Curtains will give better light control but blinds may be more practical in a smaller space. If you decide on a blind, have it made longer and wider than the window to minimise light drift. Curtains are best installed close to the ceiling or better still, with a pelmet above to stop light from escaping.
Curtains usually make a room look bigger than blinds do. Though blinds fit inside the window frame, the slats can often make a room feel shuttered and confined. Blinds also cast shadows across the room throughout the day, which means you don't get as much light as you could.
Using blinds will almost always make a room look bigger than it would do with curtains, both because curtains protrude into the room more and have a fussier appearance than blinds, and they generally cover more of the walls around the window too.
Curtains offer better insulation and soundproofing.
In warm weather, however, blinds beat curtains in energy efficiency. Because blinds leak more heat from a room, they also decrease indoor heat gain more efficiently in the summer, by around 45 percent, which can lower your AC bills.
Curtains absolutely can make a room look smaller or larger, depending on their design. Thick curtains and dark curtains are known for making a regular room look slightly smaller, while sheer curtains made of lightly-colored fabrics are ideal for helping to visually expand a room's size.
"Extending your draperies from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall surrounding your window makes them appear bigger," explains Francesco Bilotto.
Blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, so are a popular choice for anyone on a budget. But that doesn't mean blinds can't also be aesthetically pleasing. In many cases, blinds are a better choice than curtains, particularly if they are to go in a small room.
We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control. However, there are some style guidelines to follow to get the look just right.
The main difference between curtains and blinds is their coverage of the window. While blinds cover the window directly, curtains are usually hung in front of the window, and often drape to the floor. Blinds also come in a range of different options including roller blinds, Venetian blinds, and Roman blinds.
If you want to make your living room look bigger, stick to lighter colors that reflect more light and make the space feel more open. Neutrals, like off-white, beige, or light grays, are a great way to add a level of sophistication and calm.
Go Vertical
Sheer, lightweight curtains with vertical stripes add height to a small space. Muted patterns or plaids in lightweight fabrics with bold vertical stripes or open-weave curtains with vertical designs woven into them add texture and airiness.
If you are trying to go for a room enlarging feel, it is best to stick with lighter colors. Darker colors tend to make a space feel more enclosed, by choosing white, cream, or eggshell type colors, the blinds will lend a peaceful, airy feeling to the room.
Big floral patterns make a room appear larger. Install wallpaper with horizontal stripes to make a room seem wider, or commit to vertical stripes to stretch the room visually and raise the ceiling. A busy pattern featuring chevrons, simple geometric designs, or a texture that mimics marble can make a room seem bigger.
A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.
The Main Interior Trends 2021 for Curtains
Various ruffles and frills are no longer trendy. Such options are appropriate only if you have chosen a design for the bedroom or the living room in the style of some period era like Victorian times.
The answer is 'yes', certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out.
There are ten basic styles of curtains for modern homes. Each has its own purpose and some won't look as nice as others in your space. But once you find the right modern curtains pick, you can set your contemporary decorating energies to bigger and better things.
Curtains are not outdated. They are keeping up with the trends and can my used in modern as well as traditional interior design. Curtains are classic decorative and functional window treatments. They are multifunctional, versatile, affordable, and efficient to use for our windows.
Soto follows what she calls the cantaloupe rule: "Decorative accents that are smaller than a cantaloupe cramp a room." Opt for a single, statement-making piece instead. Photo by iStockphoto. Media Platforms Design Team.
Therefore, hang your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible – preferably 2 inches below the ceiling molding – and opt for ceiling-to-floor length curtains. This will make your windows appear taller, as long curtains that extend the window frame will make it look like a unified whole.
Where do curtains come in? By restricting the flow of air between the warm and cold areas of a space, curtains aid in heat retention. Also, double-glazed windows will allow heat to escape, but heavy curtains will act as a barrier, preventing air from flowing from the main room to the window.
Old, dark windows can reduce the amount of light that enters your home and cause your space to appear smaller. There are certain replacement window styles that can open a room by giving the appearance of more space while allowing more light to filter in.