Austrian curtains in the interior. Austrian curtains - distinctive features and design ideas for using this type of curtain (108 photos) How the lifting mechanism works

Straight curtains, although they look beautiful, can get bored over time. To make the windows in the house look original, you should pay attention to such a spectacular one as Austrian curtains, which you can not only buy, but also create with your own hands. We present a variant of sewing curtains from scratch and a way to transform ordinary curtains into Viennese ones.

What are Vienna Curtains?

Viennese curtains are a synthesis of Roman and. When unfolded, they look like a straight canvas; when raised, they fold into lush waves, which are decorated with all sorts of decorative details. The purpose of these curtains is more decorative than practical, since they are sewn from translucent fabrics that cannot protect the room from sunlight.

Despite this fact, many owners of rooms in the style of country, Provence or classic choose just this kind of curtains. When sewing Austrian curtains, various fabrics are used:

  • polyester,
  • atlas,
  • organza,
  • silk,
  • taffeta,
  • batiste,
  • chintz.

The lower edge of the curtains is decorated with frills, tassels, lace, ruffles. Preference is given to plain fabrics, light shades are popular (cream, white, beige ivory). Too much weight of the product is unacceptable, as it should be easy to lower and raise using a simple mechanism.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you start sewing such curtains, you should study the advantages and disadvantages of this product so that it does not bring disappointment during further operation. The pluses include:

  1. Easy to use. To open the window to the desired height, you just need to pull the laces. And some models work from an automatic device;
  2. Virtually unlimited area of ​​use. Such curtains will perfectly fit into the kitchen interior, decorate the bedroom and living room;
  3. Ease of care. Vienna curtains are made from lightweight materials that do not accumulate dust or grease. Even if this happens, it will not be difficult to clean them, it is only important to pre-soak them before washing.

However, this piece of furniture also has significant drawbacks:

  1. style restriction. Cloths are suitable for rooms made in the style of classic, Provence, country and similar to them. They will look out of place in a minimalist or high-tech space;
  2. Fabrics will transmit light and heat, that is, the room will be unprotected from solar radiation and prying eyes when the light is turned on;
  3. A difficult manufacturing process that can scare the craftswoman.

It is necessary to take into account all these nuances before sewing curtains, so that the process of their creation brings only positive emotions.

Materials and cutting

Before you start creating a product, you need to prepare:

  • basis for curtains;
  • lining fabric (it is used only if you decide to sew a curtain with a lining);
  • braid or tightening tape;
  • tape for curtains;
  • nylon cord;
  • threads, scissors.

Before, you need to decide on its size. It is enough to make only 2 measurements: determine the height from the cornice to the floor and the length of the cornice.

The finished curtain in width should be 2 times the length of the cornice. It is necessary not to forget about the allowances for processing the edges, for this, another 3 cm are added to the resulting width on each side.

The length of the curtain is calculated based on its location on the window. If the curtain is straight when lowered, then the length is made equal to the distance from the eaves to the floor. If you need a different position of the drapery, then the length is calculated depending on how the curtain will hang. It is important to remember that Austrian curtains are traditionally "gathered" to the center of the canvas.

To determine the length of the cord, you need to multiply the number of assembly strips by the size of the canvas allotted for assembly. Next, you need to determine how much the cord will exceed the edges of the fabric, the resulting number is multiplied by the number of assembly strips. The two resulting values ​​\u200b\u200bare added, their sum is equal to the length of the cord.

If a mounting tape (curtain tape) is used instead of a cord, then the length of the fabric reserved for assemblies is measured, allowances are added to decorate the edge and the length of one strip is obtained.

After completing the calculations, cut the base and lining (if a thick curtain is planned). The scheme will help to cut the fabric correctly:

Sewing steps

Consider the main sewing steps that will help you sew simple Austrian curtains with your own hands. This option does not provide a second layer of matter for the wrong side, darts and other complex details.

Stage 1. A piece of fabric of the required size is cut off from the matter. It is necessary to steam it well to avoid possible shrinkage and change in the appearance of the product after washing.

Stage 2. With the help of chalk, the places where the curtain tape passes, which will form three-dimensional folds, are marked. Marking can be applied immediately to the canvas or use a pre-prepared pattern.

