Curtains in the English style: a review of the best combination ideas in the interior (50 photos). English curtains - modern classics of exquisite luxury English style curtains for the kitchen

English style is a spectacular combination of colonial features and eclecticism. Having absorbed elements of classicism, the style amazes with chic, aristocracy and precision of lines. The overall atmosphere of a living space depends on many details. A key role in the English interior is played by the textile design of the space, so the selection of curtains must be treated with special care. English curtains, also known as London curtains, are an excellent option for admirers of elegance, charm and deliberate frivolity. They will bring a spirit of romanticism and add sophistication to any living space.

Curtains in the English style when lowered look like a rectangular canvas, attached to a profile cornice with a manual or automatic lifting mechanism. On the reverse side of the product, special rings are sewn into which the cords are threaded. The tighter the cords are pulled, the higher the curtains rise, forming a soft wavy fold in the center, and playful puffs on the sides.

Reference! London curtains are suitable not only for decorating standard windows. They can be used to decorate arched or bay windows; you just need to choose the right cornice.

London classic curtains differ in the way they design the vertical edges. For example, they can be in a free state, visually resembling a fan. But in the case of fixation along the side cut, an exquisite drapery is formed on the product, similar to a neat cascade. There is a misconception that English severity and excessive restraint do not imply any decor on interior items. It's a delusion. When decorating curtains, various types of fringe, tassels, ruffles and flowers are often used. Among the features of curtains, the following points can be highlighted:

Important! The attractive appearance of curtains directly depends on the width of the fabric. The greater the width, the more beautiful and lush folds will form on the product.

How to choose a color?

Just look at historical English design and it will become clear which colors are best to give preference to. The Victorian era contributed to the expansion of the color palette, so soft pastel colors and darker colors were harmoniously intertwined in the interior. When decorating rooms several centuries ago, the British used exclusively warm colors. The love for “warming” shades was associated with the rainy and cool climate for which London is known.

The choice of colors plays an important role in the design of any interior. The tone of the curtains must be selected based on the overall color scheme of the room. English curtains have a wide palette of different shades, so everyone will choose their preferred option. Fabric with a traditional British pattern, Scottish check or voluminous floral print looks advantageous. Such curtains will harmoniously and elegantly combine with wood finishes and massive furniture made of rare wood.

Curtains with a striped pattern will give an aesthetically attractive appearance. This print is used not only for beauty. If you need to visually lengthen the distance from the cornice to the floor itself, the strip will become a faithful ally.

London curtains look original and attractive when matched to the wallpaper. But remember, it makes no sense to exactly repeat the shade of the walls. It is better to choose curtains several shades lighter or darker. If there is any pattern on the wallpaper, an excellent technique would be to select curtains with a similar pattern. This move will add completeness to the interior and give the integrity of the composition.

Advice! If there is a need to increase the height of the window opening, the curtains must be mounted directly above the opening.

Which fabric to choose?

Sometimes the overly strict appearance of London curtains is associated with the restraint and stiffness of the British. The inhabitants of Albion preferred to use curtains made from natural materials in their interiors. This habit has remained to this day. There are no restrictions as such regarding the type of textile. Particular attention should be paid only to the texture of the curtains. A lot depends on the texture of the fabric: it affects the splendor of the folds and the rigidity of the puffs. That is why preference should be given to fairly elastic fabrics that do not have the habit of wrinkling. The following fabrics will look most appropriate and neat:

cotton;
chintz;
natural linen;
jacquard;
reps.

Application in the interior

English light curtains will be appropriate in almost any room of the room; it is enough to maintain a balance and use them harmoniously in relation to other elements of the interior. Curtains are used to decorate spacious rooms, one of which is the bedroom. For this room it is better to choose curtains made of thick fabric. This will prevent UV rays from entering the room in the early morning. London blinds are sometimes used as curtains. In this case, it is better to pay attention to the lightest and most flowing fabrics, including tulle and organza.

