Voile window dressing ideas
Window treatment ideas – 31 ways with curtains, blinds and shutters
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.It may be a cliche, but windows really are the eyes of your home and the way you dress them can make or break your room scheme.
Not only does the design you choose need to be attractive, it will ultimately dictate the light that's cast into the space, so a versatile window dressing is your best option. Take away all the inspiration you need with our window treatment ideas.
Window treatment ideas for all rooms
When it comes to window dressing ideas for bedrooms, blackout curtains are a popular option as they are lined to prevent extra light pouring into the room and spoiling your sleep. Similarly, roller blinds with a blackout lining are another great choice for bedroom windows.
Venetian blinds are a smart idea for kitchens and bathrooms, with varieties including metal, plastic and wood. These can be tilted to let more or less light in and for extra privacy, plus, they are easy to wipe clean. For conservatories, vertical blinds are a practical solution, but can look a little dated and roller blinds are often chosen in favour for a contemporary look.
For French doors or patio doors, thermal curtains are a good idea to keep your room cosy and warm. A stiffer curtain fabric will create an elegant drape, however, lighter voile curtains are ideal for teaming with blinds at windows that require a little extra privacy.
Alternatively, shutter blinds are a stylish selection with a continental feel. They're available in many contemporary shades and materials to suit your scheme and similarly to blinds and curtains, can be made to measure to fit your windows.
1.
Clash colour and pattern(Image credit: Hillarys)
DIY SOS designer and official 'Friend of Ideal Home' Sophie Robinson has blown our socks off with this genius combo of floral patterned blinds and geometric print curtains. It's a pairing that you might question on paper, but which looks AMAZING in the flesh.
Sophie describes herself as a 'self-confessed colour lover, cushion hugger and pattern clasher' and explains that 'this room ticks all three boxes, giving a high-energy appeal that's the antithesis of polite beige.'
Stylist's tip: Short curtains only really work in cute country cottages – go floor-length wherever possible
(Image credit: ILIV)
Blinds in Botaniska in Teal, from £22 per m
For an unfussy alternative to curtains, we always recommend looking to window blind ideas – and Roman blinds are possibly the smartest. Fabric panels are softly pleated for a tailored look with blinds positioned inside a window recess or on the outside.
Try lining and trimming blinds in a contrast colour fabric for a chic look.
‘You need way less fabric for a blind than you do for curtains,’ says interior stylist Charlotte Boyd, ‘so you can splash out on a more luxurious fabric to really make a statement.’
(Image credit: Villa Nova)
Curtains made in Broderie fabric in Spring, £37 per m
Don’t cover up gorgeous French doors or a lovely view outside. Fix up a curtain pole that extends beyond the windows on both sides so that curtains can be pulled back out of the way.
‘Consider if the window is worth celebrating or disguising,’ says interior designer Helen Harry , ‘some are way too beautiful to be completely covered over by window dressings. I also look at the natural light, the view and the amount of privacy needed.’
4. Use pale blind with black walls for glamour
(Image credit: Hillarys)
We know we shouldn't have favourites. But this is ours.
Mad About The House blogger Kate Watson-Smyth has won us over with this combination of soft pink blinds and dramatic dark grey walls.
She's had a bit of fun, too – hello and nice to meet you, pineapple floor lamp!
Kate says of her handiwork: 'This trend is all about making and breaking the rules, contrasting hard and soft, mixing vintage and modern and refined sophistication with a rough and ready edge.'
Stylist's tip: Millennial pink is a great neutral that isn't just for the girls.
5. Frame practical shutters with coloured curtains
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Davide Lovatti)
In rooms where you choose a window treatment based on practicality, such as shutters on the lower half of a living room window to offer privacy, it's best to choose a timeless white design.
To add the colour and decoration you can frame the window with curtains that are there more to add decoration – you might not ever need to draw them, but they become essential to soften the look and add pattern or colour to your decorating scheme.
6. Find a neat solution for roof windows
(Image credit: Swift Direct Blinds)
Skylight windows are a brilliant way of opening up and allowing more light into a loft space.
But to ensure a good night’s sleep and to make sure that roof spaces don’t get excessively hot, some kind of window covering is essential.
These blackout roof blinds fit snuggly to the window to provide darkness day or night and come in a range of fabrics and frame colours.