Stage 3. The side fold is sewn on the sewing machine. Its dimensions depend on the type of fabric. For a thin material, two centimeters is enough; on a dense fabric, three centimeters are left for bending. The seam must be carefully ironed.

Step 4. The braid is sewn on by hand using a basting stitch. Ribbons located at the edges should be sewn as close to the hem as possible.

Stage 5. The seams are ironed, and then the braid is attached to the curtain.

Important! The upper part of the Austrian curtain is usually flat, it does not form frills and folds, so the braid does not have to be sewn to the entire canvas, it can only be up to the middle. The ribbon is needed for the entire length of the curtain if you plan to frequently change the position of the curtain or buy a special lifting mechanism.

Stage 7. The pommel is processed with a special curtain tape, sewing it along the seam from the front side.

Stage 8. Turn the tape inside out, stitch it again. After that, only one neat line will be visible on the front side.

Stage 9. After each seam made by the machine, you need to iron it well. Thanks to this, the product will not twist and will look neat.

Stage 10. Making the bottom edge. Any decorative elements are sewn to it. After that, the curtain ribbon is carefully pulled together, and, having received folds, the laces are fixed.

You can use small weights, thanks to which the curtains hang evenly. Weights are sewn on the bottom of each assembly cord.

Curtains from ready-made curtains

It will be even easier using old curtains. A small master class on their manufacture.


At the final stage of work, the curtains are hung on the window, the folds are straightened and the updated product is enjoyed.

Product care

Caring for wavy curtains is quite simple. You can remove dirt with a washing machine. If the soiling is too high, you can briefly soak the curtains in a saline solution.

The curtains are removed from the eaves, folded, put in a bag for washing delicate fabrics, placed in the machine. Only the gentle wash mode is turned on, which excludes strong spinning and water temperatures above 30 degrees. After washing, the curtains should dry, after which they are carefully ironed and returned to their place.

Austrian curtains are an original decor element that appeared back in the 18th century, capable of giving a touch of luxury and nobility even to a modern room. To make such curtains on your own, you need to be patient and perseverant, but in the end you will get an exclusive item that exactly meets the taste of the craftswoman. Curtains from Vienna are suitable for decorating any window space, even a non-standard shape.

The use of Austrian curtains in the interior is a tribute to the fashion of all time and a great way to turn your home into something fabulous and airy. They are a woven fabric with lush folds, they are also called puffs or scallops, like French curtains, but unlike them, Viennese ones are still equipped with a lifting mechanism. Therefore, we can say that the Austrian curtains were obtained by combining two types of curtains into one - Roman and French.

This type of curtains has a rather rich history, because they appeared back in the 18th century, and were the privilege of only wealthy people, because these curtains were sewn from expensive material such as velvet or thick silk. Later, with the advent of new cheaper fabrics such as voile and organza, Austrian curtains became available to all segments of the Austrian population.

Selecting the best fabric

The choice of fabric for Austrian curtains will determine how lush and elegant the scallops will be. According to the type of desired folds, fabrics can be divided into two types.

  • Lightweight fabrics such as voile, sheer linen, cotton and silk, organza. Of these, the Viennese blinds are airy and give the room a gentle charm. They do not clutter up the room and perfectly let in daylight. Puffs made of this kind of matter look light and sophisticated.
  • Dense heavy fabrics such as moire, satin, velvet, cotton form uniform deep folds. Such curtains will protect the room not only from prying eyes, but also from sunlight. The room will seem more strict and closed, this must be taken into account when sewing curtains from such fabrics.


Austrian curtains are suitable for any style of room decoration, but still the best place for them is classic decoration, Provence and country.

As for the pattern and color, here we focus on the color of the walls and furniture, and also take into account the size of the room and its illumination. Austrian curtains for the living room in a classic style with antique wooden furniture and a brown palette of walls would be a great option for a red checkered cotton fabric. Such curtains will act as a bright accent and hide the hall from the scorching sun.

