Curtains for the balcony from the sun, which option is right for you

Author Martha

Date
Jun 26, 2016
A balcony is a place that can serve not only as a space for storing unnecessary rubbish, but also be used as a full-fledged recreation area or study. Upon completion of the main work to transform the balcony into a cozy room - repairs, insulation, wall decoration, it is necessary to pay attention to the design of the window opening, namely, choose beautiful and comfortable curtains that will be the finishing touch of its interior.

Balcony window

From this article you will learn how to make curtains for a balcony with your own hands. We will look at popular styles of curtains, decide on the most practical solutions to use, and provide a detailed master class on sewing them.

Peculiarities

When choosing curtains for a balcony or loggia, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of this room, namely the ratio of a large glazing area and a minimum amount of total space.

There are only two opening sashes on the balcony windows, but the design of curtains is carried out along the entire perimeter of the glazing, which, in turn, puts forward requirements for the dimensions of the window decoration - compact curtains for the balcony are appropriate here, and long full-size curtains, which will steal the lion's share of the free space, can be don't even consider it.

When choosing balcony curtains, consider which side of the horizon the apartment is located on. If the windows face the south and west, use dense fabrics that do not transmit light to sew the curtain (as an option, “black-out” textiles). They will provide effective darkening, which will allow you to comfortably use the balcony as a place to relax or as a study.

The choice of color for the curtains on the balcony is also important, since it will be visible from the adjoining room. Use textiles whose shade matches the color of the curtains in the main room. This rule is especially important if the windows in the apartment are decorated with light, translucent curtains.

Choosing comfortable curtains for the balcony

The key factor on the basis of which curtains for balconies and loggias are selected is ease of use - they should be easy to open and close. For example, if you plan to use sun curtains for your loggia made of black-out fabric, you will need to frequently adjust their position, since when unrolled they block the flow of light into the main room.

Blinds

These requirements are fully met by blinds, Roman and roller blinds - they are all practical and compact in size. Let's take a closer look at each type of product:

Overlay blinds are a utilitarian solution that will be appropriate if you focus on functionality rather than on the visual component. In this case, use horizontal structures installed on each sash separately.

Give preference to products made from natural materials - bamboo, wood or corrugated paper. At home, you can assemble paper blinds with your own hands from a piece of thick wallpaper; Roman blinds are panels of vertical rectangular fabric, the position of which is adjusted using ropes sewn into the textile. These are laconic but elegant curtains for the balcony. There are straight and cascading Roman panels - on straight products, horizontal folds appear only in a half-closed position, while in the cascade version they are present even with open curtains, which is achieved by draping the fabric during sewing.

By installing Roman blinds on the window sash, you will get a real decoration for the interior of the loggia; Roller blinds for the balcony are visually similar to straight Roman curtains, however, they are rolled up using a shaft on which a textile fabric is wound when closing. In use, this is the most practical solution, since the roller blind is fixed on the window in any position, which allows you to precisely regulate the level of illumination on the balcony. And these curtains for the loggia, made from high-quality fabric - linen, chintz or cotton, look very beautiful.

If you want to sew balcony blinds with your own hands, give preference to roller curtains; if you make them yourself, they are the easiest to make.

Design of curtains on the loggia

Modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of any models in any color. When choosing a model, you need to take into account the area of the room and the overall style.

For example: curtains for a loggia with an area of 6 meters should visually expand the space. This can be achieved by choosing lightweight fabric curtains in light colors. In the article you can see photos of loggia curtains of all popular options.

How to sew

To make roller blinds for your balcony with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

Two pieces of fabric of the same size; Wooden blocks, the length of which corresponds to the width of the window sash - one of them is used as a clamp for attaching the curtain, the second as a weight strip; Ring-shaped screws (5 pcs.) and hook screws (3 pcs.); Cord (string or any textile cord you like) - used as a mechanism for adjusting the curtain, scissors, tape measure and sewing tools.

