Short curtains are those whose length and width do not exceed the dimensions of the window opening. This solution has a number of advantages: saving material, less hassle with washing and ironing, more free space in the room, interesting design possibilities.
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Short curtains as a designer's tool
There are several factors that may prompt a professional interior designer to turn to short curtains.
Firstly, the use of small curtains allows you to use the part of the wall surrounding the window opening more effectively. Place shelves for things around the window, extend the window sill, turning it into a full-fledged tabletop or seat.
Secondly, from an artistic point of view, short curtains can visually change the proportions of the room. They visually reduce the height of the wall on which they are placed. And vice versa, they increase its width.
Finally, such curtains are a characteristic marker of some styles.
Country
Country is the embodiment of a dream about summer in the village at grandma's, in her small cozy home with an abundance of bedspreads, rugs and pillows. Such houses are characterized by the use of small sliding curtains with folds, frills, bows, floral patterns.
Modern classics
Please note! Historically, large and heavy floor-length curtains are more typical for classical interior design trends. However, modern times have made their own adjustments to this style. Nowadays, exquisite lambrequins and curtains are often used in a shortened version.
This is explained by the fact that the classics have stepped from palace halls into the space of ordinary apartments with limited space. And here, classic floor-length curtains look too heavy and take up a lot of space.
Minimalism
This style is characterized by the exclusion of everything unnecessary. Including multi-layered curtains that clutter up the space. Minimalism is thin, single-color roller or Roman blinds that are attached directly to the glass unit.
For the listed style solutions, short curtains on the windows are most typical. However, they are also often found in other modern trends of design thought. High-tech, eco-style, pop art, ethnic experiments - all these trends willingly use shortened curtains.
Options for window decoration with short curtains
You can only feel all the aesthetic possibilities of such a solution through specific examples.
Living room area
The area for receiving guests with upholstered furniture and a table is usually made as cozy as possible. This is achieved through careful selection of decor and textiles. Pillows, tablecloths, blankets. And, of course, curtains. Therefore, the choice of curtains for the living room should be treated with special attention.
It is interesting to look at the transformation of summer houses, updated with carefully selected bright details.
Please note! Bright fabric curtains that match the color of other textile decor elements are suitable for the country style. And this rule works not only for light summer wooden houses. To decorate the living room area in a city apartment in this style, you should also keep this point in mind.
The most varied curtain models can be used. As can be seen from the photo of short curtains in the living room up to the windowsill, more ascetic roller blinds and "Roman" curtains also look great. Especially if the guest area is part of the kitchen space.
In strict classical style, the attitude to the color of curtains is completely different. It should be restrained, muted. The use of plant patterns is acceptable if they echo the pattern of wallpaper, flooring or textiles.
Hall
The hall in a city apartment or a small private house usually combines different functions. It is the same living room, but also a dining room, a library, a playroom, sometimes a bedroom, and so on. A characteristic feature of this room, common to most cases, is its significant dimensions and a variety of functional filling.
Please note! High multi-level ceilings, cornices, stucco, vertically elongated window openings are perceived very interestingly in combination with small curtains. In this case, the curtain becomes a decorative element emphasizing the impressive size and complexity of the room. This technique also works for modern styles, devoid of excess architectural details.
Corridor of a private house
In apartments, the corridor is usually deprived of natural light. In private houses, the situation is different. In the hallway of a cottage, there are usually windows for which it is necessary to select curtains.
Sometimes "Roman" blinds are installed directly on the entrance door, if it is fully or partially transparent.
Please note! A common rule when decorating small secondary rooms is the prohibition of excess. Folds and multi-layered draperies that look great in the hall, kitchen or office will seem unnecessary and tasteless here.
Unusual options for window decoration with short curtains
In addition to the usual sliding curtains, straight or pleated, roller or Roman, there are also more original options. For example, different types of lambrequins.
Lambrequin is a horizontal textile element located at the top of the window opening, the width of which is equal to the length of the cornice. They vary in density, shape and height.
- There are curtains that resemble a wide, intricately twisted ribbon. They are usually made of light, translucent fabric.
- An alternative way is lambrequins 30-40 centimeters long. They are decorated with folds, tassels, bows. Usually in such cases thick material is used - calico, jacquard, satin. This type of curtains is well suited for the kitchen, children's room, office, living room, hall, bathroom and so on.
- Finally, an interesting option is a tulle lambrequin to the window sill. It is soft transparent waves. This type of window curtains can be asymmetrical, multi-layered, two- or even three-color.
5 tips from professional designers: how to work with short curtains in the interior?
- Model selection
The choice of model should be based on the style of the room, the features of how you intend to use the window. Personal preferences are also important.
Please note! High-tech, minimalism, constructivism, avant-garde do not go well with bows and draperies. But art deco, baroque, rococo, on the contrary, will look strange with straight even curtains.
- Choosing a color scheme
The curtains should differ in tone from the walls. It is preferable to select textiles either darker than the wallpaper, or, conversely, lighter by at least a few tones. Exceptions are very light interiors built on a combination of shades of white, when the curtains literally "dissolve" in the overall space.
- Combining curtains with other interior elements
The window decoration should be in tune with the blankets, bedspreads, pillows, tablecloths and other fabric elements present in the room. Match them in color and pattern.
Please note! If the room has wallpaper with a large print, you should choose single-color curtains. Or products that exactly repeat the pattern of the walls - but it is quite difficult to find or make such.
- Choice of fabric
There are general requirements for the material - it should be easy to wash, not fade in the sun. Otherwise, there are no rules. Tulle, organza, jacquard, calico have the same right to exist. When choosing a specific option, you should trust your taste, touch different fabrics with your hands, and use your imagination.
- Combining different types of curtains
Shortened textiles on windows are also good because they can be easily combined with different types of curtains. Short and long, heavy curtains and light draperies. There really are many possibilities.
In skilled hands, short curtains are an interesting tool that allows you to give the interior world of the house a sense of completeness and coziness. They are actively used by both experienced designers and ordinary people.
VIDEO:
50 options for short curtains in the living room interior:
