What could be more pleasant than going out to the balcony in the morning with a cup of aromatic coffee, breathing deeply and enjoying the view from the window? But, you must admit, if the interior of the balcony or loggia leaves much to be desired, then you will not be able to enjoy the above aspects. Probably, it is better then not to go out to the balcony at all. Let's try to create an atmosphere of coziness and comfort with the help of competent window decoration on the loggia.
Curtains help to harmoniously complete the conceived image of the balcony space and create a cozy atmosphere in it
What to consider
Content
- What to consider
- Color solution
- Glazing systems and curtain selection
- Methods for attaching curtains on the balcony
- Material for balcony curtains
- Types of curtains for the balcony
- Blinds
- Roller blinds
- Bamboo curtains
- Roman curtains
- Video: How to hang balcony curtains on a string cornice
- Photos of examples of window decoration with curtains on the balcony and loggia
Undoubtedly, the choice of curtains for the balcony is the exclusive prerogative of the owners. But there are some aspects to be taken into account, in particular:
- Which side do the windows of your balcony face. If you are the lucky owner of a loggia facing the sunny side, then the material from which the curtains will be made must be dense enough to reliably protect from the sun's rays. In addition, window decoration must be resistant to fading and heat.
- Balcony curtains should not interfere with opening (or closing) the windows on the loggia, be sure to leave free access to the window handles. It is also expected that the curtains will let in a sufficient amount of natural light.
- For a balcony, fabrics that are unpretentious in care will be the best choice. Since dust traditionally accumulates on the loggia, balcony curtains should be washed more often than usual.
- In addition to the above practical points, do not forget that decorating windows on a loggia is a kind of design move, the main task of which is to decorate the space around you.
- The length of the curtains directly depends on the area of the balcony: a space of impressive size will be appropriately supplemented curtains to the floor, but a small area "get along" only with short curtains up to the windowsill or blinds.
- The design of the curtains for the loggia, ideally, should correspond to the interior design of the room adjacent to the balcony.
- Excessive decor and volume is not a story for a balcony. Laconic and maximally functional models will be the right choice. An exception is allowed only for large loggias, which will "withstand" both multilayer structures and voluminous decorations for curtains.
- If your balcony is distinguished by non-standard windows, do not try to "register" ordinary curtains in it, it is better to order a model that is ideal for your case. Let it be a little more expensive, but the result will please you.
- Finally, you will have to take into account which room the balcony is combined with, whether it is insulated or not, its area and configuration, the type of glazing system and purpose.
A few little tricks will help you functionally decorate the windows on the balcony:
- Darker curtains get hotter and fade faster.
- If the presence of dark curtains is essential for you, then choose two-sided models and let the lighter side “look” on the street.
- If in your case there is a balcony of modest size, and you really want to hang curtains with a pattern, give preference for canvases in a small flower (rhombus, square), and then visually the space will appear more.
Short curtains - the best solution for a modest balcony
Color solution
It's no secret that when creating any interior, color plays an important role. It will allow you to visually enlarge the room or make it more proportional. And balcony curtains are no exception. Remember that the color of the curtains on the loggia will affect not only the style of the interior, but also the temperature perception. Let's try to determine the "abilities" of different colors:
- Beige range - will create comfortable freshness and coziness, make the balcony somewhat more spacious and lighter.
This pastel shade creates a soft and calm atmosphere on the balcony.
- Green is a suitable option for active people, as it adds vigor and positiveness. Creates a feeling of cleanliness and freshness.
Light green curtains will invigorate, but at the same time create a warm and soothing atmosphere.
- White is elegant and effective. It always looks expensive. Adds volume and airiness. But keep in mind that it will require serious care.
White curtains are a versatile option that goes well with any palette and with all shades
- Floral print - romantic and tender. It is guaranteed to provide a spring mood at any time of the year. One rule: large flowers hide the space, and small ones look harmonious in any area.
Curtains with flowers will perfectly fit into the interior of the balcony in the Provence style
- Patterns and ornaments - always bring some zest to the overall design.
Original geometric patterns give the balcony an unusual and memorable look
- Photo printing - will make the interior of your loggia unique in its kind.
Modern technologies make it possible to make almost any photo printing on curtains.
Glazing systems and curtain selection
When choosing curtains for a balcony, you have to take into account the types of glazing systems and options for opening the window sashes. After all, you have to ventilate the glazed balcony during the warm season almost every day. And the curtains should help in this, and not interfere.
Balcony curtains should be not only beautiful, but also as easy to use as possible.
If the windows on the balcony have a sliding design, then there will be no problems, choose the curtain model that you like and use it for health. Stringed or profiled curtain rods, multi-layer curtains or simple curtain fabrics - there is no difference.
Classic curtains are chosen by conservative people who want to see falling waves of curtains on the balcony
If your balcony is equipped with windows that open inward, then compact designs such as Roman blinds, pleated blinds or roller blinds are the ideal choice. Blinds will be a win-win option.
Before choosing a curtain design, pay attention to the fastening system. What exactly will your balcony "allow". The following options are available:
- string cornices;
- profile mount;
- special brackets.
String and profile designs are perfect for multi-layer curtain options. With their help, both light tulle and dense curtains will perfectly fit. If your balcony allows you to place such fasteners, then you will have the most comfortable balcony at your disposal, which can also be used as an independent room.
Long canvases to the floor create a unique coziness and are suitable for a loggia combined with a room
Methods for attaching curtains on the balcony
A lot of interesting know-how in the field of curtain fastening is available today. But the good old options are still in high demand. It is not difficult to explain why this happens. First, traditional mounts are very easy to use. Secondly, they are easy to install, and, thirdly, the traditional mount will ideally complement almost any interior.
