What is a lambrequin?
A lambrequin (French lambrequin) is a horizontal decorative element that is attached to the top of a window, doorway or arch to a cornice or directly to the curtains. The most popular use is to decorate a window opening over curtains. Currently, there are several types: rigid or bando, soft and combined.
What types of lambrequins are there?
They are divided into several main types. Let’s consider each in more detail.
Rigid
Bando – simple lambrequins for curtains without pleated folds. They are made on a rigid base, which is covered with fabric.
Soft
It is a fabric draped canvas, falling down in beautiful waves. We will talk about them in more detail below.
Combined
This design for curtains combines hard and soft parts that can alternate in a certain sequence.
Ideas for drapery of soft lambrequins
There are several different options for drapery.
- Coquille. One of the elements of a soft lambrequin, which is placed in the center of the curtain composition.
- Swags. Fabric panels in the shape of a semicircle, draped with folds.
- Jabot (de jabot). This decorative element turns an ordinary swag into a more interesting and original model.
- Throw-over. Half-swags or throw-overs are pieces of fabric randomly thrown over a curtain rod.
- Tie. A vertical fabric fold with a line slanted downwards.
- Cascade. Fabric draped along a slanted line. This most often one-sided element is located on the side of the entire curtain ensemble.
Material for lambrequins
Now let’s look at what lambrequins are most often made of. A certain type of material will allow you to transform your curtains and give them an unusual look.
- Veil. Semi-transparent fabric, drapes well and transmits sunlight perfectly.
- Organza. Thin and airy fabric with a beautiful iridescent sheen.
- Felt. Incredibly durable, but at the same time very soft and pleasant to the touch material.
- Chiffon. Delightfully light, it has an amazing shine and subtle iridescent colors.
- Nylon. Due to its elasticity and flexibility, this material can withstand significant stretching without losing its appearance.
- Satin. Satin fabric creates elegant draperies and beautifully reflects light.
- Soft. It has a soft, pliable structure that allows you to create beautiful draperies and folds.
- Linen. It has high strength, excellent hygroscopicity and is rarely contaminated.
- Cord. Using the technique of openwork cord, very original lambrequins for curtains are created.
- Jacquard. A beautiful and elegant fabric on which a large ornament is woven.
The photo shows curtains with a veil lambrequin in the living room.
Lambrequin shapes
There are three main shapes:
- Arched. This decorative element gives the window and interior a stylish and original look.
- Straight. The simplest type, which is often used together with classic curtains. This design is easy to attach and does not collect dust.
- Pleated. A horizontal piece of fabric gathered into box folds. Sometimes it is decorated with ruffles, tassels, flounces or fringe.
- Asymmetrical. Lambrequins for curtains with asymmetry on one side or diagonally allow you to correct the imperfect proportions of the window opening and the room.
The photo shows a dining room and curtains with a pleated lambrequin.
Design and drawings
Stylish design allows you to create especially original compositions.
Curtains with a figured modular or plank lambrequin look more elegant and sophisticated. Thin and delicate lace patterns add a touch of romanticism to the entire interior.
See also a selection of photos of openwork lambrequins.
A piece of fabric gathered into folds using curtain tape.
In the photo, the white and blue lambrequin with a floral pattern harmonizes perfectly with the pillows and the overall color scheme of the room.
Stripes, squares and other patterns will create visual illusions in the room and affect the geometry of the room.
A harmonious combination of two colors will add expressiveness to the design of curtains and will allow you to realize the most daring creative ideas.
Check out ideas for combining 2-color curtains.
The photo shows curtains with a two-color lambrequin in the bedroom.
Decoration
Interesting decor gives the curtains a unique look and provides an opportunity to stylishly decorate the window opening.
With fringe
Lambrequins decorated with fringe, with their presence in the interior, give it an elegant, aesthetic, finished and holistic look.
With tassels
Suitable for different interior styles. They look appropriate in any room and make it especially cozy.
With flowers
Floral patterns look great on both hard and soft models. Such prints create a playful mood in the interior and bring warmth and tenderness to it.
With rhinestones or glass beads
They raise the level of decorative design of the window, make it more luxurious. They go especially well with oriental interior styles.
Puffs
They will add luxury and romanticism to the room. Puffs or crushed stone are perfect for rooms in a classic style.
Representations in various styles
Curtain decor that is thought out to the smallest detail will allow you to create the most comfortable design.
Modern
Here, more restrained and laconic models made of thick fabric are most often used, without unnecessary draperies.
Classic
In this style, combined, hard and soft lambrequins for curtains will be appropriate, they will especially ideally emphasize the classic interior and give it even more solidity.
In the photo, the living room in classic style and curtains with lambrequins on the windows.
Baroque
Complex volumetric compositions on a gilded wooden baguette of intertwined draperies give the curtains an amazing and luxurious look.
Provence
Bell-shaped or pleated lambrequins with a floral, checkered or striped print look great in such a calm and cozy style.
Country
Bright hard or soft lambrequins of simple shape will become a wonderful independent element of decor or an addition to other curtains in country style.