Buy now: Luna blackout roof blinds in shadow black with silver frame, from £19, Swift Direct Blinds
7. Use a cafe-style curtain
(Image credit: TBC)
A dainty cafe curtain or half curtain is the perfect solution for a kitchen window. A voile fabric in a pretty print to coordinate with your kitchen scheme like this feather print fabric is ideal.
This style of window dressing still lets in plenty of light but provides a little privacy if your kitchen window is at the front of the house where passers by may be able to look in. Cafe rods that fit easily into the window recess can be picked up for just a few pounds.
Stylist's tip: Make your own cafe blind by cutting a long strip of voile fabric the length of your window, then hem the bottom edge and create a channel the width of your rod at the top.
8. Layer materials in the same tone for minimal luxe
(Image credit: Hillarys)
This look was conceived by Daniela Tasca-York, winner of 2017's Great Interior Design Challenge. If you watched the show, you might recall her penchant for curtains. Even the lack of actual windows didn't hold her back.
This light and luxe look combines curtains of different fabric weights and similar cool creamy tones. With the glam factor upped by metallic furniture. Marble-effect wallpaper and a deep-pile rug, this scheme wouldn't look out of place in an LA condo.
Stylist's tip: With this tailored look, it's important to get the length of the curtains just right. Avoid mistakes by buying made to measure.
9. Draw attention to a shapely bay window
(Image credit: Curtains2go)
Make a feature of a classic bay window with a combination of blinds, to accentuate the shape of the bay, and elegant drapes to highlight the height of the room.
‘Pattern adds interest, but it doesn’t have to be garish or loud. It can be subtle and calming, yet interesting and textured,’ says interior designer Helen Harry on how to dress a bay window.
Buy now: Clarissa Hulse curtains in Dill Ochre, from £46.64, Curtains2go
(Image credit: Blinds2go)
Picture windows and bi-fold doors look stunning, but glare from the sun can be a problem on very hot days. This clever design features a sunscreen to the rear to reduce glare and give daytime privacy, plus a blackout roller blind to the front for night time shading, all installed on one set of easy brackets.
Buy now: Double roller Ore roller blind in grey, from £16.90, Blinds2go
11. Seek privacy with classic shutters
(Image credit: California Shutters, Cafe-style shutters in white from £168 per sq m)
For a window treatment that won't date, try classic wooden shutters.
Ideal for period properties, shutters look stylish indoors and when viewed from the exterior of the property.
‘Café style shutters are a good option, giving privacy, plus letting natural light in too,’ says interior designer Helen Harry. ‘Shutters can be pricey, so I’d always go for white for longevity.’
12. Make windows look bigger with clever curtain trick
(Image credit: Terrys)
Try this trick if you want to make a narrow set of doors feel wider or a small window appear bigger. Choose a pole wider than the window, so that curtains can be stacked back on each side - having most of the window frame on show creates the illusion of width. Likewise, fixing the pole slightly above the frame will make windows appear taller too.
Buy now: Buckland lined curtains in natural, from £86.99, Terrys
13. Create a smart country look with plains and stripes
(Image credit: Hillarys)
Here's one for all the countryphiles out there.
Stylist Emily Henson has put together a look that she describes as 'soothing and relaxing, cosy and nurturing'. The elegant double pinch-pleat curtains frame blinds in smart stripes to classy and classic effect, and the layering continues with a generous pile of cushions and throws on the sofa.
Who wouldn't want to snuggle down in that room?
Stylist's tip: Linen curtains are a classic choice that won't date. If you're planning to splash out on curtains, they're a good way to go.
14. Choose practical blinds for a kitchen
(Image credit: Hillarys, Evelyn Nectarine roller blind, from £55)
Fancy curtains and fussy blinds aren’t the best choice of window covering for a busy kitchen. Aside from the fire risk, heavy materials retain cooking smells and can be damaged by steamy conditions.
These blinds have a moisture-resistant easy-clean finish and come in a range of patterned fabrics including this pretty watercolour design. The range includes matching roller blinds and skylight blinds for a chic co-ordinated look.
15. Use tie top curtains
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Tab top curtains in a subtle print are a laid-back solution to dressing large bay windows. They're easy to make yourself as you don't need to attach curtain rings or hooks. They're also easy to remove when you fancy a change as you just need to untie the tabs and swap to a new design. This style of window dressing works best with lightweight or sheer fabrics. Tab top curtains offer a similar look and are available readymade from many retailers.
