Choosing curtains for the balcony

In modern design projects, there are often options for decorating balconies. For many, this is now not just a warehouse for unnecessary things, but an additional living space with its own special style. Correctly selected curtains play a significant role in creating a unique atmosphere and comfort on the balcony.

The decision to curtain balcony windows is influenced by several factors:

• Curtains are needed to protect from the sun, which is especially true for loggias on the south side.
• Curtain windows will protect your balcony plants from being exposed to direct sunlight.
• For lower residential floors, curtains provide protection from prying eyes.

There are several types of curtains for balconies and loggias, which have different degrees of sun protection and functionality.

Recently, Roman blinds have been especially popular in decorating balcony windows. This option is a sheet of fabric that gathers in neat folds when lifted.

This model is easy to clean and compact, both unfolded and assembled. For the manufacture of Roman blinds, a variety of fabrics and even bamboo are used, and some types combine two cornices at once with a denser fabric for the evening and a translucent one for daylight.

Another modern and practical type of balcony curtains can be called roller or roll curtains. This type of curtain has a universal fastening mechanism, so the curtains can be attached to the ceiling, window frame or doorway. Roll curtains have an unusual design, but without additional curtains, they look too strict.

If the balcony windows reach the very ceiling, and there is no place for attaching the curtain rod for the curtains, then Velcro curtains will be the solution to the problem. This method of fastening is suitable for Roman and roller blinds, but often housewives choose a simpler option and hang tulle with Velcro.

The choice of a fabric curtain is explained by the fact that it is easiest to remove and wash it.

When choosing suitable curtains for a balcony space, it is necessary to take into account not only practicality and general style, but also the variety of windows.

For a French balcony with a huge panoramic window from floor to ceiling, curtains made of loose fabric of light shades would be a good option. You can hang ordinary curtains on the curtains, which, if necessary, move to one side and open the view from the window.

Curtains-threads that perfectly transmit sunlight and, at the same time, hide what is happening in the apartment look interesting and unusual on the French balcony.Often, for such sizes, Roman blinds, horizontal blinds in combination with weightless curtains or Austrian curtains, which, if desired, can be used to close only half of the window, are chosen.

If the balcony is not glazed, then PVC curtains will help keep warm. Such devices are often used to insulate verandas, gazebos and country houses, but some find their use at home.

Models like roller blinds, if necessary, will protect the balcony space from strong wind or rain. Soft curtains in the form of a continuous canvas can replace glass in the loggia and will protect the interior of the balcony from bad weather.

And on the doorway, you can hang PVC tape curtains. The advantages of curtains made of this material include - ease of installation and ease of maintenance, resistance to high and low temperatures, as well as durability, environmental friendliness and safety.

Care should be taken when choosing curtains for sliding windows that move by analogy with a wardrobe. Due to the fact that the window sashes when moving close to each other, you should not choose blinds and curtains that are close to the window.

The most successful option would be to install vertical blinds with ceiling mounting. Also, you can pick up Roman shades and attach them at a distance from the windows. In this case, it is better to choose the curtains by size so that the joints fall on the frames, that is, the closed elements of the window.

Modern curtains or curtains for the balcony space are distinguished by a rich assortment of materials

Among the fabric curtains, in addition to the usual tulle and organza, preference is given to natural materials - cotton and linen... These types of fabrics are widely used for sewing roller blinds. Linen is distinguished by its strength, and when wet it becomes even stronger.

Natural cotton also tolerates the attacks of nature well, but it has one drawback - it fade quickly. Therefore, synthetic fibers are added to cotton curtain fabrics.

Velvet and velor are used for sewing Roman blinds. Due to their dense structure, such curtains will perfectly protect from too annoying sun rays on the south side.

Curtains made of synthetic materials are reliable and durable. Polyester is created artificially for safe operation, so the fabric is ready to repel UV attacks.

Blackout fabrics are considered to be the most innovative and the best protector from sunlight and ultraviolet rays. This option with an individual and original print will decorate the interior.

The most unsuccessful fabrics for sewing curtains are wool and silk - materials of animal origin. Wool does not tolerate the scorching sun, and silk is very whimsical to care for and loses strength under the influence of sunlight, moreover, it is not cheap.

When choosing curtains for your balcony or loggia, it is worth remembering that this space is a kind of continuation of the adjacent room and should look organic. It is most logical to choose balcony curtains to match the room textiles and room curtains, while avoiding overly bright and inconsistent shades.

In addition, with the help of color or print on the curtains, you can change the perception of space and make it more comfortable. To do this, you need to remember a few rules:

• Horizontal stripes or other wide prints on the curtains will visually expand the balcony space, while vertical patterns will visually make the ceilings taller.
• For small rooms, preference should be given to curtains of light colors, since they are able to visually increase the space.
• The use of small prints makes the curtains more weighty and noticeable than plain curtains.
• For rooms on the north side, it is preferable to choose warm shades, as they add light and comfort. For a sunny balcony, you can choose both warm and cold colors.