The photo shows unusual curtains "hourglass", fixed directly on the sashes of the balcony windows
The choice of the model of the cornice depends on the size of the balcony and its shape. The personal preferences of the inhabitants of the apartments must also be taken into account. A plastic or aluminum curtain rod with hooks or special clips is ideal for standard tandem designs of lightweight tulle and heavy curtains.
The ceiling cornice with hooks is a universal fastening, quite convenient and easy to use
Metal tubes with eyelets are used on large balconies. In this case, plastic (or metal) rings are threaded into the openings of the canvases and hung on the cornice.
Fastening curtains to eyelets requires sufficient space above the windows to hang the cornice
If the area of the balcony does not allow the use of a standard cornice, then, as an option, plastic hooks can be glued over the windows, and loops can be sewn onto the canvas. And if you simplify the task even more, then hooks with Velcro are simply attached to the upper frame of the plastic window and light curtains are hung on them.
If there is no place above the windows to fix any kind of cornice, then the best solution would be to use Velcro, fixed directly on the plastic frames.
Material for balcony curtains
In the case when the material is chosen for the insulated balcony, there are no special rules, you just buy what you like. If we are talking about the interior of an ordinary balcony (warm in summer and cold in winter), then the choice of fabric plays a key role. The strength of the canvas and its resistance to high moisture, high and low temperatures should be the defining indicators. As a rule, these are synthetic fabrics with special water and dirt-repellent impregnation, as well as good dyes.
It is important to decide whether the curtains will perform an exclusively decorative function or will become reliable protection from the scorching sunlight
Materials that meet the above requirements can be either lightweight or dense. Blackout material is in demand, especially in cases where reliable protection from sunlight is required during the day.
Using only tulle to decorate the balcony, you make the space light and airy. This is ideal for northern sides. If you need protection from excessive natural light, then add curtains to the tulle.
Light curtains made of voile or tulle do not make the space heavier and allow air and light to pass through well
When choosing a material for balcony curtains, be sure to take into account the style of the future model. For example, for some designs of curtains, the fabric should be nicely draped, while others will require folds or "ability" to curl.
And one more practical tip: do not forget that balcony curtains will have to be washed more often than ordinary curtains, so choose a material that is not demanding to care for.
Types of curtains for the balcony
Balcony curtains should not only be in harmony with the interior, but also correspond to the characteristics of this room.
Blinds
Perhaps this version of the curtains for the loggia exists out of time and out of style. It easily adapts to any design and always guarantees functionality and a decent look. Thanks to a special impregnation, the blinds retain their presentable appearance for a long time, despite the influence of moisture or dust.
Plastic blinds are great for balconies and loggias located on the south side of the house
With the help of blinds, it is easy to protect a room (especially when it comes to a bedroom or nursery) from excessive natural light and overheating.
Balcony models are made from different materials: metal, wood, textiles, but plastic options are considered the most common. The design can be either horizontal or vertical.
The main advantage of fabric blinds is the rich color range. You are guaranteed to find the right shade for any interior.
Roller blinds
Roller blinds can be safely called a distant relative of blinds. They are a cloth of fabric, wound on a roll on a special shaft and functioning with a weighting agent and a metal-plastic system. The budget option does without a weighting agent and then the free edge simply hangs down.
In the photo there are bright roller blinds on the windows of the insulated loggia
And again, the main advantage is considered a large selection of colors, as well as options with varying degrees of transparency.
Day-night curtains provide maximum comfort and functionality. In the daytime mode, the canvases let in light, but only as much as you need. And in the "night" position, the window opening is completely closed. If you use the "night mode" indoors on the sunny side during the day, then you are guaranteed to be protected not only from excess light, but also from overheating.
Alternating stripes on the canvases allow you to conveniently adjust the degree of illumination of the balcony
The more expensive cassette assembly is equipped with special angled guides that provide a snug fit to the window and provide reliable protection. Such models look perfect even with open window sashes.
Cassette roller blinds are perfectly combined with plastic windows
Bamboo curtains
We can safely say that such models are a new word in interior design. Both blinds and roller blinds are made from bamboo. The material perfectly tolerates moisture and ultraviolet light. In addition, their indisputable advantage is the ability to keep their shape and not to accumulate mold.
Modern models of bamboo curtains can effectively complement the interior of the balcony space
The only drawback is the price. Like wooden blinds, bamboo canvases are not cheap. However, after weighing all the advantages of this option, you may decide that the "minus" does not really matter.
Roman curtains
Giving preference to convenience and simplicity, many people opt for Roman paintings. When folded, such a curtain resembles an accordion and looks like a stylish accessory. And in the expanded version, it reliably protects the window opening from excessive light.
Roman models look elegant and take up a minimum of balcony space
Roman blinds today are offered in a sufficient assortment: plain and patterned models, geometric patterns or floral prints. And the variety of colors is truly amazing. Recently, Roman photocurtains are becoming more and more popular. With this option, it is easy to make any dream come true: a vacation by the sea, a trip to a metropolis, or just a walk through a blooming field.
The photo shows an example of the decoration of the balcony windows with roman blinds in a modern style
An obvious fact: no matter where the curtains are located, they are not just a functional element, but also an interior decoration. So, even when choosing curtains for a loggia, you need to think in detail about the color, size, methods of fastening and the location of the canvases.
Do not be afraid to experiment and do not consider the balcony to be something insignificant. In the end, it depends only on you whether this space will become a place for storing old skis and a non-working washing machine or a cozy place.