DIY curtains for the balcony master class:

We take measurements from the window frame to determine the required dimensions of the fabric. The length of the panel should be 10 cm greater than the length of the window sash, the width should be 3 cm more on each side...

We use additional sections of fabric as allowance for attaching the bars; We cut the fabric to size; We apply the two fabrics wrong side to each other, sew the sides on 3 edges, leaving the bottom cut untouched; We turn the joined fabrics inside out and finish sewing the bottom cut. Iron the fabric; Lay the workpiece face down and mark on the upper and lower sections of the fabric the distance for the pockets for the strips, wrapping the wooden block attached to the textile; Fold the fabric and sew it along the marked seam. We install the slats in the resulting pockets; Now we install the screws in the upper bar, with the help of which the roller curtain will be attached to the sash.

We screw two ring-shaped screws into the upper end of the plank (at a distance of 5-10 cm from the edges), screw two of the same screws into the front end of the plank, and another one at a distance of 5 cm from the right screw closer to the center of the bar; We arrange the folding mechanism curtain, for which we use ordinary lace.

We need two pieces of cord: the first is the size of three times the length of the curtain, the second is the same size plus ½ the length of the curtain; We tie the cords to the rings installed at the top of the bar. In this case, we fix the longer section on a ring that is distant from the other two screws; We put the cords on the wrong side of the curtain and, under the lower cut, transfer it to the front side so that they encircle the canvas. Next, we pass each cord through the corresponding front ring, take it out through the side loop beyond the contour of the curtain and tie them together; To secure the roller blinds, screw 2 screw-hooks into the window frame so that they are located opposite the rings at the upper end of the curtain strip; It remains to screw in one more hook (in the side of the window frame), on which the adjusting cord will be fixed when opening the roll sheet.

WATCH VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

If you decide to sew curtains for your balcony yourself, do not be afraid of the difficulties ahead - follow the instructions given and the result will certainly please you! You can make your own balcony curtains in one and a half to two hours, saving a lot of money and bringing your design ideas to life.

Many have probably encountered and will remember the delight and admiration when they received or bought an apartment, and it turned out to have a large balcony or loggia.

The size and location of the balcony is determined by the series of the house and the layout of the apartment itself. Balconies can be smooth, including rounded ones, in other words with bay windows. There are also many types of them in terms of the number of square meters.

Sometimes, by the way, the first floors are expanded by loggias, completing their construction. But such a procedure is quite complicated and expensive. Therefore, it is better to go out and ennoble what is.

DIY curtains for the balcony

Moreover, by choosing the right interior and accessories, you can visually expand the space and give it a neat look. The same goes for functionality. Let's first look at three simple tips on how to improve the atmosphere on your balcony.

Throw away unnecessary junk. The times of scarcity are far behind us, but on many balconies you can still find old cornices, ski poles, rusty sleds and much more - things that are no longer useful at all, and you never got around to throwing away.

Therefore, cleansing the space is the first path to its functionality. Insulation. If you want to have a cozy balcony that you can go out to both in summer and winter, to admire the beauty of the city landscape or other views, of course, the balcony must be insulated. Moreover, it is advisable to do this both outside and inside.

In addition to insulation, you will also need finishing. This is also worth paying attention to; it is advisable that this extension of the room does not fall out of the overall ensemble of the entire interior. Choose the right curtains. Now let's talk about this in more detail.

Curtains can be found to suit every taste and color; if you wish, you don’t even have to leave the house. Just scroll through a couple of photo catalogs on the Internet, and a bunch of ideas will already appear. However, it is also worth noting here that there are still people who are one hundred percent sure that only old and unnecessary things should be “taken out” to the balcony.

This also applies to curtains. Indeed, there is an opinion that it is better to hang old yellowed tulle on the windows, because the window will still open, dust will fly in in the summer, and in winter the fabric will be spoiled by frost, rain, sun and everything else. Such thoughts should be abandoned immediately; a person lives to rejoice, and for this all conditions must be appropriate.

