Classification of window curtains: types, materials and description of curtains and drapes.

Basic classification of curtains

Before choosing one or another type of curtains, you need to have a clear idea of their types in order to choose exactly those curtains that will please their owners for a long time.

Curtains

They are straight long canvases, possibly with small folds when closed. As a rule, they are sewn from heavy, non-transparent types of fabric. The length of such curtains is to the floor. This type of curtains will suit any interior, you just need to carefully approach the choice of material for such canvases.

Curtains (tulle, veil, organza)

They are also produced in the form of long vertical panels, but unlike curtains, the fabric for curtains is translucent. They can be made of tulle, veil or organza and are not able to fully protect the room from direct sunlight.

Blinds

The main types of blinds are structures made of vertical or horizontal slats that protect the room from sunlight and prying eyes. Depending on the type, blinds can be made with lifting, sliding or rotating mechanisms.

The slats can be made of plastic, fabric or pleated (corrugated material of varying density).

Roller

A practical type of curtains that came to Russia from Finland, where “white” nights often occur. Like blinds, they have a lifting mechanism, but are not separate slats, but a single piece of fabric.

Indispensable in small kitchens, as they are attached to the window frames and do not take up extra space. They come in a variety of colors and degrees of sunlight transmission.

Roman

They resemble roller blinds in terms of functionality and appearance, but unlike them, they do not roll up when assembled, but gather into neat folds.

Austrian

Properly selected Austrian blinds will add luxury any interior. They are distinguished by their special splendor and the presence of graceful folds. They have a lifting mechanism, thanks to which they are gathered at the top of the window, forming chic folds.

French

They consist of a single piece of fabric, divided into several sections, each of which has a huge number of lush folds of fabric. They also have a lifting mechanism. The higher the curtain rises, the more voluminous the folds become.

Japanese

They are straight vertical sheets of material up to 1.45 meters wide. The design has a sliding mechanism that works similarly to vertical blinds or sliding doors.

Thread

They can be used in any interior, since by independently decorating this type of curtains with beads of a certain color and size, you can get an excellent stylistic solution for decorating a window opening. Thread curtains let in sunlight, giving the room warmth and coziness.

Cafe curtains

It is widely believed that this type of curtains was invented by French designers several decades ago. But what Russian person has not watched old Soviet films, where curtains half the size of the window were visible in the interior of houses?

Currently, the fashion for this type of curtains has returned, with the only difference that curtains are no longer made of chintz, but of various modern materials, decorated with frills and bows.

Hourglass Curtains

They got their name from their shape, reminiscent of an hourglass. The fabric is attached to the frame at the top and bottom along the entire width, and tied in the middle with a decorative ribbon, braid or tie.

Italian

They are distinguished by the high location of the grabs (approximately one third from the cornice), forming beautiful, but not very lush folds. This type of curtains is stationary, that is, they are constantly in the open position. Without additional curtains, they can be used in loft or minimalist style rooms. For more classic interiors, they are used in tandem with tulle.

Photo curtains (with photo printing)

They appeared relatively recently, but have already gained popularity among those who like to frequently change the surrounding interior, since they allow you to radically change the style of the room without re-gluing the wallpaper.

Combined

Curtains can be combined by color, texture, and light transmittance. For example, a combination of curtains and drapes looks very beautiful – this window decoration looks very rich and at the same time is very functional, as it allows you to regulate the penetration of light by closing one or another type of curtains depending on the desired result.

Types of materials

Below is a description of the materials from which modern manufacturers make canvases.

Fabrics for curtains

Curtain fabrics must be dense enough to not let in sunlight and flow beautifully, forming large folds.

Blackout

This type of fabric consists of two layers. On the room side there is a decorative material that fits well into a specific interior, and on the reverse side there is an opaque and reflective layer. Such curtains will protect the room not only from the penetration of unwanted sunlight, but also from excess heat.

