Curtains for panoramic windows: overview of options

Panoramic windows are very important, in particular because they visually expand the room. It also makes sense to make a panoramic window where a picturesque view opens behind it, and it does not matter what kind of landscape opens: the city or nature. Both can be pleasing to the eye, especially if you choose the right curtains for panoramic windows.

Particularly successful would be glazing with panoramic windows in the kitchen or in the dining room, living room and, of course, in the bedroom. It’s so nice to wake up, relax and eat in a beautiful place. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right decor and curtains for panoramic windows.

But not only positive aspects are associated with them, but also some difficulties:

If the window faces the sunny side, in the morning the light can prevent the owners from sleeping or heat up the room excessively. And looking at the sun is not very good for the eyes.
If there is a city outside the window, then the open window opening not only allows you to view the landscape, but also opens up the life of the owners of the house for everyone to see. And in the village sometimes there is someone to look through the window.
The absence of any decor may look empty.

All these problems are easily solved by curtains. All that remains is to choose which of them will look best on the panoramic windows. When choosing, it is important to consider both the main functions and the main problems of panoramic windows.

The main rules are simple and clear. You should not choose too dense and heavy fabrics and multi-layered designs, as they will hide the space and make it heavier. And they practically do not allow light to pass through. It is also worth refraining from a small pattern. It is better to choose plain curtains or limit yourself to a large geometric print. Alternatively, you can combine several different colors.

Advantages of panoramic windows

This architectural solution has its advantages:

The ability to let more light and air into the house. Moreover, the issue is not just aesthetic, since a higher level of illumination makes it possible to save on electricity.
Visual expansion of space.
An effective design technique. This is especially true when it comes to panoramic structures in private homes. They blur the boundaries between living space and natural landscape.

In addition, if the window offers a beautiful view, then panoramic glazing makes the landscape more attractive.

Which color should I choose?

Various shades create a sophisticated color scheme in the room.

Multicolored

Quite an interesting solution that allows you to enliven and add variety to a laconic and austere balcony space.

Blue

The blue color evokes associations with the sea and gives a feeling of coolness. Therefore, blue or light blue slats are especially suitable for loggias located on the sunny south side.

The photo shows blue vertical slats on the loggia.

White

White models reflect light well and return it to the room, thereby creating a visual enlargement of the small balcony space.

The photo shows white horizontal slats on the balcony.

Beige

Classic design option. Calm and gentle beige on plastic windows does not have an irritating effect and looks very organic.

The photo shows a balcony with beige horizontal slats.

Reds

They attract attention and look quite stylish. But on a small balcony, dark red slats will make the space overloaded.

Functions of curtains

Curtains on panoramic windows perform the same functions as on standard ones. They protect from too bright sunlight and prying eyes, and make the room more comfortable (without them, with such a window area, the room can look empty and even a little overwhelming). And at the same time, curtains are an important decorative element; they emphasize the chosen interior concept.

Sun protection film

To reduce the level of illumination without changing the interior, you can use a special light-protective (thermal-protective) film. Such materials are made from polymers with varying degrees of light resistance. Here are the most popular film options:

internal - glued to the inside of the window, come in a variety of colors;
external - mounted from the street, durable and not afraid of precipitation;
spatter - multi-layered, characterized by the highest sun protection properties;
mirror - reflect light, provide a masking effect.

Foil

The use of foil is an old, inexpensive and proven method of shading windows, which can be called folk. The foil has a low price and can be easily glued to the window using tape.

Unfortunately, this method has many more disadvantages:

unaesthetic appearance;
the need to turn on the light during the day due to strong shading;
inability to adjust the light level;
lack of modernity;
sticking of the foil and the need to scrape it off.

Rules for choosing curtains for panoramic windows

The rules for choosing curtains for panoramic designs are quite simple:

The curtain model should be as simple and functional as possible, so that you can always easily lift or move them if you want to admire the view from the window.
Since the light transmittance of curtains is affected not only by the properties of the fabric, but also by the density of the draperies, it is better to choose an option in which the textiles are light and translucent, and the number of folds is small. This will protect against too much sunlight, but the room will still be light.
Curtains are made from fabrics that are easy to wash and dry quickly. They must be UV resistant and not fade in sunlight.
The design is simple but effective. Even asymmetry is possible, since when choosing such an original solution, the large window sizes are balanced and the room becomes more comfortable.
Curtains for windows should be plain or with large patterns. The small pattern on the panoramic openings is lost.
Curtains are selected to match the color of the interior and are not overloaded with decor, since tassels, ruffles, and complex-shaped lambrequins on the windows look out of place.

