Types of curtains for the living room
There are so many types and configurations of curtains that you can really get lost among them. The living room allows you to experiment with the most complex and original solutions that might be inappropriate in the kitchen or bedroom.
Classic curtains
Traditional curtains with curtains or tulle are in no hurry to lose ground. Especially in classic interiors. They can be decorated with tassels, clips, tiebacks, lambrequins, and create complex multi-level compositions.
Italian curtains
Italian curtains resemble classic ones, but with one significant difference: they do not slide apart along the eaves. You can open the window using side holders and grab bars. This is another traditional decorative solution for lush and rich styles.
Austrian curtains
Their lower part is gathered into beautiful decorative folds. Height and rise are adjustable using ties, loops and rings. These curtains are very elegant and decorative.
French curtains
Another decorative design reminiscent of its Austrian “colleagues”. The difference is that French curtains are gathered to the very top, along the entire length. They fall in graceful rounded waves and immediately give the room an atmosphere of solemnity.
English curtains
Another variation on the theme of curtains with tiebacks in height, but while Austrian and French curtains can have many such tiebacks, English curtains traditionally have two of them - with small indentations along the edges. In the best traditions of strict British classics.
Roman curtains
The age-old solution is now more relevant than ever: the best illustration of the cyclical nature of fashion. This is a dense canvas stretched over a rigid frame, which rolls out close to the window. It can be fixed at any height, completely opening or tightly closing the window.
Japanese curtains
Japanese curtains resemble a screen or those classic oriental sliding partitions. Lightweight vertical panels are stretched onto a frame that runs along the window.
Blackout
Blackout curtains completely block out sunlight, which is why they are most often used in bedrooms. But this option may also be appropriate in the living room. For example, if you often host movie nights in a makeshift home theater.
Priscilla curtains
In everyday life they are called crossed curtains. The two draperies are completely connected at the top edge, and the ends are pulled apart in different directions. The material is mostly translucent, because such curtains greatly darken the room. But they look soft and elegant.
Curtains-cafe
The café curtain frame is mounted in the middle of the window, not above it. They are rarely found in houses and apartments. But they create a comfortable and cozy effect of uniform diffused light in the room.
Original ideas for decoration
Decorating a room with curtains can be varied. A creative approach and a little imagination provide unsurpassed options, you just have to want it. Below in the photo gallery are successful compositions and original ideas.
Thanks to the correct selection of curtains, you can smooth out the unevenness of window openings and transform their disproportionate sizes and non-standard shapes. You can decorate windows not only with curtains, but also with indoor plants. The main thing is the right combination in compliance with the chosen style, color scheme and features of the room. By observing all the subtleties of design techniques, the decorated living room will be magnificent.
Methods for attaching curtains
With roller blinds everything is clear: the design is worked out in advance. You just need to secure it above the window. But classic curtains can be attached in different ways. Fortunately, the living room allows this too!
Ties
The canvas is attached to the cornice using laces, ribbons or braid. This option is not suitable for very heavy fabrics, because the knots will constantly unravel. But elegant bows will only emphasize the elegance of an airy curtain or tulle with an openwork floral pattern.
Loops
Ready-made decorative loops immediately run along the top of the curtain, which are put on the cornice. They differ from ties in that they do not need to be tied by hand. The loops can be solid or with fasteners in the form of buttons, buttons, or Velcro. The quantity is calculated taking into account the width and weight of the canvas.
Backstage
The cornice is inserted into an improvised fabric tunnel, similar to the hood tightening principle. Due to the absence of hard fasteners, such curtains are the quietest, but they are difficult to remove for washing and drape beautifully.
Braid
Decorative braid is sewn on top of the curtain, which creates small and frequent uniform folds. This texture cannot be replicated using other fasteners. Keep in mind that the piece of fabric for the braid should be one and a half to two times wider than the window opening.
Eyelets
Eyelets are special rings inserted into holes along the top of the curtain. They can be made of plastic or metal. If you make them to match the fabric, the eyelets are almost invisible when installed. And their main advantage is textured and uniform folds even on heavy curtains.
