Balcony curtains: types and recommendations for choosing

A balcony is a very important room in everyday life. However, “in its pure form” (without additional decorations) it looks boring. It is important to know what the curtains on the balcony should be and how to choose and use them correctly.

Typical apartment layouts usually include balconies in living rooms or bedrooms. Because of them, it is difficult to maintain any clear style. But with the help of a properly selected curtain on the balcony, you can achieve a very pleasant and effective appearance. You just need to think over everything as strictly as possible.

It is not a hindrance for both hinged and hinged doors. Of course, it is also necessary to ensure that the curtain matches the chosen design style. When they don't fit in, no beauty helps. The next important requirement is the minimum limitation of the luminous flux. Full natural light should be provided in any case.

Some owners and even professional designers like to work with asymmetrical curtains. Sometimes this solution allows you to make the most mediocre interior better. But asymmetry must be used thoughtfully so that it doesn't make the curtain look unnatural. It is inappropriate to hang very bright curtains over balcony windows. And, of course, the decision should be coordinated with all family members.

The traditional solution is to combine a lightweight curtain with a thicker curtain.The thickened fabric is located at the edges during the day (as a decoration), and closes the window with the onset of darkness.

French curtains recommended for simple balconies with high and wide windows. The characteristic features of the French curtain are the lightness and airiness of its texture.

It is also important to remember that these curtains come with a full length gather. They form narrow scallops evenly distributed along the vertical. An ordinary French curtain is made in a suspended type. It is not difficult to assemble it and thereby increase the illumination of the room. Since light fabrics are used in this type of curtain, a number of graceful folds immediately appear, and sharp corners and folds disappear.

Most French curtains are painted in cold, not too bright colors. This gives them calming effect. To create a romantic mood, Austrian curtains are better suited. They differ from the French in minimal solemnity.

A characteristic feature of this type of curtain is the presence of a soft bottom fold. It is as close to the floor as possible. It is customary to call such a design decision a buff. Some puffs are made of shiny fabric, so they look even more interesting on a sunny day. But there is one more, no less interesting view - Italian curtains.

Such curtains are extremely beautiful, but therefore do not lose their functionality. They are recommended for those wishing to enjoy both luxury and unique style. Even the simplest types of Italian curtains look charming. This design solution has a long history - it began to be used back in the 18th century. It immediately shows the excellent taste and high social status of the owner.

It is difficult to confuse an Italian curtain with something else, because it has an atypical appearance. It is a pair of vertical canvases that are joined from above. The connection can be made both close and overlapped - depending on the wishes of the manufacturers.

The lower part of the Italian curtain is located on the floor. Grips are predominantly placed at the top, only occasionally there are exceptions. Typical fixation of curtains involves lifting them diagonally to form semicircular folds. Sometimes the Italian curtains are equipped with a pair of right and a pair of left hooks. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical arrangement of them can be used.

An Italian curtain is rarely designed for shear, in most cases it is rigidly fixed. Therefore, it will be necessary to hang additional curtains, otherwise it is impossible to prevent excessive illumination of the room. The use of accessories is widely practiced. But all decor must necessarily demonstrate the same sublime and aristocratic style.

The modern variation of Italian curtains is different:

• rather short length of the canvases (sometimes they only reach the windowsill);
• asymmetrical arrangement of grabs and draperies;
• crossing canvases or hanging with a gap, and not placing them close to each other;
• limited use of decor.

The next option for the balcony is blackout curtains. This is a unique invention that has appeared relatively recently, which raises comfort to a new level. You can use a blackout curtain even if the windows face south. Then no brightness of sunlight will wake up in the morning.

This type of curtain was invented in Finland, where the polar day and the white night caused many problems for the locals. Compared to ordinary thick curtains, blackout is much nicer to look at. Rather, it looks like a chic silk canvas. Coloring and design vary greatly depending on the intent of the designers.So far, firms do not precisely disclose the technology for obtaining a blackout, but it is known that it consists of 2 or 3 layers of matter.

What is important specifically for the design of balconies, this canvas dampens extraneous sounds. It also doesn't burn. The so-called London curtains. They have a very simple design (without any puffs and scallops), but prints or bright drawings are used in the design.

In addition to the specific design, it is important to pay attention to the fabric that was used for sewing balcony curtains. It is not necessary to choose just the traditional lightweight organza or tulle. Natural cotton and linen have a very good reputation.... They are widely used in roller blinds. Linen is initially strong, when wet it becomes even stronger and reliably protects from the sun's rays.