For a romantic Provence-style kitchen, light shades of fabric from their natural fibers for Viennese curtains are traditionally chosen, but voile transparent ones look no less pretty. Delicate olive, lilac, peach and blue tones are just what you need to convey the true spirit of the French villages.

Austrian country-style curtains made of bright fabrics with colorful colors will decorate a stylized nursery or kitchen. The curtain can be as long as the window sill, or it can be just an Austrian lambrequin.

How is the lifting mechanism

The built-in curtain lift mechanism has a similar design to Roman blinds, so those who have read our section on roman blinds will easily understand what we are talking about. To install the canvas, you will need a cornice on rails, to which the curtain itself is attached. To obtain lush scallops, special cords are used that are threaded inside the airy fabric. The control is carried out by a chain like on blinds or a rim, which has a self-braking mechanism. This is how we described the work of the lifting eaves bought in the store.

But if you sewed an Austrian curtain with your own hands, then it is quite possible to do without such an abstruse device, but then it will be more difficult to raise and lower the curtain. The canvas is put on a cornice - a rod, and tapes of the same length are sewn to it on both sides, where the assembly places are marked. Folds are manually formed and fixed with tied ribbons. This type of Austrian installation is shown in the photo below.

Austrian curtains can be installed both outside the window opening and in its inner part.

What rooms are suitable for Austrians

Initially, Austrian curtains were used in ceremonial halls and reception rooms of the nobility, but in the modern world, all boundaries are expanding, and window textiles of various types can be used in absolutely any room. Viennese curtains made of light airy fabric have become popular not only for residential apartments and houses, but also for other non-standard establishments.

  • Halls and rooms for guests of upscale hotels and inns. Especially if there are panoramic windows here, then this type of curtain will make the establishment more presentable.
  • Office rooms are usually associated with strict blinds, and it seems that fabric curtains do not belong here. But no, any fabric curtains, and especially Austrian ones, can bring home warmth and comfort to any even the most boring room. Psychologists have proven that such types of window decor in the office bring the team together and make their work more productive.
  • Restaurants and cafes are designed to make people feel comfortable at home, and Austrian curtains made of veil, organza or cotton are a great helper in this. Of course, they may not be very practical and they will have to be washed often, but this is nothing compared to the admiration they cause.
  • A country house or cottage is the best field for experimenting with window textiles. Light Austrian blinds give you the opportunity to dream up with color and length.


Antique does not mean not fashionable and not beautiful. Well-forgotten things are gradually returning to fashion, and curtains are no exception. In our photo selection you will see how harmoniously Austrian curtains fit into modern interiors.






The modern approach to the design of window openings with curtains is replete with a variety of models for every taste and budget. Among other options, Austrian curtains are especially popular with many buyers. What they are, where they are appropriate and what are the nuances of fitting them into the interior, we will find out together further.

Design features

Austrian curtains are curtains that originate from the 18th century, when they were invented to decorate windows closed with shutters. These are lifting panels of fabric, which are distinguished by the mechanism of lifting cords, as well as a small consumption of textiles.

In fact, they combine two types of curtains: Roman and French. From the French, they borrowed the splendor and volume of the folds, and from the Roman ones - a simple and convenient lifting mechanism.

When the curtains are in the straightened state, they are no different from ordinary rectangular panels. In this case, as a rule, one curtain is more often used on one wall. When they are raised, the rectangular panel turns into a frill of festoons. For the installation of such curtains, a rail cornice is used.

The shape of the scallops is formed by ropes passed inside the fabric through special loops. These cords are also attached to the eaves. The panel is controlled by a chain. It is pulled when windows need to be opened. Cords are the main working element of curtains, since it is their tension that determines the size of the scallops and the degree of their collection.

Style and material

By themselves, Austrian curtains cannot be called universal. Due to their shape, they gravitate towards the classical trends in interior design, which are characterized by the presence of elements of palace solemnity. No wonder such curtains have long adorned the palaces and residences of the nobility. They are still used today in such areas as classics, neoclassics, classicism. They can also decorate some ethnic interiors (for example, Italian and English styles).

However, they often fit into modern trends with difficulty, since not every modern trend needs a deliberate demonstration of luxury and the status of the owner of the house.