Stylist's tip: Select a pole in a coordinating colour to the windows and walls so it doesn't detract from the soft nature of the curtains.
16. Set the scene
(Image credit: Blinds2go)
If space either side of a window is tight, opt for a neat roller blind fixed to the frame or inside a recess. Create wow by choosing a bold colour, lively pattern or a striking pictorial scene.
‘Keep it simple and don’t drown the window in layers of fussy blinds or curtains,’ says interior stylist Charlotte Boyd .
‘A simple roller blind fixed above or on the window (or even right up against the ceiling) won’t block out too much light.’
Buy now: Wilderness blackout roller blind in topaz linen, from £35.45, Blinds 2go
17. Create a rosy glow with soft sheers
(Image credit: Hillarys, Serenity Powder voile curtains and Roman blinds, from £125)
Replace weighty winter curtains and blinds with lightweight voiles and floaty sheers over the warmer summer months. An easy way of brightening up a room, sheer fabrics will let natural light in while still providing plenty of privacy.
Stylist's tip: Choose a simple wave curtain heading that will make curtains fall in soft, floaty waves, teamed with a softly pleated blind for a relaxed, laidback look.
18. Go big with a bold botanical
(Image credit: SurfaceView)
Ditch drab neutrals that blend into the background and make a statement with a bold, standout design.
Surface View’s bespoke roller blinds are custom made from a range of unique imagery that includes fine art prints and striking photography.
Stylist's tip: Choose a ‘wow’ fabric and it’s like hanging a piece of art at the window,’ says interior stylist Charlotte Boyd.
Buy now: Roller blind in Timonius Timon by James Miller, from £190, the Natural History Collection, Surface View
19. Try tailored stripes for a chic look
(Image credit: Loom and Last)
Unsure about pattern? A subtle stripe or plain textured weave will always look classic and can easily be incorporated into a new colour scheme. Weaves also have the advantage of being slightly thicker than standard fabrics so are more insulating.
‘Bold patterns might draw your eye and make more of a feature of a window, but they will date more quickly, says interior stylist Charlotte Boyd, ‘and you might tire of them sooner – fine if you like to redecorate every few years, but not ideal if you’re thinking “this is it” for the next 15 years.
'
Buy now: Blackout lined eyelet curtain in Aurea Red, £27.50 per m, Loom & Last
20. Frame a gorgeous view
(Image credit: Next)
Build a bench seat into a window recess so you can make the most of a glorious view outdoors. Keep the window treatment neat and tailored by opting for an unfussy pleated blind that can be pulled up out of the way without obscuring too much of the glass.
Buy now: Cotton blackout Roman blind in dark natural, from £40, Next
21. Use roll up and Roman blinds
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Roman blinds and roll-up varieties are a simple yet stylish solution for conservatory windows. They can be hung over each panel of glass and can be tied at different heights depending where the sun hits to create shade and prevent the room from getting too hot.
Lighter colours will maintain a feeling of space and reflect heat, or why not choose a blind fabric to coordinate with other textiles in the room, such as upholstered furniture and accessories? This style offers such simplicity, you could even make one yourself with this simple how to make a Roman blind tutorial.
Stylist's tip: For a luxe feel in a bedroom, try a real or faux silk or for a traditional look, opt for a crisp linen in stone or cream.
22. Add an accent colour with shutters
(Image credit: California Shutters)
The traditional shutter is an inspired and effortlessly stylish choice of window dressing and has become increasingly accessible. There are many different styles on offer, including full window shutters, the half cafe design and full solid shutters to completely block out light - ideal for bedrooms.
For kitchens and bathrooms, opt for waterproof vinyl shutters to ensure water and humidity doesn't damage your purchase over time. If you're looking for value for money, crafted shutters are the way to go as these are made from medium density fibreboard, where as hardwood is the classic choice.
Stylist's tip: Paint your shutters in a bold shade for a statement window dressing that coordinates with your unique room scheme.
23. Create an airy vibe with sheer curtains
(Image credit: TBC)
A modern take on traditional lace curtains, sheer curtains made from voile or chiffon fabric are an excellent option for dressing windows in rooms that you want to allow light into, but don't want passers by to be able to see in like glazed outside doors or cloakrooms.