Glass tinting rules

Many people want to apply film to their balcony glass, but don’t know how to do it. In fact, it is quite possible to tint a balcony with your own hands. This article and step-by-step photos will help you. What is needed for this?

Be sure to prepare a spray bottle, a utility knife, a thin needle, a rubber spatula, and the window tinting film itself.

First of all, you need to clean the windows from dirt. It is also necessary to degrease the glass. By the way, the glass itself does not need to be removed from the wooden frames or the rubber bands on the sides of the plastic windows should be removed. To apply the tint, you need to make a soap solution.

To make the solution “correct,” you need to dissolve five to six drops of liquid soap or detergent in one and a half liters of water. The solution can be applied using a spray bottle.

To prevent the glass from being too wet, after applying the solution to it, run a rubber spatula over the glass.

Then you need to make film patterns. To do this, measure the balcony windows and cut out pieces of film with a margin. Remember that it is better to make the pattern a little with a margin.

When making a pattern with your own hands, you need to use a stationery knife. It is best to apply the film to the window so that the pattern is as reliable as possible. When all this is ready, you need to wash your windows and hands again.

Curtain options for decorating panoramic windows

There are many options for curtains for window decoration. They are conventionally divided into 2 types – sliding and lifting. Classic curtains, for example, belong to the category of sliding curtains, while Roman and roller blinds belong to the category of lifting structures.

Many designers advise combining sliding curtains with short, more compact varieties of curtains to make it easier to regulate the light.

Blinds

For windows facing the sunny side, blinds are considered the best option. They are long, often floor-length, vertically located lamellas. They can either be rotated around their axis, adjusting the illumination, or they can be moved.

In residential premises, blinds are mainly used, the slats of which are made of polyester or mixed materials, and in offices there may also be plastic elements.

There are also multi-textured blinds that combine fabric slats with dividing decorative elements.

Classic

This is the standard version of sliding curtains. More often there are 2 fabric panels that move freely along the cornice. If the windows are high, lambrequins can be used. But the principle of choice here is the same - the simpler the design and the less decoration, the better.

If the width of the window allows, then hang only 1 curtain, which is moved to the side or fixedly fixed on the cornice. They produce special decorative holders for walls - the lower part of the curtain is removed using them, while the upper part remains motionless. Effective folds are formed. This allows you to adjust the lighting in the room.

If the windows are wide, then you can choose curtains consisting of 3-4 separate panels.

But it should be possible to move them to the side to open the doors.

Fabric curtains

They are the same as classic curtains. The color of the products is selected to match the interior.

Sometimes curtains can solve decorative problems. In this case, you can hang narrow canvases that are located on the sides of the opening, and the top is covered with a lambrequin or a narrower bandeau strip. The dimensions depend on the window parameters.

Panoramic glazing

There is frameless panoramic glazing, which is practically transparent walls. There is no division into sashes. In this case, curtains often look simply inappropriate.

Japanese

Japanese curtains are called panels or screens. They are rectangular panels of fabric that move along guides.

This is a type of sliding curtains. They are made from standard fabrics, as well as from bamboo straw and jute. Japanese curtains are suitable not only for rooms decorated in ethnic or oriental style, but also for rooms in modern minimalist styles - high-tech. In the latter case, jute or bamboo are not used - only linen.

Roman

Classic Roman curtains are sometimes confused with roller curtains. But these are 2 different types.

Roman curtains are also straight fabrics that are raised up, but they do not roll up, but gather into beautiful folds - horizontal draperies appear. Thanks to this design, Roman products are beautiful and practical. You can always raise them to admire the view from the windows.

French

French curtains belong to the category of lifting curtains. This is a classic version with soft and wave-like horizontal folds. The design looks good in rooms decorated in historical styles.

