The very first curtains on a doorway appeared among people in the Stone Age (and perhaps earlier). It was a skin that covered the entrance to the cave. For some time, the very idea of covering a doorway with fabric or other materials was irrelevant and was considered unnecessary or a relic of the past. This “relic” lasted the longest in villages or in the homes of “creative individuals.” Recently, a trend has emerged again - to decorate the doorway with drapes or curtains. This idea is not without meaning. Even taking into account the functionality of our homes.
How practical is this?
There are two options for using curtains for a door. The first option is that they serve as an addition: the doorway has both a door leaf (or doors) and curtains. Why do you need curtains in this case? For comfort, to make the atmosphere more intimate, to block the light, if the doors are glass, to reduce the penetration of noise. At the entrance to a private house or from the balcony - to reduce the number of insects, so that passersby look into the windows less. There are many more reasons, including “because I want it or like it.”
Doors cannot always be without curtains
The second option is when there are only curtains and no door itself. In this case, it is more a delimitation of space, although all other reasons are also present.
We weigh the pros and cons
As for the practicality of using door curtains, everyone decides for themselves. Here are a couple of notes so you can decide whether this is right for you.
- In families with children, many prefer to have doors because they dampen noise well and do not disturb the child's sleep. On the other hand, dense fabric will further absorb noise. By closing the curtain, you can also cut off the light from another room/corridor. But children love to tug on them or hide in the folds of the fabric. And one more thing: with a child in your arms, getting through doors with curtains is not very convenient, unless they themselves do not block the passage.
In some cases, curtains are simply irreplaceable - For adults, doors are not required. Especially if a person lives alone or is a couple. Only the doors to the bathroom are left in the apartment, the rest of the space is demarcated with curtains of different designs.
- A curtain instead of a door is an excellent solution if there is little space or the door is physically impossible to install. For example, the canvas can perfectly cover a built-in wardrobe - this is a budget replacement for sliding doors.
- Exit to the terrace is often made using glass doors. They are not always completely glass, but, in any case, the glazing area is large. Few people would agree to leave such a door without curtains.
The main advantages of curtains in a doorway are aesthetics, low price, and the ability to quickly replace them. By changing textiles and accessories, it is easy to change not just the color scheme, but even, to some extent, the style of the room.
Portal
A portal is a simple way of zoning. To implement such an idea you do not need to make any additional efforts. The door should simply not be installed or dismantled if present, and the opening should be left in its original shape. It can be covered with wallpaper, decorated with plaster, plastic or MDF panels. You can also add various cabinets and shelves if the apartment has little space for storing things.
Types of curtains in the doorway
In general, curtains are not the only name for fabrics (and not only) that cover a doorway. They also say drapes and curtains. Names in use in different regions mean the same thing. First, let's look at what materials doorway curtains are made of:
- From fabrics. The most common type with many variations.
- Fabric curtains with varying degrees of drapery, with and without lambrequins, with tiebacks on the sides at different heights and hanging freely. Can be hung on any curtain rods.
Along with the usual ones, there are creative ideas for designing doorways - Filament curtains. This is a new product that has a mainly decorative function. This is not fabric, in the full sense of the word, only knitted strips of different thicknesses, more like threads. Hence the name. This also includes wicker macrame curtains.
Thread or beads - decorative only
Japanese curtains. They differ in that it is a straight fabric with a rod inserted into the bottom to avoid wrinkles. Special guides are required along which Japanese curtains can slide without creasing or folding.
There are at least six types of curtains on the doors. In addition, there are still a variety of combinations. Roman blinds can also be hung on the door. They look great in some interiors, but in order to pass through, the door Roman blind must be raised. To do this, you need to pull the chain/rope. And then lower it behind you - again pulling on another rope. How many times will you do this? There is a very high probability that, after some time, it remains raised for a long time. And it will be lowered only if increased privacy is required. Which is also, in principle, not bad.
Blinds
You can aesthetically close a doorway with the usual blinds and their fabric subtype - roller blinds.
Plastic blinds
These products will be a good solution for decorating an opening, but they should be carefully selected to match the style of the interior. Models with printed patterns look original. Plastic blinds are easy to care for because they do not fill with dust like fabric curtains. They can be easily washed or wiped clean.
To decorate the opening, you will have to order blinds, since the standard height intended for windows will not work. The colors of the blinds are also varied, which opens up the possibility of matching them to the color palette of the room.
Idea! To make a door frame decorated with blinds look original, you can order a multi-colored version (each strip has a different shade).
Choice
If the room that you plan to cover with blinds has high traffic, then it is worth considering the option of vertical products - they can be moved aside by hand. If the room is not frequently visited, then horizontal blinds are also suitable.
Roller blinds
They are convenient because they fit tightly to the opening provided they are installed correctly. Roller blinds are varied in stylistic design, and the range of sizes is also impressive.
Due to the fact that they have a weighting material at the bottom, the position of the curtains when closed remains stable. Their key drawback, like blinds, is the duration of opening - you won’t be able to quickly get into the room, and this is not always convenient.
