Blinds in the interior: types and materials

To refresh the situation in the room, sometimes it is enough to change the group of decorative elements. Blinds in the interior, like curtains play an important role. From their compatibility with the rest of the details depends on the comfort in the room. To appreciate the importance of window decoration, it is enough to remove it temporarily. Any, even stylistically verified design will fade and will seem unfinished. The history of blinds is of great interest. The first who began to produce these designs in the XVIII century, was the English designer John Webster. The name itself is translated from French as "jealousy." It would seem, what can be common between throwing the owners and window decoration? Here is a subtle analogy, rooted in Eastern customs, according to which men hide their women from the views of outsiders. The construction let the light through, but it did not allow casual passers-by from the street even to see what was happening in the house by the corner of the eye. Blinds, as an invention, were patented after almost a century by a completely different person. The massive use of designs began relatively recently, when designers remembered that everything new is well forgotten old. Let's talk about the types of blinds, their merits and styles to which this element fits.

Benefits and features of use

Blinds have several advantages over conventional curtains. This explains their increased popularity. Horizontal blinds can be built directly into the window frames. Thus, the window sill is released, and you do not have to regularly mess around with long curtains. Lamels (thin strips-sections) are made of various, mostly hard materials that do not collect dust like textiles. To wash the entire structure, it is not necessary to remove it from the window, snap off the clips or hooks, and after washing, perform all these actions in the reverse order. It is enough to arm with a sponge with detergent and just wipe the slats and the upper cornice (roller). Even fabric blinds can be cleaned from dust accumulations with a vacuum cleaner without removing. Depending on the choice of the guide for the location of the lamellae (vertically or horizontally), the room can be visually expanded or made higher. Another plus is the rich product range. For wooden frames, it is easy to pick up bamboo blinds or thin wood to match timbers. Plastic windows are well combined with PVC or aluminum. Fabric models are lightweight, easy to install and at the same time they can boast of affordable prices. The color on their surface persists for a long time and almost does not fade. The only drawback of blinds - a persistent association with government premises. This element of decor is too often found in offices, but gradually the raid of clericalism diminishes, as the market makes happy with the "home" adaptations of the product.


    

Varieties

Blinds are classified by type of construction into the following types:

  • Horizontal. Slats are arranged horizontally relative to the floor. Such blinds are sometimes also called Venetian. The variant is ideally suited for narrow and cramped rooms, since horizontal stripes allow visually expanding the walls.
  • Vertical. Option suitable for rooms with low ceilings. Slats are placed vertically. At the same time they are monophonic and with a pattern.
  • Cassette. Very similar to roller blinds. Cloth cassette curtains tight to the glass. The design is equipped with a top box-cassette. If you wish, you can hide the entire canvas in it. This type of blinds is fixed directly on the glass, plastic window frames remain free.
  • Roll. This design is called curtains more often than blinds. In fact, it applies to the first and second, acts as an intermediate option. The whole canvas is wound on a special roller fixed above the window. In the open-type structures, the fabric is wrapped from the bottom and sewn up with a “pocket” across the entire width in order to fix the weight-bar inside. This element provides the desired web tension. Rolled curtains of the closed type are equipped with special guides that prevent twisting of the fabric or its warp. With the help of a chain of blinds are raised and lowered.
  • Pleated They are made from a single canvas, which is folded "accordion". There are no lamels as such in the construction, therefore windows can be closed either completely or partially.
  • Roman. This type of louver consists of a solid web. Equal distance from each other sewn into it slats. They form neat folds that can be adjusted (compress and stretch).
  • "Day Night". The idea of ​​blinds originated on the basis of a pleated curtain with a similar name. Two rolls of fabric are included in the package. One material is dense and weakly transmits light, and the second is translucent. Stripes of textiles alternate with each other on the principle of "zebra". By turning the knob, a person can adjust the intensity of the light, since the stripes are gradually shifted relative to each other.

    

By design, they are divided into two types:

DecorativeUsed exclusively for beauty, so that the window opening does not look "naked."
ProtectiveUsed for its intended purpose and prevent the entry of light into the room.

    

Depending on the location of the blinds are classified into four types:

  • Windowed;
  • Bay windows;
  • Door;
  • Arched.

As for the colors, the range of blinds is rich and allows you to choose the right tone for the decor of the room. If you need a specific image, then the surface of the lamellae can be printed using photo printing. The most difficult to design are considered multi-textured blinds. Their surface is decorated with different shades with additional effects (metallic, gloss, dullness, relief pattern). Of these lamellae collect patterns and create unusual combinations.

    

Manufacturing material

An important role is played by the material from which the slats are made. The life of the product, its compatibility with the microclimate of different rooms, the range of textures and colors depend on it. The classic options include fabric and wooden blinds. More modern models already use plastic, bamboo, paper. Consider each type separately.


    

Plastic

Plastic blinds have a rather impressive service life, which, however, loses before the service life of aluminum structures. PVC is lightweight, easy to install and low cost. The material has increased rigidity, easy to clean. It can be used in rooms with a complex microclimate, as it will successfully withstand the tests of humidity, high or low temperatures, and heavy pollution. The range of plastic blinds is rich: manufacturers offer designs of various colors and textures. PVC is a popular, affordable material that is combined in interior design only with modern styles.


