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Window decoration is one of the most difficult tasks. You can, of course, hang the first curtain you like more or less, but … Windows are an important part of shaping the interior, and the impression of your home largely depends on the choice. And I want it to be beautiful, cozy, comfortable and memorable. One of the ways to give your house or apartment your own style is to choose beautiful and comfortable curtains for the windows. And if you want them to be also modern and comfortable, pay attention to Roman blinds. These are those that can fit against the window and gather in beautiful folds. How Roman blinds will look in the interior depends on how exactly you choose the color and fabric. This is what we will talk about.
What are Roman blinds and what are they
Roman curtains are called curtains. They are a smooth canvas, which, when closed, gathers up, forming folds. This type of window decoration is convenient if you need short curtains to the windowsill. One of the main advantages of Roman blinds is that they take up a minimum of space, as they can be attached to the window frame. With this installation method, the window sill can be used as a desktop.
Roman blinds are simple. There is an upper bar to which an adhesive tape is attached, there is a canvas with a weighting agent at the very bottom and a reciprocal adhesive tape sewn on top. When installing, on the frame or wall above the window opening, a bar with Velcro is attached, and then the curtain itself is “molded” to it. Such a device makes it easy to wash it.
In order for the canvas of Roman curtains to rise up and gather in folds, drawstrings are sewn to the canvas in increments of 20 to 30 cm, into which rods are then threaded. When you close the curtains, the rods rise up, the canvas forms folds. Here is an original way invented by the ancient Romans.
There are two types of Roman blinds: classic (regular) and cascading. Classic in the open state is an even canvas, cascading always have a certain number of folds. The second option fits better with art deco, country or traditional decor. But how Roman blinds look in the interior depends not so much on the type as on the chosen fabric. It is they who set the main “sound”. So, basically, pay attention to the qualities and type of fabric.
Separately, it is worth mentioning bay windows. It’s not easy to arrange them. One option is a Roman blind for each window. Since the installation is very simple, no difficulties will arise. The only difficulty is that it will be necessary to open and close all the curtains, and this takes time, and even becomes annoying over time.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of Roman blinds is that they look good both in the folded and in the “working” state, they allow you to close the window opening with high quality, without gaps. Well, many people like them precisely for their concise form. Moreover, using different fabrics, you can make models for different styles – from strict minimalism to romantic Provence.
The disadvantages of Roman blinds are more related to the features of operation:
- If the curtain closes not the sashes individually, but the entire window, it is problematic to open it for ventilation with the curtain down. To get to the handle, you must either raise the curtain just above the handle, or dive under it. Given the weight at the bottom, this is not too easy.
- After washing, you have to disassemble a bunch of ropes that stretch to each crossbar.
- When folded, Roman blinds take up some space. That is, during the day they cover some part of the glass. Which one depends on the model and installation method.
These are the main pros and cons of Roman blinds. There is one more point, but it is not important for everyone: with the curtains closed, you won’t be able to “look out the window for a second.” This is the disadvantage…
How to choose size
The width of the Roman blind depends on whether it will be common to the window, or whether there will be its own curtain for each sash. To install on a sash, measure the width of the glass on each sash, taking into account the glazing beads. This will be the minimum value, but the glass will be exactly closed and no one will be able to look inside. The maximum width depends on the width of the frame, but keep in mind that there must be at least a small gap between adjacent curtains, so in this case you need to look for dimensions very close to the measurements, otherwise you simply will not be able to fix them.
If the Roman blind covers the entire window, its canvas should be at least 5 cm wider than the window opening. In principle, here you can focus on the width of the window sill – it will visually look better if the curtain and window sill are the same.
The length (height) is somewhat simpler: it should not be less than the window opening or the height of the sash. If there are only slightly larger models in standard sizes, this is not a problem. Appearance or functioning will not be worse from this. There is only one limitation: the maximum height must be less than 3 meters, since the length of the thread in the Roman blind mechanism is not more than 3 meters.
Roman curtains in the interior
Roman curtains in the interior of kitchens, children’s rooms, living rooms and offices can be seen in combination with tulle. With this combination, they “work” as night curtains, therefore they are sewn from dense fabrics that do not transmit light. Another option is solo, without any additions. So you can use them on glazed balconies or loggias, in any room, if you are not worried that someone can look into your windows during the day. So – just “Romans” without additions – you can often see in private houses where the windows overlook the backyard and no one else can be there.