Multi-colored blinds for the opening - fresh and original
How to properly decorate an opening without a door with curtains
Let's talk a little about the selection of fabrics. If the aesthetic side is important to you, everything is clear - you choose from these criteria. If some practical component is required - shading, sound insulation - it is worth approaching the selection of fabric with practical standards.
You can even decorate the entrance doors with curtains
Ordinary fabrics for curtains are often called decorative. They can be smooth, textured, with different types of weave. They can be plain, embossed in the same color or with different patterns.
For darkening, there is another category - denser ones that transmit little light or cut it off almost completely. They are called “darkening” or maybe also called BlackOut. In the characteristics of such fabrics, in addition to the material from which it is made and the density of the weave, the degree of light transmission is indicated. The highest degree is 95-97% dimming. This means that such a curtain will practically exclude light from entering the room.
Select fabrics depending on what functions the curtain on the door will perform
For a greater effect of sound absorption or darkening, or so that the color of the curtains is different from different rooms, double curtains are made (example above in the photo in the center). In this case, the same opening will be decorated with red curtains on one side and beige on the other. Moreover, they do not have to be sewn around the perimeter. Two fabrics can only be sewn/joined at the top.
Curtain fabrics can be patterned
It is not necessary to use plain fabrics for door curtains. They can also have a pattern - floral print or geometry, checkered or striped. Floral curtains fit perfectly into country, shabby chic, and Provence interiors. The fabrics are usually lightweight; in addition to tiebacks, there may also be ruffle gathers.
Features of using curtains
A few main points:
- To visually expand the room, it is appropriate to use light, light and flowing fabrics, such as veil or organza.
- Curtains of a dark and deep shade will help correct the disproportionate width of the room.
- Interior canvases with small prints will visually expand the spatial boundaries, and products with large patterns, on the contrary, will narrow them.
- In small rooms it is not advisable to use heavy and complex curtain compositions with draperies.
Decorative curtains for the doorway
If the main function of door curtains is decoration, you can choose any type of curtains. Literally any will do. It is important that they fit into the decor and match in style.
Made from soft flowing fabrics
If the choice falls on fabric curtains, you can choose any fabric that suits the interior. They may be more or less draped. If you want a lot of draperies, the fabric should be soft and flowing.
Curtains in a doorway are most often hung on ordinary tubular curtain rods. You can hang it on one side of the opening (as in the photo below on the right and left) - this is what is done most often. There is another option. It is in the center in the photo - when the cornice is located in the doorway itself - from one edge to the other.
Curtains in the doorway are hung on tubular curtain rods
Notice the photo above on the right. An interesting idea is presented here - two canvases overlap each other. Each of them will cover the doorway in width, but they are hung so that the larger half of one overlaps the other panel. The tiebacks for door curtains must always be “in use”, otherwise you simply won’t be able to get out of the folds. But the drapery looks very interesting.
Pendants made of wood, bamboo
Decorative door curtains include thread curtains and hanging curtains. The latter can be wooden or bamboo, made of beads. There can be a variety of combinations of these materials.
Such curtains have only a decorative function
It is often thought that wooden and bamboo or wooden hangings do not fit into all interiors. It is clear that they look most harmonious in a country-style setting. But they will also be very useful in a modern style. You just need to choose more “technological” options for links and add at least one addition to the interior in the same color. Moreover, this “addition” does not have to be wooden. It is enough that the color is the same. An example in the photo above right.
A curtain instead of a door to the kitchen should be resistant to dirt. And these are definitely not fabrics. Bamboo curtains would be most appropriate here. They are not necessarily brown or have graphic patterns. They can have different designs that are more reminiscent of a painting or graphic object.
Bamboo curtains for the doorway can be patterned
Thread curtains and their options
Thread curtains in a doorway look good and they won’t cost that much. Now they offer a variety of shapes and textures of threads/strands and there are more and more of them every day. Still, this is a more stylish and easier to use alternative to conventional curtains, which are often hung on entrance doors in the summer.
Another type of decorative curtains on the door is thread
We rarely see hanging curtains made of metal links. But they are the ones that best suit modern styles and minimalism. The weight of the links makes them look different, even though they are the lightest alloy. They look different (pictured below).
It would seem, well, what curtains on the door can be in a modern style... But here are examples for you
Even in a technocratic style, an iridescent curtain will look good. By the way, there are similar curtains made of beads. Beads are not necessarily pink or colored. If they are painted with mother-of-pearl, they will fit perfectly into a modern style. And if they are matte and neutral colors, they will look great in a loft.
Thread curtains
The thread frame of the opening is typical for Eastern countries, but this technique has also taken root here. Thin threads on the base look original and fresh.
Often they have several beads strung on them or other decorative elements. Another characteristic feature is the brightness of the colors. On sale you can find options made from both natural and synthetic fabrics. They come in different lengths and thickness.
Important! A huge advantage of this decor is that the pendants can be washed.
Curtains for an interior arch
Doors are not placed in some openings, but the portal itself remains. It can have sharp corners or rounded at the top. The shape of the opening has little effect on the choice of curtains. It's more about the overall style of the interior. When are curtains needed? If we see two openings of different sizes, heights or shapes (photo below right). In this case, we remove the dissonance.