It is necessary to decorate the kitchen not only as attractively as possible, but also functionally. From the point of view of convenience, English-style curtains are suitable for the kitchen. Why? It's simple. During cooking, the curtains can be raised to any desired distance from the window sill and other surfaces. Thus, the fabric will not get dirty, and the amount of fat deposited on it will be significantly reduced. These curtains are quite easy to use. Machine washing will be enough to give the curtains a fresh and neat look.

It makes sense to choose this option for window decoration if there are small children in the house. We all know how kids love to explore the world around them, touching surfaces, curtains and walls with their hands. In order for the curtain to remain clean for a long time, it must be raised while your child walks around the apartment.

If you are a fan of laconicism and restraint in the interior, then English curtains are the ideal option for you. They will bring aristocracy, sophistication and elegance, protect against unwanted sunny color and turn the interior into a true masterpiece.

English curtains bring unique elegance, aristocracy, classical severity and elegance to a traditional interior at the same time. Perfectly regulating the light flux, they protect from the scorching sun and indiscreet gaze. Along with purely practical functions, London curtains serve as an excellent window decoration. Such curtains have become an invariable attribute of the classic style, adding completeness and a stylish touch to the interior.

Textile accessories complete with curtains will look original in the room: sofa cushions, chair covers, bedspreads.

Design

When opened, London curtains are a rectangular-shaped canvas with smooth edges. On the reverse side, rings are sewn along vertical lines through which cords are threaded, attached to the cornice with a special lifting device. When the cords are tightened, the fabric rises and wavy folds form on the front side, and on the sides there are original folds in the form of bows or puffs.

There must be at least two folds. The vertical edges can hang freely in the form of a fan, or they can be fixed along the side cut. In the second option, draperies resembling a cascade are formed at the edges. Side bows or puffs are often decorated with ribbons. The length of the curtains usually does not go below the window sill.

Peculiarities

London curtains belong to the lifting type of curtains, due to which there is some similarity with French, Roman and Austrian models. But there are significant differences:

Bow pleats on the sides.
The length is not lower than the window sill.
Traditionally, there is no decorative trim with fringe, lace, or glass beads.

Other techniques are used for decorative purposes. The design features of English curtains allow you to sew bright, contrasting or transparent fabric into place of the fold, which, when lifted, looks like a blossoming bud.

By design, curtains can differ in the number of folds, their depth, shape and fastening of the side edges.

There are many ways to attach such curtains:

To the ceiling (more about ceiling curtains).
To Wall.
To the upper slope.
To the window frame.

Fixing the curtains above the window opening looks most advantageous and allows you to visually increase the volume of the window and room.

Story

Several centuries ago, in aristocratic houses in England, draping curtains made of thick fabric in soft colors appeared, covering windows from bright rays and at the same time allowing daylight to pass through well.

Curtains finally took hold in the Victorian era., at a time of economic recovery, along with the emergence of new diverse fabrics and textures. They also appealed to the taste of the new bourgeois class; they began to be used more and more often in secular salons, London drawing rooms, and boudoirs.

For the curtain to look truly impressive, the room must be decorated in a similar or similar style.

Cornices

English curtains can be installed directly on the window sash or on the entire opening, suspended in a niche or in front of the window itself.

They are attached to a profile cornice, which is equipped with a lifting chain mechanism with independent braking. The braking mechanism makes it possible to lower and fix the curtains at any desired level.

Bedroom

In the bedroom interior, dense fabrics are suitable for good protection from daylight and street lighting. Burgundy and red English curtains will add charm and elegance, you just need to choose the right texture of the material.

Children's room

When decorating windows in a children's room, it is important not so much to comply with interior canons as to choose the right texture and color of the fabric. With the right choice of material, you can easily create a positive mood and visual harmony. The traditional design of a nursery involves the use of light transparent materials in yellow, blue, pink and lilac colors.

