It is impossible to imagine a single room in the house without curtains. One of the options for decorating windows is short curtains. Now they are as popular as long ones, and their wide variety allows them to be used in the interior of a wide variety of styles. These are simple sliding curtains, only shortened, as well as lifting models, which initially had a small length. All of them are very practical to use and have undoubted decorative qualities.
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Difference from long
Curtains of regular length or shortened - any housewife should make such a choice when decorating a window. Of course, both of them have advantages and disadvantages. But sometimes it happens that after comparison they stop choosing curtains of short length.
In some cases, this is the only possible option, as, for example, in the kitchen, where the wall with the window is occupied by the work surface of the kitchen set. Stylish short curtains are practical, while they look charming, bringing a certain zest to the interior. However, curtains to the windowsill can decorate not only the kitchen. They are often used in multi-layer designs, complete with long curtains.
Advantages of short curtains:
- free access to the windowsill;
- air heated from radiators directly enters the room;
- simplified care;
- short curtains are less prone to dirt;
- economical consumption of fabric.
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There are many types of cropped curtains that have been known for a long time, but are still popular and are very often used in modern interiors.
Roman
These models are the most popular among short curtains. They are easy to use, when raised, they form even folds, when closed they look like screens covering a window. Roman models are good in Classic and Minimalism styles. In the version without stiffening strips, the curtain turns out to be softer, the folds sag a little. This is how their previous appearance returns: initially they looked just like this, and they began to use twigs for rigidity only later.
London (English)
An analogue of the Roman ones - they have a very similar lifting mechanism. A cord, rings, a chain are used, however, without rails. The London model has three vertical sections: two lateral and a central one, which is the widest. The lifting mechanism in such a curtain may be completely absent. It is replaced by long ribbons. If the curtain is down, the ribbons simply fall off. If you need to raise the curtain, you just need to fix it at a certain height by tying bows from ribbons.
Austrian cylinders
These cropped models are similar to those in London. But there is a difference: the sections are all the same, and the braid with rings is attached not only along the line of the boundaries of the vertical sections, but also along the vertical edges of the curtain. Thus, from two to four scalloped cylinders are obtained. Austrian curtains look solemn and magnificent, therefore they are not appropriate in every interior. This kind of drapery is good in a girl's room. This model is ideal for Provence decor.
French
This model has a lot in common with the Austrian ones, however, here the canvas is pre-assembled in height. Therefore, on such a curtain, many small folds are obtained, which are also visible in the lowered state. When the curtain is raised, scallops form on it.
The model requires a lot of fabric. To determine the consumption of material, the length of the finished curtain must be multiplied by 2-2.5. The French curtain is lightweight. It does not always have a lifting mechanism, often plays the role of a translucent curtain and can be combined with sliding curtains made of dense fabric. The shortened French model evokes theatrical and palace associations. There is also a place for such a model in today's interior.
Swedish
Short roll-up models that do not require the installation of a curtain rod. Their design is simple. To make a Swedish curtain, you need to insert a weighting bar into a special drawstring located on the lower edge of the curtain. The curtain contains rings and a cord. All parts of the structure are visible from the outside, which are sometimes masked with a shuttlecock or braid.
Due to the simplicity of the design, a Swedish curtain is not purchased in the living room and in the bedroom, but for the kitchen, balcony, loggia, veranda, nursery it will be an excellent solution. For better perception, the curtain is made double-sided with a contrasting lining. This option looks much more interesting - the rolled roll differs in color from the main canvas, which looks spectacular.
Stagecoach
These unusual short roll-up models are a variation of the Swedish curtain. The twisting mechanism is completely absent here. Previously, these simple curtains were placed on carriage windows - hence the name. The design is simple: a strong strip is inserted at the bottom of the canvas, and tapes are sewn to the top. The curtain must be rolled up by hand, then it is fixed with ribbons on bows. By analogy with the Swedish curtain, the seamy side of this model is often of a different color, which makes it more interesting. This curtain looks very romantic and fits into any room. She decorates not only windows, but also glass doors to another room or corridor.
Cafe
Very interesting are the short curtains "Cafe", which differ in that the bar is in the middle of the window. If you are confused by the empty upper part of the window, you can place a lambrequin there or supplement it with a Stagecoach curtain. The name appeared in the 19th century, when restaurants began to appear in Europe that decorated their windows with these curtains. The goal was simple - to decorate the window, creating a minimal coziness. Visitors liked the idea, and similar curtains migrated to their homes. Today they are associated with country house kitchens and pre-war interiors. Therefore, even now they like to decorate windows of kitchens, dining rooms, as well as bathrooms and verandas with curtains "Cafe". Such curtains are appropriate in Country and Retro styles.
Materials (edit)
For the manufacture of cropped curtains, it is possible to use a variety of materials. The choice of fabric largely depends on the style and purpose of the product.
For small country-style curtains, check or striped colors are characteristic. Wonderful airy French curtains are good from the veil. For Austrian models, they take cotton linen.
