Choosing curtains – current proposals and original ideas

Recommendation points

• Roman curtains
• Functional roller shutters
• Japanese curtains or minimalism in action
• French curtains
• Blinds made of aluminum, plastic, bamboo, wood and fabric
• Pleated curtains
• European country or alpine window decoration option
• A boring classic

In this article we will tell you about the variety of offers that exist today in the market for “clothing for windows”. Consider such current and popular options as Roman blinds, blinds, French puffs, roller shutters, pleated curtains, curtains in Japanese, Mediterranean and Alpine styles, as well as classic options. We will study the advantages and disadvantages of each type of curtain, as well as the average cost of one or another option.

A window without a curtain is often compared to a painting without a frame – even the most beautiful view will not correct the situation, and the interior will still look unfinished. At the same time, the usual light curtains made of tulle seem already banal and boring, you want something new and more original, most suitable for the interior design of your room..

Well, today manufacturers offer a lot of unusual and at the same time functional options that will allow you to turn your window into a small work of art and at the same time solve the issue of protecting your home from sunlight and prying eyes..

Roman curtains

Despite its rich history dating back more than one millennium, Roman blinds remain a very relevant option for window framing. Their advantages include functionality, simplicity and elegance. They scatter sunlight gently, creating a special atmosphere in the room..

A Roman blind in the interior is a small cornice (by the size of a window opening), on which an even canvas is held. The fabric is horizontally pierced with special control rods, which help to create uniform folds when the curtain is raised. At the bottom of the canvas, a weighting agent is sewn in, preventing the fabric from curling.

You can raise or lower a Roman blind to any height, for example, to the middle of a window. Such a curtain is regulated by a cord or chain mechanism – for lifting it is enough to pull the cord or chain from the side.

Another plus of the Roman shade is a huge selection of materials and colors. Such a curtain can be transparent, dense, monochromatic, or decorated with large geometric shapes. Roman shades can be used together with a light tulle curtain, replacing the usual thick curtains.

The cost of a Roman shade depends primarily on the material used and usually ranges from 1,500 to 7,000 rubles. Remember that a Roman shade requires much less fabric than a classic curtain. True, you can only wash such a curtain with sewn-in hard edges with your hands..

Roman blinds are usually divided into classic and cascading. Classic in the lowered state represent an even canvas, and uniform folds remain on the cascading

Functional roller shutters

It is customary to call roller blinds roller blinds, which, unlike Roman ones, are attached directly to the window sash. Their main advantages are compactness and laconicism, thanks to which roller shutters will perfectly fit into a modern interior in the contemporary or minimalist style..

When assembled, such curtains are a compact roll, which is placed at the very top of the window, parallel to the frame. Unfolded, they are a rigid canvas. Plastic fasteners for roller shutters can be hung very easily, as well as removed, and the curtain itself can be easily cleaned right on the window. You can also choose a special reflective or light-diffusing fabric and your room immediately gets noticeably cooler..

Roller blinds can be operated both manually and using the remote control, if a special electronic mechanism is built into the roll. Depending on the selected canvas and size, the price of roller shutters varies from budget 400 to 4500 rubles.

The only drawback of roller shutters is the need to make a preliminary order – they must exactly match the size of the window sash that will be decorated. However, calling the measurer is usually a free service, and the ability to choose the appropriate type of canvas with the pattern you like during the measurement process allows you to fit roller shutters into almost any style of interior.

In this case, the color of the roller shutters is ideally matched to the shade of the kitchen fronts. But it is possible to use such roller blinds, which are increasingly replacing conventional blinds, not only in the kitchen, but also in any other room of the house. If this option seems too laconic to you – the window can be additionally decorated with a light transparent fabric – you definitely do not need thick curtains

Japanese curtains or minimalism in action

The strict and laconic curtains-panels were invented by the Japanese, who are accustomed to the modest, but at the same time, elegant decoration of their homes and the lush folds on the windows simply do not accept. Technically, Japanese curtains can be used on windows of any size, but look best on large windows, panoramic glazing. They can easily replace sliding doors or a screen.

Japanese curtains, also called Japanese panels or blinds, are great for creating minimalistic interiors or Japanese-style rooms. Such a curtain looks like a screen or screen that completely covers the window. The Japanese curtain is a system of tulle or fabric absolutely even fabrics. The fabric is attached to a special multi-layer cornice, along the lower edge there is a bar for weighting, which does not allow the canvas to rise and makes it perfectly flat.

