You can fill the room with the most beautiful furniture and choose the best finishing materials, but without curtains, the interior will not find completeness and perfection. Curtains deserve to talk about them in detail.
Why do we need curtains?
The living room is a room for receiving guests, for celebrations and festivities. It is the face of the house, which is praised in front of friends. If it is uncomfortable, you are unlikely to want to visit again. When a person enters a room, he first of all looks at the windows, and that’s how it is. So the curtains are responsible for the first impression of the room. They’re the ones that make a room feel alive. And in this article we will talk about curtains in the living room.
Curtains have an ancient history. Even in Mesopotamia they draped the windows and doors. And today, just like then, curtains perform several functions:
- protect from the wind;
- save from the scorching sun;
- prevent the entry of insects;
- create protection from dust and noise;
- keep out prying eyes;
- decorate the room.
In the Middle Ages, the utilitarian function of curtains came to the fore: in castles with narrow windows, curtains provided protection from the sun and wind. In our time the decorative function has gained importance again. Of course, even today they save from heat and draughts, but in the living room they primarily give the interior a finishing touch.
Curtains by style
And if so, it is important to understand which models will make the interior style harmonious and which ones will ruin the carefully created image. In this case, neither the walls nor the furniture will save you. The chord will not turn out, disharmony will deprive the room of comfort. To avoid this, let’s talk about what curtains are best suited to the chosen interior style.
- Minimalism. Even if you have chosen for yourself this extremely ascetic style, without textiles in the living room you can not do without. And although in this case, the decor of the window opening is designed to perform a practical function, the strict version softens and warms up the laconic environment. The color scheme is restrained, the curtains are monochromatic, without any extravagances, patterns and draperies. The tulle under the curtains is also chosen as white and transparent. In this environment the Roman blinds fit perfectly, and they also do not have any décor and have even horizontal pleats. Another option for minimalism is sliding vertical panels. They came to us from Japan, just like the style itself, which found a new sound in Europe. It is difficult to think of a more appropriate decoration for the living room in the style of minimalism. Vertical sliding panels on the windows will give it an absolute finishing touch. Roller blinds with their ascetic interior also fall in the stream of minimalism. In the living room you can hang them and drapes, but remember that in minimalism the main function of curtains is to protect from street noise, sun and prying eyes. The aesthetics of the style is in the utmost conciseness and nothing unnecessary.
- Provence, this charming style that originated in France, has found many fans around the world. Surprisingly warm and cozy interior is elegantly complemented by curtains, which play a huge decorative role. Provence is impossible to imagine without textiles. The main feature of the style is the soft color palette of pastel tones, without screaming contrasts. Natural materials, this also applies to curtains. The curtains can be both monochrome and with discreet floral ornaments. Here it will be difficult to do without ruffles, lace, ruffles and bows. The material should be natural, because the style of French province likes naturalness in everything. It may be linen which will combine its simple texture with style; cotton which is very durable and easy to maintain; taffeta which will give a luxurious flavour; satin which will make the interior solemn and will enlarge it; gauze which will give charm of delicacy and will fill it with the air. Even plaids, with their plain texture, will give a zest to the interior and make it cosier. In terms of character, curtains can also be different – thread, roll, Roman, and so on. Recreating the humble beauty of a farmhouse is the main thing in Provence.
- Classic – on the fact and the classics, that does not lose its position over the centuries, and for a long time will be in demand in the interior. And it is impossible to imagine a classic living room without curtains. In many cases they play a solo part. Therefore, classic curtains are always expensive material – velvet, corduroy, brocade, silk or satin. If it is a man-made material – jacquard, they are long, reach to the floor, sometimes even lie on the floor. They are heavy, massive drapes with complex drapery. Geometric proportions, lambrequins, curtains often accompany curtains in the classic style. Fringe around the edges, bows and tassels are almost mandatory attribute. Just make sure that they are not too much. They always look very elegant and expensive, warm the room and give it comfort. Classical curtains are the favorite choice of designers, so there are a lot of variants. They will look equally harmonious in Scandinavian, rustic and modern style. Classic curtains will definitely attract attention and help to hide some defects of the interior. But keep in mind that installing them is rather a laborious process, and it is difficult to take care of them. Classic curtains are monochrome or with a discreet pattern. In the living room of the classic interior, if there is a pattern on the walls, the curtains can only be monochrome, in harmony with the walls. Curtains always exceed the size of the window in width and in height. The main formula for curtains in the classic style is elegant luxury.
- Scandinavian style. It likes open windows, but curtains in the living room are still unavoidable. You should choose natural fabrics – linen, cotton or chintz, soft colors, mainly in cool colors (except if the windows face the shadowy side and the room should be “warm”). The cut is simple and the design is restrained. Curtains are translucent and let in daylight. Curtains are often absent at all, but if they are, they are also transparent. The Scandinavian style does not like abundant decor, and usually the decor is limited to curtains. Very organically and naturally in the Scandinavian style living room windows will look both blinds and roller blinds. The main motto of the Scandinavian style – nothing should obstruct the natural light and air.
