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Combining Curtains and Blinds

When we opened our business back in 2004, we lived in a world where curtains were king. A time of triple pleated luxury, pelmets and swags and tails. Fabrics were full of colour and pattern and velvet curtains were a best seller.

However blinds were considered a cheap unsophisticated alternative with hardly any selection, and mostly isolated to kitchens and bathrooms.

However, over the last 10 years or so, we have seen a complete swing in the market. Now our sales of blinds completely outweigh our curtain sales.

With the increase in blind types, fabric options and a move toward minimalist interiors, blinds have become the go to window treatment. Their modern look and feel has left the luxurious world of curtains in the background. As the trend for simplicity and clean lines has come to the forefront.

And with the advancement of the technological world bringing motorisation, rechargeable battery motors, mobile phone App control and Smart Home Automation capability to all blinds, it seems that curtains were to become an old fashioned window treatment of the past.

Dedicated fabric lover

But, to a fabric lover like me, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A shift appears to be happening for softer feeling interiors that encompass natural textures, diffused light and a need to bring comfort to our overly hectic lives.

Lighter weight fabrics with open weaves, sheers with linen like qualities and a move toward soft earthy tones complement the new trends in interior design beautifully. Although we are still not seeing pattern and colour making a comeback (and thankfully not swags and tails) it seems that curtains are finding their place again in our homes.

A shift is happening

With this shift we are also finding that there is a solution that offers the best of both worlds; a combination of the style and aesthetic appeal of curtains, alongside the practical functionality that blinds have to offer.

Combining curtains and blinds at the same window, or using them separately to help zone an open plan space. This creates window treatments that will visually enhance your interior scheme whilst providing everyday light control solutions.

Carry on reading to discover more.

Combining screen blinds with curtains Spain

Combining double roller blinds with curtains Spain

Combining Roman blinds with curtains Costa Blanca

Combining pleated blinds with curtains, Costa Blanca

Practical solutions for bedrooms.

Bedrooms are our sanctuaries, a place where we go to relax and sleep and wake up revitalised ready for the next day. They need to be spaces where you can not only unwind and enjoy the ambiance created by your interior décor, but also a space where you can be assured of a good nights sleep.

Controlling the light in a bedroom is therefore a top priority. Many people opt for blackout solutions and here blinds are the perfect choice. Either blackout roller blinds or Perfect Fit blinds attached to the windows. These can ensure minimum to no light filtering in to your space whilst you sleep.

But their look and feel can be cold, and if you also need privacy during the day, leaving your blackout blinds down can make your bedroom feel more like a prison than a relaxing sanctuary. So this is where combining them with the softness of fabric curtains can make all the difference.

A simple voile or sheer curtain will bring a level of privacy to your bedroom during the day and help to diffuse sunlight. Whilst a heavier curtain can help to minimise the light escaping from the sides of a roller blind with returns that fit snugly to the wall.

Curtains also give you the ability to personalise your space with colour, texture and pattern. Add a layer of insulation and acoustic balance, and by choosing coordinating bedding and cushions, enhance the overall look and feel of your room.

Combining curtains and blinds in an open plan space

Combining curtains and blinds in open plan space, Costa Blanca

BeforeAfter

Zoning in large open plan spaces

The architectural trend toward large open plan spaces brings with it the merging of functional areas and the use of multiple windows which maybe of different sizes, have different orientations and serve different purposes.

This creates situations where the use of the same window treatment at every window may not provide you with the best light control solution and can create a space the feels austere and boring.

By mixing curtains and blinds, and carefully choosing the fabrics and finishes, you can still maintain a cohesive look that will give added depth and interest to your overall scheme.

In this example, curtains in the lounge area creates a homely feel and cosiness of an evening, whist blinds at kitchen and dining area windows helps to unite the two areas and differentiate them from the seating area.

Framing large expanses of glass

Larger spaces also mean larger expanses of glass and this in turn comes the issue of heat control and UV protection. For this there is no better solution than sunscreen blinds with their specialist technical fabric that helps filter the sun, managing heat and providing a level of protection from the harmful effects of UV on your furniture and possessions.

But did you know they come in varying degrees of openness which give you flexibility in your choice. For example using the same fabric, you can choose a 3% screen at sun drenched windows to effectively block the sun, and a 10% screen at north facing windows that allows more light to enter the space.

Combining these blinds with curtains will add a layer of style to the practical functionality and at larger expanses of glass, dress curtains can be used where you don’t need full curtains. These will help to frame the window and bring texture and softness to your interior scheme.

Combining sun screen blinds with curtains Spain

Dress curtains with blinds on the Costa Blanca

Dress Curtains explained

Dress curtains are basically false curtains that do not draw over the entire length of the window. So they are a great way to frame a window, add colour, texture and/or pattern to a room. Which will soften blind edges without the need for acres of fabric. Along with the expense that this could incur at extra large windows.

So by carefully adjusting the amount of fabric used, dress curtains are made to be in proportion to the window width so they don’t look out of place or dysfunctional, but simply add to the beauty of your interior décor.

Dress curtains with roller blinds Costa Blanca

The beauty of curtains

There is no doubt that curtains can play multiple roles in the design of your ideal window treatment.

They can help to give the illusion of height to a room, or lower an extra tall ceiling, make small windows look larger. This will help to frame your outside view or hide ugly frames and outlooks.

So their ability to provide a layer of insulation for both heat and cold, help with the acoustic balance of a room and give privacy. Whilst still maintaining a view of the outside world makes them a practical solution in every room.

But it is the vast array of fabrics available that really gives curtains the edge. Especially when it comes to creating an interesting and individual design scheme. Textures from ultra fine to thick and heavy, colours from muted earthy tones to deeper shades and pops of brilliance. Along with patterns ranging from subtle same colour designs, monochromatic interest, to bolder mixtures and themes, the choice is endless.

And there are sure to be fabric styles that you never even knew existed and could make all the difference to your interior.

Female customer looking interior fabrics on the Costa Blanca

The practicality of blinds

Blinds are by far the most practical solution for precision light control.

The huge number of blind types includes clever solutions for different windows types. Functional solutions for different window orientations, technical solutions for heat control, insulation and UV protection, Blackout fabrics for optimal sleep, and flexible solutions for precision light control.

This alongside their general durability and their ability to be motorised and controlled in numerous ways, means they offer a resolution to any light control need.

The Future

So the up and coming trend of combining both of these solutions seems the obvious evolution of the window treatment industry. Allowing for the beauty of fabrics to be enjoyed once more, whilst employing all the practical developments of the blind industry over the last 10 years.

And who knows, maybe in another 10 years I’ll be writing about the lastest trend of combining mind controlled blinds with velvet swags and tails!

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Lotus Interiors Benitachell
Carrer Moraira, 16
03726 El Poble Nou de Benitatxell
Alicante, Costa Blanca, Spain

Lotus Interiors Alfaz Del Pi
Av. País Valencià, 58
03580 L’Alfàs del Pi
Alicante, Costa Blanca, Spain

Tel: +34 966 493 232
Mob: +34 608 551 601
info@lotusinteriors.es

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Our free no-obligation home consultations are available across the Costa Blanca. We serve Javea, Benidorm, Moraira, Calpe, Denia, Albir, Alfaz, La Nucia and Altea on the Costa Blanca, and all the inland villages including Benissa, Benitachell, Teulada, Jalon, Lliber, Alcalali, Orba, Pedreguer, Tormos, Jesus Pobre, and Gata de Gorgos.