When decorating a window with a balcony door, one should take into account not only the style and tone of the curtains, but also the practical component - they should not interfere with the exit to the balcony. The best options would be:

• Concise and comfortable vertical blinds. The most comfortable will be curtains with remote control.
• Roller blinds in the size of window openings. The assembled cassette model will remain invisible.
• Classic curtains with luxurious prints familiar to everyone will emphasize the richness of the interior. It is better to choose models from unpretentious materials and with minimal decor.
• Tulle curtains will be a universal option for any room with a balcony. Short or long, they can easily add accents to a room.
• Bamboo curtains, which look very exotic, will fit perfectly into an oriental-style room.

The choice of curtains for a balcony door largely depends on which room the balcony is located in. For a kitchen area with constant temperature fluctuations and aromas of different dishes, you should select easy-care curtains that will not deform.

Curtains of medium length and without lambrequins for the kitchen will be an ideal and safe option.

If you still want to hang a lambrequin in the kitchen, it is better to give preference to the simplest and not cumbersome models. The most successful color scheme of kitchen curtains is to match the kitchen set or tile apron.

When choosing curtains for balcony windows, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances of the room itself:

• Hanging curtains should not hinder or disrupt the operation of windows and at the same time should look aesthetically pleasing when opening and closing windows.

• If the balcony is located on the south side of the building, and at any time of the year there is a lot of sun, then you should give preference to thick curtains that can trap excess light

• On the balconies located on the north side of the building, curtains made of weightless and moderately transparent organza or tulle will look better.

• Do not forget that a balcony or loggia is a place of maximum collection of dust and dirt, especially in the summer. Therefore, the design of balcony curtains should not be multi-layered and complex.

• The size of the room also plays a significant role in the choice of curtains. If the balcony does not differ in impressive dimensions, then the curtains for it should be matched - compact and neat. For a spacious loggia with panoramic windows, on the contrary, you can choose luxurious floor-length curtains or Japanese panels.

Before starting work on self-sewing curtains, you must carefully measure the windows on the balcony. Then it is worth deciding which curtains will decorate the balcony.

Most often, Roman blinds are presented as homemade balcony curtains. Therefore, we will consider the algorithm for sewing this type of curtain in more detail.

So, to make a Roman shade, you need to prepare:

• Textile. It should be tight and keep its shape, and also fit into the overall design. Lining is used if desired.
• The curtain folds are 3 cm less than the curtain width.
• Metal or plastic rings with a diameter of about 12 mm in the amount of 2 pieces for each drawstring.
• Plank for curtain weighting as long as curtain width.
• 3 strong cords, the length of which is equal to two lengths and one width of the finished curtain.
• Treated timber for securing the curtain and Velcro as long as 2 curtain widths.
• Hooks and nails.

Now you can start cutting out a curtain, the dimensions of which are equal to the size of the window, plus 2 cm for processing the side edges and about 15 cm for the upper and lower edges.

Next, you need to outline the folds on the smoothed section of the fabric with pins or threads and the location of the rings. Usually 7-8 folds are outlined at an equal distance from each other.

The number of folds depends primarily on the height of the window. To correctly determine this parameter, you can use the table:

Then you need to hem the sides of the curtain.

Velcro is sewn to the upper part, the remaining piece of Velcro is attached to the bar with studs or a furniture stapler. The lower part must be folded and stitched in two rows, so that later you can insert a bar for weighting.

After that, it is necessary to sew the lining fabric, leaving pockets in the designated places for inserting the slats. Then the rings are sewn by hand according to the markings, and they can be nailed onto the timber.

When the curtain is ready, it should be fixed to the bar with Velcro. Then place the fasteners for the cord on the window frame and from the lower ring pass the cord along the row of rings upward, and then to the side along the row of rings on the bar.

Secure the end of the cord on the bottom ring. Repeat this procedure in each row of rings vertically, extending the ends of the cord on one side. Next, you need to evenly fold the folds on the curtain, tighten the cords tightly, and secure the curtain in the assembled state.

Then you need to nail the timber to the window and straighten the curtain.

Adjust the tension of the laces and tie them in a knot near the outer ring at the top, then attach the handle to adjust the shade at a comfortable distance.

A more detailed process of sewing Roman curtains with our own hands is described in the following video:

Another problem that arises when decorating a balcony or loggia is the way of attaching curtains. In addition to the traditional method of installing a cornice, there are several alternative options that are more practical and compact:

• When you don't want to bother with an ordinary cornice, a telescopic one comes to the rescue. It can be easily mounted on two opposite walls and does not require drilling, but it is suitable for relatively light curtains.
• Roman blinds and roller blinds are also easy to attach without a cornice and take up a minimum of space on the balcony.
• A more compact version of the cornice can be called a special rail or string that can be attached to a wall or ceiling.

If there is a dining area on the loggia, then classic curtains made of light translucent fabric of light colors will be a good option for decorating the window.

For a home greenhouse on the balcony, roller blinds with a plant print are suitable, maintaining an atmosphere of unity with nature.

Sometimes the view from the balcony window is so beautiful that it is enough to decorate it with a light transparent Roman curtain with a print that matches the interior.