Rings and clamps
Curtain rings are one of the most common solutions in Europe and America. They differ from eyelets in that they are attached to the top edge of the fabric, rather than being “built into” it. Therefore, it is easier to remove such curtains from the cornice.
Living room interior design: features and ideas (70 photos)
Photo gallery: options for the right color combination
The curtain pattern matches the living room walls
The curtain pattern repeats the wallpaper print
The main background of the curtains is lighter than the walls, and the stripes match the furniture
Thanks to the slight tint, the curtains look like an extension of the wall
The color scheme of the curtains is based on contrast - the light background is complemented by a print to match the furniture
The color of the curtains is matched to the color of the lampshade
The texture of the curtains perfectly complements the interior
The delicate pattern of the curtains complements the interior
The floral print of the curtains is made in the same color scheme as the Roman blind
Curtains for zoning the living room
Curtains and textile partitions are one of the classic ways of zoning space in the living room. Despite its simplicity, this solution has a number of advantages.
- Low cost. Even luxurious, expensive curtains are cheaper than complex stationary structures made of wood or glass;
— Easy to install. Hanging a curtain is much easier than installing a plasterboard partition. Anyone can do this easily;
- Mobility. If necessary, the curtains can be removed without leaving a trace. Of course, folding screens can also be removed, but even when folded they take up space, unlike a piece of fabric;
- Variety. Curtains can be easily changed according to the situation and mood. Updating textiles is the easiest way to refresh any interior;
- Easy to care for. It is enough to wash the curtains in the machine and hang them back.
But there are also disadvantages. Firstly, you will have to think about how to integrate the cornice into the ceiling structure. Secondly, textiles in the interior always require careful care, because even the most modern fabrics gradually absorb odors and dust.
Using curtains you can separate a soft corner, a work area, or an additional sleeping area. They will fit perfectly into combined studios for a symbolic separation of the kitchen, dining area, and living room itself.
Which material to choose
For curtains, both natural and synthetic fabrics and mixed fabrics are used. A small amount of synthetics mixed with cotton, linen or silk improves the performance characteristics of the material. Such curtains are easier to wash, they are more durable, do not shrink and wrinkle less. In addition, such fabric holds paint longer and does not fade from many washes and sunlight. If the windows face south, it is better not to hang 100% natural materials on them - they will quickly fade.
The density and texture of the material depends on your personal preferences. If you want the living room to be brighter, do not curtain the windows with thick and heavy materials, choose light tulle or organza. Thin silk or taffeta is suitable; such fabrics are denser, but they also transmit light well and drape beautifully.
If the living room has a bedroom area near the window, then quite reasonably there may be a desire to curtain it with thicker fabrics that do not allow too bright colors to pass through. Good quality heavy fabrics look beautiful and status, but require a spacious living room, otherwise they will weigh down the interior. Choose thick linen, wool, silk or cotton velvet.
Curtains in different interior styles
A variety of shapes, fabrics and colors makes it easy to choose curtains for the living room to suit any interior. Both luxurious baroque and technological futurism will not be left without beautiful and functional curtains.
Country romance
Country, Provence, chalet, shabby chic, boho and their variations are cozy and warm village houses. Choose natural fabrics, pastel shades, floral patterns, small and elegant decor. Flounces, openwork inserts, braid, and tiebacks look good.
Pay attention to all the curtains falling in waves: Austrian, French and even more austere English. For a rough living room interior, linen curtains are good. Even burlap can be used to good effect in country music.
Palace luxury
Lush Baroque, Rococo, Empire, palace classics - all this requires scope and monumentality. Choose expensive luxurious fabrics, because even capricious velvet will be appropriate here. Create complex multi-level compositions.
Use abundant gold and silver decor, heavy lambrequins, voluminous tassels, and tiebacks. Change organza tulle to natural silk with embroidery. And for the most luxurious classic interiors, curtains are sewn by hand.
Pragmatic minimalism
Stylish technological minimalism, ultra-modern high-tech and eclectic contemporary still do not refuse curtains in the living room. The shape and materials are not so important here, but feel free to experiment with textures and colors.
Combine different fabrics and create bright accents from curtains. The right choice of textiles is the best alternative to excessive decor that does not fit into the concept of minimalism. Even the most laconic living room will become creative and individual.
