Curtains have long ceased to be an exclusively functional part of the interior, their purpose is to make the room stylish and unique. Draperies, tassels, braid, chains, beads and other fittings will help with this.

Red and white curtains on the kitchen window
Even the simplest folds can dramatically change the appearance of curtains.

Curtain decoration, design options, examples, combination with the style in the room

Curtains are considered one of the earliest inventions of man. At first, they were used only to protect the room from prying eyes. Over time, in Ancient Egypt, curtains began to be decorated with improvised materials. And later in Byzantium, window decoration could eloquently tell about the status and wealth of its owner. The first decoration of Byzantine curtains was natural Chinese silk.

Leather lambrequin on brown fabric curtains
Stylish leather lambrequin is a very original solution

Today, decorating a window and making it a work of modern art is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. A little time, imagination and the result will surprise you.

An elegant curtain tieback is a real find. Harmonizing in color and style with the tape and the curtain itself, it adds chic to the entire composition.

Decorating a Silk Curtain with a Simple Tieback
An elegant pair – silk curtain in a caramel shade with a rope tie-back

Roman blinds look elegant even without additional elements. The right fabric and effective fastening to the cornice are a decoration in themselves. Subtle colors match the wall decoration and the color of the cornice.

Beautiful folds at the bottom of roman blinds
Roman blinds look beautiful on their own, so they don’t need any additional decoration.

Accents when decorating a window in a classic style are tassels and a lambrequin. The tassels should be the right color: either the same color as the curtains, or a couple of tones darker or lighter. A lambrequin is only suitable for rooms with high ceilings. You can choose a fabric, rigid or combined design.

Ribbons, tassels and bows will complement the design of the window space. Volumetric decor will add luxury, and light and elegant options will make the interior romantic.

The combination of Roman and French curtains looks stylish and very unusual. Contrasting fabric, braid and tassels make the interior unique and, at the same time, functional.

Combination of Roman and French blinds on the windows of the office
This combination of curtains is suitable for a classic style interior.

Beads are chosen for decoration with special care. Their task is to complement the design concept, and not to distract attention to themselves. Transparent beads are the most "harmless" option.

The addition to the thread curtains, which themselves look like decoration, is chosen very carefully. In this case, the right color scheme and the absence of excessive shine.

Curtain tiebacks of thread type
A combination of thread curtains of different colors looks interesting

Important! The smaller the room, the more neat and restrained the decor should be. Large tassels, beads and other fittings are appropriate only in large rooms with high ceilings.

How to Make a Box Pleat with Your Own Hands

Assembling a trefoil curtain
The higher the gathering coefficient of the fabric, the more voluminous the curtains look.

Types of folds, brief description

Drapery is used to decorate curtains, lambrequins and folds. There are only three types of folds:

  1. One-sided (folds are made in one direction, possibly at a distance).
  2. Counter folds (the folds in the fabric are made towards each other).
  3. Bow (called so because they resemble a lady's decoration, they look like the reverse side of the oncoming ones).

Taking the above three options as a basis, you can create models that are amazing in beauty and elegance. Here are just a few of them:

  • Glass folds are obtained by gathering the curtain at the bottom and adding a special filler at the top that will create the shape of a glass.

    Side folds at the top of the curtain
    Volumetric decorative fold glass
  • Puffs. Can have different designs. Usually it is a set of folds collected in groups.
  • French drapery is made using a special cord that runs through the inserts.

    Photo of French pleat curtains on a round cornice
    French assembly with three folds and two pockets
  • Tubular drapery is created by attaching a long piece of tape and forming a rounded fold shape.

Having a general idea of ​​the forms of drapery, you can create your own curtain masterpiece, which will combine the above options. Moreover, modern design allows some liberties in creating an interior. Decorate the window so that you feel cozy and comfortable. Choose color and style solutions that are ideal in your particular case. And make the interior of your home unique.

Curtain tape with original gathers
Uniform waffle assemblies look original and elegant.

How to calculate box pleats on curtains, diagram, description

The box pleats look very beautiful and elegant. Even a novice craftswoman can make this type of curtains. The main thing is the correct calculation.

As already noted, the folds of the fabric are located towards each other. But there may be variations here too.

  • The first option: the so-called 1:2 scheme. That is, the fabric for such curtains will require twice as much as the length of the cornice. In the picture: a is the distance between the centers of adjacent bows; b is the width of the bow; c is the distance between the bows.

