution for a night's rest.
The design of short curtains can also be reminiscent of Austrian curtains. They combine French and Roman variants, presented in one form. For spacious rooms, the idea of arranging a long curtain with shortened drapes is perfect.
How to choose the right curtain color
Before deciding which curtain color is best, you need to consider important details:
- Room interior design.
- Brightness of artificial and natural lighting.
- The degree of psychological impact - since each person has different preferences and tastes, therefore any color can affect mood in different ways.
When choosing the color and style of curtains, you should rely on the colors of the wallpaper. For example, dark curtains are suitable for a room with light wallpaper. You can make the room lighter with the help of beautiful short curtains in delicate shades (white, beige, vanilla). It is advisable to select curtains without patterns.
If the room is too bright, you need to drape the windows with green or blue curtains.
In any case, curtains should decorate the room, so if you have doubts about the correctness of your choice, it is better to consult with professionals or look up information on the Internet.
Short curtains for the kitchen
From the photo of short curtains you can evaluate interesting ideas for using this option in the kitchen in modern interior solutions. Moreover, designers advise moving away from the classics, using the styles “minimalism,” “romantic,” “high-tech,” “modern,” and “loft.”
Short curtains fully comply with the safety precautions that must be observed in the kitchen. In addition, short fabrics are easier to wash and iron; they do not require the purchase of bulky fastening systems.
Note!
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Short curtains for the kitchen are made from mesh materials; blinds with vertical slats are also acceptable. Housewives often choose horizontal aluminum blinds for kitchen windows, which are attached directly to the window frame.
The preferred fabrics are cotton, linen, chiffon, and other natural materials, which are supplemented in production with synthetic threads for greater strength, practicality and wear resistance.
Useful design tips
- If you prefer minimalism, curtains can be the main striking element that will highlight the style.
- To properly drape curtains, you need to take a responsible approach to calculating the quantity and size of the material.
- The right solution would be to use curtains with synthetic impurities for the kitchen, as they repel grease and dust. If you prefer natural materials that can be washed frequently, linen is your best bet.
Window decoration in children's rooms
Short curtains for a child's room are no less practical than for the kitchen or bedroom. Children often tug on curtains or accidentally step on long curtains. Shortened versions of window draperies will not allow them to be damaged, wrinkled or pulled down.
Austrian
Typically, this type of curtain is chosen for a nursery or bedroom. But if you want to unload the space in a large living room, then you can choose this option.
For modern design this is the best option. They look very advantageous on small windows and visually enlarge them.
Types of mini curtains
Manufacturers offer a huge number of options for shortened curtains not only for kitchen windows, but also for bedrooms and even living rooms. They are always popular, but this year they are especially relevant. Short curtains look stylish and fit perfectly into all types of interiors.
Living room
The living room is the main room where not only family members, but also guests like to gather. Short curtains look good in any interior, but a window with such curtains will look especially advantageous in a high-tech style. It can be complemented with lambrequins and discreet accessories.
"Stagecoach"
A type of Swedish roller blind. Why are these draperies called "Stagecoach"? Reminiscent of the edging of carriage windows. A strong rail is attached to the bottom of the structure, and ribbons are sewn to the top. The curtain must be rolled into a roll by hand, then secured with tapes.
Why Swedish? The back and front sides of these products are of different but similar colors, like classic Swedish curtains. Curtains in the Stagecoach style are used to decorate non-standard windows and doorways.
Note!
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Swedish
Roll design with a simple mechanism that does not require a cornice.
To make short curtains for windows, you need a rail, for which a special pocket is made at the bottom of the curtain. You need to purchase 5 rings and a long cord.
These elements remain visible, in order to hide them, the model is complemented with flounces and ribbons. The curtain is used to decorate kitchens, balconies, and verandas. Models are sewn with a lining in a contrasting color.
Short curtains "Cafe"
This is an example of country and retro styles. The cord on which the short panel of the “Cafe” curtain is attached is located exactly in the middle of the window. This budget option was adopted by the owners of eateries and other catering establishments back in the century before last.
In a modern design, “Cafe” curtains are complemented with floor-length curtains or lambrequins.
Roman curtains
These are simple designs that create beautiful folds of fabric when opened. Roman blinds are often short, so as not to create the impression of bulkiness with a large number of falling folds.
If these curtains are made from lightweight fabrics - chiffon, guipure, fine mesh - they look great on the windows of kitchens and bedrooms. Roman draperies are used in “minimalism” and “classic” styles.
Less often, designers advise using them to drape the windows of rooms in the “Provence” and “eclectic” styles. “Provence” is too simple for such curtains, but in “eclecticism”, on the contrary, more complex structures are used.