Use a narrow rod that fits the frame so it's virtually invisible and hem curtains just below the glass. Fit the curtains a pane or two from the top to let in light above where people can see in.
Stylist's tip: Use a voile fabric with a subtle embroidered detail for a frosted effect - perfect for windows at the front of the house or bathrooms.
24. Use a wave heading
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Soft waves of fabric create a smart but simple finish that's easy on the eye. A wide Tempo heading pleat makes curtains fall in soft, regular waves, so they will always look just right. Team it with a sleek, modern suspension rail that the curtains glide below and let the curtains sit flush with the floor so they'll look neat open or closed.
Stylist's tip: A cut-velvet pattern adds a luxurious edge to this otherwise pared-down window treatment.
25. Hang a double pole
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
A clever double pole design means you can hang both a sheer and a curtain around the bay window, but draw them independently. Brackets normally get in the way of curtain rings being pulled around a bay, but this design uses passing rings that allow the curtains to be drawn all the way round.
A standard heading tape left ungathered on both curtains creates a soft, informal effect. Keep the sheers sill-length for a neat finish and go for floor-length curtains to create real impact in a bay.
Stylist's tip: Team a bold, modern, floral curtain fabric with a floral patterned voile for a modern take on a curtain and sheer.
26. Use a pelmet
(Image credit: Future PLC)
For a contemporary take on a traditional curtain finish, use a flat pelmet layered over voile curtains sporting coordinating tie-backs.
This style provides a neat finish to your windows as it hides curtain poles and other fixings.
Recreate the look of a sophisticated hotel bedroom by selecting pillows to match your pelmet and tie-back fabric. Opt for a simple geometric print with a Moroccan vibe to echo the design of an ornately shaped pelmet, but keep colours fresh and neutral for a modern look.
Stylist's tip: Install a venetian blind behind the pelmet for extra privacy and to keep light out of the bedroom when required.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
If you have a sequence of large windows in a room, choose single curtains instead of pairs hung centrally to give a contemporary, laid-back look. Omit holdbacks for a further relaxed feel, instead opting for a lightweight fabric such as linen as it gathers and drapes beautifully.
Allow plenty of length on the curtains so they pool on the floor to complete the look.
Stylist's tip: Use a narrow chrome pole with small curtain rings so as not to overpower the overall effect.
Small curtain rings will also allow you to gather the curtains more tightly to let in more light in the absence of tie-backs.
28. Combine curtains and blinds
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
Printed Roman blinds layered with plain curtains are an elegant way to dress a bedroom window. Go for a bold pattern that coordinates with your room scheme and choose a complementary plain fabric for the curtains.
Combine with pretty tie backs for added detail to your window dressing. If your blind isn't made from black-out material, or you're especially sensitive to the light on bright mornings, the curtains can be drawn in addition to the blind at night time. For a contemporary look, choose a sleek metal pole and curtains with coordinating eyelets.
Stylist's tip: Hang your blind within the window recess and install the curtain pole on the outside leaving a good gap above the top of the blind to provide a soft framing effect.
29.
Use a leading edge(Image credit: TBC)
A curtain with a leading edge is a real show stopper. A contrasting fabric from the back of the curtain is continued to the front, and simple holdbacks allow even more of it to be on show when the curtains are open. Use a simple pencil pleat and an unfussy pole to keep all the attention on the curtains themselves.
You can enhance the effect of this stunning treatment by choosing a pole that's slightly wider than the window, which tricks the eye into thinking that the window is bigger than it really is and allows you to hold the curtains back without blocking light.
Stylist's tip: A satin-finish fabric for the leading edge gives it even more attention-grabbing shimmer.
30. Enhance decor with decorative panels
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
A fabric with a pretty illustration is a great way to dress up a window with an uninspiring view. Use plain fabric for two-thirds of the length, with the panelled pattern on the lower third.
Create visual separation between the two with a ribbon braid, finishing off with a trim below.
An eyelet heading on a pole means the fabric won't fold up, so the illustration can be seen clearly. Keep the curtains to sill height so they hang properly, draw easily and don't block heat from the radiator.