The length of English curtains is very practical when applied to a children's room. Lambrequins of non-traditional shapes will also come in handy here, adding a unique flair.

Kitchen

Practicality and ease of care of textile elements are important for the kitchen. Thanks to the use of adhesive tape, the curtains can be easily removed for washing.

In the kitchen, it is advisable to use a static curtain - on a regular curtain rod (more about curtain rods) without a lifting mechanism and rings. Only ribbons are sewn onto it, making it easier to care for.

Regardless of the functional purpose of the room, textiles play one of the leading roles in its design. In this article we will look at one of the most sophisticated ways to decorate windows. English curtains for the kitchen, living room or bedroom - in any space such curtains will create an atmosphere of romantic aristocracy and self-sufficient detachment.

Below we will describe how a classic London or English curtain is constructed, what fabric is best to choose for this, and for what interiors this design of window openings is suitable.

The traditional English curtain, as a method of drapery, appeared at the turn of the 17th – 18th centuries. At this time, fabrics began to play an important role in the interior: textiles were used not only to decorate windows, but also to decorate furniture and walls.

On a note! When decorating a room in the English style, it is considered especially chic to combine patterns on wallpaper or furniture textiles with ornaments of window material.

Design features

London curtains are very interesting in appearance, but at the same time quite simple in design. When lowered, it is a regular rectangular-shaped canvas.

There are several technical points that, in addition to style, distinguish the design of London curtains from other types of curtains:

the length of the unassembled panel should not fall below the level of the window sill;
on the front side there must be counter folds, the number of which is at least two;
On the wrong side of the fabric there are rings attached through which cords (special cords) are threaded.

A similar structure is attached to a cornice with a lifting mechanism. As a result, in a raised position, a drapery is obtained, in the center of which wavy folds are formed, and on the sides of the folds there will be bows, or puffs.

Important! This style allows some liberties in the form of bright ribbons on the folds or fringe along the lower edge, but does not accept lace trim or beading.

Cornices and fastening

To display English curtains, profile cornices are used, which must have a lifting mechanism.

The cornice can be installed in any plane:

on the ceiling,
into the wall above the window;
at the top of the window opening
on the window frame.

The curtain panel itself is attached to the profile facade using Velcro: one side of the adhesive tape is sewn to the curtain, the other is mounted on the cornice. If you choose the desired shape of the cornice profile, then you can decorate a window of any geometry, including arched ones, with London curtains.

In cornices, there are different mechanisms for lifting the panel:

Auto: lifting is carried out using a mechanism built into the cornice, powered by electricity. As a rule, it has a remote control.
Manual: The panel is assembled by hand using the up and down movement of a chain that operates the mechanism. The chain itself is usually attached to the side of the cornice.

On a note! There are curtain rods whose mechanisms can limit the level of lift at a certain height. This is quite convenient if there are several windows in the room.
Selecting curtain fabric
When planning to order English-style curtains for the kitchen or bedroom, you should definitely pay close attention to the type of fabric and its pattern. The easiest way is to go back to history and use English fabrics for British-style curtains.
Alas, the price of fabrics suitable for such products is quite high. The functional load of the room should be taken into account, but not go beyond the style. In addition, when choosing a fabric with a pattern, you should take into account the geometry of the window itself.
To choose the right material for curtains: English style, you should adhere to the following rules:
Classic in color scheme. For London style, fabrics in calm, pastel colors are suitable. A drawing is quite acceptable; in general, it is even welcome. Among the ornaments, checks, stripes, natural motifs, and monograms are suitable. Keep in mind that fabrics can be combined in this style.

The texture of the fabric is selected based on what kind of gathers are planned to be obtained. Regular, neat waves are created by soft but dense materials. Lush puffs can be obtained by collecting coarse material: rigid textiles perfectly hold voluminous shapes.

Pay attention to the width of the fabric. The panel should be larger than the cornice. In this case, the amount of allowance depends on the number of folds being laid.