Cozy eco-trends
In recent years, eco-trends and the maximum rejection of artificial materials have remained in fashion. This is reflected in different directions: from the popular Scandinavian style to the decorative Mediterranean style. In addition to natural fabrics, use the same natural shades: beige, brown, sand, green, blue. Instead of abstract geometry, there are sophisticated plant motifs. Such curtains are good with loops and ties.
Artistic industrialization
Even a rough and pragmatic industrial loft still uses textiles. And especially its softer and more neutral “descendants”, such as grunge in the interior.
Pay attention to the long thick bright curtains that cover the entire wall from ceiling to floor. Extend a long cornice and leave a small niche in the corner, and then, if desired, the windows can be fully opened and the curtains hidden. Or use roll structures. Roman curtains of their coarse fabrics in discreet terracotta, graphite, concrete shades will fit into the loft like family.
Curtains for the kitchen (65 photos): types, beautiful ideas
Provence
To decorate windows in a living room with a delicate interior, it is better to choose curtains in the Provence style. This direction is a combination of naturalness, aesthetics, and special delicacy. The colors used are light: pink, beige, lavender, white. It is allowed to choose products with a floral pattern. A fabric tie can complement them.
The choice of material is determined by the size of the room, the number of windows and their configuration.
Curtains for a small living room
Voluminous, expressive curtains and multi-level compositions are unlikely to suit a small living room. When saving space comes to the fore, choose curtains that fit as closely as possible to the window.
A good and practical choice is Roman blinds. They are the most compact and functional, but at the same time many times more elegant than plastic blinds. Light French or Austrian curtains will fit into romantic interiors. But be sure to choose thin and airy fabrics.
The main rule for a small living room is the simpler the better. Avoid massive designs and too dense and heavy fabrics. If you need complete protection from the sun, it is better to pay attention to blackout curtains than to massive velvet curtains.
Selection of curtains depending on the shape of the window
Not all curtains that you like and that are fashionable this season can fit into the interior of the window in the living room. For example, metal-plastic blinds will not look aesthetically pleasing on classic wooden windows. To find out how to decorate a window in the living room appropriately, based on its shape, you need to use some tips:
- Narrow window. This type is not recommended to be decorated with voluminous curtains. Their presence will visually narrow the opening even more and create the impression of a cluttered, heavy space. Window decoration with tulle is the most suitable option for narrow structures. Roman or roller blinds are also suitable, the width of which will be slightly the width of the window, facing the walls.
- Wide window. Designers are faced with the task of visually stretching excessively wide windows vertically. The photo gallery presents options for a successful solution to the problem, which shows that Japanese, London or Austrian curtains are better suited for this type.
- Balcony window. Almost all living rooms in standard high-rise buildings have access to a balcony. Decorating windows with a balcony door involves decorating them with tulle without a significant pattern and straight classic curtains. It is better to decorate the side where there is a door with a lambrequin, so that when constantly opened, the curtain does not become unusable.
- Bay window. Such openings are considered a great advantage because of their unusualness and the opening view of the street. The design of bay window openings shows that the most suitable option is curtains of a single color for all parts of the window. Roman blinds, roller blinds, lambrequins and blinds will also be most acceptable. Symmetry should be observed in the colors and shape of the curtains.
Curtains for the living room - photo
Can’t finally decide on the choice of curtains for the living room and hall? Do not rush! We have prepared a large selection of photos for you. Perhaps this is where you will find your ideal option!
Curtains for the bedroom in a modern style (70 photos)
How not to make a mistake
Of course, the main criterion when choosing curtains is the taste of the owners. But modern style has its own laws that should be taken into account so as not to disturb the harmony and stylistic completeness.
For a small living room, you should not use curtains with multi-level lambrequins - various throws and swags.
A complex multi-level lambrequin is well suited for decorating a large living room, but will look ridiculous in a small room
They will look ridiculous and will visually make the living room smaller.
Draperies are not the best solution for a small living room
Avoid complex draperies - they overload the interior. In a small living room, you should not use curtains with large patterns, so as not to upset the stylistic balance.