Austrian

The curtains look lush. The products resemble French ones, but they are assembled into horizontal folds only in the lower part of the panel. There are also English curtains similar to them - they are gathered into wavy folds in the middle, and the side parts remain free.

Rolled

Rolled products are rectangular panels, often double, that are lifted using a special mechanism - in this position they can be fixed. The curtains can be raised or lowered manually or using a remote control.

What types of loggia blinds are there?

Balcony blinds not only allow you to control the level of light, but also stylishly decorate the room.

Pleated. They are a design with pleated fabric in the form of an accordion with folds of two centimeters.
Classic. Plain vertical and horizontal sun protection slats will be the most optimal solution for creating a modern and practical look for your loggia.
Photo blinds are the most beautiful look with bright and clear images printed using photo printing. You can choose the print format yourself; this is an undeniable advantage for creative people. They will add a special mood to the balcony room.
Multi-texture blinds are a universal type that combines the advantages of fabric and plastic slats.

Various methods of attaching curtains

The choice of fastening method depends on the characteristics of the room. There are several options - for example, cornices mounted above the window opening, but on the wall. This is a classic option, but can only be used when the distance between the ceiling and the skylight is suitable to fix the cornice.

Ceiling mount is a good choice for small rooms. This design allows you to visually increase the height of the ceilings.

There is a hidden cornice, which is often used to decorate not only windows, but also French balconies.

When choosing a fastener, you need to take into account the characteristics of the curtains themselves, their weight, design, etc.

Which blinds are best to hang?

A few recommendations for choosing:

It is not recommended to choose vertical slats for a small balcony space.
For a loggia with sliding windows, both vertical and horizontal models with ceiling mounting are suitable.
For loggias located on the south side, it is advisable to use products made from denser materials.
It is better to design small balcony windows with horizontal structures, with the type of glass mounting.
It is better to choose the size of the blinds slats 5-10 cm smaller than the balcony frame.

Cons of panoramic windows

Panoramic designs have disadvantages. For example, heat loss in an apartment. Even if double-glazed windows with good thermal insulation characteristics are inserted into the windows, their performance is lower than that of a block or brick wall. Sometimes the problem is solved by installing windows with a wall, but this looks ineffective.

In addition, you need to take into account that such windows are much more difficult to clean. Often you have to hire professionals for the job, which entails costs. In a house where there are small children, such windows are unsafe.

This option is more suitable for a studio than a family home.

French windows: what are they?

Windows in the French style, or French Windows, are panoramic glazing (from floor to ceiling) with casement doors - one or more, opening a full passage.
This design of window space is a doorway between rooms, for example, a house and a terrace or street, which is why such windows are also called “French Doors”. As a rule, they are used in country houses, in dwellings on the ground floor with a small area near the house, or in apartments on any floor to access a loggia/balcony. Parisian apartment with arched French windows, photo by F. Wasser

Fashion trends in window design

In the last few years, trends such as:

Bright colors, partly borrowed from theater and cabaret. Moreover, the palette can be catchy - it is used not only for individual decorative elements, but also for long floor-length curtains. Even curtains with complex textures are chosen in bright colors.
Gradient is a trend that became popular a few years ago. In the interior it is often used to decorate walls. But such beautiful color transitions also decorate home textiles, incl. curtains for panoramic windows. Moreover, bright shades are chosen for the gradient.
Commitment to using natural materials. Moreover, they do not require good finishing; small imperfections are welcome. An example of a suitable material is linen tulle. It will help bring in natural motifs that look casual but elegant. This option will fit into the eco-style, Scandinavian direction. Among natural materials, linen, silk and satin are popular, but bamboo looks like a Japanese style.
Functionality and utility. In this case, they manifest themselves in the type of fabric used. These can be technological materials, for example, with self-cleaning - this occurs due to the smooth surface of the products. These curtains are also characterized by graphic prints. And the most popular colors are bright yellow, blue, and gray.
Historical styles. Designers do not forget about curtains made of silk or velvet, which fit well into historical styles. Bright shades are also popular for these curtains - emerald or coral.

These are only recommendations from designers and popular brands. The choice of curtains for panoramic windows largely depends on the overall concept of the interior. But they take into account that curtains themselves can be an important element of the interior, which completely sets the tone for the room. Therefore, the palette, texture and style are selected depending on the room and situation.