On a note! If the fabric with the desired pattern is quite soft, and you want to get lush folds, use a stiff lining fabric that matches the main color of the curtain.

In order to visually increase the height of the ceiling, use vertical striped fabric. In this case, the cornices should be installed either on the ceiling or on the wall, but much higher than the upper edge of the window opening.
How to sew English curtains
The cost of sewing and hanging curtains is usually on the same level as the cost of purchasing the material. To save money, you can sew curtains with your own hands.
No special skills are required here - anyone who knows how to use a sewing machine and is able to create a pattern can sew English curtains.
So, first we calculate the amount of fabric required. As already mentioned, the width of the panel directly depends on the number of vertical counter folds. In practice, you take the width of the cornice and add 6 cm for each fold.
After the actual size is calculated, you need to make an allowance of 2 cm for each vertical seam.
If the panel consists of a single piece of fabric, then add 4 cm to the side seams; if the material is joined, then an allowance is also made for these seams.

For example, you are going to sew an English curtain on a cornice 210 cm wide. The width of the fabric is 150 cm. You plan to make 3 folds.
Fabric calculation:
on folds: 3*6=18 cm; working width 210+18=228 cm.
for vertical seams 228/150 = 1.52, which means there will be 1 vertical joining seam and 2 side seams, 3*2=6 cm.

Total: 228+6=234 cm.
When calculating the length of the panel, measure the distance from the cornice to the window sill and add 20 cm to the resulting figure. This fabric will be used for durable and beautiful hems at the top and bottom of the curtains.
Sewing steps
Further instructions for cutting and sewing English curtains include the following types of work:
If necessary, several panels of fabric are sewn together. The seam will be ironed well.
Folds are marked on the wrong side. The extreme folds are laid at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the panel. The distance set aside for the opposite fold must be divided into 4 equal parts and marked.
Every fold is swept away. To do this, just connect the marking lines.
If necessary, lining fabric is sewn on, or all edges of the fabric are processed.
On the wrong side, a ribbon with rings is sewn to the place of the folds for passing cords for assembly.
Velcro is sewn to the top edge, with which the canvas will be attached to the cornice.
A cord is passed through the rings and fixed on the lower ring.

After all the manipulations are completed, the curtain is secured to the curtain rod, and the upper part of the cord is inserted into the lifting mechanism. You can learn more about the technique of sewing British curtains by watching the video in this article.
As already mentioned, when designing a window opening, you should take into account the functional load of the room. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that a voluminous English curtain will fit well only into the interior of a spacious room.
This design method will look good on tall or wide windows, in rooms of classical styles. British aristocracy in curtains goes well with a fireplace, monograms on furniture or wallpaper.
Living room
Curtains for the living room in the English style are perhaps the best use of British curtains. A classic in the design of the living room, it will perfectly emphasize the sophistication of the shapes of the English curtains. But do not neglect English curtains in other styles. A variety of fabrics in patterns, colors and patterns will allow you to bring even the most daring ideas to life.
Decorating a window opening in London style will add unique charm and elegance to the interior.
Bedroom
In rooms where you intend to spend relaxing time, it is better to hang curtains made of thick fabric. Such decor will not only decorate the room, but will also become a convenient barrier to sunlight.
Traditionally, curtains for an English-style bedroom are made from:
taffeta,
reps,
jacquard

At the same time, sometimes the English style is used in the decoration of light curtains and combined with thicker straight curtains.

English curtains in the interior of a house or apartment are a tribute to British fashion of the 18th century; at that time it was customary to decorate everything with fabric, even walls and furniture.

How do English curtains work?

English or London curtains are one of the types of lifting curtains. To install them, you need a special profile cornice with a lifting mechanism. British curtains are an independent decorative element suitable for a living room, bedroom and even a study.