Velvet

Velvet curtains look very elegant and rich. It is not for nothing that curtains on the windows of royal persons were usually made of velvet. Velvet can be used either alone or with a scattering of pearls or beads, and can be complemented with embroidered patterns or tassels.

Jacquard

It has been produced since the beginning of the 19th century and is a very durable fabric that is not subject to abrasion or deformation when washed. It is a material densely embroidered with all kinds of patterns. Jacquard curtains are not cheap, because the production of such fabric is a very labor-intensive and expensive process.

Linen

This type of curtains was returned to the interior by modern designers at the peak of popularity of environmentally friendly materials, as it belongs to natural fabrics. Fits well into many modern interiors without overloading them with a large number of patterns.

Satin

It is distinguished by its special chic and nobility. Satin fabrics shine when the angle of refraction of light changes, which fascinates and attracts the gaze of household members and guests.

Taffeta

Widely used in ancient Persia and Byzantium. It is obtained by interweaving artificial and natural fibers. Like satin, it has a charming shine. A very durable and strong fabric, which also has water-repellent properties.

Rogozhka

It is a natural fabric. It has a rough texture with a cross-shaped weave of threads. This material, modest in appearance, fits perfectly into interiors of eco, loft, minimalism styles, and when combined with other types of fabrics, it will suit any modern design.

Fabrics for curtains

This type of curtains should be airy and graceful. Suitable for rooms with windows facing north, for residents of regions with short daylight hours, or simply for all lovers of sunlight.

Tulle

When choosing tulle for curtains, you should consider the color scheme of the room, imagine how this type of curtains will fit into the interior of the room and pay special attention to details such as the appropriateness of accessories in such curtains, the degree of drapery and the length of the panels.

Veil

Air weightless veil is well suited for curtains in the kitchen, bedroom, living room and children’s rooms. This type of curtains will give the interior a magical feeling of coziness. Veils in delicate pastel tones look especially unique.

Organza

Another type of light, airy material. For lucky people who have a picturesque view outside their window, organza curtains will become an indispensable piece of furniture, because they can softly diffuse sunlight without blocking the overall panorama.

Kiseya

These curtains will ideally fit into the interior of romantic, calm, pedantic natures who like everything to be in its place, and ideal vertical lines in the window design will help them get a sense of satisfaction from their own home.

Other materials

Modern manufacturers of various types of curtains do not lag behind designers and, in addition to standard canvases, offer exotic options for decorating window openings.

Curtain

It is not subject to absolutely any external influences and, under any circumstances, does not lose its shape. Such curtains are ideal for bachelors or women whose greatest desire is not a long, exhausting ironing of huge canvases after washing.

PVC (plastic)

Currently, this type of curtains is presented in a variety of colors and sizes. It is not recommended to use them in living spaces, but when decorating a bathroom, plastic curtains have no equal, since they do not get wet even with the most intense shower. You can also use such curtains to decorate a gazebo at your dacha.

Wooden

With the skillful selection of wooden panels, the effect of completeness in the design of the room will be created. For this, wooden types of curtains should harmoniously fit into the interior and match the furniture.

Bamboo

Eco-friendly, easy to use and relatively inexpensive curtains. Suitable for those who are tired of standard window decoration with fabric curtains.

Paper

A modern type of curtains that breaks all the stereotypes of people’s ideas about window decoration. Such curtains are not durable, but they are much cheaper than fabric or wooden analogues. Moreover, if you really want to, you can make such curtains yourself.

Types of curtains

In addition to the variety of materials, manufacturers offer a wide selection of curtain opening mechanisms.

Sliding

Classic canvases that move along the cornice in a horizontal direction.

Panel curtains

Unlike sliding curtains, panel curtains do not have folds or frills. The screen panels diffuse light well, so with windows facing south you don’t have to open the panels even during the day.

Lifting

These types of curtains are the most compact, as they are gathered at the top of the window either in a roll or in folds and do not take up extra space.

Smart curtains

The so-called “smart” curtains. To open such curtains you don’t even have to go to the window. All you have to do is press the button on the remote control and the mechanism will do everything itself.