Curtains on the balcony: types and recommendations for choosing

The 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 layout of apartments usually involves the placement of balconies in living rooms or bedrooms. Because of them, it is difficult to withstand any clear style. But with the help of properly selected curtains on the balcony you can achieve a very pleasant and spectacular appearance. You only need to think through everything as strictly as possible.

For both hinged and swing doors, doors, it is not an obstacle. Of course, you also need to ensure that the curtain matches the chosen design style. When they do not fit into it, no beauty helps. The next important requirement is the minimum restriction of the luminous flux. Full natural light should be provided in any case.

Some owners and even professional designers like to work with asymmetric curtains. Sometimes such a solution allows you to make better the most mediocre interior. But the asymmetry should be used carefully so that the curtain does not look unnatural because of it. It is impractical to hang very bright curtains over balcony windows. And, of course, the decision should be coordinated with all family members.

The traditional solution is a combination of a light curtain and a denser curtain.Thickened fabric is located at the edges during the day (as a decoration), and when dark, closes the window.

French curtains Recommended for simple balconies with tall 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 are assembled in full length. They form narrow, vertically evenly distributed scallops. The usual French curtain is made according to the suspended type. It is not difficult to assemble it and thereby increase the illumination of the room. Since lightweight materials are used in this type of curtains, a number of elegant folds appear immediately, and sharp corners and folds disappear.

Most French curtains are painted in cold, not too bright colors. It gives them soothing effect. To create a romantic mood, Austrian curtains are better suited. From French they differ in minimal solemnity.

A characteristic feature of this type of curtains is the presence of a soft lower fold. She is as close to the floor. Such a design decision is called a puff. Some puffs are made of shiny material, so on a sunny day they look even more interesting. But there is another, no less interesting view - Italian curtains.

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

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

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

The Italian curtain is rarely designed for a shift, 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 quite widely practiced. But the whole decor must necessarily demonstrate the same sublime and aristocratic style.

The modern variation of Italian curtains is different:

• rather short lengths of canvases (sometimes they reach only the windowsill);
• asymmetric arrangement of pickups and draperies;
• by crossing the canvases or hanging with a clearance, and not by placing them close to each other;
• limited use of decor.

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

They came up with this type of curtains in Finland, where a lot of problems were brought to the locals by the polar day and the white night. Compared to ordinary dense curtains, blackout is much nicer to look at. Rather, it looks like a chic silk canvas. Coloring and design are very different depending on the design of the designers.So far, companies do not precisely disclose the technology of obtaining blackout, but it is known that it consists of 2 or 3 layers of matter.

What is important for the design of balconies, this canvas damps extraneous sounds. It also does not burn. The so-called London curtains. They have a very simple design (without any puffs and festoons), but the design uses prints or bright drawings.

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 a traditional light organza or tulle. Natural cotton and linen have a very good reputation.. They are widely used in rolled curtains. Linen linen is initially strong, when wet it becomes even stronger and reliably protects from sunlight.

Roman curtains sew mainly from velvet or velor. The dense structure of these materials will help even on a hot sunny day. Reliability and durability make it difficult to find alternatives to synthetic curtains.

Products polyester reliably restrain the spread of ultraviolet rays. But even they are inferior to blackout curtains, especially considering the aesthetic properties.

Threading 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 fuel interest.

Observing these conditions, it is easy to “introduce” a filament curtain into a wide variety of interiors.

Continuing the review of various options, it is worth paying attention to tarpaulin curtains. It only seems that these products are unpretentious and outwardly unpretentious. With skillful use, they will significantly improve the situation. The tarpaulin curtain perfectly restrains flies, mosquitoes and other "uninvited guests". It is also possible to mask the shortcomings of building structures and decorative elements. Another useful property of canvas fabrics - ability to restrain cold wind.

Bamboo curtains are distinguished by their original and even unique look. They are appropriate to use in ethnic interior styles. A bamboo cloth can decorate the simplest room and make it more beautiful. Bamboo blends perfectly with other natural fabrics. In modern interiors, it is predominantly made of roller blinds.

Complete the review appropriately at hourglass curtains. They can be made of a variety of materials, the color also does not matter - only the shape is important. A piece of fabric is fixed above and below, and its size is identical to the size of the window or doorway.

By varying the density of the fabric, you can adapt the curtain to a different level of illumination.

