Whether and How to Cover Windows?

Autumn has arrived, and nature in our northern time zone is turning a new page. Daylight is becoming scanty for a while, but darkness stretches into endlessly long hours. And so, already in the early morning hours, bright little lights are lit in the windows of residential buildings, which only gradually and slowly fade in the late evening hours. Driving through the Estonian evening landscape, one's eye inevitably falls on windows that are either covered from strangers' views or wide open to all.

Our window culture is quite colorful and distinctive in places. A residential building may be small and unassuming, but the curtains must be luxurious. The choice of curtain fabrics has been a mark of family wealth and well-being since ancient times. When a new bride comes to the house, the old curtains on all the windows of the house are replaced with new ones. By the choice of curtains, the village people judge how wealthy and tasteful the housewife is. Curtains are changed often, and new ones are certainly put up for Christmas and Easter.

How and whether to cover windows?

Windows, which are an inseparable part of the interior, need special attention during the dark period. There are as many options for covering windows as there are tastes and possibilities among residents. A successful curtain choice can make living cozy and enjoyable, while a failed curtain choice can, conversely, ruin the entire ideal and masterful interior design.

Curtain selection depends largely on the shape of the windows and the purpose of the room. Every apartment or house owner can easily manage window design and curtain selection themselves. Our curtain shops also provide skillful and expert advice on both material selection and sewing. The choice of curtain fabric and color tone is very individual, depending on the residents' preferences, taste, and temperament. It should be kept in mind that, in addition to decoration, curtains have many practical functions. In some apartments, the most important thing is to block excessive sunlight, in another to dampen strong and disturbing sounds, in a third to protect oneself from drafts or strangers' eyes. Hiring a designer is a rather expensive undertaking and window coverings can leave a big hole in the budget. I recommend trusting yourself, trying yourself as a designer, experimenting, consulting, and the desired result will come.

Let us give some recommendations and observations for curtain selection:

1. When designing a window, the windows can be left completely uncovered, but this is not the best choice. It does make the room brighter, but it is only suitable for residents of the upper floors of high-rise buildings. An empty window opening gives an incomplete impression and raises provocative questions about the residents.

2. A window can be covered with very delicate, transparent, and light fabric that creates an airy and romantic atmosphere in the home. The list of these fabrics is long: voile, gauze, organza, chiffon, tulle, lace, muslin, georgette, batiste. These fabrics are elegant, durable, and most importantly – they let air through.

3. If you live on the sunny side of an apartment building, it is not recommended to choose 100% natural curtain fabric, as it can fade in the sun. The best choice is synthetic polyester with linen or silk texture. Such fabrics are easy to maintain: you can safely wash and iron them, and they do not lose their shape or color.

4. Dark and dense curtains make a room cozier, but also smaller. Heavy and dense linen, velvet, or wool fabrics are suitable for the bedroom. This type of curtain should not be short, but should reach to the floor. It is good if heavy-type curtains are sewn on lining, which ensures their durability.

5. If you have smaller window openings and low ceilings, it is worth installing a curtain rod under the ceiling and hanging curtains that reach to the floor on the window. This makes the window appear larger and the entire room more spacious.

6. In terms of color choice, curtains can be lighter or darker than the wall color. Do not be afraid of contrasting and bright colors! You will not go wrong if you choose curtains in the same tone or one shade lighter or darker than the soft furniture or carpet. Curtains chosen in the same tone as the wall color blend into the room and make the living room appear visually more spacious. Vertical stripes raise the ceiling higher, while horizontal stripes visually make the room wider.

7. If you have small children or pets, you should be careful with long curtains that reach the floor, as long curtains can attract the attention of children and animals and become objects of play.

8. If you need maximum protection from sunlight, use roller curtains. They come in different materials and with different levels of transparency. Most importantly – they darken the room and completely cover your windows.

Article source: Arco Vara