What is a cornice?
Very often a cornice is confused with a curtain. But these two decorative elements are very different and need to be distinguished in order to avoid mistakes in the design of the room.
So, a cornice is a device that is used for attaching curtains, drapes and tulle. Install them on the ceiling or the top of the window.
There are models that are mounted directly on the wall. It is the method of fastening that affects the type of cornice.
Wall designs in different interior styles
The impeccable harmony of the interior is ensured by the careful selection of each element. The cornice is no exception. There are many different options for each style. The choice depends on the characteristics of a particular interior. You can use the recommendations of professional designers:
- baroque - metal cornice with gilding, ornate tips;
- Rococo - metal structure with bronze finish and floral decoration;
- English – wooden model with elegant geometric tips, metal model with artistic forging;
- Japanese, Scandinavian, country - laconic wooden product;
- minimalism - profile, string or simple metal cornice;
- hi-tech – stainless steel construction, can be complemented with futuristic decor;
- modern - baguette models with decorative strips.
Laconic cornice for interior in minimalist style
These are just general tips. When choosing, you need to take into account the color scheme of the room, the type of decorative elements of the interior, the type and style of curtains that will be hung on the cornice.
The shade of the structure and its decor should be harmoniously combined with the furnishings and curtains. For example, a laconic metal cornice should not be combined with light curtains in a romantic style. And good-quality velvet curtains do not need to be hung on a plastic structure.
A simple model of a cornice for light curtains and drapes
It is important to consider the operating conditions of the structure. If the cornice is installed in a room with high humidity, temperature, or in a room that is not heated during the cold season, you should give preference to a polymer design. These models retain their qualities in any conditions. Despite the protective layers of metal products and high-quality processing of wooden structures, the risk of premature damage remains.
For unheated rooms, choose a plastic cornice
Decorative function of cornice
In addition to their functional function, cornices also perform a decorative function. If you look into history, this simple object was used only for fastening, and it did not represent anything worthwhile.
Often it was just a stick, without any patterns. It was easy to hang curtains on them, they did not fall and moved in the right direction.
But time moves inexorably forward, and curtain rod manufacturers create new models. Now these are not just devices for holding curtains, they are decorations for the room. The cornices are made in different styles and different colors.
Modern cornices can be called masterpieces of art. The products are so different and unique that they will decorate absolutely any room and complement any design solution.
Window cornices: types
Types of curtain rods help you make the right choice. Today there is the following classification: By method of fastening:
Wall cornices. The most common type of fastening. They are great for rooms with small window openings, where the ceiling is located very close to the window. In a modern interior it will look good with a suspended ceiling.
Ceiling. This design consists of several rows. Designers choose this look to work with the space of a small room. To prevent the system from collapsing, it is made of plastic. This allows you to reduce weight. There are a variety of shapes and colors available for sale. This makes it very easy to choose the right model and color.
Aluminum products
Aluminum curtains are usually found in two types:
- ordinary (round or square pipe);
- profile.
Aluminum curtain rods are relatively lightweight.
Aluminum profile hangers in their original form do not attract much attention. The point here is that manufacturers produce this cornice solely for functional purposes. Such products are suitable for hidden installation, as they are made in the form of guides.
In order to decorate the interior of the room, the guide is decorated with moldings or baguettes.
Thanks to the large selection of molding materials, its texture and pattern, aluminum guides are in great demand among urban residents.
Aluminum is coated with various compounds to impart an effective color or shine.
Aluminum is a metal, so you can hang heavy curtains, tulle and even a lambrequin on such a suspension. Mounting is carried out mainly on the ceiling. Due to its relative lightness, the guide can be mounted on drywall.
The weight of such structures is not very significant.
But for suspended ceilings, the ceiling guide is not suitable (unless the window has specially provided space for fasteners). In this case, it is better to mount it on the wall using special brackets. In this case, the front part of the curtain can be decorated with the same molding, or simply covered with colored tape.
Such structures are single-row, therefore, in cases where, in addition to curtains, you also need to hang tulle, lambrequin or blinds, it is necessary to mount two or three rows of such flexible structures in parallel.