Stylish, not very long curtains from the header are a modern window design option. The fabric has a very soft texture, folds, wrinkles, creases are formed by themselves. This texture is simply created for the interior of the living room.
Very often, small curtains decorate country windows outside the city. For the manufacture of such curtains, a moisture-resistant fabric is required. This can give the room the necessary protection from bad weather.
Lightweight tulle curtains can be hung in a small kitchen. Cotton fabric will look good. For the manufacture of roller blinds, dense natural and synthetic fabrics are always used.
Colors
The use of a short curtain in a kitchen space is always appropriate. In this case, the color scheme is chosen in accordance with various factors.
It is necessary to consider:
- color of wallpaper and tiles. The shade of the curtains should differ by 1-2 tones;
- furniture color - is it possible to repeat the shades of the furniture set in the curtain;
- colors of textile decor elements - in the curtain, you can beat the tone of the upholstery or the color of decorative pillows.
Short curtains are found not only in the kitchen.
In a small room, you can hang curtains with a floral or geometric print. Plaid or polka dot fabrics are popular for short, rustic canvases. If you choose window-sill-length curtains for the bedroom, calm tones will be characteristic.
Designers do not advise choosing curtains to match the color of the walls; shortened models should stand out. If dark tones muffle the space, choosing bright curtains will make the room luscious. Not very long curtains in white and beige tones will ideally fit into absolutely any interior design.
How to choose?
When choosing short curtains, one must take into account the style of the interior of the room as a whole.
For example, French curtains, which are characterized by drapery and curvy folds, work well in a bedroom or living room in a Baroque style. Rolls are often used in the Minimalist style. As for Roman blinds, when they are raised, they are going to folds, they will perfectly fit into almost any interior. A stylish solution is to hang them on hinges.
If you want to cover the window as much as possible from the sun's rays, the fabric of the short curtain should be printed or embroidered. Often, windows in a country house or in a country house are decorated with short curtains. For this occasion, the rustic style (Country) is very suitable.
For the right choice of short curtains, you need to consider:
- window dimensions - to select the cornice and determine the length of the fabric;
- fastening method - eyelets, hooks, loops, clothespins;
- material color;
- curtain length - the distance between the cornice and the window sill.
For different rooms
Short curtains can be used in rooms of different purposes, they are found in the kitchen, hallway, bedroom, nursery, living room. For each room, you can pick up similar curtains.
Kitchen
It's no secret that cropped curtains are most often purchased for decorating a kitchen window. For example, if there is a work surface with a sink next to a window, it is impossible to hang a long curtain. A short curtain corresponds to the safety regulations for the kitchen if, for example, a gas stove stands next to a window. Finally, compact curtains are just more comfortable in the kitchen space. After all, they get dirty there more than in living rooms. Therefore, it is easier to remove, wash and iron shorter canvases.
Bedroom
Short curtains are perfect for decorating custom windows in the bedroom: in the form of arches, narrow or, conversely, very wide. If the bedroom windows are facing south, it is better to hang curtains made of dense fabrics, roll models complete with curtains are also suitable. Light Austrian curtains will look beautiful and appropriate in the bedroom. A minimalist bedroom can be decorated with a Japanese curtain. In a very spacious room, short versions of curtains are possible, complete with long curtains.
Selection rules:
- classic models up to the windowsill are appropriate when the battery is covered with a decorative box;
- shortened curtains on eyelets are suitable for openings if they are located in a niche;
- for an elegant girl's room, French or English curtains in pastel colors are great;
- short curtains with a lambrequin are surprisingly good for a classic bedroom.
Children
It is very correct and practical to use short curtains in a children's room. Short transparent tulle canvases with a cheerful print, for example, drawings of animals, fairy-tale characters, will look great here.
Interior options
The design of today's interior uses options for window decoration with short curtains. Many ideas are based on such models.
The sleek white kitchen is clean and sophisticated. Here, transparent French curtains with drapery do not reach the windowsill, at the level of which there is a working area with a sink. They are complemented by an asymmetrical curtain decorated with a wall clip. Everything is very comfortable and beautiful. The lightness of the interior is emphasized by the white color, which does not seem to be soiled.
- Everything is thought out in this teenage room. The windowsill plays the role of a writing desk, so only short curtains are appropriate here. The whole wall with the window works as a whole. In a small space of a room, every centimeter is used.
- In a small bedroom, French curtains are combined with long curtains. From this, the small room gained volume and became more comfortable.
London curtains in the nursery for the kid are made of double-sided fabric in noble green and burgundy colors. They contrast with the delicate light interior and add mystery and tranquility.
In the Provence style living room, stunningly printed Roman curtains are combined with long striped curtains. The stylistic unity of this interior is supported by textile accessories: pillows, sofa upholstery.
An ideal entrance hall in a private house with a window decorated with a Roman curtain with an original print, very comfortable and functional. Storage spaces are replete with drawers and hangers, and the presence of a light-colored window adds charm and style.
For more interior design ideas with short curtains, see the next video.
