What curtains on the balcony to choose: types, color, tips

The time has come when balcony ceased to be a place of accumulation of unnecessary things and, finally, acquired the status of an independent room with all the ensuing consequences. This is the place where you can take a breath of fresh air and relax from the daily rush. In order for the balcony to truly become a source of vital energy, it is necessary to create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort in this small room. Curtains in this case play an important role, because the feeling of comfort directly depends on the amount of daylight. That is why it is very important to properly organize the distribution of sunlight. First of all, this is a competent choice of curtains, curtains, blinds. In addition, curtains protect from prying eyes, which is very important for a balcony. We figure out which curtains to choose on the balcony, and what to consider.

Creating a balcony interior design has its own nuances:

• At first, a third of the room, and sometimes half - is, by and large, a window that is the main source of light not only for the balcony, but also for the room adjacent to it.
• Secondly, the room is often very small and with its design it is necessary to rationally use every centimeter of the area.

General recommendations for choosing curtains on the balcony

To facilitate the selection of balcony curtains, use some recommendations:

1. Curtains should be made of a material resistant to sunlight and temperature stress, not wrinkle, do not fade, wash well or give in to wet cleaning, and retain dust.
2. The length of the curtains depends on the area of ​​the room. If the balcony little, it is advisable to use blinds, tulle or short curtains. On the big the balcony or loggia will look harmonious long curtainsmade from light tissue.
3. The style of curtains and the color scheme is recommended to choose depending on the interior of the room adjacent to the balcony.
4. Balcony curtains should not be too decorated and voluminous, since the additional decor makes the room visually smaller. However, if large loggia and its area allows can hang curtains with multilayer drapery and lambricenes.
5. The density and shade of the curtains depends on the location of the balcony. If the balcony is on southern side, the intensity of sunlight will be strong enough and in order to be able to darken the room it is recommended to use enough dense tissue. If the balcony is located on northern side, the curtains should not prevent sunlight from entering the room, therefore, should be made of light translucent fabrics.A light color palette will add more missing light to the room.
6. The choice of curtains for the balcony is complicated non-standard window sizes. If such a problem arose, it would be advisable to order custom-made curtains. It will be somewhat more expensive, but the result will be exactly the product that will suit you in all dimensional and functional parameters.
7. Picture on the curtains is determined by the geometry of the room. Small drawing makes the room visually more spacious, whereas large — narrows her.Vertical the lines visually will raise low ceiling, a horizontal - expand perimeter the rooms.

Color scheme

Color plays an important role in creating any interior. So, in the balcony of the space, it requires special attention, as it affects not only the aesthetics, but also the feeling of temperature. When choosing a color palette, it is necessary to proceed from the purpose of the balcony, as well as from the color scheme of the room adjacent to the balcony, since they should create a harmonious tandem. Consider what certain colors carry with them and how they behave in the interior:

• beige - the color of coziness, freshness and comfort. Makes the space visually larger and brighter;
• green - the color of vivacity, energy and positive. It causes a feeling of freshness and purity;
• white - Add light and volume. It looks very easy, airy, elegant and stylish in any interior;
• floral motifs - add tenderness and romanticism to the interior. They will create a warm spring-summer mood. When choosing floral designs, you must adhere to the rule: large flowers for a large space, small ones will look harmoniously in a small area;
• strips - have the ability to make the room visually higher or wider, depending on the direction;
• patterns and ornaments - make the room more interesting;
• photo printing - creates a unique personal style.

Curtain Models

On the curtain model selection affects the purpose of the room. For example, if a balcony is used as a gym, office or workshop, it will be appropriate to use the simplest curtains, such as Roman or blinds. They take up little space, wash well, are functional and not catchy.

If the balcony is designed to receive guests, for the relaxation room or dining room, then standard curtains or French ones are suitable. They will create additional comfort in the room.

To decide on the choice of model of curtains, we will consider each of them separately.