Stylist's tips: Choose a plain fabric in a paler contrasting colour and trim the join to make the print stand out.
31. Layer patterned panels
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)
Add layers to dress windows to the max. Voile fabric panels featuring bold floral prints in coordinating colours have been layered to create beautiful sheer curtains that still let the light through. To further the eclectic feel, hang using a narrow iron pole and small curtain rings to match and a tieback for the perfect finishing touch.
First things first, begin by cleaning your windows before you start dressing them. Get rid of those cobwebs and sticky finger prints with a thorough wipe down so that they sparkle on the inside and out.
There are many different varieties of curtains to choose from, it's easy to get a little bamboozled. How will you be dressing your windows? Let us know your thoughts!
Additional words: Amy Cutmore
Lisa is a freelance journalist who has written about interiors for more than 25 years and has worked on all the major homes titles, primarily Ideal Home, but also including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Style at Home, Livingetc, Woman & Home, Easy Gardens and Good Homes magazines. Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person, as well as being a serial shopper/bargain hunter.
Voile curtain ideas – 14 sensational sheers for summer windows
Ideal Home Newsletter
The Home Of Great Ideas For More Than 100 Years
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Add a touch of privacy to a window – without blocking out precious light – with sheer voile curtain ideas. Ideal for more rural homes or rooms that aren't too overlooked, voiles come in a wide choice of designs, so there really is something for every taste.
As window treatment ideas go, they're an easy and not-to-scary way to make a style statement. You could go glamorous with a metallic shimmer, evoke country life with a delicate floral, or be bold with polka dots.
Don't think that voile has to be white, either. Pink, navy, yellow and grey voiles are becoming more widely available, and can be a good 'soft and subtle' way to add colour and texture, where a loud or heavy curtain design would feel too much.
Voile curtain ideas for every room
1. Mix different coloured voiles
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Wreford)
Colour blocking (ideally at a ratio of 70 per cent for your base colour, then 20 per cent, then 10 per cent), remains a highly effective way to approach decorating a room.
In this stunning pink living room idea, combining pink voile curtains with white injects colour without overdoing the sweeter shade, while mint accessories cool things off.
2. Keep it simple
(Image credit: Roselind Wilson Interior Design)
Sheer curtains soften the grand proportions and architectural features of this bedroom. Nothing too fancy is needed here as the room itself is beautiful so you don’t want to over complicate things by adding thick heavy curtains.
With her award-winning interior design studio, Roselind Wilson has a good eye when it comes to curtains.
'Keep in mind that sheers don’t have to be white – a warm shade of curtain adds character and helps draw out the natural elements in a room, such as the textures used for the headboard and bed linens in this charming bedroom.'
(Image credit: Ti-Media)
If you worry that voile won't give privacy, but want a softer bedroom curtain idea, look to a voile in a shade of dark charcoal or navy.
It will do a decent job of blocking out light and ensuring people can't see in, but still lets light diffuse through, for a natural way to wake up.
4. Accentuate a room's proportions
(Image credit: IKEA)
In this scheme, lightweight voile curtains run on a curtain rail the full width of the room, and drop from ceiling height to floor, emphasising the height and length of the space.
5. Use voile curtains in a coastal scheme
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)
Voile curtains have a sail-like or seafoam quality that makes them ideally suited to a coastal living room scheme. Mix with seascape artwork and a mix of blue shades and wicker. You can almost hear the waves crashing.s layered on white, with pale washed wood
6. Bring beauty to a window with a botanical print
(Image credit: Future PLC/Kai Fabrics)
Make a statement and filter light with a patterned sheer. ‘With the trend for botanical imagery still evident, a delicate silhouette leaf trail is the perfect way to update your window,’ says Gemma Drury, Senior Designer, Kai Fabrics.
‘Rosa is a stunning burn out sheer that has been printed and then crushed. Hung alone or alongside a complementary semi plain fabric, this sheer will add sophisticated pattern and subtle colour to your home.’
Get the look
Buy now: Kai Fabrics Renoir Collection Rosa sheer fabric, colour Pearl, £67.20 per linear m, Jane Clayton
7. Add a sheer with a shimmer
(Image credit: Prestigious Textiles)
Ensure privacy and understated glamour with a voile that has a delicate shimmer. Team with co-ordinating luxe cushions as a window seat idea with a cohesive look.