- Modern. Known for its flamboyance, unusual patterns, and love of fairy tale characters. Modern likes curved lines and smooth transitions. These same properties should also have curtains. Therefore, drapes are decorated with tacking, drapery, usually asymmetrical, and also have several layers. The materials may differ in texture and color, but must be combined with each other. The layering itself should also be moderate. Only the highest quality fabric is used: velvet or satin. Blinds in this case are absolutely unacceptable – this is what will spoil the whole picture. If light curtains are needed, it is guipure or silk. To the choice of color there are no special requirements, that is, according to your taste. Favorite colors of modernism are burgundy, purple or purple. Curtains can be both monochrome and with ornaments. The modernist technique is a combination of three types of fabrics of different lengths. Fabrics for this are selected for different textures, but close color scheme, so as not to create unnecessary mottling. Curtains in the Art Nouveau style require good taste and a sense of proportion.
- Gothic is not the most popular style, as it requires a lot of space and large windows. Completely Gothic style is hardly used nowadays, but elements of this style are very popular, such as Gothic curtains. They are attractive because of their solid appearance, durable and long-lasting fabrics and the ability to create a completely unique interior. The materials are heavy: velvet, jacquard, brocade or corduroy. However, they may well be combined with lightweight tulle. The curtain rod for such curtains is also better forged, with a carved tip in the Gothic style. Here, more than anywhere else, the vintage is appropriate. To the color of the curtains Gothic has special requirements. Curtains can be black, gray, brown. The whole range of red shades is used. Pastel tones are not about gothic. In the living room, it is better to use floor-length sliding curtains with lace trim. Folds are not welcomed here. Gothic is the choice of bright extraordinary natures.
- Loft. If you’re a fan of industrial style, originally it did not provide any textiles on the windows. However, modern design has become softer, and the curtains on the windows in the living room, at least, are quite acceptable. Loft also likes natural fabrics that let the light through well, simple and clear lines, no draperies and folds, pastel colors, laconic minimalist design. The best way to match this style are roller blinds or Roman blinds. But also weightless tulle can add originality and charm to the interior. Of course, the blinds will be a very good solution. Loft also likes natural fabrics – linen, burlap, cotton. Curtains on the windows in the living room in the loft style will smooth out its excessive urbanity and make the room more cozy and welcoming.
- High-tech – this style more and more confidently enters our apartments, so let’s pay attention to what curtains should hang in the living room of high technology. The main thing here is brevity and minimalism. Therefore, the curtains are free of any decor. Fabrics are modern, impregnated with water-repellent and sunproof compositions, often with metallized fibers. Of course, no draperies or lambrequins. Straight lines and geometric forms. Metallic curtain rods with a silvery sheen serve as decorations. Of course, the curtains can be equipped with a sliding mechanism, these are “smart” curtains, which move automatically as soon as the light turns on in the room. High-tech is for people who are not afraid of experiments and go with the times.
Curtains need to be selected not only by style, but also by color. Therefore next we’ll talk about color combinations.
Curtains by color
The color scheme of the living room and curtains depends on the size of the room, its natural light, the height of the ceilings and the size of the windows. Of course, they must match the overall tone of the room. Gray in the interior is very attractive for its elegance and versatility. It is now very popular and in demand, especially if you make it an accent in the form of yellow, orange or pink curtains. White is also good here. And if you have a sunny room, add a little coolness by hanging blue or lilac curtains. The most successful would be the choice of neutral tones: sand, beige or coffee.
Does gray still seem too cold to you? Decorate the living room in beige tones – the embodiment of warmth and coziness. Curtains can create an expressive accent if they are purple or turquoise. The fabrics themselves can be either vintage or modern, depending on the style chosen.
For a white living room, the color choices are not limited to anything, it all depends on style, size, light and your taste.
Here are some general recommendations on how to choose the right curtains for your living room.
- You can either match the color of the wallpaper – in this case it should be 2-4 shades darker or lighter in order not to blend with the wallpaper, or match the color of the furniture – it can either match the entire set or the largest piece of furniture (for example, the sofa).
- For the curtains to create a unity of style, use the same fabric for the decorative objects – covers and cushions.
- It is axiomatic that for small rooms, light shades are preferable, because they give a visual volume.
- For sunny rooms, choose cool colors, for dark living rooms – warm colors.
- There are several universal solutions that will suit any interior: gray – look noble, different shades of brown – warm up the interior without attracting extra attention; white – add light and air.
Curtains can differ not only in color and style, but also in character.
Not only drapes and tulle
By this we mean the following types of curtains:
- Threaded – they successfully replace tulle and lace, which seem too banal today. Curtains made of threads are good air permeable and give the interior originality. They look organically in any style.
- Roman blinds are absolutely universal. They correspond to classics, high-tech and minimalism. Their simple forms and ease of use are the guarantee of their popularity.
- Venetian blinds are horizontal or vertical, fabric or plastic. They protect from glaring light and prying eyes. They can be hung in the living room, if only your choice is not classical or gothic. In “antique” styles blinds are also not appropriate.
- Roller blinds are one-piece blinds with a lifting mechanism. The blinds come from Finland, the most appropriate style is Scandinavian.
- Japanese blinds – sliding vertical curtains, flat, up to one and a half meters wide, without folds
The options, as you can see, enough, the offer of curtains is huge.