Of course, they will be a ridiculous spot in the design of a loft or grunge, avant-garde or minimalism.

But they can be beaten in the Arabic style, Venetian and Greek. At the same time, it is worth considering the relevance of the lining, as well as the possibility of combining it with tulle or lambrequin.

To fit them into the interior of specific rooms, you have to beat the design due to the material of manufacture. For example, a light veil or other translucent material makes the initially massive design softer. For this reason, in most cases, such products are made from light and almost weightless materials, which, in addition to the veil, include rayon and organza. Products made from silk have deep and distinct folds, in contrast to the folded veil. Chintz analogues are distinguished by a larger width of folds.

Where are they appropriate?

It should be clearly understood that these curtains, regardless of the material of manufacture, give away pomposity and always attract attention. When decorating windows with them, it is important to consider: they will not look equally good in rooms of different purposes. The opinion that they are harmonious in offices is erroneous. The office is not a place for such decor, and even the office of a male leader (such curtains give off a feminine touch).

If we talk about the rooms of an apartment or a country house, such curtains are quite suitable for decorating the living room. However, so that they do not weigh down the interior composition, they should not be repeated in the design of the doorway leading to the hall.

We must not forget about the possibility of the material to visually introduce discomfort into the perception of space. The abundance of satin or denser fabric, and even with a pattern, can spoil the design of the key room of the home.

Austrian curtains are appropriate on the windows of spacious rooms with high ceilings. With a lack of footage, they will look bulky and ugly. If you really want to hang Austrian curtains on the walls, then you should take a model made of thin fabric, which, when assembled, will give smaller and neater scallops. It is also important to pay attention to the fact that the curtains do not have any other massive decor.

If desired, you can combine such curtains with a veil in the bedroom. However, in this room, one should not forget that both the curtains themselves and their additions were made of thin fabrics. Otherwise, the bedroom may periodically resemble a theater building with massive curtains inherent in it. If you thoroughly approach the design, you can decorate the kitchen windows with Austrian curtains. However, in this case, they will not always have additional panels on the sides, which depends on the layout of a particular room.

If we talk about unusual, but possible use cases, we can not fail to note the bay window. It is here that curtains made of thin fabric, assembled into scallops, will look beautiful. But then again, if at the same time the bay window, and the room itself is spacious. When space is sorely lacking, it is better to replace this decor with roller blinds or panels on the grommets.

Such models look great on different ledges of the layout. For example, if you try, they can fit into the protruding space of a room with a window and a podium occupied by a sofa and built-in niches for various books that promote relaxation.

So that at the same time the design of the curtains does not look massive, it is worth limiting the number of scallops, using light fabric and not gathering it too tight.

Colors and patterns

The colors of Austrian curtains are varied. More often they are performed in light colors of the palette, because this is how they look elegant and do not scream about themselves. This allows you to make the color spots of the interior evenly spaced over the entire area of ​​​​the room. When the curtains are bright, you have to beat their color with accessories, the tone of furniture upholstery or even wallpaper patterns.

As for the most popular tones, today they are shades of pastel colors.(beige, cream, cream, peach, milk, lilac, blue and others). Popular and light green, as well as pistachio color. Of course, the curtains can be pink, but only in the girl's room. In general, they try to choose the tones of products in such a way that they are liked by all household members.

White curtains are also in the spotlight, although they cannot be called practical. For kitchens, you can use textiles with prints on a light background. For example, unpretentious floral motifs of gray and terracotta on a white background, green pattern, contrasts of gray and light brown on a creamy base look good. The main rule of colorful curtains of the Austrian type is the dimness of the tones of the pattern, as well as their medium-sized size.

However, according to experts, it is better to give preference to monophonic models due to the already complex shape of the curtains. For example, it is these products that are harmonious in the design of bedrooms, living rooms, an office and a home library.

If you want to decorate a room with a design with a pattern, you can use materials with a combination of just two, not sharply contrasting tones of the color palette.

Tricks of choice

When ordering or buying ready-made curtains, it is worth considering such a nuance as fastening with Velcro. This is due to the design features of the curtains. Of the two types, it is the rod that is the more reliable mount, which will not suffer from either accidental sharp tension or the weight of the fabric, even if it is heavy. In addition, it is important to think over the design of the upper edge of the Austrian curtains.