Oriental
Curtain products of a rich dark shade will attract attention and make the room luxurious in an oriental style.
The photo shows curtains with straight lambrequins of a rigid shape in the living room in an oriental style.
Color range
Correctly selected the color palette has a positive effect on the atmosphere of the room.
In the room, curtains with a lambrequin of red or burgundy color will look truly elegant and will become the basis of a harmonious and elite interior.
The photo shows a dining room and curtains decorated with a red lambrequin.
White is lighter and more spacious, black and white gives the room a special expressiveness, and the milky shade adds interest and style to it.
Green is a soft, fresh and calm natural shade, creates in the interior a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
Brown color can acquire different shades, depending on how the light falls on it. A brown or chocolate with gold lambrequin will fit perfectly into a room in any style.
The photo shows an office and curtains with a brown lambrequin on the window.
The beige color brings simplicity, conciseness and clarity to the interior. Therefore, a room with a beige lambrequin on the windows looks very elegant and gentle.
Yellow compensates for the lack of light in the room and creates a cozy and friendly atmosphere with its warmth.
The photo shows a living room and curtains with a yellow bandeau.
Blue curtains with a lambrequin bring harmony to furnishings of the entire room. You can dilute it with other textiles in blue tones, for example, a bedspread or a carpet.
Using a lilac-colored lambrequin, you can achieve truly original results in window decoration. This color will undoubtedly add tenderness, softness and romance to any room.
A huge number of shades of pink allows you to create a truly stylish interior design.
Combination with different types of curtains
Various combinations complement and emphasize the design of the room without disturbing the harmony.
Most often, matching colors are chosen for a lambrequin with curtains, drapes or thread curtains. This combination allows you to maintain the proportions and symmetry of the window opening.
Blinds with lambrequins – a modern and practical solution. This window decor has an original appearance and also hides the visible flaws of the upper part of the window.
Bando or simple, folded canvases will perfectly complement Roman blinds and give the window decor a new sound.
Here, complex or simple cut designs can be used, in a single color scheme or, conversely, in a bright and contrasting combination with roller blinds.
Photo in the interior of the rooms
Curtains with lambrequin in the interior.
Kitchen
To decorate the kitchen and give it a festive and solemn look, use models of not too complex shapes from practical fabrics.
Living room
Both classic and elegant, as well as more laconic narrow options.
The photo shows the living room and window openings decorated with curtains with lambrequins.
Bedroom
Such curtain decor gives the bedroom the right mood, relaxation and beauty.
Children’s
Soft and hard models with appliqués or patterns will be appropriate here. They will allow you to emphasize your own style in the nursery.
Office
Strict and laconic options emphasize the importance of the owner of the office and make the interior more respectable.
Ideas for unusual windows
If you show a certain amount of imagination, you can easily decorate windows of any size and shape.
Small window
Lace or light structures in nude tones are suitable for decoration. They will visually lighten the window opening and raise the ceiling.
For two windows
Two adjacent windows and a partition wall should preferably be designed in the same style. For them, they choose both decor with a rich, expensive and lush cut, and a bando with the most simplified design.
For a bay window
Such a decoration of a bay window will give it elegance, originality and add a touch of antiquity.
Window with a balcony door
They will help to balance the dimensions of this window and make it proportional.
On an arched window
On such round window openings, classic options look especially elegant. Drapery emphasizing the shape of the arch will bring notes of pomp and palace splendor to the interior.
Corner
This arrangement brings its own zest and originality to the room.
The photo shows a living room in a modern style and gray curtains with a lambrequin on a corner window.
Tips for choosing
Basic recommendations for selection:
- It is not advisable to choose long and too lush draperies for decorating small rooms and small windows.
- In poorly lit rooms, it is better to use a simpler top in light colors, without unnecessary folds.
- Particular attention should be paid to the choice of fabric. Its components will depend on the purpose of the room.
How to hang a lambrequin?
There are several options for attaching a soft lambrequin: on rings, on Velcro, on eyelets and hooks. A different fastening technique is used to install the bando.
Step-by-step instructions
The algorithm of actions on how to hang the structures:
- Mark the holes, drill them with a hammer drill and install the cornice.
- Sew the curtain tape onto the lambrequin.
- Attach plastic rings to the braid.
- Hang on the cornice and straighten the structure.
Video
Visual examples of fastening.
Care and cleaning recommendations
Proper care will contribute to the long-term preservation of the appearance. Bando have their own distinctive cleaning recommendations.
Several care recommendations:
- For self-care, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle.
- A more thorough cleaning of the product is recommended to be done at a dry cleaner.
How to wash lambrequins?
Washing depends on the composition of the fabric, since each of them will be washed under different conditions.
- Use only hand washing or delicate mode in the washing machine.
- It is recommended to use washing gel instead of powder.
- Do not dry or wring in the washing machine.
- Do not overload the machine to thoroughly rinse the product and prevent white streaks from the detergent.
- If the product is heavily soiled, it is advisable to pre-soak it.
- After washing, the fabric should be ironed while damp, while choosing a delicate temperature mode on the iron.