Textiles are a key element when decorating the house, but the usual thing is to focus on rugs, duvet covers or cushions, leaving the windows for the last minute. Doesn’t it happen to you? So let’s take the bull by the horns and go with it!
The first decision when decorating our windows is choosing what we are going to dress them with. There are many options on the market, some of which Saaria have already dealt with specifically in this blog:
a) The blinds: They filter the incoming light avoiding the annoying and direct rays of the sun and among the most common types are the roller blinds (which allow us to collect them when they are not necessary, providing a total entry of light).
b) Japanese panels: They are like straight curtains that give the room a modern and very Zen air, although they need space on the sides of the windows to be able to be collected
c) Venetian blinds: A practical alternative that allows us to gradually or completely regulate the entry of light from outside through its slats.
d) The curtains: they are the precursors of the blinds in their traditional format (hanging and sliding). Its objective is to subtly filter the light allowing visibility through them.
e) Curtains: Unlike curtains, they give a room greater opacity. A solution without half measures for when we want to flee from sunlight, as well as being a decorative accessory of the first order.
Let’s see their different formats when placing them as well as the most current trends.
Curtain or sheer?
The best choice: both! The qualities of curtains and sheer are doubled if we use them together. Remember that they differ by their degree of opacity, so if you want different lighting environments at different times.
You can achieve it by combining them: when you want light but some privacy, draw the sheer and leave the curtain on the sides; when you want more opacity, run both.
If you combine both, at the decoration level, your thing is to choose a light sheer (white, bone, beige) and a curtain of a higher tone (mink, taupe, or a stronger colour).
It is also possible to combine stripes or patterns if you want to give the curtains a lot of prominence, but in this case, do not do it in both: either the plain sheer and the patterned curtain or vice versa.
Hanging systems
1. Eyes
This system is one of the most successful today. It consists of making the curtain with a certain number of buttonholes that are later finished with Ollaos, some small metallic reinforcements or embellishments so that the curtain slides easily over the bar that supports it.
2. Ruching
A very common option when decorating with curtains is to give some shape to the fall by gathering the upper fabric. This type of curtain has three possible hanging systems :
a) Gathered with ribbon and buttonhole pass-arras
A series of simple grommets made in the top hem of the shade allows the support rod to pass through. This system is somewhat heavy and makes it difficult to move the curtain when picking it up, extending it or removing it to wash it, but aesthetically the finish is more uniform.
b) Gathered with ribbon and hanging loops
In the upper hem, there are a series of hooks attached to rings that are inserted into the support bar. This system is quick to assemble and has an agile movement when drawing the curtains. Disadvantage: the design of the rings is open and they can be easily unhooked after an effusive pull of the curtain.
If we choose the classic closed rings, we must insert them one by one into the curtain rod and its hanging system will be completely safe.
c) Gathered with ribbon and hook to rails
A series of hooks are placed on the upper hem of the curtain, which is attached to the rail system anchored to the wall. This system may be one of the least practical when assembling and disassembling due to its meticulous assembly. However, its movement is more fluid than with other options, since the curtain slides quickly along the internal rail of the rail.
3. Loops
The curtain is made to pass through the bar by means of loops made of the same material as the curtain. As with buttonhole gathers, they slide with some difficulty due to the friction generated between the fabric and the support bar. Despite this, they are visually lighter and have a more natural fall.
Busbars and Terminals
When considering the assembly of the blinds, it is important to decide if we finally opted for a rod or rail hanging system. The rail is kept hidden behind the curtain; however, the bar protrudes a few centimetres to the sides and therefore needs a finish.
If we are decorating by combining curtains and sheers or double curtains, in addition to the double rail, we could use a double bar system. This allows us to create a beautiful effect in any environment by combining the different qualities of curtain and sheer.
For the final decoration of our curtain rod, we find an infinite number of terminals on the market, from a simple stop to much more original and varied designs that will give the final finish to our textile ensemble. Even so, our recommendation is always “less is more”: look for a simple one that gives all the prominence to the curtain.
Tie-backs, clamps and retaining hooks
The icing on the cake in accessories for curtains if we want to take care of the detail are the tie-backs, the clamps and hooks that allow us to pick up the curtains on both sides, giving the room another style.
We can choose between the classic fabric clamp (a simple and very elegant option) or between the original designs of current hooks and tie-backs. Knobs carved in glass or engraved in metal with animal motifs, interwoven or nautical rope knots are some of these options.
