Curtains create a visual sense of comfort in the interior. They are used to decorate living rooms, bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms, kitchens, offices, administrative buildings and even shopping centers.
Basic classification of curtains
Before choosing one or another type of curtain, you need to have a clear idea of their types in order to choose exactly the same curtains that will delight their owners for a long time.
Curtains
They are straight long canvases, possibly with small folds when closed. As a rule, they are sewn from heavy, non-translucent types of fabric. The length of such curtains is up to the floor. This type of curtain is suitable for any interior, you just have to scrupulously approach the choice of material for such canvases.
Curtains (tulle, veil, organza)
They are also produced in the form of long vertical canvases, but unlike curtains, the curtain fabric is translucent. They can be made of tulle, veil or organza and are not able to fully protect the room from direct sunlight.
Jalousie
The main types of blinds these are constructions from vertical or horizontal lamellas that protect the room from sunlight and prying eyes. Depending on the type, the blinds can be made with lifting, sliding or turning mechanisms.
Lamellas can be made of plastic, fabric or pleated (corrugated material of different density).
Roll
A practical kind of curtains that came to Russia from Finland, where "white" nights often happen. Like the blinds, they have a lifting mechanism, but they are not separate plates, but a solid canvas.
Indispensable in small kitchens, as they are attached to the window frames and do not take up extra space. They come in a variety of colors and degrees of sunlight transmission.
Roman
In terms of functionality and appearance, they resemble roller blinds, but unlike them, in the assembled position they do not curl into a roll, but gather in neat folds.
Austrian
Well-chosen Austrian curtains will add luxury to any interior. They are distinguished by their special splendor and the presence of graceful folds. They have a lifting mechanism, thanks to which they gather at the top of the window, forming chic folds.
French
They consist of a single canvas, divided into several sections, each of which has a huge number of fluffy folds of fabric. They also have a lifting mechanism. The higher the curtain rises, the larger the folds become.
Japanese
They are flat vertical sheets of material up to 1.45 meters wide. The design has a sliding mechanism that works similarly to vertical blinds or sliding doors.
Thread
They can be used in any interior, since by independently decorating this type of curtain with beads of a certain color and size, you can get an excellent style solution for decorating a window opening. Filament curtains let in sunlight, giving the room warmth and coziness.
Cafe curtains
It is widely believed that this type of curtain was invented by French designers several decades ago. But what Russian person has not watched old Soviet films, where in the interior of the houses one could see curtains in half of the window?
Currently, the fashion for this type of curtain has returned with the only difference that the curtains began to be sewn not from chintz, but from a variety of modern materials, decorating them with ruffles and bows.
Curtains "Hourglass"
They got their name from the shape that resembles an hourglass. The canvas is attached to the frame from above and below along the entire width, and in the middle it is tied with a decorative ribbon, braid or tie.
Italian
They are distinguished by a high arrangement of grabs (about a third of the cornice), forming beautiful, but not very lush folds. This type of curtain is stationary, that is, they are constantly in the open position. Without additional curtains, they can be used in loft or minimalist rooms. For more classic interiors, they are used in tandem with tulle.
Photocurtains (with photo printing)
They appeared relatively recently, but have already gained popularity among fans of frequently changing the surrounding interior, since without re-sticking the wallpaper they can radically change the style of the room.
Combined
You can combine curtains by color, texture, light transmission. For example, a combination of curtains and curtains looks very beautiful - this window design looks very rich and at the same time very functional, since it allows you to regulate the penetration of the light flux by closing one or another type of curtain, depending on the desired result.
Varieties of materials
Below is a description of the materials from which modern manufacturers make canvases.
Curtain fabrics
Curtain fabrics should be dense enough not to let in sunlight and flow beautifully, forming large folds.
Blackout
This type of fabric consists of two layers. On the side of the room there is a decorative material that fits well into a specific interior, and on the seamy side there is a light-proof and reflective layer. Such curtains will protect the room not only from the penetration of unwanted sun color, but also excessive heat.