Curtains are usually used instead of interior doors if privacy for the room is not very important
Zoning is also emphasized with the help of curtains. Modern interiors are increasingly being designed as a single space. In this case, the demarcation makes the room more “homey”. Not everyone likes to live in a “theater” - coziness and adding draperies in the doorway.
Thick curtains between rooms will muffle sounds a little. Curtains, of course, cannot replace doors, but they cannot be compared in terms of installation complexity and price. In addition, doors are not always easy to install. If the door portal starts immediately from the wall, you will struggle with installing the door. This is a general problem with arches - besides the fact that the doors will be made to order at a special price, the installation will also cost a pretty penny.
The whole difficulty is to figure out what the curtains will look like
The photo above shows different types of draperies on arches. What should you consider when choosing the type of drapery? Of course, the height and width of the arched opening. The option on the left - with pompous drapery - is suitable only for very high ceilings. At a standard height, you won’t be able to arrange the folds this way. The option on the right is more suitable for low openings. And the cent is interesting because the opposite folds are sewn. But this is only for those curtains that are stationary and cannot move along the cornice. You shouldn’t do curtains between rooms like this - it’s very impractical - you need to move the fabric back every time. But you can completely cover the entrance to the dressing room.
Features of an interior without doors
A doorway without a door is a popular design technique. This is a practical and fairly inexpensive way to increase usable space and use it more intelligently. By choosing the right finish, you can turn an ordinary opening into a spectacular and unique interior detail.
In what cases would such a method be relevant?
- If necessary, separate the food preparation area from the living room area.
- When zoning large areas.
- When combining adjacent rooms.
We arrange access to a terrace or balcony
As mentioned above, doors to the terrace often have a very large glazing area. Some have only a frame made of wood, metal or plastic, the rest is glass. And not everyone has it mirrored or tinted. In this case, to maintain privacy, the glass must be covered with something. Usually this is one of the types of curtains.
Folds, folds, folds - this is what you often see at the doors to the terrace
Blackout fabrics will come in handy, although this is not necessary. Simply with their help you can make it “almost night” even during a bright day. What are the features? Here, of course, you can organize tiebacks (on racks/beams in the glazing), but more often they simply make free-falling large folds that move to the side. And their height is from floor to ceiling. And no lambrequins or other pomp, unless the style of the room requires it.
As an alternative to folds, you can consider Japanese curtains. There are no coattails here, just a flat canvas.
Japanese curtains on the terrace door: a more modern and stylish option
Japanese curtains require special guides that are attached to the ceiling. The canvases move along these guides. A metal or wooden rod is sewn into the lower part of the panels, which prevents the formation of folds. Here, in fact, is the entire device. These curtains have a more formal look and are suitable for modern, laconic designs.
Fashionable design
Among the fashionable new items this season, there are a lot of options that can be used to decorate the arch in the hallway. In principle, any model of curtains can be used for decoration. However, designers recommend considering the following:
- Translucent curtain models will turn the room into a spacious and free space.
- For narrow corridors, you should choose curtains with a vertical pattern, which is a fashion trend of the new season. The decor shown in the photo will visually increase the height of the ceiling.
- For a small hallway, it is recommended to purchase simple curtains without excessive decoration.
- If the corridor is dark, then it is better to use light-colored curtains on the arched opening.
Cornices for doorways
To decorate a doorway without a door with curtains, use ordinary cornices. There are no special features here. Just select the length of the crossbar and the type of cornice itself. It does not have to be tubular, but these are the ones that are used most often.
The simplest, most popular and inexpensive solution is tubular cornices
It’s more difficult if you want to hang curtains on opening doors, in particular on entrance doors. In this case, the curtain must move with the door or be hung on the side opposite to the direction the door opens. There are several types of similar door cornices. Movable, as in the photo below. One side of them is fixed on the wall next to the door or on the door frame, the second - on the door leaf. When opening and closing, the cornice rotates along with the door.
Movable curtain rods for door curtains are the most functional
For French doors with large glazing, there are short curtain holders. They are mounted directly on the sash above the glass. They are only a few centimeters away from the door leaf. The bad thing is that you can’t make large folds here, only small gathering.
Classic and Magnetic Curtain Holders for French Doors (Large Glass)
In order not to spoil the door leaf, there are magnetic holders for curtains (photo on the right). You glue magnets to the canvas, and the tubular cornice has metal plates. The curtain is small in size, weighs little and holds well thanks to magnets. You can also use a magnetic curtain rod to hang curtains on a glass door. I mean, no frame at all - just glass. Attach the magnets to the glass with glue. Here is the solution to the problem.
Magnetic curtains with mosquito net
There are different ways to escape from insects in your home or country house. One of them is curtains with mosquito nets. This is an aesthetic way to decorate your home and get rid of mosquitoes in the room. The mosquito curtain for the door consists of two panels that are connected to each other by magnets.
You can choose from a large number of colors and prints that are suitable for decorating a doorway in the hallway, summer kitchen or balcony.
Grids are convenient to use. When you walk into the room, the magnets are easily separated and connected in a straight line.