Conventional tubular or square curtains are made of aluminum. This product is relatively lightweight and reliable. To impart aesthetic qualities, the surface is usually painted with a special paint. Such suspensions are mounted both on the ceiling and on the wall.
Decorative finials, made of the same aluminum, ideally complement the overall style of the interior.
See how bronze curtain rods fit seamlessly into the photo below. At first glance, it is not immediately clear that this is aluminum.
Colorful spraying coated with a special varnish gives the shine of natural bronze.
Materials from which cornices are made
- Wooden. This type has been popular for decades. But despite this, every year they become even more popular. The cornice is made from dense wood. They are durable and will decorate both large and small rooms. Such curtain rods are very heavy.
- Plastic . This option is the cheapest. Such cornices cost pennies, but they look very unusual. In addition, such cornices are produced in different colors. It is very easy to install such cornices, and besides, they are durable. Plastic is not afraid of temperature changes or humidity. But it’s better to buy light ones, they won’t fade in the sun.
- Forged. This type of cornices is not suitable for every interior. These are probably the best curtain rods . The design looks very good and can withstand any weight. The design of such a cornice is individual. To create something unusual, you need to contact a craftsman and order cornices based on an individual project. The cost of the product is very high and not everyone can afford it.
- Metal . This type is great for balconies and kitchens. They are made of aluminum. They do not require special care.
Beautiful window cornices can improve the interior of a room, hide repair flaws and highlight the room’s advantages. Of course, choosing the perfect cornice is not so easy and you will have to go shopping.
Types of curtains
It is important to understand that, along with the cornice, the curtains themselves make the main contribution to the design of the room. In addition, the type of curtains often influences the choice of a specific curtain rod model. Today there are a large number of curtains on the market - traditional and modern.
Classic
They are classic fabrics that are attached using clips, eyelets or Velcro.
While everyone has come across traditional options, curtains with eyelets appeared relatively recently. Their fittings provide for the creation of special slots in the upper part of the canvas, which are reinforced with metal rings so that the material is not damaged over time. It is through these rings that the curtains are placed on the cornice (pipe).
The advantages of this model are obvious:
- they look original and bring a fresh note to the interior;
- thanks to the rings, the curtains are very easy to put on the pipe;
- such curtains are easier to open, especially for kids - they easily slide along the pipe thanks to the wide rings;
- the risk of the canvas falling off the cornice is practically eliminated;
- curtains last longer - the fabric is not damaged by metal clips.
Such curtains are appropriate in different rooms - they look good in the kitchen and in the nursery.
Especially for children, you can use the option of curtains with loops - they are very convenient to open and close, and are almost impossible to tear off.
With the right approach to the matter, the hinges will serve not only as a fastener, but also as an element of the original decor of the room.
Roller blinds
They are also called roller blinds or roller blinds. These curtains rise up and roll up. This technology provides a number of advantages to these products:
- the lifting height can be fully adjusted (at any level);
- the curtains are fully drawn, which looks very attractive;
- the canvas can be selected exactly according to the size of the window, including very small ones (for example, in the attic or attic);
- Thanks to the ability to choose the density of the canvas, you can ensure the most comfortable influx of light - with semi-shading or full shade.
The choice of curtain designs today is extremely varied; it is possible to create an individual design with printing of a pre-selected pattern on special printers. Therefore, with the right choice of the curtains themselves and accessories for them, you can create a unique interior of the room, in which it will always be pleasant for the owners and guests to stay.
How to choose a cornice?
Before choosing a cornice, you need to work out several nuances that will help you make the right choice and not spoil the overall concept. Fashionable cornices and new items of the season may not always suit you. Nuances that will help you choose the perfect cornice
It is worth paying attention to: Interior design; Furniture color; Pattern and color of wallpaper; Type of tulle and curtains; The place where the cornice will be mounted; The fabric from which the curtains are made.
Examples
A few photo examples of how metal curtain rods look in a finished interior will help you make a more informed choice. Here are presented only the most popular options for both the models themselves and the methods of their installation, however, each room requires an individual approach and no one will forbid you to do it differently.