'Sheers soften daylight and provide privacy without creating dark corners,’ says Nicola Brumfitt, marketing director of Prestigious Textiles. ‘Our double-width sheers mean no seams, no fuss – just beautifully dressed windows in an instant.’
Get the look
Buy now: Prestigious Textiles Shimmer fabric, colour Sterling, £57.
90 per linear m, Fashion Interiors
8. Connect to the garden with a floral print
(Image credit: Future PLC/Scion)
Choose a design inspired by nature for a doorway leading to the garden.
Scion designer Hannah Bowen explains: ‘With the popularity of bifold doors, we wanted to find a way to incorporate playful patterns into living areas without them being overpowering. Our Haiku Ayaka design was inspired by Japanese blossom and is a great way of bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors.’
9. Pick a lace panel for privacy
(Image credit: Dan Duchars)
Pantry ideas and built-in larders are being incorporated into kitchens more and more these days. It’s a space you need to keep cool, so a stylish voile panel over the lower window panes is just the thing to keep food cupboards shaded from direct sunlight, while still allowing the light to filter into the room.
Create a design accent with a pretty embellished voile curtain idea that’s a modern take on traditional lace to add a hint of period charm.
10. Divide a room more elegantly
(Image credit: Zinc Textile)
Perfect for open-plan living rooms in country barns or lofts, patterned voile curtain ideas can be used to delineate spaces when privacy is needed, as seen in this bedroom.
‘Sheers allow daylight and shapes to filter through, and are an easy solution when an open-plan layout needs dividing. They softly separate large spaces without losing any sense of openness,’ says Justin Marr, Zinc Textile’s brand manager.
11. Create an instant wardrobe
(Image credit: Simon Bevan)
Use decorative voile curtains to create a pretty wardrobe-cum-dressing area in the corner of a bedroom. Attach rods to the wall and drape floor-length curtains with an eye-catching design that adds softness to the space and hides the hanging rail behind.
With a swish of the curtain, clothing is easily at hand. Stick to a white palette for the fabric, rail and rods for a bright and airy look.
12.
Soften the hard lines of a bathroom(Image credit: Designers Guild)
Inevitably, bathrooms are all hard surfaces and clinical white finishes, but by using voile curtain ideas, you can soften the room's look. Choose a design with spots of colour for impact and to add interest to what is often a neutral space.
‘I adore the delicate blue tones of this fabric. The pattern adds subtle texture for a softer, more relaxing bathroom. Less is often more when it comes to creating tranquil spaces,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder of Sims Hilditch.
13. Dress the bed
(Image credit: Neptune)
Incorporate sheer curtains around a four-poster to add elegance and keep the look light and airy. ‘Make a subtle statement with a simple four-poster bed in an off-white finish, soften this look by adding linen drapes for an elegant and sophisticated touch.
The lightweight finish is perfect for the summer months and having curtains hung on the frame of your bed can feel hugely indulgent in winter, meaning they will last throughout the seasons,’ says John Sims-Hilditch, co-founder, Neptune.
14. Luxuriate in sheer linen
(Image credit: James Hare)
The quality of voiles can vary considerably, so if you are looking for something truly high end, French linen sheer is the crème de la crème. Available in ivory and natural, this Lismore Sheer by James Hare has a gentle drape and wide width of 300cm.
Use it as a second curtain layer, as a blind or elegant on its own at a window, billowing in gentle breezes and offering privacy for overlooked windows during daylight hours.
Shop now: Lismore Sheer, £58 per metre, James Hare
How and where should I use voile curtain ideas?
'Sheer curtains are back, but not just as a stand alone,' say design duo Jen and Mar at Interior Fox. 'We are increasingly using a layered technique in our clients' homes.'
'Placing a sheer print underneath a much thicker curtain in a block colour helps to add texture and interest and works in almost any room.'
Interior specialist Kayleigh Jordan recommends taking a seasonal approach to window dressing, and loves to switch in voile curtains for summer.
'Be sure to have at least a single room where curtains are not forfeited for blinds. Remove those heavy window treatments and opt for a light, sheer curtain – and enjoy the cooling charm they emit when they are caught by soft winds.'