How to care for tinted glass

Despite the fact that the film requires virtually no special care, sooner or later you will have to wash the windows on your balcony. In addition, it often happens that the glass becomes dirty not from dust, but from ordinary dirt from flower pots or splashes of food and drinks. Some tips for caring for tinted windows:

When washing such windows, do not use hard sponges and, especially, brushes. This will damage the surface and cause scratches;
Wet cleaning of windows is necessary at least once a month;
When cleaning with soap, do not use aggressive cleaning agents. Liquid baby soap diluted in water is best;
A microfiber cloth is good for removing dust;
If bubbles appear, they can be easily removed using water and a syringe. First, puncture the bubble, fill it with water, and straighten the surface with a soft cloth or spatula.

5 / 5 ( 1 voice )

How to ideally cover a balcony with clapboard
Balcony waterproofing. We insulate the seams correctly!
Finnish balcony. Description of design features
Features of the external cladding of balconies and loggias
How to make a canopy on the balcony with your own hands
Features of finishing an open balcony

Modern ideas

I'll finish and add a few modern ideas for choosing curtains for the kitchen:

If you have a simple window and a small kitchen, Roman windows are a great choice.
If your window is large, complex, or you have a balcony door, use regular floor-mounted ones. They can be placed on one side only or combined with tulle and tiers.
Gray or pastel curtains will suit most kitchens.
Think about what you are going to hang them on. If your kitchen is after a major renovation, and the ceiling is suspended or made of plasterboard, you can make a niche without bringing the ceiling to the wall with a window (this is the standard option).
If the fabric is thick, you can pin Roman blinds a little higher and regular ones a little wider than needed. This will create the illusion that they are covering a larger window than they actually are.
Approximately the same curtains are suitable for both classic and modern styles. Excessive complexity, lambrequins and decoration look ridiculous even in a classic kitchen.
And linen curtains look like a throwback to the 1990s - not the best idea.
Curtains with grommets (large round holes mounted on plastic or metal where you hang them from a curtain rod) look bad. The less noticeable the fasteners, the better.

Climbing greenery

Offices, houses and apartments are often decorated with living climbing plants. If you plant them on the street side, you can perfectly shade the room. The plants will constantly grow and close the window, thereby reducing the number of rays that penetrate inside. In addition, such a mini-kindergarten looks simply amazing and gives a good mood.

It is best to use wild grapes, clematis, wisteria, ivy and other plants for windows, which are usually located near arbors, fences, arches. If desired, you can shade an entire balcony or several windows in the house with them.

Regulatory Requirements

Installation, as well as design requirements for fencing for panoramic window units, is regulated by the following regulatory documents :

STO NOSTROY 2.23.62-2012 “Translucent fencing structures. Window".
GOST 34378-2018 “Translucent enclosing structures. Windows and doors."
GOST 23166-2021 “Translucent fencing structures for windows and balconies.”
GOST R 56926-2016 “Window and balcony structures for various functional purposes for residential buildings.”
SP 426.1325800.2020 “Structures enclosing translucent buildings and structures. Design Rules".
GOST 21519-2003 “Window blocks made of aluminum alloys”.

Note. Fences for stained glass or panoramic window structures are not subject to mandatory certification. At the same time, indirect requirements indicate the need to install protective screens for translucent elements, provided they are installed “on the floor”.

Possible difficulties and errors

When installing fencing for panoramic windows, beginners can make a number of serious mistakes that will lead to negative results :

Errors when marking the future fence. The finished structure may require trimming or may not cover the entire glazing plane.
Choosing the wrong mounting method. Reduced structural strength, which affects the safety during operation of protective elements.
Neglecting the dimensions of the cell between the rod elements increases the risk of impact on the glass.
If you choose insufficiently reliable anchors, the fence begins to loosen and can cause delamination of the floor structure.
The use of thin horizontal imposts over a long span - increased flexibility of the elements will lead to their deformation.

To eliminate the problems described above, for the installation of structural elements you should contact a specialized organization, which will carry out all the work according to a pre-worked scheme and provide a long-term guarantee on the result.