The use of French curtains in the interior

French curtains are a luxurious design solution to create an elegant, sophisticated environment. They are distinguished by a large number of folds, folds and other decorations, but they do not look vulgar. By correctly choosing the variety, material and color of curtains, you can create a stunning interior in any room.

Description of French curtains

Curtains of the French variety (their other name is marquises) used to be available only to rich people, representatives of the nobility, living in palaces and luxurious estates. Such curtains came into fashion around the 15th century, successfully fitting into the trends of Rococo and Baroque.

Awning curtains are of the cascade-lifting type. The canvas is divided into sections, in which the fabric is gathered into scallops (arcuate folds).

The sizes of folds, sections and their number are selected depending on the general appearance of the room and the parameters of the window.

French curtains can be used in rooms of any size. They are able to enliven the atmosphere, give it a special charm and create a unique atmosphere.

Advantages and disadvantages

Curtains or curtains for a French window stand out strongly from other types of opening design. Like any interior elements, awnings have pros and cons.

The advantages of such curtains:

• versatility - the French curtain can be used in any home, from small apartments to huge cottages and official institutions (theaters, wedding palaces, concert halls, etc.);
• originality - there are many variations of window decoration using the French style, combining design techniques with interesting fabrics, you can create a truly unique decor;
• ease of installation - it is not difficult to fix the curtains, and the mechanism that lifts the canvases is easily fixed on the cornice.

Disadvantages:

• quality materials and good work of craftsmen can be quite expensive;
• Caring for French curtains is more difficult than for a regular curtain, which can be placed in the washing machine and dried easily - usually you have to go to dry cleaning to wash such products.

A characteristic feature of French curtains is that they do not disperse to the edges of the cornice, as usual, but rise. At the same time, the folds in the sections become deeper and clearer, giving the room a new look. Because of this design feature, more often lightweight materials are used, which are more suitable for drapery.

How to choose French curtains, drapes, curtains, tulle

For a French curtain to become a worthy decoration of a room, you need to choose the right type, material, size and color. The choice is so wide that even without the services of a professional designer, you can create a beautiful design.

Criteria to pay attention to when choosing:

1. French curtain length. The style allows any option: to the floor, to the window sill, or partially covering the window opening.
2. The structure of the folds - scallops can be dense or airy, light. It depends on the density of the fabric and the type of tightening tape.
3. Construction: there are static and lifting French curtains. Fixed, usually tulle, are usually used in the kitchen, covering the entire width of the window. For lifting, which allow you to more accurately regulate the degree of illumination of the room, you need to carefully select the cornice.

Then you can move on to the material and color of the curtain.

Types of fabrics

Depending on what design idea is used, you need to choose the fabric for the curtains.

Light materials are used to create lush, festive curtains with a pronounced bulk. Batiste, tulle, weightless organza, veil, and noble iridescent silk are perfect. Flowing, soft folds are obtained from them.

For large canvases in spacious halls, theaters use velvet, which is also great for drapery decoration.

Choice of color and pattern

The color of the curtains is the most important factor on which the whole impression of the room depends. The right combination will make the interior harmonious, complete, cozy, and the imbalance of colors can give the impression of untidiness and clutter in the room.

If the curtains are needed only in decorative whole - light, almost transparent shades or pastel colors are suitable, you can choose the option with an unobtrusive pattern.

Also, when choosing a color, rely on the functionality of the room in which the curtains are needed. Juicy colors are suitable for a nursery.

Darker, deeper ones are appropriate in offices, libraries, lounges.

Saturated noble tones will look great in a bedroom or living room.

It is not recommended to make curtains of the same shade with the walls, this technique makes the room faded. If the design does not provide for contrast in this regard, it is better to take a fabric that differs in several tones from the walls.

French curtain design

Textile decoration of windows requires special attention to accessories and additional decorations. Before ordering French curtains, make sure they are the best in the room. To do this, you need to take into account the characteristics of different rooms in a house or apartment.

In the bedroom

The interior of the bedroom should be relaxing, cozy, relaxing. When choosing curtains for a sleeping room, pay attention to materials in calm, muted shades:

• beige;
• powdery;
• cream;
• White;
• light pink;
• other pastel colors.

Such colors have a positive effect on the psychological state of a person, make him calmer, relieve stress after a difficult day.

Falling asleep surrounded by these shades is much easier.

In the nursery

An elegant French curtain is a great solution for a baby's room.

Dark colors are inappropriate in the nursery, they create a depressing impression and can badly affect the mood of the child. In his room, you can hang curtains in bright, juicy shades - green, blue, pink, yellow, orange.

As a decoration, decorative flowers, butterflies or small bows are placed on the shuttlecocks.

Be careful: the numerous folds that make up the French drapery are guaranteed to collect dust. If not kept clean, it can become dangerous for the child. Regularly do high-quality wet cleaning in the baby's room, use a humidifier, and hand over the curtains for cleaning on time. So they will always be fresh, tidy, and professional care will provide them with a long service life.