Whatever the type of curtains, it is necessary to answer another question, whether they should be short or long. It is more correct to determine the appropriate size not with a tailor tape, but with a steel tape measure. Exact calculation is made taking into account:

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

With proper 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 material used when sewing curtains, the more folds are allowed. But to do too many of them is not recommended: this can complicate the perception of texture and large prints. Be sure to add in the calculation also "overlaps" of the drawn curtains.

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

• reaching the floor;
• laying on the floor with a train;
• ending at the window sill level;
• 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 method of suspension. It must be remembered that any fabric will “sit down” over time, and this happens after any washing. The width of a roll of lightweight material is most often 2.8 m. When the height of the curtain corresponds to these numbers, calculating the required volume of fabric is not difficult.

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

Determining the design of the curtains, it must be remembered that the dark fabric is 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 is turned outward. Light colors help to expand the space visually. If the curtains are covered with small ornaments, they will make the interior easier 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 to increase the height of the balcony, and horizontal ones will make it longer. At the same time, we must not forget that the curtains should merge with the design of the apartment as a whole. Such drawings are popular:

• plant and flower motifs (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).

Despite the importance of color and patterns, it is necessary to pay attention to the stylistic variety of curtains. It depends on her whether it fits into the interior or not. Recently, designers are increasingly turning to room decoration ideas.t in a rustic way. Because balcony curtains Provence style, country become 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. Provencal direction can be considered as a branch of the country, but it is more sophisticated.

Fans of classic design solutions should pay attention to curtains in the spirit of Baroque and Rococo. They are made of heavy fabrics, have lambrequins. Often the canvas is supplemented with gold and silver threads. This solution is suitable for those who want to turn their room into a genuine “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 stressed heavily. 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 colorful patterns or frivolous floral patterns, fringes and lambrequins.

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

You can complete the overview of fashion trends on the curtains. Eastern style. Its most sought after branch is Japanese decoration. It is characterized by:

• air materials;
• the most delicate shades;
• Floral drawings with delicate petals.

Experts believe that it is undesirable to cover the small piers to the left and to the right of the window with curtains. It is better to leave these places free, then the view of the room will not be heavier. If there is a desire to raise the curtains above the floor, then those canvases are ideal, from the lower edge to the floor covering of which there is a gap of 0.05-0.08 m. When the distance is greater or less, the appearance will be ruined. If the ceiling is very low, it is worth hanging the curtains as light and light as possible on the balcony windows.

Among the colors, neutral colors are most in demand. And they are chosen for good reason: such tones on any balcony will look elegant and unobtrusive.

The optimal difference is 2-3 tones. The color will be lighter or darker, it does not matter.

Connoisseurs are often advised to choose two-color models. Such curtains can be combined with any tones without any problems. If you want to make the room warmer, you can realize this with the help of light green, brown, yellow, golden curtains. It is especially important to choose such 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 to choose a frame for a classic square opening. Curtains for a stained glass window or for an arched window are much harder to choose. Ordinary curtains are sometimes used, but the frame must be left 100% open.

Windows with balcony doors are usually decorated with curtains, consisting of two parts. You can use and japanese vertical. Note: the same option is also suitable for panoramic glazing. For decorating asymmetric windows, fabric curtains on a flexible cornice are recommended. Sure, you need to pay attention to consumer reviews.

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

However, the bar, despite its lightness, is poor in low compatibility with some fabrics. Telescopic solutions eliminate window damage. In appearance, they cannot be distinguished from the rod ones, but the product can be moved apart and shifted as necessary. String cornices are easy to recognize: two brackets are connected by a string (and sometimes by several strings). Such a product is recommended for use in rooms with a minimalist atmosphere.

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

As for materials, people will have to choose between:

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

Mounting the cornice can be done in several ways. For this, the following are used:

• anchor bolts;
• dowels;
• liquid nails (if to be fixed on the ceiling).

A standard set of mechanical mounts includes:

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

Special attention should be paid to hanging curtains. The simplest option is to insert the barbell into the drawstring. When the edge is already folded, you can use hooks or a special tape. For the formation of perfectly even folds, a special type of opaque tape is suitable. A very stylish solution is considered and the use of clothes hooks.

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

To design a balcony window, you can use such curtains attractive light yellow.

But you can arrange the balcony window and otherwise, using curtains of two different colors. It is easy to see that the black and white contrast will be extremely attractive.

Tips for decorating the balcony from the designer see below.