Sometimes Roman blinds are used instead of tulle. In this case, they are sewn from translucent fabrics. In this version, they fit perfectly into minimalism or modern style, where folds are accepted only conditionally. A flat panel is what you need. However, please note that heating radiators should be covered with decorative screens or furniture standing under the window. The exception is exclusive models of heating devices, which themselves can serve as an interior decoration.
In the kitchen
Roman blinds in the interior of the kitchen are appropriate for almost any style of decoration. Most often they can be seen in those kitchens where the windowsill is used as a work surface. It’s hard to think of a more appropriate alternative. A concretion can be made, perhaps, by roller blinds, but they are not so spectacular.
Even if the kitchen window sill does not carry any functional load, Roman blinds next to tiles, household appliances look better than the coattails and folds of traditional designs.
The choice of colors and colors is a matter of taste of the owners, but the principles of color compatibility must be taken into account. There are several traditional solutions:
- Fabric to use plain neutral colors (white and its shades, beige, gray). They are combined with any colors and, as a rule, are present in the design of the room.
- Plain Roman blinds in bright colors. They are matched to existing items or decor elements. It can be one of the colors on the walls, in the upholstery, on the furniture facade, etc.
- Colored – striped, plaid, flowered. These curtains are the highlight of the interior and immediately attract attention. At least one of the colors should be repeated in other interior items. And the principle of selecting a pattern depends on the style in which the interior is made.
Only if you choose Roman blinds for the kitchen, it is better to look for fabrics that are easy to wash. Linen, velvet, tapestry, brocade – all this for other rooms. For the kitchen, impregnated cotton or some kind of well-washable and anti-allergenic synthetics is suitable.
In the children’s room
Let’s start by listing the practical advantages of using Roman blinds in the interior of a children’s room. First, in student rooms, there is often a table by the window. So the curtains to the windowsill are exactly what you need. Second: if the child is still very small, short curtains are also a plus – he cannot reach them, which means he will not pull them over his head. The third plus for allergy sufferers: less fabric will collect less dust.
In addition to these positive points, it is also necessary to add to the piggy bank that children and teenagers like Roman blinds more. They can be with thematic drawings, with the image of the heroes of your favorite cartoon, group, etc., or they can be strict and monophonic. There is someone who likes what, because at different ages preferences are different. But the fact remains: you can find any design. If there is no finished one, you can either sew the canvas or order its production.
Living room
Roman blinds in the interior of the living room can be matched to the design in any style. Here they are often combined with either tulle or traditional curtains. And in combination, and “solo” they can be in the living room of any style and direction. The classic model can be decorated on the bottom with tassels, a border, or decorated in some other way. These types are suitable for classic interiors.
Oddly enough, but it is Roman blinds that will fit perfectly into minimalism, art deco, and hi-tech. Fabrics are used by others. Plain-dyed, with a flat surface are suitable for minimalism, for high-tech you can find fabrics with a sheen very similar to the sheen of metal (something like satin).
Any models and ethnic type interiors will be good. Just for each style you need to choose your own fabrics. For Scandinavian interiors, plain Roman blinds are more suitable, perhaps with a denser or woven pattern.
Bedroom
Roman blinds in the bedroom are no less relevant than in the living room. If used instead of tulle curtains, they will block the view more securely while maintaining privacy. By choosing the density of the material, you can make daylight more or less subdued. If desired, it will be possible to lift the curtain, letting in more light. In general, there are day / night curtains, in which the stripes are made of two types of material – translucent and non-transmitting. In this situation, they will come in handy.
This combination is also not bad in operation: Roman blinds are used as night blinds, they are attached to glass, and daytime curtains are tulle, as usual, on the cornices. There are other options – only “Roman” or in combination with traditional linear curtains. They are good if you don’t care if someone can look into your windows or not.
If we talk about fabrics, then they are matched with textiles, wall decoration, facades or furniture upholstery. They may be of their own design, but the color and pattern should be in harmony with the surroundings.