So, let's see what curtains the market in this industry offers us today.

How to choose curtains for a balcony

When choosing suitable curtains for a balcony or loggia, pay attention to several parameters:

Color. If you need protection from the sun, choose dark ones. To visually increase the area, light ones are suitable.
Density. The thicker the canvas, the less light they transmit.
Functionality. Evaluate which type is more convenient for you to use and how well the materials suit the required interior of the balcony.

Classic

Our usual fabric or knitted curtains will fit well into the interior of a balcony or loggia. They are easy to choose as the market offers a variety of colors and textures. The undeniable advantage of classic curtains is that they do not require complex care. If the surface of the fabric becomes dirty, simply remove the curtains and wash. Fabric curtains do not heat up in hot weather and have good air permeability. So that the decor does not hide the space, choose the length as for the kitchen, so that only the window is closed.

Vertical or horizontal blinds

To avoid sacrificing space to escape the sun, hang blinds on your balcony. Today there are 2 types of them:

horizontal;
vertical.

Many apartment owners have a logical question about which blinds are best for the balcony. If the room is small, choose horizontal ones - they are attached to each window sash. In addition, with their help it is very convenient to regulate the light supply: if you want to add just a little lighting, just turn the lever - the sun will penetrate through the gaps between the plates, and when you need to increase the light supply, pull the string - the blinds will rise up. The decorative element can be plastic or aluminum, the structure is easy to care for, you just need to wipe the plates.

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Vertical blinds can also be hung on the loggia. Their plates can be made of fabric, which will give comfort, and the cores will be made of plastic. Such designs are attached to the entire window, which creates the effect of classic curtains. They, like horizontal ones, can supply light with varying degrees of intensity. Vertical blinds are easy to clean because their slats are wider. They get less dirty: compared to other types (due to the vertical position), less dust settles on such blinds.

Pleated curtains

This type of curtain is very similar to horizontal blinds, but is made of fabric. In addition, they do not consist of individual plates, but of folds of a solid fabric. Pleats can be selected in a variety of shades for any interior. An important advantage of curtains is their ability to take the shape of any window, including a triangular one. The fabric for curtains of this type is treated with a special anti-dust solution, so they are less dirty.

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Roman curtains

When lowered, Roman blinds are a single, flat fabric; when raised, they are grouped into an accordion. From the entire assortment of stores you can choose curtains of different textures, densities and colors. Each curtain covers one window sash, so it is very convenient to create unusual combinations in the interior of a balcony or loggia. They are suitable for window openings of any shape, so if the structures are round or have beveled corners, Roman blinds will be a suitable option.

Japanese

Japanese curtains look beautiful on a window with a balcony door or French window openings. Their design resembles cabinet doors: they slide apart to the side. Due to the fact that they are made of stretched fabric, you can create an interesting modern design in the interior of the living room and balcony. Japanese curtains look impressive and relevant on large floor-length windows and do not take up space.

Rolled

If you need to completely block the room from the penetration of sunlight, choose roller blinds for the balcony. The peculiarity of the design is the fabric wound on the roller. Roller blinds are easy to clean; you just need to wipe them with a damp cloth or napkin. When choosing curtains for a loggia or a large room, as well as a small balcony, pay attention to roller blinds.

Roller blinds

In other words, roller blinds.

Types of curtains

The classic version involves thick curtains and light tulle. Fastening can be either using a cornice or using rings. To ensure the most convenient access to the balcony, you need to use curtains that slide in different directions. It is also possible to have a lambrequin decoration - a horizontal strip of fabric that plays a decorative role. But in this case, its height should be such as not to limit the opening of the balcony door.

The classic version of curtains for a room with a balcony involves thick curtains and light tulle.