Horizontal blinds

Blinds - the most common type of balcony curtains at the moment. They are very durable, cheap, occupy a minimum of space. Horizontal blinds from plastic easily wash, and vertical and rolled from fabric are impregnated with a special dust-repellent substance. Due to their versatility and cheapness, they are in great demand among the population.

Blinds distinguish several types:

• horizontal blinds;
• vertical blinds;
• roller blinds.

Horizontal blinds - The simplest and most convenient type of curtains. Initially, they appeared as an element of office style, but then gradually pumped into private houses and apartments. They are cheap, practical and easy to manage.

The louvres of blinds are made, as a rule, of plastic or aluminum and are covered with powder paint of the required color. Aluminum is stronger than plastic and more flexible. Naturally, aluminum blinds are a bit more expensive than plastic. Also, the price of color is slightly higher than standard whites.

Blinds come in standard and cassette. Standard blinds are controlled by a cane and cord. Management of cassette blinds is carried out in one chain. Such control is much longer than standard and more reliable.

Cassette blinds are a more advanced type of standard. They were developed specifically for plastic windows. Thanks to their special fastening, they adhere more tightly to the surface of the window, forming a single whole with it, due to which they have a more elegant and presentable appearance. In addition, the locking string always comes with blinds and when ventilating does not allow them to swing in the wind.

The only drawback of cassette curtains is that their cost is 2-3 times higher than the cost of standard blinds.

Despite all its advantages, blinds do not give such a feeling of comfort as fabric curtains. Something between the blinds and the fabric curtains are vertical fabric blinds.

Vertical Fabric Blinds

Vertical blinds have recently appeared on the curtain market and are slowly replacing horizontal blinds.They are more versatile, much more aesthetic and practical as horizontal blinds, and standard curtains. If you need a modern, stylish interior, this is about vertical blinds.

Vertical blinds as well as horizontal, consist of lamellas, but located vertically. Curtains are designed in such a way that when they close, a continuous fabric path is obtained that does not transmit light. Depending on the angle of rotation of the lamellas, the intensity of the penetrating light is regulated.

The curtain is attached to the ceiling on a plastic or metal curtain rod. Please note that aluminum curtain rods, although a little more expensive, are much more durable than plastic ones. The lamellas are attached to the cornice with clips with a rotary mechanism. This design allows the lamella to rotate to adjust the light intensity. In order to prevent the planks from developing during a draft, weights are attached at the bottom and connected by a fishing line.

Another advantage of vertical blinds is a huge number of colors: from plain color to photographs or paintings. This makes them more interesting and attractive.

Vertical blinds are the so-called "European" and "American". They differ in the width of the lamellas. The width of the strip of "European" blinds is slightly wider than the "American" and is 127 mm. The width of the "American" blinds is 89 mm.

Each lamella is made of dense synthetic fabric, which is treated with a special impregnation in order to repel dust and give the fabric greater rigidity. Thanks to this, the curtain is very durable and resistant, but at the same time flexible and soft. However, despite the impregnation, dampness does not withstand such material. Therefore, vertical blinds set only on well insulated balconies. Caring for the curtains is very simple. It is enough to vacuum or wipe with a damp cloth.

Vertical blinds are an advantageous solution for decorating balcony windows. They are practical, effective, relatively cheap, easy to use, functional. When buying, you need to remember their susceptibility to dampness and pay attention to small nuances that will help you choose a quality product:

1. The color of the chain at the bottom of the blinds with which the lamellae are connected must be white. Yellowness is an indicator of poor quality plastic.
2. If you buy blinds for a balcony, lamellas weights should be all-plastic.
3. A metal curtain rod will last much longer than a plastic one.

Filament blinds

New trend. In fact, these are vertical blinds, however, there are no weights and lower fixation at the bottom of the lamellas, which allows the lamellas to easily rotate around their axis and adjust the molasses. If necessary, they are easily shifted to the side. Recommended for panoramic balconies.

The standard length of the lamella is 3m. You can adjust the curtains in height only after installing it. This point must be taken into account if your choice fell on thread blinds.

