When choosing a window design, you should pay attention not only to the curtains, but also to the element on which they are attached. We are talking about wall cornices. There are many different options for making such interior parts. When choosing them, you must focus on personal preferences. But a detailed consideration of the design will help ease the purchasing decision.
Features and Benefits
Each interior option requires a certain type of cornice. The division into subtypes occurs according to the place of attachment, material of manufacture, number of rows and appearance. The representative of each group has its own characteristics and strengths.
A common type of eaves are those that are attached to the wall. They are the most widespread and in demand among buyers. It is convenient to mount such structures without even resorting to the help of a specialist. The big plus is that the wall-mounted version is universal and will fit into any design solution. One of the nuances when buying a cornice will be the choice of its execution. Light crossbars for small curtains are suitable for the kitchen, and, for example, in the living room, where heavy curtains are needed, larger and more powerful structures will be needed.
The second mounting method is ceiling mounting. One of the positive aspects is that this performance visually increases the height of the room. And this is a great option for small apartments. Some modern design solutions in this case can turn a wall with a window into a solid curtain. And, of course, ceiling mounts are gaining popularity due to the growing popularity of stretch ceilings.
Naturally, when choosing such decorative elements, you should pay attention to the materials. Cornices are mainly made of wood, plastic and metal. Depending on the general concept of the style of the room, an appropriate option is selected.
Which is better: ceiling or wall?
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can start with those that are mounted on the ceiling. Their main advantage is that they cover the wall from top to bottom. This can be used in many designs to visually enlarge the space, hide any repair defects and large panoramic windows over the entire wall. Another plus is that this type can be fixed almost anywhere.
Another positive point is maximum protection. Curtains on such a mount will best protect from the sun, and in winter they will retain heat more and not let the cold through. And, of course, with the right choice and fastening, neither the hooks nor the support rail that is attached to the ceiling will be visible. But at the same time, there is a minus. This species has less variety in the choice of models.
The wide range is undoubtedly the advantage of wall mounting. The variety of styles and materials made this type of cornices the most popular. This allows you to most accurately select an individual design for a specific decor. Such planks are easy to use, suitable for any room. Another advantage is that they can handle heavier curtains than ceiling mounted curtains. This will allow you to create combined compositions that will undoubtedly decorate the room.
The disadvantages of such structures include partial transmission of light with full curtain, "eating up" the space when using massive compositions.
Also, this can be attributed to the fact that such holders must be attached to strong walls, since, for example, rather heavy curtains will not hold on to drywall.
Views
There are single-row, double-row and three-row wall cornices. Accordingly, their applicability depends on the required number of curtains on the window. Single-row curtains are most often used in the kitchen, where heavy multi-layer curtains are not needed. The next two types are more commonly used in living rooms, bedrooms and children's rooms. Usually a combination of curtains plus tulle is used or, in the case of a three-row version, curtains are used as a double screen, and then tulle.
By design, you can consider a profile cornice, which is a profile, mainly made of aluminum or plastic. It has special paths along which the hooks move. It is a simple and reliable system suitable for composition with any number of rows. It can be used for both walls and ceilings. Profile models are also called rail or bus models - according to the principle of movement of fastening hooks.
You can apply a decorative overlay with them, then they turn into a baguette cornice.
The next subspecies of these products are string constructions. They are a cable stretched between two bases, on which curtains are strung. It looks very stylish, especially if the overall style of the room is high-tech or minimalist. Low price and laconic design attract the attention of any person. The disadvantages of this solution include the fact that this option cannot be used for heavy curtains, because over time they will sag. A single fabric made of not very dense material is better suited here.
Another interesting move will be the use of a round base. It is made from a hollow tube on which the fabric is strung in the same way as in the previous case. The connecting element will be rings that can both hold the canvas on clothespins and be riveted into the fabric itself. Such rivets are called eyelets. The advantage here is the ease of movement without any hooks and brakes. They are also easy to hang up and take off. There are from one to three rows of such devices. This option is good for heavy curtains, but provided that the curtain rod is made of metal.