Blinds or roller blinds. This is perhaps the most practical and convenient option, since the mount goes directly to the window frame and allows you to easily open or tilt the window. But this design method is not suitable for any interior. Most often, blinds are used if the room is decorated in a minimalist or high-tech style.

Thread curtain - consists of an upper tape - a braid approximately 15 cm wide, to which threads-ropes or beads are attached. The variety of colors and materials, lightness and originality have made such curtains very popular recently. Thread curtains can fit into any design of a room with a balcony.

Classic

Well, where would we be without pleating, drapery, tails and lambrequins?

Classic curtains for a balcony are acceptable, but only if the balcony is properly designed and the height is correctly selected. Too long ones will simply hide all the zest of this small room. And, by the way, about a small room, they will look ridiculous on tiny balconies.

The classics are beautiful in photos of large loggias, bay windows, etc. Where all the luxury has a place to unfold without reducing functionality.

Handmade

Let's try to describe how to make Roman blinds with your own hands.

First, you need to measure the windows, because they will be attached not to the wall, but to the window panel. The canvas must be purchased with a gap.

And to do this, first make a pattern with an allowance for the slats. The top strip should be 5 centimeters wider than the others. For example, the height of the window is 1.2 m, 6 strips will be inserted into the canvas, 1 - 8 cm, the rest - 3 cm. That is, the indentation will be 40 cm.

You can do less, it’s individual. This means that for such curtains the fabric will need a cut of 1.7 m with a margin. The fact is that for each strip, separate pockets will be sewn, respectively, their sizes are also taken into account. After the pattern is ready and all measurements have been made, you can sew the pockets. You will also need a special riveter and a device to make holes in the strips for the laces.

Of course, this is not detailed instructions, but further on in Roman blinds you can make products with your own hands, guided by logic.

With classic curtains it will be more difficult, because in this case you need cutting and sewing skills.

The balcony has long ceased to be a place where garbage and rubbish accumulate. Modern balconies are most often built in the form of loggias, which apartment owners most often equip as a summer room or terrace, set up a study, a mini-gym or just a place to relax.

No matter how the balcony is arranged, and no matter what function it performs, most often there is a need or desire to cover the glazed part with curtains. Tulle is rarely hung on balconies, but light tulle fabrics are sometimes used to sew curtains. Before making curtains for the loggia, you need to decide on their type, material for production and their color scheme.

How to sew curtains for a balcony with your own hands

If you are a creative person and want to make your fantasies come true, try sewing curtains yourself. To get the expected result, you need to know the answers to three questions:

how to sew?
how to hang?
how to apply?

Regardless of which one you choose (cornice, Roman or roller), it is important to make all the calculations correctly and choose the right fabric for the curtains for the balcony. It is advisable to buy materials that can be easily cleaned from street dust (satin, linen).

We offer you a master class on making rolled products with your own hands. You will need:

ribbons or braid;
a block of length equal to the width of the curtain;
wooden plank as a weighting material;
sewing accessories (thread, scissors, machine);
furniture stapler.

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Photo - 29 Straight curtains without folds

Photo - 30 Combined curtains for a balcony door with a straight lambrequin

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Follow the following step-by-step instructions:

Measure each sash. The width of the future curtain should be 2 cm larger, and the length – 15 cm.
Make a pattern.
Sew from the inside out and turn inside out.
Place the placket in the free edge and sew it up.
Sew the workpiece half a cm above the bar.
Wrap the top edge of the curtain around the block and secure with a stapler.
Measure the tape equal to the length of the two products.
Place the ribbon over the top edge and secure with staples or thread.
Attach the beam to the window frame.

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Photo - 34 Bright do-it-yourself roller blinds for a balcony frame

Now you won’t wonder how to make curtains with your own hands. You are allowed to use ordinary tulle for your work, and if everything is done correctly, homemade products will protect the room from the sun no worse than purchased ones.