For example, today a rigid textile lambrequin, fastened on both sides of the window, is in high demand. It looks more aesthetically pleasing than a wide frill, besides it gives completeness to extraordinary curtains. In order for the product to look like a single whole, the fabric of the panels and the lambrequin must be identical. This design option is appropriate in cases where the cornice is not hidden by the design of the ceiling structure.

When choosing, it is important to pay attention to textiles, its practicality in washing and durability. Knitted fabrics are not suitable for sewing these curtains, as they will sag, and in a free state they can also be deformed.

If in a particular room it is planned to hang curtains on separate and narrow windows, you can reduce the number of scallops to a minimum than combine all the windows of one wall with a single panel with scallops.

This technique can also be used when decorating a faceted bay window. For example, you can get by with one festoon for each window, hanging a separate canvas on it. Outwardly, such a design will not have massiveness: on the contrary, it will look not only easy, but also stylish. It is in this case that it is good to buy or sew Austrian curtains made of natural fabrics on your own. When the bay window has a rounded shape, it is easier to hang a single panel on its windows, forming aesthetic figured curtains from it.

In the decor of the window in the kitchen, it is very important to combine aesthetics and functionality, because in most apartments and houses the dining room and kitchen area are usually located in the same room. Difficult task? It will be easier to solve it if you pay attention to the Austrian, or Viennese, curtains. According to the method of control, they belong to the lifting type, in length - to the family of short curtains, and their design can be both modest and refined.

Have you also decided to choose beautiful Austrian curtains for the kitchen? This selection of photographs contains fashionable and practical interior solutions in which kitchen windows are decorated with Viennese curtains.


Why Austrian curtains are good in the kitchen

Choosing the type of curtains for the kitchen window, it makes sense to take a closer look at the Viennese curtains. They are a good compromise between elegant curtains and functional rolls. Austrian curtains are characterized by a number of advantages that make this type of curtain an ideal solution for the kitchen:

  • They have a short length, and short curtains are preferred for kitchens: the area of ​​​​contamination is smaller and does not take up space. If there is a kitchen sofa, table or other furniture next to the window, it is better to choose short Austrian curtains.


  • Viennese curtains are one of the few types of curtains that are suitable for windows located above the sink. This configuration of space is relatively new for domestic kitchens, although it is common in the west. But now, in our private cottages, this option is increasingly being used: many people like to do household chores, looking at the landscape outside the window. It is clear that you cannot place long curtains over the sink, but Austrian ones are easy.

  • From the point of view of fire safety, lifting Viennese curtains in the kitchen are also preferable to long curtains and even short fluttering curtains. Raising the Austrian curtains, you can safely cook even flambé dishes.


  • Short curtains are easier to remove and wash. This is also a big plus, because in the kitchen the curtains get dirty much faster than in the rooms.

  • However, Austrian curtains will be less polluted than sliding ones. After all, they rise with the help of a cord. It is possible to install automatic control of lifting curtains in the kitchen: you press the button and fix them in the required position. Probably no one will be surprised by the use of a remote control for this purpose. In "smart homes" even voice control is possible!


  • In most cuisines, they not only cook, but also have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes even receive guests. Therefore, not all owners are satisfied with the same practical, but more modest options for short curtains: roller and even Roman ones do not always create a sufficiently cozy mood. But the Austrian, in many ways reminiscent of the French, will give the dining area not only comfort, but also an element of sophistication.


What fabric do you prefer?

When choosing Austrian curtains for the kitchen, you should pay attention not only to aesthetics, but also to practical considerations. Now there is a rich choice of fabrics with special dirt-repellent impregnations. You can also buy ready-made Viennese curtains from such a material.

As for color, the usual design rules apply here: the smaller the kitchen space, the more light shades and discreet prints are preferable. Consider the decor of the walls: if the tiles or other finishes with expressive patterns, then the curtains should be chosen either with similar patterns, or plain. In small kitchens, the abundance of ornaments is best avoided, as the variegation will be tiring.