Japanese curtains, unlike Roman or roller shutters, do not rise up, moving only to the side, like a panel or screen. In case of movement, one panel goes over another, being attracted by a hidden cord. The principle of operation is similar to vertical blinds, only without the swivel mechanism.

For the manufacture of Japanese screen or panel curtains, lightweight natural fabrics – linen and cotton are ideal. Bamboo straws, jute are also often used, as well as fabrics with the inclusion of coarse, unprocessed fibers – this option is perfect for the eco-style popular today..

Japanese curtains allow you to combine canvases with different patterns and shades on one window, sometimes fabric with a plot pattern or a large geometric pattern is used.

It is easy to take care of Japanese curtains – just remove them from the eaves and wash them with soapy water, of course, by hand. Light fabric dries already on the window, you usually do not need to iron.

The cost of Japanese curtains depends on the quality of the fabric used and the country of origin. The most affordable cost of one running meter of such a curtain is 600 rubles. Japanese curtains of German or Italian production can cost from 3000 rubles per running meter. Usually, such curtains are made to order, strictly according to the size of the window opening.

Due to their similarity to panels, Japanese curtains are often used to decorate panoramic windows, occupying the entire space from ceiling to floor and easily sliding to the side, open a beautiful view

French curtains

This sleek alternative to the usual curtains with lush folds, of course, is absolutely not suitable for laconic minimalism or too modern high-tech. But for a rather lush “palace” baroque or interior with a claim to historicity will suit perfectly.

French curtains are a classic type of curtains, visually divided into separate sections, which are formed from even folds of fabric in the shape of a semicircle. French curtains always look very voluminous, unusual and representative, they can be either lifting or static.

Such lush curtains can be made more airy by using light transparent fabrics when sewing. The material should be elastic enough so that the drapery on the French curtain lies in smooth folds. It is better to choose a monochromatic material – in the numerous folds, the pattern will still not be visible.

The folds on the French curtains can be periodically vacuumed, and if the chosen fabric permits, washed. The cost of curtains depends on the selected fabric, but the consumption of materials is quite large – the size of the fabric for sewing should be one and a half times the length of the curtain rod and twice the height of the finished curtain.

Real Versailles chic – French curtains in the living room

Blinds made of aluminum, plastic, bamboo, wood and fabric

Blinds are used today in both office and residential premises. Compact, perfectly protecting the room from sunlight and prying eyes, blinds are considered one of the most practical and affordable window decoration options..

The simplest and at the same time cold and quite office option is plastic or aluminum blinds. In a living room, this window design is best combined with light curtains, which will make the interior more homely and cozy. The cost of horizontal plastic blinds depends on the size, they are attached directly to the window frame and must strictly correspond to it. The average cost of one square meter of plastic or aluminum blinds is about 200 rubles.

In a Mediterranean style interior or in an eco-design room, wooden blinds will look great. The widths of the slats (parallel stripes on the blinds) made of natural wood are 25 and 50 millimeters. The cost of wooden blinds is much higher than that of their “colleagues” made of plastic or aluminum and reaches 2 thousand rubles per square meter. The price of wood blinds depends on the width of the lamellas (50 mm more), as well as the selected type of wood. This type of blinds also includes bamboo products, which will bring an element of oriental exoticism into the room. Bamboo blinds cost from 440 to 3200 rubles per “square”.

Another type of blinds are curtains made of strips of fabric. Such dense fabric strips are also able to turn at an angle, allowing access to sunlight. In the manufacture of fabric blinds, polyester is used, which does not fade in the sun. Blinds made of such material can be transparent, translucent and opaque. The cost of one square meter of fabric blinds varies from 380 to 500 rubles.

The disadvantages of blinds include the need for hand washing and cleaning, in addition, a layer of dust quickly forms on the horizontal slats.

With the help of easy control of blinds, you can create a pleasant twilight in the room, and a large selection of colors allows you to experiment with window design

Pleated curtains

Pleated blinds are very similar to ordinary horizontal blinds, but at the same time they consist of a continuous cloth of pleated, that is, folded “accordion” fabric or thick paper. They appeared in Germany several years ago and immediately became very popular due to their original appearance and functionality..

The advantages of accordion curtains include the optimal distribution of sunlight and a harmonious combination of clarity of lines and softness inherent only in fabric curtains. In addition, they are great for use on irregularly shaped windows – round, triangular or arched..

Pleated blinds are flexible, repeat the shape of the window opening, and are almost invisible on the window due to the small fastening profile. They are attached very easily, as well as removed. No drill or screws are required to attach paper curtains. Fabrics will require more reliable, but also very simple fastening.

The width of the stripes varies from 2 to 6 centimeters. Accordion curtains can be vertical, but horizontal are more widespread.