Accordion pleats

This is a transitional version of the blinds on roller blinds. Pleated is a metal profile, inside of which a delicate pleated fabric is stretched. Outwardly, the accordion pleats resemble blinds, but in fact a fabric base is already used.

This design is assembled using a cord, a control knob, a chain or a control panel, naturally in the presence of an electric drive. The pleated blinds are attached separately to each frame and are great for non-standard windows, which are often found in balcony openings. This is a stylish and very effective solution for creating a cozy atmosphere.

Roller blinds

Roller blinds in the same way as accordion pleats belong to the type of blinds, although they do not have lamellas. They are a one-piece fabric web that is wound on a thin roller. Opening and closing curtains is carried out using a special mechanism with a chain or remote control using an electric drive.

Roller blinds are open and closed.When the structure is closed, an additional box appears, a lower shaft and 2 side guides, which allows the curtain to fit as tight as possible to the window and protect it from sunlight.

Rolshtors, like vertical blinds, have a huge variety of textures and colors, which allows them to blend harmoniously into almost any design.

According to the degree of blackout, roller blinds are:

1. Translucent - decorative curtains. They look like tulle. They transmit light well. Through them you can clearly see what is happening on the street, but at the same time, it is also impossible to hide from prying eyes in the evening with such curtains if the light is on on the balcony. Translucent curtains are suitable for balconies of the north side, so that the sun can penetrate through them. Or in the event that, in addition to decorative curtains, the window is covered with curtains made of thick fabric.
2. Reflective - Curtains treated with a special composition that reflects UV rays. These curtains will be especially suitable for balconies of the south side.
3. Dimout - blackout curtains with a degree of permeability of sunlight 10%. Gently scatter the sun's rays, creating the effect of a comfortable light dimming, in addition, they are also able to delay thermal radiation, which avoids stuffiness in the house. Suitable for balconies on the sunny side to darken the room.
4. Blackout - maximum dimming. Such curtains do not give the slightest chance of sunlight to break into the room. In order to create such an effect, the material for the curtain is treated with impregnation with a high content of acrylic. Such curtains are used if they want to achieve as a result of absolute darkness.

The temperature level on the balcony or loggia also depends on the lighting and the type of curtains. This should be remembered when choosing the quality of the fabric. So, translucent fabrics contribute to an increase in temperature, and dense - on the contrary, reduce. This property can be used to create a “warm floor” effect on the balcony. To do this, the flooring should be dark in order to absorb the sun's rays, and the curtains should be translucent. It is desirable that the balcony is located on the south side. The floor will absorb warm rays and heat up. However, in the summer it is better not to do this in order to avoid the exhausting heat in the room. To prevent the room from overheating, it is necessary to use curtains with a reflective surface.

Now become very popular Rolshtora "day-night", which combine different degrees of penetration of sunlight. The canvas of such a curtain consists of transparent and dense stripes. Its design features are that the curtain consists of two layers. In order to darken the window, it is necessary to rotate the shaft until the dark strips of the upper layer overlap the transparent ones of the lower layer. Thus, it is very convenient to adjust the intensity of sunlight in the room.

Like conventional roller blinds, day-night can be open and closed. The design principles are accordingly the same.

Depending on the mounting method, roller blinds have 3 modifications:

1. Mini - small in size model. The basic configuration. All fasteners are plastic. The curtain is attached using double-sided tape to the sash of a plastic window.
2. Uni - model with aluminum rails. Just like mini, it is attached with double-sided tape to the sash of a plastic window.
3. Standart - enhanced version. Fastens with screws to the wall or ceiling. Since the fastening is reliable, such curtains are usually made of heavier fabrics with larger dimensions.

The most popular curtains are Standart and Mini. The choice depends on the type of window for which the blinds are selected.

Curtain materials “day-night” - this is the simplest mesh tulle from which transparent stripes are made, and linen or silk for dense stripes. Durability of a cloth is provided with additional synthetic fibers.The product is processed with special antistatic compounds that care for the material and due to which its attractiveness remains for a long time.