Don't forget about the location of the windows: the kitchen on the south side of the house requires more protection from the sun, which means denser fabric shades.

Making the interior of the room in a strict classical style, you should take a closer look at the Austrian curtains. Their appearance and manufacturing principle are somewhat similar to French models. However, they look more modest and practical, so they fit perfectly into almost any design solution.

Austrian curtains- This is a flat canvas with a slightly gathered edge. Some models may have lush drapery.

Combining Roman and French models, Austrian curtains have separate sections of fabric that gather in flounces or thick gathers at the bottom. They will well decorate a room decorated in baroque or classicism style. Complemented by bright piping, tassels, cords, ruffles or fringes.

How curtains work based on a special mechanism by which the curtains rise and fall. To regulate the curtains, cords are provided, stretched through the rings and fixed on the eaves. Cords are responsible for both functional and decorative loading, as they help form the edge of the canvas and the density of the assembly.

In order to achieve splendor over the entire height, you need to drape the upper edge of the curtain. In this case, a special tightening tape is used or folds are made manually.

Similarities between Roman and Austrian curtains consists in a lifting mechanism, however, unlike the first type, there are no horizontal bars in the Viennese models. This feature makes it easy to collect the fabric into folds. Curtains do not move apart along the eaves, but only rise.

Viennese models are actively used as an independent element for a window opening or hung together with lambrequins, curtain curtains.

Austrian curtain in the interior

Not so long ago, Austrian curtains could only be seen on windows in classical-style rooms. However, their use has expanded somewhat and today these models are increasingly decorating dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms of various design ideas. Because it's not only beautiful, but also a comfortable canvas in which you can easily adjust the height.

Australian curtains will decorate the window opening and ennoble it.

They look the most impressive. in large living rooms, as they remind of ballrooms, celebrations, thereby creating a festive atmosphere.

Often, the Austrian curtain in the interior of the living room is complemented by other types of curtains to create a luxurious and unique interior.

When designing a children's room, you need to remember that housing for a child should be as light and comfortable as possible. Therefore, it is not recommended to hang children's plastic blinds or heavy curtains on the windows.

The Austrian must:

Thanks to the lifting mechanism, the canvas can be lowered to the window sill or a little higher, then the baby will not be able to get it and cut it off. In addition, these curtains are resistant to dust and get dirty less.

Austrian curtains- leaders in kitchen window decoration. Their popularity is explained by the fact that Viennese curtains in the kitchen:

  • can be easily adjusted and fixed at the desired height;
  • small, take up little space, leaving additional space for using window space;
  • give a festive mood;
  • They are sewn from simple synthetic materials that are resistant to moisture, odors and are easy to clean.

Decorating the window space of the kitchen, choose the traditional classic model. If the room is made in country style, then Austrian curtains are selected from stripes, cages or delicate floral patterns.

Fabric choice

To sew an Austrian curtain, you need to choose a fabric that drapes well. Dense and heavy fabrics do not hold folds well and can form creases. It is best to pay attention to light, delicate and translucent materials that do not wrinkle.

Preference is given to the following fabrics:

  • atlas;
  • microveil;
  • polyester;
  • organza;
  • chintz;
  • taffeta;
  • silk.

Bulk materials should not be chosen, as they are difficult to process. The color of Austrian curtains should harmoniously fit in and complement the color scheme of the overall interior of the room.

Quite popular today there was a trend to sew curtains and other textile decorative elements from one fabric.

However, when choosing a fabric, you need to take into account the illumination of the room. For example, in a room with windows facing north, it is not recommended to hang curtains of very dark shades.

Viennese style for the interior the children's window is suitable for both toddlers and teenagers. The main thing is to choose the right fabric. A light translucent fabric or matter with bright spring patterns is suitable for a preschooler's room. For school-age children, the choice of curtains is divided depending on gender: a girl can hang curtains with a floral print, and a boy can choose more saturated shades of the canvas.

Having settled on Austrian curtains, you should give preference to plain fabrics or fabrics with small, discreet patterns. Drapery on curtains partially covers large ornaments, so they may lose their attractiveness. In order to create an interesting effect, you can choose matter with vertical stripes.

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