The English curtain, when lowered, is a rectangular canvas. Special rings with cords, installed vertically on the underside of the curtain, allow you to raise and lower it to the desired level. When the product is lifted, lush wavy folds form in the middle. There may also be lifting cords along the edges of the curtains, and if they are absent, fan-shaped folds form at the raised curtains. English curtains will be well decorated with lambrequins and cords with tassels.

Installation

As mentioned above, to attach British curtains you will need a profile cornice with an open or closed lifting mechanism. Arched and bay windows are no obstacle to London curtains, you just need to choose a suitable cornice. The cornice itself is attached to the ceiling, the upper slope of the window, or to the window frame.

The fabric sheet is installed to the cornice using adhesive tape. One part of it is built into the profile of the cornice, the other is sewn onto the fabric. The mechanism for lifting curtains can be manual: pull the cord or chain and the curtains rise; as well as automatic: on the remote control.

Advantages of English curtains

English-style curtains have a number of advantages.

Combine with thick and transparent classic curtains.
Suitable for any room.
Versatile: lowered curtains create a strict look, while raised curtains with folds give the room lightness and weightlessness.
English chic emphasizes the luxury of decoration.
Thanks to dense materials, curtains perfectly protect against the penetration of unnecessary light and play the role of “night” curtains.
The simple cut makes it possible to sew such curtains yourself.

Which fabric to choose

For a more accurate expression of the English style, the color and texture of the material must correspond to all its canons.

Texture. If you are a stickler for rigor, then thick fabrics such as jacquard or taffeta are suitable for your curtains. They form clear and heavy folds and hold their shape well. For “airy” folds, choose light fabrics: silk, linen. Also, for more volume, you can sew a lining on the reverse side of the curtain.

Color and pattern. According to the style, curtains with floral and monogram patterns, checkered or striped are traditionally used in bed colors. Modern English curtains can be either dark or bright colors. For low ceilings, choose vertical stripes; for narrow walls, choose horizontal stripes.

Composition of fibers. Natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, cambric require more attention and care. Before opening curtains made from such materials, the fabric must be soaked in hot water, this will prevent further shrinkage of the finished product. Cotton and linen curtains in the English style will create a cozy and warm atmosphere at home and will fit well into the interior of a children's room.

Some synthetic fabrics, such as satin, not natural silk, accumulate an electrical charge and thereby attract more dust than cotton fabrics. And products made from such fabrics look too simple. For curtains in the English style, it is better to choose a more noble and practical fabric. Brocade, taffeta, rep are dense and heavy materials. Curtains made from such materials form beautiful, even folds; the fabric is easy to care for and can last a long time.

If you can’t find ready-made products in the store, you can easily sew them yourself. Material for noble English curtains should be chosen only of the best quality. English fabrics for curtains are chosen by the greatest connoisseurs of British sophistication and durable things; they order such fabrics directly from the United Kingdom. Prices in online stores, of course, are not modest, but sometimes there are good discounts on materials, and the quality is significantly different from the usual. If this option is not acceptable for you due to your budget or waiting time, you can easily use a simpler fabric, the main thing is that it is dense and forms beautiful waves and folds.

London curtains in the interior of different rooms

Living room

British curtains will perfectly decorate a spacious living room with large windows. The severity and inflexibility of the style will be diluted by folds and decorations on the curtains. In combination with classic curtains and furniture, the curtains of an English palace will create a full-fledged atmosphere of the 18th century. Luxurious fabrics and expensive decorations for the living room will not leave indifferent even those who do not understand or appreciate the aristocratic style.

Bedroom

Window textiles play a special role in bedroom design. London curtains will look gentle and romantic here. For such a room, choose curtains made of dense material that does not allow sunlight to pass through. A good composition will be obtained by combining thick British curtains with voile tulle. Transparent material can complement the main curtains by decorating their side parts or be sewn into the folds, and will also look great as an independent curtain. Decorate the curtains with ribbons, laces and tassels and then you will complete her look.