    

Fabric

Fabric blinds look incredibly beautiful in the interior of the room. However, they are less practical than the construction of more rigid materials. Of course, the fabrics are pre-treated with special impregnations that increase their resistance to dust and dirt, but still the material will have to be cleaned more often than aluminum or plastic. There are two types of blinds:

  • From nonwovens. Differ in low cost and short service life. Quickly lose their shape and presentable appearance.
  • Made from woven fabrics. They are painted with special pigments that do not fade under the sun. Serve much longer than the construction of the first type.

Fabric blinds fall under the taboo for the kitchen, bathroom and rooms where a lot of dust or dirt accumulates (workshops, libraries).

    

Wood

The very first blinds were made of wood. This material is still popular because wood is easy to integrate into any environment. The tree brings with it a warm, comfortable atmosphere in the room. The cost of such blinds leaves much to be desired. Special compounds are applied to the material, which prevent the penetration of moisture into the pores of the wood and its subsequent swelling, deformation. However, even impregnation will not save the material from fire when in contact with an open flame. Do not recommend hanging such designs in the kitchen near the stove or in the living room next to the fireplace. For the manufacture of lamellas use types of wood that have a small weight. Because of this, the designs do not sag over time.

Wooden blinds are easy to wash, long retain a presentable appearance. Since the material is environmentally safe, it is recommended to use when decorating bedrooms and children's rooms.


    

Paper

Paper blinds are classified into two types:

  • Do not let the light. As a rule, they are made of black paper.
  • Transmit light. The material is painted in light shades.

Paper is a fragile material. Full lamellae made from it rarely. Long service life can boast blinds, pleated. Paper folded "accordion" is more resistant to mechanical stress. Such blinds are ideal for unpretentious interior solutions and budget repairs, as an alternative to air curtains.

    

Aluminum

The lamellas of aluminum blinds are characterized by increased rigidity. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase material for decorating windows of complex configuration. Aluminum blinds will last for a very long time and even get bored, although their stylistic versatility allows you to adapt a decorative element to any design decision. The material is easy to clean: periodically enough to wipe the slats with a damp sponge. Aluminum can not be cleaned only with abrasive compounds, which will inevitably leave scratches on the soft metal. The material is insensitive to temperature changes and high humidity, so it can be used to decorate the kitchen and bathroom. Aluminum blinds are suitable even for windows on "cold" verandas, loggias and attics. There are products completely or partially painted in various colors or with a pattern applied to the surface.


    

Bamboo

Bamboo blinds are made from environmentally friendly material. Thin lamellas have a presentable appearance, pleasant natural colors, low weight. Hard frame does not allow thin blinds to deform. The material is suitable for decorating windows in the bathroom and in the kitchen, as it is not afraid of contact with water. Ideal for this kind of Japanese ethnic style and its modest closest "relative" - ​​minimalism. Apartments decorated with mats, shoji instead of doors and toro lanterns, will be harmoniously combined with bamboo blinds. Lamels can be made not only from smooth plates, but also have original weaving and texture.


    

What styles are possible to use?

Blinds are considered a universal element of the decor window. They even fit the classic interior, if you choose a Roman design with floral ornaments on the surface of the canvas. Simple blinds of strict colors made of PVC, aluminum and paper are combined with a loft, high - tech, modern, Scandinavian style. Lamellae of bright colors and unusual textures will join eclecticism and fusion. Wooden and bamboo blinds are combined with ecostyle, minimalism and Japanese ethnicity. Roman and rolled designs of light colors or with an inconspicuous floral pattern will suit the romantic Italian style, chebbi chic, provence. It is difficult to adapt blinds to vintage and retro style. Dark brown fins are nicely combined with wooden furniture and even wrought iron elements, if the windows are additionally decorated with light curtains, solely for the purpose of decorating the opening.


    

Selection and placement options for interiors of different rooms

For the bedroom and children's room it is recommended to choose environmentally friendly wood or bamboo blinds. It is desirable that their surface retains its natural color, as it has a calming effect. It is also permissible to purchase paper or fabric blinds for these rooms. However, in the latter case, it is not recommended to use textiles for allergies. Although fabric lamellas are treated with special dust repellents, it is not worth the risk. In the living room you can experiment with colors, use bright drawings, print multi-texture models. In modern interiors, vertical designs similar to panel curtains will look organic. Aluminum, plastic and bamboo blinds are ideal for the kitchen. Organically look floristic or culinary motifs on the surfaces of the slats. For the decoration of the bathroom is usually chosen reliable aluminum or plastic blinds, which are not afraid of moisture. Their surface is usually decorated with themed marine patterns (waves, fish, jellyfish, pebbles, corals). The main colors are typical shades: white, blue, blue, turquoise.


    

Conclusion

The “control system” of the blinds makes it easy to adjust the intensity of natural lighting. With curtains such a number will not work. They are either completely open or immerse the room in the twilight in the closed state. Compact, easy to maintain, comfortable to use blinds are gradually replacing traditional curtains without any losses for the comfort of the room. Manufacturers keep up with the times and every year fundamentally new models appear on the market. From which we can conclude that the history of blinds is just beginning.

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