Roman blinds are sewn mainly from velvet or velor. The dense structure of these materials will perfectly help even on a hot sunny day. In terms of reliability and durability, it is difficult to find alternatives to synthetic curtains.

Products polyester reliably contain the spread of ultraviolet rays. But even they are inferior to blackout curtains, especially when you consider the aesthetic properties.

The thread varieties also deserve attention. They are divided into several subtypes:

• simple monotonous muslin;
• dense fiber products;
• rainbow products;
• threads based on stones, beads and beads;
• threads with bugles and lurex.

Beads and butterflies instantly transform the most "boring" canvas, excite the imagination and stir up interest.

Observing these conditions, it is easy to "introduce" a cotton curtain into a wide variety of interiors.

Continuing the review of the various options, it is worth paying attention to tarpaulin curtains. It only seems that these products are unassuming and outwardly unprepossessing. If used skillfully, they will significantly improve the environment. The canvas curtain perfectly keeps flies, mosquitoes and other "uninvited guests" away. It is also possible to mask the flaws in building structures and decorative elements. Another useful property of tarpaulin fabrics - the ability to hold back the cold wind.

Bamboo curtains are distinguished by their original and even unique look. It is appropriate to use them in ethnic styles of the interior. Bamboo canvas can decorate the simplest room and make it more beautiful. Bamboo blends perfectly with other natural fabrics. In modern interiors, it is mainly used for roller blinds.

It is appropriate to end the review at hourglass curtains... They can be made from a variety of materials, the color does not matter either - only the shape is important. A piece of fabric is fixed at the top and bottom, and its size is identical to the size of the window or door opening.

By varying the density of the fabric, the curtain can be adapted to different light levels.

Whatever the type of curtains, it is necessary to answer one more question, whether they should be short or long. Determining the appropriate size is more correct not with a tailor's tape, but with a steel tape. An accurate calculation is made taking into account:

• the length of the cornice;
• fabric gathering factor (sometimes referred to as puffiness factor);
• allowance for sidewall processing.

With the correct installation of the cornice, it is extended to the left and right by 0.2-0.25 m from the window border. The more airy the fabric is used when sewing curtains, the more folds are allowed. But it is not recommended to do too many of them: this can make it difficult to perceive texture and large prints. It is imperative to add when calculating the "overlaps" of the drawn curtains.

As for the length of the curtains, they are divided into 4 types:

• reaching the floor;
• lying on the floor in a train;
• ending at the level of the windowsill;
• lowered below the windowsill by 0.1-0.15 m.

But the height of the curtain is also determined by the method of processing the upper edge, that is, by the suspension method. It must be remembered that any fabric will "shrink" over time, and this happens after any wash. The width of a roll of light fabric is most often 2.8 m. When the height of the curtain corresponds to these figures, the calculation of the required volume of fabric is not difficult.

The size of the curtain should also be selected taking into account the size of the balcony itself. If it is small, you need to hang short curtains that cover only double-glazed windows. The cornice will be attached to the ceiling or to the transom. Then no more than 0.02-0.04 m will remain from the canvas to the glass, and the space will be fully used. But on spacious balconies it is quite possible to hang long curtains.

Deciding on the design of the curtains, be sure to remember that dark fabrics get very hot. If the choice is still made in favor of such tones, it is advisable to use double-sided textiles, the light part of which turns outward. Light colors help to expand the space visually. If the curtains are covered with small ornaments, they will make the interior lighter and more pleasant. It is also necessary to make a choice between cold and warm tones (here they are guided exclusively by personal tastes).

Vertical stripes will help increase the height of the balcony, and horizontal stripes will make it longer. At the same time, we must not forget that the curtains should merge with the decoration of the apartment as a whole. Such drawings are popular:

• floral and floral motifs (they refresh the atmosphere and make it more pleasant);
• monograms (add elegance and look appropriate in the most luxurious surroundings);
• geometric patterns (they will definitely look unusual).

For all the importance of color and patterns, it is necessary to pay attention to the stylistic variety of curtains. It depends on her whether she will fit into the interior or not. Recently, designers are increasingly turning to ideas for decorating a room.t in a rustic spirit. Therefore, balcony curtains style provence, country are becoming more popular. They are characterized not only by soft pastel colors, but also by the use of strictly natural fabrics.

