How to cover windows? A practical guide to blinds, curtains and sheer curtains
A window is not just a source of light. It is an important element that determines the character of an interior. Given the huge choice of window coverings, finding the right one for us is difficult. Below we have gathered the most important solutions and practical installation options, and we have also considered the question of unusual windows.
What to cover a window with? An overview of solutions:
Roller blinds
One of the most popular solutions. They are divided into interior and exterio
Interior blinds are mounted on the window or on the wall. You can choose from many types:
- Roman,
- free-hanging,
- roof (skylight),
- pleated,
- day and night,
- with an exposed or concealed cassette.
Exterior blinds protect the house from excessive sun in summer and also increase privacy. They can be surface-mounted or flush-mounted. If you are building a house, it is worth thinking about them already at the design stage, because then it is easier to achieve a favourable result.
How to install a blind with a visible cassette. Source: Allegro
How to install with a concealed cassette. Source: Orlita
Venetian blinds
They used to be very popular, but today they have largely been replaced by fabric roller blinds. They are still available in many versions, from metal to wooden. It is worth remembering that wooden blinds are heavy and usually do not allow the window to be fully uncovered.
Shutters
These are essentially interior shutters. They work well where we do not want roller blinds or venetian blinds and are looking for something more original.
Exterior shutters
Particularly popular in Mediterranean countries, where the sun shines for most of the year. They can be mounted to the wall, retractable, with movable slats, or solid.
Curtain rod and curtains: how to choose the length and height
It is generally accepted that the curtain rod should extend no more than 15 cm beyond the window on each side. It is usually mounted at a height of about 10 cm above the top edge of the window. The length of the curtains themselves is just as important, because it largely determines the proportions of the entire composition.
How to hang curtains and sheer curtains?
How to hang curtains and sheer curtains?
The way of hanging matters a great deal because it affects the look of the curtains themselves.
- Metal rings (eyelets). A curtain threaded onto the rod using rings, giving distinct, regular folds.
- Classic pleater hooks. The most commonly chosen solution, versatile and simple.
- Tab tops (loops). Fabric hanging on loops, with a somewhat looser, more relaxed character.
- Gathering tape. Makes it possible to achieve an effectively wavy fabric regardless of how we arrange it. You just need to remember to pull the tape evenly, otherwise the effect will be uneven.
- Rod pocket (tunnel stitching). A curtain threaded onto a rod. A very simple solution that also gives a nice drape. IKEA uses an interesting variant, where the tunnel is sewn onto the back of the
What about unusual windows: round, semicircular and triangular
Windows with unusual shapes usually require made-to-order solutions. Of course, you can mount blinds outside the window outline, but if you want to emphasise its shape, it is worth looking for something less obvious:
- Shutters fitted to the shape of the window.
- Sheer curtains and curtains from ceiling to floor, which draw attention away from the unusual shape.
- Curtain rods mounted above the middle of the window height, or semicircular curtain rods.
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