The English style in the interior of a living room, bedroom or nursery will be skillfully complemented by the same English curtains. With their sophisticated and romantic image, they will add notes of aristocracy and elegance.

The atmosphere in a room depends on many details. The main one can be called textile interior design, in which the choice of curtains plays a key role. English curtains are the best option for bringing the spirit of aristocratic romanticism into the room.

Traditional British window drapes date back to the early 18th century. At that time in England, especially in its capital, it was customary to use a lot of textiles in interior decoration: not only windows, but also furniture and even walls were decorated with fabric.

Design

Curtains in the English style, which are also called London curtains, when opened, are a rectangular fabric with smooth edges. On the reverse side, rings are sewn along vertical lines, through which cords (cords) are threaded, attached to the cornice with a special lifting device. When these cords are tightened, the fabric rises, and folds are formed on its front side: wavy in the center, and bow-shaped or puffed on the sides.

The appearance of London curtains is determined by:

the number and depth of folds - there should be at least two;
way of designing vertical edges - they can hang freely in the form of a fan or be fixed along the side cut, in the latter case a drapery resembling a cascade will be formed.

In addition, such curtains are often decorated with fringe, buttons, ruffles, cords, tassels, flowers, beads, and so on.

Mounting features

English curtains can be attached to the ceiling, to the wall, and to the upper slope or window frame. But the fixation above the window opening looks best.

For installation, you need a profile cornice with an open or closed lifting mechanism, the same as for Austrian or French curtains. Direct fixation of the fabric occurs through the use of adhesive tape: one part of it is built into the profile, and the other is sewn to the fabric.

London curtains can be used to decorate not only standard windows, but also arched or bay windows. To do this, you just need to select the appropriate cornice.

In addition, different ways of lifting the web are possible:

manual - using a side chain cord;
remote – using a special remote control and electric drive.

Sometimes designs are used that do not allow changing the length of the curtain. It is fixed only at a certain height.

Subtleties of choosing fabric

As already noted, window decor in the English spirit can have many options. Features of the choice of fabric and specific model depend on the geometry of the window and the room itself, as well as its general style.

1 The traditional solution is to use pastel curtain fabrics with patterns: tartan, stripes, thick floral patterns, images of animals.
2 To enhance the stylistic effect, two types of material can be used. Classic combinations are tartan and floral print, as well as different types of fabric with monogram patterns.
3 As for the texture of the fabric, the rigidity and splendor of the folds will depend on it. Neat, strict waves are formed when draping soft material, and for luxurious puffs you need hard textiles that can hold their shape well. In addition, additional volume to the folds can be given with the help of a lining sewn on the wrong side of the fabric.
4 If it is necessary to visually increase the height of the window, then the curtain must be mounted not in the opening, but above it. In this case, it is advisable to make many bow folds from bright fabric so that they are located at a short distance from each other. Or you can use striped textiles.
5 When purchasing fabric for making British curtains, you need to correctly calculate the width of the cut - it must be greater than the length of the cornice so that beautiful waves can form. “Stock” is determined by the intended number and splendor of folds.

Living room

The best option for using English curtains is to decorate spacious rooms in a classic style with large windows. Such curtains can emphasize the sophistication and aristocracy of the interior. They will pair well with traditional British wallpaper, a fireplace and classic furniture.

At the same time, a huge variety of fabric options and models allows them to fit successfully into almost any interior. Moreover, they are easy to complement with other types of window decoration: drapes, curtains and lambrequins.

Bedroom

British-style window decor will add unique charm and elegance to the interior.

As a rule, dense fabrics are used for the bedroom, which prevent the sun from penetrating into the room. Traditional materials are jacquart, reps, taffeta and others.

Sometimes London curtains are used as curtains, then organza, veil or tulle are used as the basis. In some cases, two types of textiles are combined: additional fabric is sewn into folds or forms a border.

We invite you to view a selection of photos of English ones in various designs: from classic to modern.