Another important feature is the presence of curls and lace details. It is very good if the country curtain is sewn from natural linen. The Provencal direction can be considered as a branch of country, but it is more sophisticated.

Lovers of classic design solutions should pay attention to curtains in the spirit baroque and rococo. They are made of heavy fabrics and have lambrequins. Often the canvas is complemented with gold and silver threads. This solution is suitable for those who want to turn their room into a true "palace". An additional emphasis on luxury can be made by choosing a hand-sewn canvas.

Rococo differs from baroque in that in such curtains the fabric should look emphatically heavy. It is necessarily covered with a golden ornament. If you like this design solution, but it seems too old-fashioned, you can use a compromise solution - choose an art deco style. More modern stylistic approaches are also popular. Curtains of this type cannot have variegated patterns or frivolous floral designs, fringes and lambrequins.

Style high tech is a logical continuation of the trends of modern style. It is also minimalistic, but it also implies crisp "chopped" shapes and angular features.

You can complete the overview of fashion trends on the curtains. oriental style. The most popular branch of it is the Japanese design. It is characterized by:

• airy matters;
• the most delicate shades;
• flower drawings with delicate petals.

Experts believe that it is undesirable to overlap the small piers to the left and right of the window with curtains. It is better to leave these places free, then the appearance of the room will not become heavier. If there is a desire to raise the curtains above the floor, then those canvases are ideal if there is a gap of 0.05-0.08 m from the bottom edge to the floor covering. When the distance is more or less, the appearance will be spoiled. If the ceiling is very low, it is worth hanging the lightest and lightest curtains on the balcony windows.

Among the colors, neutral colors are most in demand. And they are not chosen in vain: such tones on any balcony will look graceful and unobtrusive.

The optimal difference is 2-3 tones. It does not matter whether the color is lighter or darker.

Connoisseurs often advise to choose two-tone models. Such curtains can be easily combined with any tones. If there is a desire to make the room warmer, this can be realized with the help of light green, brown, yellow, golden curtains. It is especially important to choose these colors if the windows face north.

But when they do not fit into the style, you need to choose an ordinary transparent tulle. It is also necessary to take into account the geometry of a particular window. The easiest way is to choose a frame for a classic square opening. Curtains for a stained-glass window or for an arched window are much more difficult to pick up. Ordinary curtains are sometimes used, but the frame must be left 100% open.

Windows with balcony doors are usually decorated with two-piece curtains. You can use and Japanese vertical. For your information: the same option is also suitable for panoramic glazing. For decorating asymmetric windows, fabric curtains on a flexible cornice are recommended. Of course, you need to pay attention to consumer reviews.

Almost any canvas can be beautifully hung, the main thing is to know how. External grace directly depends on the choice of the cornice, which is especially important when decorating a balcony or loggia. Bulky cornices are definitely not suitable for balconies, since they create an unnecessary load. When choosing, they also pay attention its suitability for outdoor use.

However, the bar, despite its lightness, is poor due to its low compatibility with some fabrics. Telescopic solutions prevent damage to the window. In appearance, they cannot be distinguished from the rod ones, but the product can move apart and move as needed. String cornices are easy to recognize: the two brackets are connected by a string (and sometimes multiple strings). Such a product is advised to be used in rooms with minimalistic furnishings.

You can also pay attention to profile cornice (attached to the top) and baguette fasteners.

When it comes to materials, people will have to choose between:

• plastic;
• aluminum;
• stainless steel;
• forged metal;
• natural wood.

The installation of the cornice can be done in several ways. For this, the included in the kit are used:

• anchor bolts;
• dowels;
• liquid nails (if attached to the ceiling).

A standard set of mechanical fasteners includes:

• brackets;
• supports;
• decorative strips;
• decorative bowls;
• expansion dowels (usually 0.8 cm in cross section);
• screws.

Suspension of cotton curtains deserves special attention. The simplest option is to insert the barbell into the drawstring. When the edge has already been folded, you can use hooks or special tape. A special type of opaque tape will work to create perfectly straight folds. A very stylish solution is considered and use of hooks, clothespins.

The photo shows how a very light and translucent curtain can become an elegant solution. She is able to decorate even a very dark window.

To decorate a balcony window, you can also use such curtains of an attractive light yellow color.

But you can decorate the balcony window in a different way, using curtains of two different colors. It's easy to see that black and white contrast will be extremely attractive.

For tips on decorating a balcony from a designer, see below.