Amy Cutmore is Editor-in-Chief, Homes Audience, working across the Future Homes portfolio. She works on titles including Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Top Ten Reviews and Country Life. And she's a winner of the PPA's Digital Content Leader of the Year. A homes journalist for two decades, she has a strong background in technology and appliances, and has a small portfolio of rental properties, so can offer advice to renters and rentees, alike.
100 best ideas: beautiful showcases in the photo
Advertising
Showcase is the face of the store. First of all, this is what buyers see when they enter. Therefore, each brand, maintaining its prestige at the proper level, is very scrupulous in the matter of window dressing.
Large international companies have entire staffs of professional merchandisers who are engaged in window dressing. The so-called window dressers develop an individual concept for each showcase, after analyzing the needs of customers, demand and sales. Storefronts for fashion, bed linen or flowers are completely different, but they all follow the same principles of sales and style.
Clothing store window
Proper window dressing is the key to success in store sales, especially for fashion boutiques. The design concept of such showcases should attract customers, not let them pass by.
There are two main approaches to window dressing for clothing stores:
1. Merchandising. An elegant and rather simple solution for a showcase. It features well-designed images on mannequins. Buyers are always attracted by the total look when ready-made sets are shown - clothes, shoes, accessories. And it is possible that this particular set will appeal to the buyer, and he will certainly wish to purchase it.
It is important that the outfits presented on the mannequins are not only trendy, but also “wearable”. After all, creative designer things are not always appropriate for everyday bows in some provincial town. Therefore, professional merchandisers should take this aspect into account as well.
2. Story design.
Real mastery is the ability to create harmonious scenes in shop windows. These can be scenes from life or real stories with their characteristic characters. Such design expresses emotions by attracting more buyers.
So, for example, a New Year's shop window is like a fairy tale. A stunning evening dress on a mannequin, a scene from a Christmas movie or a group of mannequins with New Year's decorations - you can fantasize endlessly!
The principle of decoration of sale showcases differs from the design of those that adorn shops for the season.
They are brighter, catchy and eye-catching. Bright colors on banners and ribbons with price tags attract attention here. Most often, the sale window indicates the maximum percentage of the discount.
Let's consider a few more rules for decorating shop windows:
- decorations, clothes and mannequins must be presented in perfect condition. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of shop windows, regularly wiping the dust, not forgetting the mannequins. Clothing on them should be steamed to look as harmonious as possible. If necessary, the size is adjusted by pinning the thing in inconspicuous places with pins;
- highlights must be placed correctly. As a rule, the light is directed to the center of the mannequin. If there are other important elements of the showcase (posters, banners, price tags), it is necessary to highlight them;
- The showcase must never be cluttered. Conciseness, style and elegance - above all!
Children's shop window
Children's shop windows are more colorful and often cartoony.
Here, plot scenery is more often used, because it is much more interesting for children to look at mannequins in such an impressive fairy-tale setting.
Many well-known brands of children's clothing prefer to decorate their windows in the same style as in adult stores: restrained, strict, elegant. This concept is more focused on parents who enjoy watching their little copies from the side.
Another approach to children's showcase design is the celebration, colors and accessories that catch the attention of children.
The choice of the stylistic direction of the showcase mainly depends on the concept of a particular brand. But still there are general rules that you should always follow:
- do not use more than 3 primary colors;
- showcase should not be overloaded with goods, decorations, accessories;
- the use of colorful price tags is encouraged;
- soft toys and dolls are best placed on shelves, large toys - directly on the floor;
- children's construction sets must be presented in assembled form, and it will be good to put branded beautiful packaging near the product.
- showcases of children's clothing stores are designed taking into account the age category (schoolchildren, toddlers, babies). It is undesirable to combine ages.
- as in other stores, the children's showcase should be changed during the season.
Showcase of a bed linen store
Shops with bed linen and household utensils are primarily designed for the female part of the population. They should have a special atmosphere of home warmth and comfort.
Pastel soft shades are most often used in the design of showcases: powdery, cream, pink, milky, beige, etc. Plot design is welcome, which evokes thoughts of a home bedroom or any other room. Elements such as furniture, textiles, dishes, flower vases, beautiful candlesticks, souvenirs and much more will help with this. The exposition of bed linen is almost always presented right on a luxurious bed.
Flower shop showcase
Cheerful, bright flower showcases, regardless of the weather and season, should convey a festive mood.
