Window decoration in the living room: useful recommendations

It is difficult to imagine a house without windows, its general perception largely depends on it. Windows without proper decoration seem bare, this deprives the room of a sense of comfort. Any window requires attention, but in the living room, where all family members and guests gather, its design is of particular importance.

The atmosphere of the whole room and how comfortable the feeling of each person in the living room will be depends on the type of window opening, the state of the frames and its decor.

Decorating a window in the living room with curtains is a traditional technique.

To make this window decoration look appropriate in a particular interior, it is selected following a number of rules, taking into account:

• the color scheme of the living room;
• everyday life, or the conviviality of the interior;
• the style of the room;
• the quality and composition of the fabric used.

There is also another approach to design. Sometimes it makes sense to do without the use of curtains. This is possible if the window frame itself is a worthy decoration of the window, when its bindings are made in the form of a curly lattice or the window is so precisely combined with the colors of the living room that it is unacceptable to close it from the eyes with curtains. Some style needs the absence of curtains (for example, with panoramic windows in the loft style).

It makes sense to do without curtains when the window frame contrasts with the general color scheme of the hall (for example, when it is made in black).

It is also advisable not to decorate a window with curtains in cases where it has an original shape. Although it must be borne in mind that all this is possible only if the living room is located above the first floor, evening lights do not shine through the windows, disturbing the people in the hall, the room is not located on the sunny side.

Window to window is different. There are structures of the usual rectangular shape, but in rooms with a non-standard layout (for example, in some old house or a building built according to an individual project), you can see a panoramic, bay window or an arched version. The design of such window openings with curtains is not particularly difficult. You just need to choose the right textiles.

It is better to decorate narrow windows located nearby with lifting canvases of the same color. Large ones are worth emphasizing with sliding curtains. They can be of different colors if the room provides for the delimitation of functional areas. For example, there is a part where guests gather and a space where the dining area is located.

The decoration of bay windows projecting forward beyond the façade depends on how large such windows are and what the distance between sections is. Whatever the specific design decision, the bay window should be decorated with curtains in a single composition using the same fabric. This will emphasize the unusual design of the window opening.

The style of the living room dictates the selection of material for decorating windows.

So a high-tech room suggests using blinds, roller blinds or Roman curtains of a discreet solid color instead of curtains. The use of chiffon, nylon or organza without an ornament with a metallic sheen will not contradict the general style.

Vintage style involves the use of natural materials (chintz, cotton or linen with a small pattern).It is good to choose curtains made of expensive fabrics (linen, brocade silk or velvet) for the art deco style.

The loft style does not require any curtains at all, but nobody canceled the functionality. To prevent the room from being in full view of the entire street, it is better to cover the windows with at least transparent tulle, and attach roller blinds or blinds of the appropriate color to the frames.

For a minimalist living room, blinds, roller blinds or curtains made of textiles smooth in texture are suitable. It will be good to use a shade of coffee with milk, sand or a tone of gold, green, beige and pink.

The window sill is an integral part of the window, sometimes it is a functionally active element of the living room. For example, if the room has a great view of the city or nature, a window sill can replace a soft seat if supplemented with pillows. This is possible if you are dealing with a low window opening.

The window can be supplemented with a wooden bench under it, where it is good to put flower pots. Such an element will be a great addition to a country-style living room. Shelves for books can also be made under the window.

The choice of curtains is due to many components. We can talk about a private house with a balcony in the room where guests and households gather.

The living room of a city apartment may have a window with a balcony door. Sometimes there is not one window in the hall, but two or three. It can be small or large. If the windows in the room are located at different heights, this can be compensated for by using a lambrequin or a wide baguette cornice.

Lambrequins are good for use on panoramic windows. If there is an exit to the balcony from the living room, such a design model will not work: there will be problems with opening the door.

Due to the symmetry of the arrangement, fabric canvases on several windows will give the room additional height. A common curtain on several window openings will visually make the living room wider. To achieve this effect, it is necessary to use a single curtain of tulle, passing through all windows, and hang sliding curtains around the edges. Curtains will also help to visually make the window wider, the pattern on which is located horizontally. Although this is only appropriate in rooms with low ceilings.

The disadvantages of a narrow window, which lets little natural light into the room, can be easily compensated for by a wide cornice. Taking into account its size, it is necessary to choose curtains. This will hide the small dimensions of the window opening. In this case, with the curtains open, the windows will be fully used to transmit daylight.

When choosing curtains and decorating windows, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances of interior design:

• if the walls, ceiling and upholstery of upholstered furniture are made in a monochromatic light range, it is better to focus on the window;
• dark curtains with a three-dimensional pattern will attract attention (whether it is profitable or not depends on the specific design decision of the living room);
• if there is a TV opposite the window in the hall, it is better to arrange the window opening with the use of thick curtains: they will help to avoid light falling on the TV screen while watching programs (for apartments located on the first floors of buildings, blackout curtains will be a salvation from prying eyes);
• heavy fabrics are beautiful and look expensive, but they are only appropriate in spacious living rooms: a small room with such curtains seems even smaller than it is;

• 100% natural fabrics should not be used on south-facing windows, they will quickly fade and lose their elegant look;
• to make the room seem brighter, it is better to avoid heavy textiles: light tulle, organza, thin silk or taffeta will be just right;
• in small living rooms, choose the decoration of the windows in the color of the wallpaper: this way you can visually make the room larger (plain curtains or accessories with small ornaments will look equally good);
• for a hall of impressive size, curtains with large multi-colored patterns (for example, monograms or lace, floral themes) are suitable.
• the striped pattern on the curtains affects the perception of the window's height and width, the horizontal stripe makes the window area wider, the vertical stripe taller.

Modern window design options are diverse:

• Light curtains with an original pattern look beautiful on panoramic windows, perfectly fitting into the interior of the living room, designed in gray tones. Thicker curtains on the eyelets complete the decor and have an important function in protecting the room from excessive light and heat on a sunny day.

• Black-and-white curtains with vertical stripes on the hooks perfectly fit into the interior of the living room, in which decorative elements similar in pattern are provided. The curtains blend perfectly with the dark window frame, highlighting its style.

• Long floor-length curtains in red create a bright accent in the living room, made in soothing light colors. They visually make the ceiling higher, enliven the atmosphere, emphasizing the beauty of the dark flooring, and are in harmony with the restrained pattern on the walls.

• Blinds in a light brown wood shade blend in well with a modern living room with crisp, minimalist furnishings and a laconic décor. They blend in with the floor and coffee table shades, bringing variety to the muted colors of the living room.

How to decorate the window can be seen in the next video.