Modern technologies make it possible to apply any patterns to pleated curtains, thanks to which they can become a bright detail of any interior. There are day-night options, when almost transparent decorative curtains remain on the window in the daytime, and a reflective layer is lowered at night, which will not allow the sun to wake you up early in the morning..

Pleated blinds, like roller shutters, can be controlled either remotely or with a chain or cord. It is possible to install a system that will automatically close and open the curtains at a set time or react to the light level in the room. It is very easy to care for such curtains, as they usually use fabric that repels dust. They can simply be wiped directly on the window with a damp and soapy sponge..

Immediately, we note that pleated paper curtains are usually used as a temporary option, for example, to protect a window during repairs. However, depending on the appearance and quality of the paper, it can become a permanent “clothing” for the window. Accordion curtains made of paper cost about 220 rubles for a canvas measuring 91 by 182 centimeters. There is no need to order paper pleated blinds in advance – you can make them the desired size at home using an ordinary sharp knife.

The price of pleated fabric curtains is much higher – from 4000 to 9000 thousand rubles per square meter, depending on the quality of the selected material.

Pleated curtains fit perfectly into any interior, as they are almost invisible on the window if you have chosen a plain fabric. Go well with light classic curtains

European country or alpine window decoration option

Looking at these curtains, which in the window opening look like an upturned bow or hourglass, only one epithet suggests itself – “very cute”. Curtains – hourglass can be used not only to decorate windows, but also to frame a doorway or glass door of a kitchen cabinet.

This type of window decoration is often called “alpine-style curtains” or “European country”. Indeed, in a chalet house or kitchen in the style of the American Wild West, such curtains will be more than appropriate, although curtains – an hourglass can be easily imagined in a Scandinavian interior.

Such curtains are attached directly to the window opening, on two thin rods or strings, in the middle they are assembled into an easily recognizable hourglass shape with the help of a bow, cord or ribbon.

It is not difficult to make such curtains with your own hands, the consumption of fabric is minimal, and in the middle they can be decorated with flowers from fabric or a cute bow made of material of a different color. The main thing is to strictly measure the length and width of the window sash on which the alpine curtains will take their rightful place.

To wash the curtains in European country style, simply remove them from the rod or string. The cost, as in all previous cases, depends on the material chosen and the size of the curtain, although it is usually quite affordable, since very inexpensive cotton or chintz can be used for sewing alpine curtains.

Plaid, strip, plain beige fabric – typical colors for such cute European country style curtains

A boring classic

Classic curtains do not have to be a standard sheer curtain gathered on the eaves and two thick curtains on the sides. There are such bright and memorable options as:

1. Italian curtains that do not fully extend, but are pulled together with cords that run diagonally to the cornice.
2. Austrian curtains – resemble a stricter version of French puffs, gather at the bottom in rather lush folds – scallops.
3. The bishop’s sleeve – curtains with a large overlap, the fabric is twisted in one place, and above the place of the tie, a form swelling with a small bubble remains. Really resembles the sleeve of the ceremonial dress of a minister of the Catholic Church.
4. Crossed curtains – in general, ordinary classically transparent or thick curtains, two canvases of which are connected along the upper edge and diverge downward on opposite sides of the window.
5. Imperial curtains are fixed small asymmetric folds that have an exclusively decorative function, since they cannot protect from the sun’s rays.
6. Cafe-style curtains. This is how, it turns out, the curtains that are quite familiar in our country are called, which many saw in their grandmother’s house – a short curtain with a fold on the cornice and two curtains sliding to the sides on a rod or ordinary fishing line in the middle of the window.
7. Lambrequins are a decorative element that completely hides the cornice and represents the flowing folds of matter. There are several types of lambrequins, and they can be used not only in combination with a light curtain or curtains, but also by themselves, as a decor for a window opening.
8. Puffs mean fluffy folds that are located vertically, and are created from the curtain fabric by intercepting at equal distances and tying with a cord to the cornice. The difference between puffs and classic French curtains is that in this case, folds are formed at the bottom of the canvas, and not along the entire length. Rise like a regular blind, forming even fuller folds when compressed.

Beautiful symmetrical folds of the lambrequin are ideal for classic interiors, including modern classics

Puffs will give the room a special French charm, although in a modern interior such an abundance of lush folds is not always appropriate

As you can see, today the choice of curtains is not limited to banal transparent curtains or white blinds. What to choose for your window – laconic functional roller shutters, cute alpine curtains or representative French puffs – you decide. We just talked about the options that designers consider the most relevant today..