    Scheme for calculating a box pleat in a 1 to 2 ratio
    Box fold pattern 1:2
  • The second option: scheme 1:2.5. In this case, for the finished curtain you will need 2.5 times more fabric than the length of the cornice (a is the width of the bow, b is the distance between the bows, d is the gap between the middles of adjacent bows).

    Calculation of fabric for a box pleat in a ratio of 1 to 2.5
    Box fold pattern 1:2.5

The photo of a bow fold on tulle shows how elegant such drapery looks. This is also true for any curtain fabric.

  • Finally, the third option for the arrangement of bows is the absence of space between them. This scheme is 1:3. That is, the fabric consumption is three times greater than the size of the cornice.

    Fabric calculation diagram for a box pleat in a 1 to 3 ratio
    Box fold pattern 1:3

Additional information: curtains can be assembled either manually or using special tape.

The pattern for drapery in the form of bows is selected based on various factors: the width of the fabric, its color and texture, as well as the size of the room, window opening and ceiling height.

How to Make One-Sided Folds on Curtains, Instructions with Photos

One-sided folds are made even simpler. But this does not mean that they are not able to decorate the interior. The laconicism of this option has a special gloss. Another advantage is the possibility of using them even in modest-sized rooms with low ceilings. By the way, they can also be located without a gap, or at some distance.

Velvet curtain with one-sided pleats
One-sided pleats are the easiest way to decorate curtains

To make one-sided folds on curtains with your own hands, you need to know the following parameters: the width of the window, the depth of the folds and, if there will be, the distance between them. For example, there is no distance between the folds, the depth of the folds is 10 cm.

First, the sides are processed (if there is no edge), then strokes are made along the width of the fabric every 10 cm.

The procedure for forming folds on one-sided folds with your own hands
Scheme of formation of one-sided folds

Forming the fold: pull the fabric by the third mark to the first (you will get the first fold, and the second mark will be inside) and fix it with a pin. Combine the fourth mark with the second and also fix it. Thus, fold all the folds, baste and stitch.

How to make counter folds on curtains: description, examples in the interior

Counter folds, like box folds, can be used in any interior. Modern or classic styles only benefit from this element.

Counter folds on a curtain made of dark green material
The counter folds are a little more difficult to make, but they look better.

To make curtains with such an element, you will need to calculate the fabric correctly. The most commonly used formula is 1:3, that is, the width of the fabric is equal to three times the width of the cornice.

DIY Fabric Marking for Counter Pleats
To make high-quality counter folds, you need to apply all the necessary marks to the fabric.

Marks are applied to the fabric, folds are formed and pinned (you can baste). Then a stitch is laid.

Sewing tape on a curtain with inverted folds
The tape is sewn on with a machine

To make the top edge of the curtain look finished, a ribbon or cord is sewn on (photo). In this case, the texture of the fabric, the finishing cord, the rings for fastening and the cornice itself complement each other in color and style.

Variations of counter folds on curtain fabric
The counter folds can be soft (diagram on the left) or ironed (diagram on the right)

The best examples of curtain decoration with folds

Drapery complements and decorates any curtains, regardless of color, texture and shape.

Light green curtain with pink buttons on the gathers
Curtain made of light green cotton with buttons on the folds

In this case, the folds on the laconic curtains made of natural fabric are decorated with round buttons - an unusual and stylish addition. This option demonstrates the possibility of decorating a window opening with only a curtain, without tulle. The overall concept of the interior allows you to choose this solution. The drapery on the curtains gives a feeling of softness, and the right choice of color makes the interior complete.

Fastening on tapes of curtains with counter folds
Curtains with folds can be made even more attractive if you attach them with tapes.

A more complex design: curtains with counter folds, on loops. As a finish, a tape in the same tone and tassels are chosen. Such curtains require a special interior design. Furniture and decoration should support the general style of the room.

Light and dark curtains on one window
Combination curtains in various options always look chic

Curtains made of combined fabric with a bow drapery. The accent is the tieback made of printed fabric.

White lambrequin with folds on the window of a real apartment
Pleats can enhance the look of even the simplest fabric.

Lambrequin with bow folds, massive tassels at the top of the curtains and on the grabs, as well as a non-standard color scheme make the window decoration interesting and sophisticated. It is worth noting that the lambrequin is a rather demanding part of the curtain structure. It must be the right size in relation to the window opening, and also have the appropriate shape (as can be clearly seen in the photo). Weightless tulle of a cream shade complements the composition.

Stylish window decoration is not an easy task. But if you want, you can cope with it at a decent level. Everything depends on your desire, imagination and availability of free time to implement your ideas.

Video on how to quickly sew pleated curtains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrjjkEpQqik