Many people have ceased to perceive their balconies and loggias as storage areas for rubbish or a place for drying clothes. More and more often, people are trying to convert them into additional living or working space. Someone is making an office there, a workshop, a place of rest and relaxation. If this is possible and permitted, in some apartments you can remove the wall separating the room from the balcony, thus expanding the space.
Such “homemade” people are interested in how to close huge balcony windows, especially on the lower floors. At the same time, curtains should not interfere with the opening of windows, and they should also fit harmoniously into the interior. Roman blinds for a loggia or balcony, which we will discuss in this article, best suit all these parameters.
Photo gallery more than 30 photo ideas
Our selection of photographs will help you find the optimal solution for your realities. You will turn your glazed balcony or loggia into your favorite comfortable corner. There you can relax with a book in your hands, work in silence, so that no one disturbs you. You can also equip a separate play area on the balcony for your children. Our photographs will help you with this, some idea will suit you.
Curtains for the loggia
Sunset or sunrise, rainy sky, the architecture of a bustling city, the distant horizon... All this can be observed from the window of your favorite loggia, which even before 2022 began to be considered not just a part outside the house, but is already decorated as a room with no less important “indoor” elements - sofas, tables, poufs, curtains. And no matter how comfortable the interior furnishings of a living space may be, a balcony or loggia attracts with its proximity to nature, fresh air and feelings of freedom and tranquility. Curtains for the loggia help make this corner not just an observation deck, but a real cozy atmosphere. In addition to their aesthetic function, curtains in this part of the house are important for their direct purpose, because the loggia is more exposed to the bright rays of the sun than other rooms, and therefore the air in it heats up and feels stuffy. To avoid this, the simplest and most comfortable solution would be to hang original curtains that protect from direct light (which you can even make yourself). Of course, such new items will be very different from curtains for a bedroom or living room, because these are not heavy curtains, but mega neat and sophisticated curtains.
Old principle, but new idea
Just a couple of years ago, blinds for loggia windows were extremely popular. They provided good protection from the sun, but required careful care, as they collected dust and dirt quite well. A trend that is gaining popularity in 2022 in particular is almost completely replacing blinds in terms of functionality, although it works on a similar principle. We are talking about roller blinds and Roman blinds. These new products have a modern and attractive design, which helps them to be combined with different types of interiors, but their main advantage is convenience, compactness and practicality, which busy people value most in 2018. In a loggia, deprived of a sufficient amount of square meters, such curtains are not suitable will become a burden and will not make it even tighter. When assembled (raised to the end), these curtains remain only a thin strip at the fastening, and when straightened, they become a light canvas that fits tightly to the window. In addition to the fact that roller blinds and Roman blinds can last a long time, because they are made of durable synthetic or natural fibers, they are also easy to care for and use - they are easy to control (a special mechanism is built in to regulate their position on the window) and even easier to wash (fabric the base of the curtains is impregnated with anti-fading and dust accumulation agents).
Such curtains will add festiveness and chic to the loggia.
Rolled grace
Roller blinds can be attached both to the entire window and to each glass opening, because the design allows this, which consists only of a weighting agent (pipe), the material of the curtains themselves and a system of mechanisms for regulating their position. Such a simple design makes it possible to make curtains for your favorite loggia with your own hands.
Attaching such curtains will not be a problem or difficult. They can be mounted on the wall or ceiling above the desired location, or on the frame itself. This can be done by drilling holes for fasteners or, which is not new for craftsmen in this matter, by “planting” them with special glue or construction tape. With utmost care, so as not to damage anything, you can do it yourself, but if you doubt your skill, it is better to contact a specialist.
In 2022, thanks to the huge selection of materials for sewing curtains for any loggias, you can experiment with fabrics and colors, as well as the density of such curtains. In any case, soft light will fill the house without irritating or overheating the furniture. You can even make a custom design on the fabric - transfer your favorite photo or pattern there.
The advantage of these new products is that, thanks to their mechanism, they can be adjusted in location on the window depending on the time of day or weather. The photo shows roller blinds half-drawn:
Roller blinds will perfectly support the overall interior of the loggia
general characteristics
The properties of these curtains allow them to be used on different balconies. They are suitable for storing unnecessary items, decorating an additional recreation room, gym or work area. Roman blinds for the balcony are planned taking into account the degree of insolation, the number of window sashes, and the predominant color of the adjacent room.
Curtains of this type themselves are distinguished by a wide range of colors and materials. You can create anything you want out of them with your own hands, choose a ready-made option.
A Roman blind is a piece of cut fabric that rises vertically, folding into a beautiful drapery. It can be mounted on the ceiling, on a window frame or on a doorway. It can close the entire window at once or individual sashes. In the second case, different materials can be alternated on different doors, resulting in a super modern design.
Most of these curtains are manually operated, but there are also models equipped with an electric drive.
Let's list the advantages of Roman blinds:
- Reliable lowering and raising mechanism.
- Spectacular appearance.
- They are easy to care for.
- Sewing is possible with your own hands.
- Harmonious combination with tulle and/or curtains.
- Low material consumption.
With your own hands
Hand-sewn curtains for a balcony will help you save money and also bring original ideas to life. The easiest way is to make Roman blinds for your loggia yourself. They can be translucent or made of thick fabric. They consist of one leaf or several (for each sash).
First you need to decide on the number of canvases and prepare everything you need:
- fabric of the required size;
- Velcro tape;
- nails and screws;
- wooden or plastic rods half a centimeter in diameter and 2-3 cm less than the width of the future curtain (6-8 pieces depending on the length of the product).
- a block for fastening the structure, equal to the width of the curtain (2.5x5 cm);
- plastic rings 1 cm in diameter (2-3 rings for each twig);
- weighting material (aluminum or wooden strip);
- cord;
- hook.
To determine the size and number of folds, use the table:
The procedure for making Roman blinds for a balcony with Velcro with your own hands: for every 10 cm of window, add 1.3-1.4 cm to the distance between the folds.
- We take measurements and add 5-7 cm to the resulting numbers for seams and 14 cm for allowances. We cut and cut.
- On the wrong side we mark the places of folds, folds and rings.
- We make folds along the edges and stitch.
- We attach Velcro to the block using nails.
- We sew Velcro across the width of the curtain onto the top of the curtain. The Velcro product is easy to remove for washing and put back on.
- We make a pocket in the lower part and place a weight bar there.
- In places of folds on the wrong side there should be pockets for the rods. This could be aluminum wire or corset inserts. Sew the pockets on one side, then on the other side it will be convenient to take them out before washing the curtain.
- On each pocket with rods (7 pcs.), we sew rings at an equal distance (3 pcs.) from each other. We also fix the rings on the block that holds the structure.
- We assemble the product. We fix the fabric to the bar using Velcro.
- We thread the cords into the rings, moving from bottom to top, and tie the cord tightly with several knots on the bottom ring. If the product has three vertical rows of rings, then there will be three separate cords. Each is fixed on the lower ring, passes vertically through all the rings along one line and is brought out horizontally from above through the rings on the block to the side. As a result, the ends of three cords will hang from the side above.
- We collect the ends of the cords and tie them together. We cut off the excess. It is convenient to make another knot when the Roman blind is assembled.
- We install a hook on the side of the window frame, which will hold the knots on the cord, fixing the curtain in assembled form. Do-it-yourself Roman blind on the balcony is ready!
Main features of Roman blinds
They are called fabric blinds. This is a piece of fabric fixed to a specific cornice with a special lifting and lowering mechanism. The fabric can be attached without curtain rods. On the reverse side, the panels are equipped with horizontal plastic slats, which form beautiful, uniform folds when the fabric is raised. We list the types of Roman blinds:
- The classic version is when smooth material is collected into an accordion when lifted.
- Frameless - in such models there are no hard ribs, and the fabric is lifted by a cord threaded through the sides.
- Cascading models - when they are lowered, they look like classic curtains, and when raised they form beautiful cascading folds that fall on top of each other.
What are they?
Roman blinds are very easy to recognize among other types by their perfectly even, beautiful and elegant folds, 20-30 centimeters wide, that appear when raised. In this position, the folds, located horizontally, are collected at the very top of the window opening, unnoticeably positioned as a canopy one above the other. When the curtains are lowered to the bottom, the horizontal folds disappear and the fabric, which can be visually transparent from the outside or, conversely, dense, looks almost smooth.
What's the secret? And the secret is simple - it’s all about the wooden slats, which are attached to the curtain from the wrong side. The additional devices of the slats, when the canvas rises, form perfectly smooth folds on it. To raise and lower such a Roman blind, use cords drawn to the right or left, passed through the rings on the reverse side.
What material is used
What can be said about the fabrics used to produce Roman blinds? The only thing that can curb the wild imagination here is the price category of the fabric. Theoretically, a variety of fabrics are used: dense or slightly transparent, heavy, as well as very light, plain or decorated with some kind of non-standard pattern. There are a huge number of options here, so it won’t be difficult to get exactly the unsurpassed one that suits you. The following fabrics can be used to create Roman blinds: linen, cotton, organza, thick curtain fabrics.
Dimensions
If you have already decided to purchase such original curtains for a glazed balcony, keep in mind that in order for them to look perfect on your window, correct and accurate measurements are necessary. A very important step is also the measurement of fabric consumption, which will be carried out by a specialist. Fabric consumption will directly depend on the way you want to attach the curtains. There are two such methods:
- Fastening the curtain in the opening of the balcony window when it is almost close to the glass. This method is more appropriate to use when your window sill is too large, since the curtain, even in the lowered position, will not block access to it. Then the dimensions of the curtains should be identical to the dimensions of the window.
- Mounts above the window are ideal if your window has a window or sash that opens periodically. With this method of fastening, the curtain should be longer and wider by about 5-10 cm than the balcony window opening itself.
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Advantages and disadvantages
Roman blinds for balconies have the following advantages:
- They save space.
- Such curtains do not disturb anyone, either raised or lowered, as they fit snugly to the frame.
- Easy installation. Purchased structures have adhesive tape, with which the canvas can be easily attached to a special cornice or to any surface of a window or ceiling.
- There are no restrictions on materials, their textures, colors, designs, and shapes of finished curtains.
- Easy care.
- They fit freely into non-standard balconies and loggias with different window shapes.
- Manual adjustment of the height of raising and lowering the blade.
- Possibility of choosing a fabric that protects from the penetration of the sun, does not wrinkle, does not tear.
There are practically no disadvantages to Roman blinds. But some people don’t like the high cost of purchased items, while others don’t like the difficulty of washing large-sized fabrics.
Curtains for the loggia
In a modern apartment, a glazed loggia is, in fact, the same full-fledged small room. It often becomes a favorite place to relax, drink tea, read or sleep. It is impossible to give it a complete look and create a feeling of comfort without curtains; fortunately, the variety of modern models allows you to choose an option taking into account all the features of this room.
Roller or roller blinds
A very popular solution for loggias and balconies. They are narrow fabric sheets that, using a special mechanism, can be easily lowered to the desired length and raised, thereby adjusting the level of illumination. The advantages of this option include:
- fixation on the frame, without additional curtains;
- stylish appearance;
- dense fabric impregnated with a special dust-repellent composition;
- ease of use - they do not inflate with a sail from the wind, and do not interfere with opening and closing windows;
- long service life (sometimes up to 25 years).
Recently, the “day-night” variety of transparent and opaque strips of fabric has become fashionable. By alternating these stripes, you can adjust the level of illumination on the balcony.
Roman
Unlike roller blinds, this model does not roll up, but is assembled in horizontal stripes into elegant draperies. One of their main advantages is that in the closed position they fit tightly to the window, thus not taking up extra space.
The wide range of materials from which they are made makes it easy to combine them with any type of interior. For example, laconic white ones would be appropriate in the minimalist style, while more lush ones, with a floral pattern, decorated with braid, would be appropriate in the Provence style. Often they alternate - a single-color canvas - with a pattern, which significantly enlivens the space.
Bamboo
Great summer option. They are usually produced as roll or roman models. They allow air to pass through well even when closed and reliably protect even from the hottest sun. This material and natural colors are perfect for connoisseurs of eco-design or would be appropriate on a loggia combined with a country-style room.
Curtains
Regular lightweight curtains made of transparent or translucent material always look great. The loose fabric allows air to pass through well and pleasantly diffuses sunlight, making it soft.
The best option is double curtains that slide apart in the middle of the window. You can choose any length - from short, not reaching the window sill, to floor-length. But excessive length can create inconvenience in a small room.
It is important that the curtains are easy to move and put away. Large rings will significantly weigh down or simply ruin the appearance of the products, but large eyelets in the fabric itself will ensure trouble-free sliding. It is especially good to use metal eyelets.
Blinds
Their main advantage is durability and ease of use. Good blinds do not fade, they do not need to be washed, only occasionally wiped with a damp cloth, they rarely break and protect well from the sun.
When choosing, preference should be given to horizontal models, as they take up less space than their vertical counterparts. Blinds are often combined with thick drapes and curtains.
Pleated blinds
One of the newest varieties, but already very popular. Unlike traditional blinds, they are made from pleated polyester fabric, but they are also easily operated with a chain or cord.
Thanks to various options for the movement mechanisms of the cornices, pleated windows can be installed not only on ordinary, straight ones, but also on arched, triangular, trapezoidal and round balcony windows at any desired angle.
Austrian and French
Their main distinguishing feature is lightness and airiness with a sufficiently large amount of material. They are made from solid fabric, laced multiple times along the entire length. Using cords, the fabric can be gathered into beautiful folds and its length can be adjusted. Austrian curtains are usually made of tulle, while French ones are made of silk, often with bright floral patterns, and decorated with braid, bows or fringe.
This model looks good on a long loggia of about 6 meters, as it does not seem boring and monotonous, which is important for an elongated space.
Drapes and curtains
Such varieties are suitable only for balconies and loggias glazed to the floor. If the sun is a rare guest on this side, then it is better to choose translucent, light curtains. But if you have a southern exposure, then preference should be given to thick curtains made of light, but not transparent fabric.
Also don’t forget about beautiful lambrequins to collect the canvases. Well-chosen lambrequins serve as an important decorative element and complement the overall interior.
Color solutions
Unlike the living room or bedroom, when choosing curtains for the loggia, it is better to abandon dark colors in favor of light ones, sometimes even white and transparent. Neutral colors will look good - olive, ecru, light beige or peach.
Models with floral patterns look beautiful. If the background is white, then the floral pattern can be very colorful. Products with graphic designs have an original look. In general, the color scheme should be combined with the overall design of the loggia itself or the room to which it adjoins.
With your own hands
Making curtains with your own hands is not such a difficult task, and sometimes this is the only way out if you have a non-standard room.
Roman blinds are the easiest to make. To sew them you will need: a fairly dense fabric that holds its shape well, wooden slats according to the number of planned folds, metal rings, a weight bar, a strong cord that is two lengths and one width of the future product, a cornice and Velcro for fastening.
- To determine the length of the fabric, measure the width of the frame and add 2 cm for allowances;
- Cut out the product, sew pockets under the slats;
- Use crayons, stitches, or pins to mark the folds;
- Hem all edges;
- Attach one of the Velcro pieces;
- Fold and double stitch the bottom and insert the weight bar;
- Insert the slats and attach the rings;
- Pass the cord along the rings;
- Attach the canvas and connect the cords.
Installation
The method of attaching curtains depends on the model you choose and the characteristics of the room. If you prefer curtains, curtains or French blinds, then you will need to install a cornice.
It is possible to mount a regular cornice and hang curtains as in a room if the windows are separated from the ceiling by a brick or concrete layer. The cornice can be:
- Round, in the form of a wooden or metal crossbar with rings and hooks;
- Sliding (or telescopic) - a sliding rod with a spring mechanism, which is placed in a spacer between opposite walls;
- Tire (plastic or aluminum), with hidden grooves and hooks for fastening;
- For light curtains, you can use a well-stretched thick fishing line.
It must be remembered that the cornice should be located 10 cm above the frame, and its width should exceed the width of the window opening by 20-30 cm.
Tips for choosing
Windows on the loggia are usually much larger than the rest of the windows in the apartment, they have more sashes and provide illumination to the adjacent room. Therefore, when approaching the issue of choosing curtains, you should consider the following points:
- They perform not only a decorative, but also an important sun protection function. Therefore, you should think about whether the fabric will fade in the sun. Otherwise, the neat appearance will be lost very quickly.
- Access to windows and balcony doors must remain free;
- Wide and heavy cornices “eat up” an already narrow space (the width of a standard loggia is no more than 120 cm), so it is better to choose models that are attached directly to the frames or to the ceiling;
- For the same reason, it is better to abandon unnecessary decorative elements - heavy fringe, bows and large lambrequins.
Which fabric to choose
The choice of material for lifting curtains on the balcony depends on the purpose of their use. If you need spatial lightness, then you need to choose the appropriate fabric. Designers advise choosing thick fabrics for balcony curtains, especially for windows facing south.
The texture can be any, but it is better to choose a fabric made from linen or cambric. These fabrics allow air to pass through and do not cause allergies.
If ease of cleaning and durability are more important, then it is better to choose synthetic fabric. But you need to keep in mind that a lot of dust will settle on it. Bamboo and wooden canvases are becoming fashionable. By letting diffused light pass through them, they create a cozy, warm, magical atmosphere.
Mounting options
We are accustomed to fastening curtains made of different fabrics using hooks or special clothespins to curtain rods made of iron, wood, and plastic. But Roman blinds have their own fastening system; it includes its own curtain rod with a special lifting mechanism. There are three options for such designs:
- Similar to the type of blinds, when a separate panel is attached to each window sash. This option is common because it is optimal for a balcony.
- In the form of a single canvas for the entire window, it is not divided into sections.
- Several panels (sections) are attached to a common cornice with one lifting mechanism.
The last two options are not suitable when the windows on the balcony open inward; only curtains for sliding windows are rational.
Typically, the canvases are attached to the cornice using adhesive tape, and the cornice itself is secured with self-tapping screws.
Curtains
Fabric curtains are always an appropriate classic as curtains for the balcony. They are especially appropriate on loggias combined with a room. They are often made up to the length of the window sill. Floor-length curtains look beautiful on panoramic balconies with full-height windows.
Curtains can be made of light or dense material, and a combination of both options is possible. In the first case, the curtain will not have to be drawn often. Classic curtains are suitable for sliding windows, where roller or Roman counterparts cannot be installed.
Photos in the interior
With the right material, Roman blinds decorate any interior. Of course, without extremes. For the Provence style, such curtains suit me, but in High-Tech or Grunge interiors they will look harmonious. Such curtains will bring a feeling of lightness to the interior and add space.
Kitchen
Kitchens with a balcony are rare, so you can hardly find ready-made Roman blinds for a kitchen with a balcony door on sale; you have to sew them yourself. It should be borne in mind that in comparison with standard windows, those supplemented with a balcony will receive less sunlight. This means that it is better to sew curtains for the kitchen with a balcony door in light, translucent colors.
Functionality should not be overlooked; kitchen curtains should not make it difficult to pass through the door. Also, the fabric must be wear-resistant, easily washable from grease and soot, and not absorb odors. You may need to cover the batteries.