For non-standard windows, some of these types are suitable, but in a flexible design. Such cornices can be made to order and for a specific opening. A profile option would be a good solution here. Today, manual or automatic mechanisms that open curtains are often used. Installation of such curtain rods costs money and you cannot do without professionals. Another important element is the side brackets on which the cornice is held. They can be either a nondescript, functional fixture or part of the decor.
Materials (edit)
Unlike styles and design moves, there are only three basic materials for making wall cornices. These are wood, plastic, metal, from which aluminum can be singled out as the most popular.
Each has both cons and pros:
The first thing to consider is the wooden cornices. Their positive aspects include a noble appearance, environmental friendliness and versatility. A cornice made of wood will look harmonious in almost any style, of course, except for high-tech and modern. This is a fairly reliable and beautiful material. The basis for it is most often conifers, oak, walnut, cherry. They are chosen for their characteristic longitudinal fibers, which look very beautiful in the interior. The disadvantages include the fact that wood, as a natural material, is susceptible to moisture - with high humidity in the room, the quality of the product may deteriorate
Plastic is a versatile material which looks good in tandem with modern plastic windows. At the moment, there is a wide variety of colors and versions of cornices made of this material. The advantages include simple installation and ease of cleaning. For variety or preservation of the overall concept, such models can be decorated with decorative strips that can imitate natural materials. Rounded edges are often used to hide the ends of the cornice and add aesthetics. Due to their low weight, they can be used for installation on drywall. The disadvantages include the fact that light plastic can fade in the sun
The next popular material for making curtain rods is metal. The biggest advantage here is reliability. The heaviest curtains, multilayer fabric compositions are usually hung on such a cornice. Metal looks good in modern interiors, but technology makes it possible to produce models that suit any style. Laconic and aristocratic design, original tips, brass elements add luxury. For more advanced designs, stainless steel is most commonly used. It is easy to choose the appropriate forged design for each design
The disadvantage here may be that the metal does not bend very well and is not suitable for non-standard window openings.
Aluminum should also be noted. It, unlike other representatives of its class, is lightweight, flexible and does not rust. Used for profile and baguette structures. Due to its lightness, it can be used for installation on drywall
Dimensions (edit)
Naturally, the length of any cornice should correspond to the parameters of the window. But here, too, there are some peculiarities. For example, a cornice is most often selected for the kitchen, which is slightly wider than the window. This is more true for the "Khrushchevs" and other options, where the cooking area occupies a small area.
In the living room or bedroom, a composition is needed for the entire width of the wall, which is most often 3 m. For such a length, two attachment points will not be enough, therefore, for reliability, a third is added - in the center. And in the case of long panoramic windows, which can be wider than 6 meters, not every material or type of fastening is suitable. A sliding mechanism for a cornice of this length is simply necessary, since it will be quite tedious to constantly open and close the curtains by hand.
Since such windows are most often used in ultra-modern rooms, wood will look out of place here, it is better to give preference to plastic and aluminum.
Too heavy and massive metal will get out of the picture. Although stainless steel, as mentioned earlier, will also fit into this style.
Color solutions
The colors in which the cornices are created are very diverse. For each specific task, you can choose the appropriate shade. Of course, depending on the base from which it is made, each design will have its own characteristics. For example, wood is mainly used with its natural palette. Shades from light brown to nutty look noble and sophisticated. The tree can be easily painted in the desired color, but then there will be no feeling of naturalness.
Metal in this regard is more widely used with any coatings. Due to the nature of this substance, it must be protected against corrosion. Accordingly, the coatings form a protective layer and at the same time function as a decorative addition. Imitations for brass, copper, chrome will decorate the interior and add beauty. For luxurious rooms in the Baroque and Empire styles, silver and gold finishes are suitable. Unlike other materials, it will look more harmonious on a metal surface.