Classic

Curtains made in the simplest style are suitable for a simple balcony, which is used as a small storage room. This is a universal look, but it is too simple for large and spacious loggias, which are almost completely glazed. Sometimes tulle curtains are used for the balcony, which are not weighed down with any additional material.

The huge advantage of this type of curtain is its low cost, ease of sewing and operation. In addition, such tulles can be freely sewn and hung by yourself.

However, this type also has a number of disadvantages. As mentioned earlier, this is too simple an option for furnished or decorated balconies; in addition, the materials from which such curtains are made are short-lived and require periodic washing and ironing. This makes it very difficult to care for products of this type.

Roman

Roman blinds are most often used for loggia window openings, even if almost the entire height of the balcony is glazed. A significant advantage of this type is that the curtain can be raised and lowered the required number of times, as well as partially opened, which will allow daylight to enter the balcony, but it will protect its contents from the harmful rays of the sun.

There are a lot of color options for Roman blinds, so choosing the right ones won’t be difficult.

Rolled

Roller blinds are an ideal solution for a loggia, but they have one significant drawback - their high cost. However, it pays off with ease of use, since these curtains are rolled up at the top, which allows you to easily operate them and, as in the case of Roman blinds, cover the glazed part of the balcony completely or partially.

A huge advantage of roller blinds is that, since they are stored in rolls, they always remain perfectly smooth and there is no need for frequent washing and ironing.

As can be seen from the description below, the ideal choice of curtains for a loggia are Roman or roller options. French curtains are not suitable for a balcony - they are too voluminous, and since the balcony area is most often minimal, they will take up (albeit a little) the space that can be put to good use.

Curtain design for living room style

This is not to say that this particular style of curtains will suit you. Please note that if your room has a balcony, then the design will play an even more important role. After all, guests, household members and you yourself will attend it.

Without fail, the modern design of curtains for the living room should emphasize or merge with the overall style of the same room.

Classic interior

In this case, not only dark-colored curtains will look good, but also light ones. They can be embossed, painted or embroidered with ornaments. Even if your room is equipped with a balcony, you can safely order them for the entire width of the wall, with fringe, tiebacks along the inner edge and a lambrequin. An obligatory element for them will be a transparent curtain made of tulle, organza or chiffon. Take a look at the photo to see how great everything looks.

High-tech style

This word must be understood as absolute brevity in every detail. In this case, roller blinds or Roman blinds are more suitable.

Based on the fact that this style is filled with chrome parts, the material is selected in gray, coffee, sand shades, matching the color of the walls.

Minimalism

This style is not too far from hi-tech (see photo). Therefore, the design of curtains for the hall, which have ruffles, frills, or are made of heavy, fluffy fabrics, is not welcome. But you can use roller blinds. You can significantly soften the window using curtains made from light translucent material. The good news is that the color range for the living room is significantly wide, and you can always find a great solution.

Country, African and Victorian styles

Many people prefer rustic or country style. Such a room, even with a balcony, will be decorated with cotton curtains with small floral patterns. It is desirable that in this case it be repeated somewhere else nearby, including in interior items. Curtains made in the Japanese style are perfect for African style, as they have rich patterns (see photo). When the conversation turns to large areas with a Victorian interior, then there is a place for English or French curtains. Only they will be able to emphasize all the solemnity of the hall, even with a balcony.

Sewing classic curtains

Any housewife can sew classic curtains for a balcony if she has a sewing machine and basic sewing skills. In order to sew classic curtains with your own hands for a loggia, you need to carry out a number of operations related to measuring, calculations, structure and directly sewing.

Step-by-step instructions on how to sew tulle on a balcony:

First you need to measure the width and height of the window opening. It should be remembered that tulle curtains that reach all the way to the floor are not a suitable option for a balcony.