Velvet
Velvet curtains look very elegant and rich. It is not for nothing that the curtains on the windows of the royal people were used precisely in the performance of velvet. Velvet can be applied both independently and with a scattering of pearls or beads, it can be supplemented with embroidered patterns or tassels.
Jacquard
It has been produced since the beginning of the 19th century and is a very durable fabric that is not subject to abrasion and deformation during washing. It is a material densely embroidered with all kinds of patterns. Jacquard curtains are not cheap, because the production of such fabric is a very laborious and expensive process.
Linen
This type of curtain was returned to the interior by modern designers at the peak of the popularity of environmentally friendly materials, as it refers to natural fabrics. Fits well into many modern interiors without overloading them with a large number of patterns.
Atlas
Differs in special chic and nobility. Satin canvases shine when changing the angle of refraction of light, which fascinates and attracts the eyes of households and guests.
Taffeta
It was widely used in ancient Persia and Byzantium. It is obtained by weaving artificial and natural fibers. Like atlas, it has an enchanting brilliance.A very durable and durable fabric that is also water-repellent.
Mat
Refers to natural fabrics. It has a rough texture with a cruciform weave of threads. This material, modest in appearance, fits perfectly into the interiors of eco, loft, minimalism styles, when combined with other types of fabrics, it will suit any modern design.
Curtain fabrics
This type of curtain should be airy and graceful. Suitable for rooms with north-facing windows, residents of regions with short daylight hours or just all lovers of sunshine.
Tulle
When choosing tulle for curtains, you should take into account the color scheme of the room, imagine how this type of curtain will fit into the interior of the room and pay special attention to details such as the appropriateness of accessories in the composition of such curtains, the degree of drapery and the length of the canvases.
Veil
An airy, weightless veil is well suited for curtains in the kitchen, bedroom, living room and children's rooms. This type of curtain will give the interior a magical sense of coziness. The veil of gentle pastel colors looks especially unique.
Organza
Another kind of light airy material. For happy people with a picturesque view outside the window, organza curtains will become an indispensable piece of furniture, because they are able to gently scatter sunlight without blocking the overall panorama.
Kiseya
These curtains will perfectly fit into the interior of romantic, calm, pedantic natures who like to keep everything in its place, and the perfect vertical lines in the window decoration will help them get a sense of satisfaction from their own home.
Other materials
Modern manufacturers of various types of curtains do not lag behind designers and, in addition to standard canvases, offer exotic design options for window openings.
Reaper
It is not exposed to absolutely any external influence and, under no circumstances, does not lose its shape. Such curtains are ideal for bachelors or women whose greatest desire is not the long exhausting ironing of huge cloths after washing.
PVC (plastic)
Currently, this type of curtain is presented in various colors and sizes. It is not recommended to use it in living quarters, but when decorating a bathroom, plastic curtains have no equal, since they do not get wet even with the most intense shower. You can also use these curtains to decorate the gazebo in the country.
Wooden
With the skillful selection of wooden canvases, the effect of completeness in the design of the room will be created. For this, wooden types of curtains must harmoniously fit into the interior and be combined with pieces of furniture.
Bamboo
Eco-friendly, easy-to-use and relatively inexpensive curtains. Suitable for those who are tired of the standard window decoration with fabric curtains.
Paper
The modern type of curtains that breaks all the stereotypes of people's ideas about window decoration. Such curtains are not durable, but they are much cheaper than fabric or wooden counterparts. In addition, with a strong desire, such curtains can be made independently.
Types of curtains
In addition to the variety of materials, manufacturers offer a wide selection of curtain opening mechanisms.
Sliding
Classic canvases moving horizontally along the cornice.
Panel curtains
Unlike sliding panel types of curtains, they do not have folds and flounces. Screen panels diffuse light well, so with windows facing south, you can not push the panels apart even during the day.
Lifting
These types of curtains are the most compact, as they are collected at the top of the window either in a roll or in folds and do not take up extra space.
Smart curtains
The so-called "smart" curtains. You don't even have to go to the window to open such curtains. It will be enough just to press the button of the remote control and the mechanism will do everything by itself.
Photo gallery
Window decoration is primarily an indicator of the owner's taste. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of curtains with no less care than the choice of furniture.