Choosing colors and patterns for curtains
An ideally selected color tone and pattern on the curtains is the key to an impeccably decorated interior. The colors of the curtains can be matched to the color scheme of the walls or interior items, or combined with existing furniture. Designer's advice: initially decide on a curtain option that suits your interior.
The color palette of curtains directly depends on the size of the bedroom: in small rooms, chocolate or burgundy curtains are not used, as such products will make them dark and matte.
Curtains with a two-color pattern or a pattern in the form of contrasting vertical stripes are used to visually increase the area of the bedroom. Typically, such curtains, which use light tulle and dense opaque fabrics, are suitable for classic interiors characterized by restraint. This combination of curtains and style is more suitable for older people.
Solid colored curtains can also give your bedroom an organic look while adding the desired mood.
- Beige or snow-white curtains are the most acceptable option for a children's room in a minimalist style. Their light palette will not only expand the room, but also emphasize coziness and comfort in it. In addition, simple curtains with a simple and calm pattern will help to enliven a child's room.
- Pistachio, olive and green curtains will add lightness and freshness to the “breath” of a teenager’s bedroom. Fresh pistachio curtains are an excellent backdrop for a bedroom in subdued tones, while green curtains are ideal for a classic interior.
- Burgundy or red fabrics will in any case steal the space of the bedroom, but are perfect for thematic interiors of a room with a large area. Heavy, voluminous burgundy curtains are an excellent addition to the bedroom of an adult or couple
- A pleasant shade of beige curtains is appropriate in a bedroom designed in Provence or classic style. This color is suitable for a girl's room
- In an ordinary women's bedroom, short orange or yellowish curtains are often found, but in children's bedrooms - rich or bright colors. Lemon curtains suit modern style
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- Choosing curtains in dark brown or rich black is a difficult task even for designers, as it is difficult not to overwhelm the room and keep it balanced. However, with a small number of details and the right combination, curtains will become the central element of a bedroom, for example, made in the Empire style. Teenagers will love this room.
- White, green and golden colors of curtains with floral motifs, appliqués and embroidery will fit perfectly into the Baroque style.
English curtains
They are similar to Roman curtains, but with the only difference that the English versions do not use lifting mechanisms. They are replaced by long cords or ribbons, which are used to tie the curtains in order to conveniently fix them at the desired height.
In a shortened version, English curtains perfectly drape the windows of living rooms and bedrooms.
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Combining different models in the bedroom interior
You can combine different models of curtains for various reasons. This gives functionality. For example, as in the case of the balcony situation described above. Or if you want to hang elegant, weightless tulle curtains, but the question arises of closing the window from prying eyes.
To do this, the glass itself is covered with a roller blind, and tulle is hung on the window opening.
During the day, the roll can be removed up and it will not be visible at all. In addition, interesting design solutions for window decoration are often based on the contrast of colors, textures and lengths.
This way you can play with horizontals and verticals. Olive curtains with a white top reveal a striped Roman shade behind them. Olive stripes repeat the line of the main color of the curtains, and white stripes set off the white horizontal line.
This makes the room brighter and the rather dull main curtains look very light.
A very beautiful curtain with decorative hinges is most likely always in the assembled position. It has a purely aesthetic function. But all the rest of the “work” goes to the stylish roller blind, which delicately covers the window. The shades match so much that both decorative elements seem to be a continuation of each other.
Here the Roman blind plays the role of tulle, however, the curtains themselves are the same tulle. It turns out to be a double layer, which in itself is more functional.
A very noble combination of loose Roman curtains with a variegated printed pattern and cold blue long curtains. Interestingly, it is the combination with short curtains that the designer uses in the shade of pillows and bedspreads on the bed.
Completely “blind” chocolate-colored curtains and the same blind roller blind look very original and noble.
In combination with perfectly white walls and chocolate-colored furniture, the window becomes the center of attention - after all, it’s rare to find such dark curtains in apartments. The interior is “diluted” with olive and light gray colors.
French shortened curtain designs
When you open such curtains, you get a lot of small folds. They are visible even when closed. When gathered in height, these curtains look very impressive.
To create beautiful scallops, when sewing French curtains you need a lot of fabric. Due to this, they can cost a little more than standard curtains and curtains.
However, if you choose lightweight materials: chiffon, organza, mesh, you can reduce the cost, and such designs do not look so bulky.
Thread
For original home decoration, various types of curtains are used.
Thread curtains consist of separate flowing elements. You can buy them in a store or make them yourself.
They are used as independent decor and can serve as a stylish addition to standard designs. These products can form a continuous fabric, from which they create a decoration in the form of a lambrequin.