Therefore, curtains for a loggia are most often sewn several centimeters longer than necessary to completely cover the window opening. Having measured the width and height of the window opening, you need to add 15 cm to the resulting height value (10 for hanging and 2-2.5 cm on each side to process the cut), and the resulting width value must be multiplied by 1.5 or 1.8. This is necessary to create natural folds on the curtains. The multiplication coefficient depends on the density and frequency of the desired folds, as well as on the processing of the cut of the material. Having decided on the size of the fabric for sewing, you need to select the fabric, hang the curtain rod and begin processing the cuts.

To process cuts, you must use a closed hem stitch. It is ideal for processing edges. Depending on the method of fastening the curtain, the method of processing the upper cut is determined. If the curtains are attached to the cornice using crocodile clips, the top cut can be processed in the same way as the side and bottom ones.

If the curtains need to be hung, then a special braid must be installed along the entire width of the curtain, with which the tulle is attached to the cornice. The length of the required braid is equal to the width of the fabric. Having processed the top cut or sewn on the braid, you can begin ironing the tulle. An ironed curtain can be attached to a cornice.

A classic curtain can also be sewn from a denser material. At the same time, if it is necessary for sunlight to reach the balcony, you need to choose a material for the curtain from light transparent fabrics.

Austrian organza curtains

Recently, Soviet tulle curtains have been replaced by light, airy organza. It also fades in the sun, and pets often leave puffs on it. You can also use it to sew curtains for the balcony. These can be classic Austrian curtains, but made with your own hands.

By the way, if the organza is of different colors, it will look even more impressive. Organza with embroidery is not suitable for such curtains. If the material is only white, then it can be dyed using fabric dyes.

In this case, you won’t have to cut or cut anything. It is enough to buy curtain tape in the store and carefully sew it to the curtains vertically at a distance of 25-30 cm, one from the other. Hang the curtains on the curtain rod and carefully collect the cord at the desired height and distance, then manually, using thread and a needle, fix the resulting waves. In the same way, you can make night curtains from a denser material.

Sewing Roman blinds

If you have chosen the option of sewing Roman blinds, it is advisable to buy a ready-made cornice for attaching them. This will greatly simplify the task. In addition, in addition to cornices, for sewing Roman curtains you will need:

dense fabric that holds its shape well.

Its quantity should not significantly exceed the size of the window opening; special slats. You need as many of them as there are planned folds on the curtain. The number of folds largely determines the height of the window opening; metal rings for collecting folds.

Their diameter is most often 12 mm; weight bar. Its width corresponds to the width of the curtain; Velcro for attaching curtains to the cornice. assembly cord.

The length of the cord is determined by the formula: length of the finished curtain * 2 + width of the finished curtain = length of the cord

The sequence of sewing Roman curtains:

To calculate the required amount of material, you need to measure the width and length of the window, and add about 2 cm on each side to process the cut. Next, you need to cut the material on which you need to mark the location of the folds, weight strips, adhesive tape and rings. Below is a ready-made pattern for a Roman blind: When all the necessary elements are marked on the canvas, you need to hem the top, as well as the side sections, using the edge seam for this in a hem with a closed cut. After this, you need to attach Velcro to the canvas and stitch it. The bottom seams are necessary process with two seams parallel to each other. You will need to insert a weight bar into the resulting pocket.

It is necessary to sew rings in the places marked for fastening the slats. Most likely, you will have to sew them on by hand. Then a cord is threaded along these rings. By tensioning or relaxing the cord, the lifting of the curtain is adjusted.

Then all that remains is to attach it with Velcro to the cornice.

Accessories for curtains in the living room

Given the seasonal emphasis on minimalism, it is inappropriate to use bulky, tacky curtain decorations. Designers advise removing cords, bow ties, and braid. To create an original style in 2020, rings and garters are suitable. The best material for rings is wood of any shade. The role of garters is performed by strips of medium-width fabric without elaborate patterns, preferably made from the same fabric as the curtains.

Given the seasonal emphasis on minimalism, it is inappropriate to use bulky, tacky curtain decorations.