And do not forget about aluminum, which is increasingly used for the manufacture of modern curtain rods. The treated metal has a shiny gray color and can be used as it is.
Plastic as a base can be of any shade, and in this it surpasses its competitors. A wide palette is used here, which will satisfy any design request. Any texture can be applied to it. White plastic is in great demand, which complements the popular PVC windows.
Components
An important component of any cornice is its components. Their choice is very important. The main element here can be called a bracket or, as it is also called, a holder. It mounts to the wall surface and holds the weight of the entire structure. It can be an excellent decorative element when properly executed. It is natural that the bracket must be made of the same material as the rest of the cornice. It should also be understood that depending on the weight of the curtains, the type of fastening must be taken into account. This is a very important point, because no one wants the entire mechanism to fall due to a weak connection.
There are several types of brackets. For example, they are divided according to the place of attachment. There are holders above the window, ceiling and wall-to-wall. Based on the name, you can understand their difference. You can also divide them into open and closed types. A closed one is more reliable, but with it there are more difficulties when removing the cornice.
It is also worth paying attention to the fasteners. Hooks, rings, runners, clips - all of these variations are widespread now. In accordance with the model of the cornice, fasteners are also selected, which should harmoniously fit into the overall picture. Even if this is a small element, but with the wrong choice, it can violate the general concept and will stand out from the general background. It must also be of high quality and reliable in order to keep the curtains for a long time and without any problems.
How to choose?
The answer to this question is both simple and complex. On the one hand, it is necessary to buy a cornice that matches the design, which should not cause any difficulties. On the other hand, there are several nuances worth paying attention to. A certain combination of the model and the base from which the cornice is made is suitable for each stylistic solution.
In classic design, wood and metal curtain rods are preferred. The wood gives a calm warm tone and pleases the eye with natural colors. Metal is versatile, and when decorated with a forged ornament, it will be a great addition to the decor. For modern styles like minimalism, profile or string variations are fine. Everything is as simple and practical as possible, without bright or pretentious solutions.
With luxurious decoration, it is worth giving preference to massive metal rods, on which massive curtains or multilayer compositions will be securely attached.
Do not forget about the combination with curtains. Velvet should not be hung on a plastic cornice, and a light curtain with tulle will look ridiculous with a three-row steel cornice.
How to fix?
Depending on the configuration of the window, the length and type of the cornice, there are peculiarities of their fastening. For small rooms with small windows, long and heavy structures should not be used. Naturally, for small models, the fastening element will not be large, and several self-tapping screws on each side are enough for fixing. For larger versions, intermediate fixing elements are required.
In the kitchen, it is worth hanging the cornice directly above the window, and in the living room or bedroom as high as possible to the ceiling. Here, the priority is to overlap the opening to protect from the sun. When designing non-standard window openings use flexible profiles that are attached along the entire length.
Interesting examples in the interior
An interesting option can be considered modern multi-level systems based on rail or profile cornices. Most often, they use automatic sliding mechanisms. If there is a desire to keep up with the times, then this option is best suited. Such curtain rods are practical, comfortable, among their assortment, you can choose an option for any style.
Lovers of the classics can consider round wooden or metal curtain rods. They look spectacular with curtains on rings and are easy to use. But one nuance is important here. They need to be hung perfectly even, since even a slight tilt will move the curtains to one side or the other. Those who prefer reliability prefer powerful metal models that will look luxurious and hold the entire window frame on them.
Testimonials
Cornices from Ikea "Rekka" and "Hugard" have earned many positive ratings for their low price and sufficient reliability. A good choice, according to buyers, will be the representatives of the DDA Diy company, which specialize in metal curtain rods. Of the Russian-made models, we can note the products of the Inspire company, which offer an excellent price-quality ratio. All these manufacturers represent middle-class cornices with an affordable cost for most and high-quality performance.
For an overview of wall curtain rods, see the following video.