Taking into account all these nuances, it is better to hang synthetic fabric in the kitchen without drapery or lace, which is resistant to fading and dries quickly, because... you will have to wash it often.
Bedroom
If the bedroom has a door to a balcony or loggia, then you need to be careful when choosing Roman blinds for the bedroom so that they do not disturb the harmonious atmosphere of the bedroom. Pastel shades of material with light lambrequins add coziness and comfort.
Living room
When a loggia or balcony is combined with a living room, then curtains for a window with a balcony door can visually increase its area. Fabric colors are selected taking into account the overall palette in the interior. In the living room, it is appropriate to combine Roman blinds on the balcony door with transparent curtains, curtains made of thick fabric, and lambrequins of complex shapes.
Design ideas
At first glance, such curtains for a balcony may seem too strict or even boring, because they do not have that flowing lightness and lush tassels that we are used to seeing in ordinary curtains. But we are ready to change your idea of “boring” Roman blinds, and therefore we will give you a few ideas for creating a romantic and cozy look for roller blinds on your balcony window.
A wide window space hung with Roman curtains will be decorated with one lambrequin the length of the entire window, but it is worth considering the point that it should not interfere with the doors from opening, so it should be installed as high as possible. Light floor-length fabric curtains will complete the romantic composition; they can hang straight or be gathered with tiebacks.
It is not necessary to hang identical canvases on each sash; play with colors. You can alternate plain curtains with curtains with a matching pattern, or use different fabrics for each section.
When the loggia and the window are decorated in the same color scheme, this not only unifies the interior, but also contributes to the visual expansion of the area.
A loggia or glassed-in balcony can become your favorite corner in the house. There may be a study area, a play area for children, or a cozy place to relax with a book, so the proper design of this even small room plays an important role in its further perception. We hope that our article and selection of photos presented below helped you in choosing Roman blinds for arranging a cozy nest.
Roman blinds inside the opening
Taking into account the fact that the folds when lifting a Roman blind are approximately 20 cm, and it always rises, such curtains can be hung inside openings only when the window sash either does not open or opens outward. In other cases, a Roman blind inside the opening will interfere with the opening of the window.
For panoramic windows
Roman blinds are considered the best decor for panoramic windows. A large window needs to be decorated in such a way as to create a pleasant, cozy atmosphere. When developing a design project and then installing the system, you need to ensure that the curtains do not interfere with opening the window sashes or make it difficult to approach it.
Choosing material for a Roman curtain
If the balcony or loggia is small, then the curtains should not be too dark and dense; there is no need for colorful or large patterns. Since the balcony is clearly visible from the adjacent room, it is better to decorate both rooms in the same color. If Roman blinds are made from a rigid material, they will hold their shape. But on balconies on the north side, where there is little sun, it is better to give preference to light, lightweight material. Acceptable fabric options: jacquard, silk, organza, tulle, cambric.
Products made from bamboo are becoming fashionable; it diffuses light and has an antibacterial effect. It does not fade and does not collect dust. Some curtains require almost no maintenance, they are natural and durable. Compact bamboo sections fit perfectly into small balconies or loggias. The canvas consists of loose bamboo stems that are held together by nylon threads. They can be further decorated at the bottom.
A little about product care
The easiest fabric to care for will be one made from synthetic fabrics; it can be removed from the curtain rod and washed in a washing machine by selecting the “delicate wash” program. If the fabric is delicate, then it is better to wash it by hand so as not to spoil the shape and appearance of the product.
It is necessary to dry the product unfolded, so it retains its shape and does not stretch; the fabric can only be ironed when wet.
I would like to note that Roman blinds are a product that combines only one advantage: they are easy to care for, practical, beautiful and durable.
Decorating a window with a door to the balcony
Roman blinds for a balcony door are a non-standard design method. This is an option that does not require special care, but it looks elegant. Roman blinds do not interfere with opening and closing the door, which is one of their greatest advantages. Since the canvases can be sectional, you can hang a shorter part on the window opening, and cover the door with a long section.