But it is equally important to choose the right concept and design style. There are some nuances here:
- showcases with natural flowers require compliance with a certain temperature regime and sufficient lighting;
- all fixtures, shelves and racks must be stable and secure;
- glass accessories and details (vases, flasks, shelves) make the show composition lighter and weightless. The glass on display should be crystal clear.
- flower showcase may contain additional items and goods: beautiful parchment, postcards, toys, artificial flowers, cones, branches and others. But all the decorations must be designed in a single stylistic direction.
Festive and themed windows of flower shops are very effective. Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, March 8 - a great opportunity to create a bright, festive storyline.
Creative shop windows in the photo
Have you had to meet original display cases? Which of them impressed you the most? Share stories in the comments.
Window dressing fabrics - textelle.ru
How fabrics are used in shop and window dressing
Showcase for a shop is the same as a hanger for a theatre. The trading floor itself begins with it, it is an element designed to tell customers about how serious the outlet is and what you can buy here. Professional designers and decorators often use fabrics for this purpose in order to present their products in the best light and draw the attention of customers to them.
How to choose the right fabrics for window dressing
Fabrics are one of the most popular window dressing tools. In fact, this is outdoor advertising, and very often an ordinary passer-by, carried away by a competent marketing move, becomes a real buyer. The fabric allows you to create a variety of effects and give any style to the decorated space.
fabrics and knitted fabrics can be used in window dressing any texture and color:
- light and heavy;
- synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural;
- plain and colored.
With the use of fabric, designers manage to recreate moments of history and events, the atmosphere and character of the room. For lightness and tenderness in design, transparent or translucent guipure, lace, organza, chiffon , etc. are often used. To emphasize the status and importance, you can use heavier fabrics - velvet or silk.
There are several ways to decorate a store or showcase with fabrics:
- drape the room with large pieces of materials of different sizes, creating images in accordance with the intended theme and style;
- decorate with various textiles - pillows, curtains, capes, etc.;
- use material with company logos or themed prints. Printing on fabric allows you to brand almost any material.
In the design of shop windows of shopping centers and shops with textiles, special attention should be paid to the quality of fabrics. The most durable and sun-fade resistant synthetic materials are polyester.
Please also note that non-combustible fabrics are used in public areas only. Therefore, when decorating public institutions, retail outlets, theaters and other crowded places, it is necessary to buy fabric from non-combustible threads or with non-combustible impregnation and ask the fabric seller for a certificate.
For a successful showcase design, you need to understand a number of rules, namely, what does a showcase like:
1. Experienced graphic designers with good taste, imagination and sense of proportion.
2. Commodity plot and commodity types of window dressing.
There are several types of showcase design, namely:
Promotional - registration during the promotional period;
Commodity - placement of goods to attract buyers;
Scenery - a certain stage design of the shop window to increase customer loyalty to the brand being displayed.
Commodity-thematic - mixed placement of goods in a showcase with compositions from the product range and dummies to attract customers.
3. Reasonable combination of colors.
4. Good and well-placed light.
Light happens:
- Natural;
Artificial: scattered; directed with emphasis on objects and details; background lighting.
It is better to choose directional light when designing a showcase and highlight it even in the daytime , because direct sunlight is reflected from the glass and a reflection effect occurs.
It is important to remember that when choosing the lighting of a showcase, it is necessary to take into account that it looks at night and during the day, in different weather in different ways. But at the same time, the shop window should look attractive at any time.
5. Experiments.
6. Beautiful price tags on all the goods displayed on it.
If this is the season of discounts, then with the obligatory indication of the size of the discount.
7. Competent compositional solution. For the composition you need to choose high-quality materials.
8. Compliance with the principle of spatial perspective. Namely, often a good idea of a designer works only when viewed from afar, but more often pedestrians look at shop windows up close.
9. Compliance with the design style of the store's image.
10. The presence of "full" copies of people - mannequins with arms and legs.
11. Proper selection of clothing for the mannequin. Clothing should be well-chosen and stylish.
12. Beautiful entrance group, namely doors. It is better if the doors are in the same tone as the showcase, lighter or completely transparent.
13. The facade of the building where the showcase is located must be neat and repaired. If there is not enough money, then the facade must at least be painted at the level of the first floor, where the showcase is located.