Rolshtora can be made not only of fabric, but of other materials. For example, from straws or bamboo. Such curtains protect well from the sun and create a pleasant cozy atmosphere. However, in expanded form they occupy a little more space than fabric blinds.

The peculiarity of bamboo curtains is that they have an antibacterial property and are made by hand. Bamboo rods are very tightly connected to each other with natural threads. Bamboo curtains differ precisely in the fit of the twigs to each other. However, such a product still transmits soft sunlight.

The cornice for attaching a bamboo curtain is made of wood, and the bottom of the curtain is mostly decorated. The color scheme of bamboo rods is not wide. There are several tones: mahogany, cherry and coffee. In order to diversify the palette, play on the colors of the threads to connect the bamboo.

In addition to the antibacterial effect, bamboo curtains have an antistatic property, they tolerate moisture and sunlight, and they are also hypoallergenic. Therefore, they are great for rooms where there are children.

Caring for roller blinds is very easy. It is enough to wipe bamboo curtains with a damp cloth. Fabric curtains are impregnated with a dust-repellent composition, which not only protects the curtains from dust and dirt, but also prevents overheating, fading and deformation of the fabric. Impregnating agents are absolutely harmless. To maintain cleanliness, it is enough to wipe them with a dry cloth or brush, and in case of contamination, wipe them with a wet sponge without a washing or damp cloth.

More expensive roller blind models are equipped with an electric drive, with which you can control the degree of curtain openness using the remote control. They also use thermal and photo sensors that also remotely control the opening and closing of curtains depending on temperature and lighting.

It should be borne in mind that the blinds pricing is influenced not only by the size of the curtains, but also by the density, texture and color of the fabric.

It is very important to choose a quality product and not to save. Since low-quality plastic parts break quickly, and the design itself is poorly twisted.

Japanese curtains

Japanese curtains are several cloths of fabric of the same or different lengths and colors, which are mounted on one cornice. Such curtains are displaced only along horizontal guides. The design of the Japanese curtains is such that the panel cannot be rotated, only shifted horizontally.

Japanese curtains are produced exclusively in standard sizes: the length of the cornice is allowed up to 6 m, the width of one panel is from 20 cm to 1.5 m, in a row there can be from 3 to 6 panels. You can move the curtains either manually or using the remote control if you have an electric drive.

Japanese curtains can be made of various materials. The most popular of them:

• silk. Traditional fabric for Japanese curtains. Gives the room luxury and gloss;
• cotton and linen. Products made from these fabrics are characterized by high breathability, protection from light and dust. Perfectly in harmony with tulle and veil;
• organza. This material goes well with denser fabrics. However, organza compositions are also acceptable;
• rice paper. This material perfectly conveys oriental flavor. Paradoxically, despite the good vapor permeability, curtains made of this material well hide the room from prying eyes;
• textured textiles. These are usually very bright patterned fabrics with a dense texture. A curtain made of such fabric often resembles an integral picture and is used as an unusual decor;
• bamboo. It is incredibly strong, practical and durable material. Everything is environmentally friendly, bactericidal and hypoallergenic.

The advantage of such curtains, in addition to an unusual interesting design, is their functionality. If one structural member fails, it can easily be replaced by another. Like all roller blinds, they are unpretentious in leaving, possess antistatic effect, well protect from dust and the sun. Huge selection of colors.

However, such curtains are only suitable for balconies and loggias with a large area. On the windows of small balconies they will look ridiculous.

If you are the owner of a large balcony and a fan of concise restrained styles such as Asian, loft or minimalism, then Japanese curtains will be to your taste and will create a unique atmosphere of the east and harmony.

Traditional curtains

When choosing curtains for a balcony, special attention should be paid to traditional curtains. They are suitable for a large balcony or loggia, as they occupy a much larger space than the considered roller blinds. Also the balcony should be insulatedotherwise the service life of such curtains will be short.

When choosing curtains for your balcony, be guided by your own preferences and our tips. And your curtains will reliably protect you from the scorching sun and prying eyes, and also create a unique atmosphere of coziness and a sense of comfort.