In the living room

French curtains in the living room will help to emphasize the high status and solidity of the furnishings. Luxurious lambrequins and embroidered curtains will complement the interior, emphasize its value and impress guests.

They use mainly fabrics with a smooth, iridescent surface, making them lush, multi-layered structures. Frills, fringes, numerous ruffles, ribbons are used as accessories.

An expensive, luxurious French curtain is a wonderful design option for a spacious living room with large windows and high ceilings.

You can also install French curtains in a small living room, but choose their simpler varieties, without embroidery and with fewer decorative elements.

On the kitchen

In the kitchen, you can install French curtains if you choose the right fabric and colors. The main thing is not to "burden" the cooking room with variegated patterns and dense fabrics.

Almost transparent organza curtains will perfectly fit into the interior, make it lighter, more spacious and refresh the look of the room.

Examples of design in various styles

French curtains are most successfully combined with classic design trends. You can choose a curtain that harmonizes beautifully with the room in many styles.

Provence

Provence style is a combination of simple motives of French villages with the noble luxury of classics. In this direction, the main thing is to achieve an ideal balance between these qualities. The main concept is a lot of light, air, emphasis on natural, natural beauty.

The design is carried out in light colors using pastel shades. The colors and textures give the impression of being sunburned.

Materials are used natural, furniture - with a bias in vintage. A popular solution is painted white wood.

The furnishings are aged. Provence is characterized by the use of floral motifs and cells.

Curtains for this style are hung with a cornice made of wood or forged metal. The curtains themselves are made from an airy, translucent fabric, less often from a denser one.

Baroque

Baroque is the direction of the classical style, which is characterized by an emphasis on luxury and richness of the interior. Its distinctive features are complex, multi-layered drapery designs, curved lines, heavy, dense materials.

Elite fabrics of the highest quality are used for curtains:

• velvet;
• jacquard;
• brocade;
• velveteen;
• silk;
• atlas;
• gabardine.

French baroque curtains are sure to be complemented by accessories. Lambrequins are installed on them, the canvases are tied up with special cords with tassels.

An additional design of the curtain is performed with beads, ruffles, fringes.

The window opening with this design begins to look larger. With the help of a well-chosen combination of French curtains, you can visually make the space much more spacious.

For French window decoration in a baroque interior, you need rich, saturated, deep colors - sapphire blue, emerald, ruby. Gold and silver fabrics will do. White, black or shades of gray are used as an additional option.

Modern

It is a mistake to believe that elegant French curtains will not fit into a modern style. On the contrary, the smooth folds of a light fabric will refresh the room, make it more neat, and give its appearance completeness and sophistication.

One of the varieties of French curtains that are ideal for modern design is roller pleats. A rich assortment of such curtains allows you to choose the design for the windows in any room, including the kitchen.

Classic

The French type of curtains is harmoniously combined with the interior of the classic direction.

The modern approach to decorating a room in the classics often involves the use of light, translucent material. It does not interfere with the penetration of light into the room, but diffuses it. The sun's rays are lost in the layers of scallops and light up the room softly, naturally smoothing out the shadows.

Tulle and organza are used for sewing classic French curtains. Natural materials are also used - wool, silk, cambric.

For larger-scale classic interiors - theaters, wedding palaces, restaurants - French decor is made from heavy fabrics, mainly taffeta and velvet. They give a spacious room solemnity, festivity, some pomp.

Design awning curtains

French curtains, or, as they are also called, awnings, combine classic simplicity, elegance, grace and lightness.

Despite the fact that such a design is universal and can fit into any design concept, you should take a responsible approach to the selection of curtains, their colors, shapes and accessories. Flounces and lush ruffles are not always appropriate; in austere interiors it is better to limit yourself to a simpler form.

A well-chosen combination will make the interior not only harmonious and pleasant, but also exclusive and unique.

Popular design solutions:

1. Floristic motives. They set a cozy, joyful tone for the room, fill it with energy. Fits perfectly into the style of Provence, well suited for the kitchen. It is successfully used in children's rooms.
2. Monogram is an exquisite decoration that gives the room the look of a real royal apartment. Be careful with such a pattern, it will look out of place in a small, strict room.

If you have difficulties with the choice, it is recommended to prefer neutral classics, which will not spoil the atmosphere in the room and will not draw attention to itself.

Eaves mounting options

French curtains are attached to the cornice in several ways:

• Special braid or ribbon is the classic, most popular option.
• Velcro fasteners.
• Loops.

The cornice for such window decoration can be used identical to the cornice for Roman blinds. It can be equipped with a lifting mechanism for more convenience.

French curtain eyelets are not used due to the design, which does not imply horizontal movement.

Video: French curtains in the interior

Variants of using French curtains in design in the photo