Curtain apartment

How textiles transform spaces and improve living quality

Curtains are often underestimated in interior design. Many people see them merely as privacy screens or decorative elements. In reality, however, curtains influence the perception of a room more than many other design elements. They alter the acoustics, lighting, atmosphere, and proportions of a space.

Especially in Basel, curtains play a central role in condominiums – particularly in older buildings with high windows or modern apartments with large glass surfaces. Thoughtful planning ensures that curtains are not only functional but also integrate harmoniously into the overall room design.

Curtains are often considered very late in the planning process. This frequently happens only after the interior finishing or furnishing is complete. This leads to typical problems:

• unsettling spatial effect

• poor lighting

• lack of privacy

• acoustically hard rooms

• Visually unfinished window areas

Large windows often appear cold or unbalanced without textile elements. Curtains are therefore not simply decoration – but an integral part of the overall interior design.

Curtain in the apartment

Choosing the right fabric

The substance affects:

• Light transmission

• Acoustics

• atmosphere

• Care effort

Lightweight fabrics appear soft and airy, while denser materials create more peace and privacy.

Integration into the space

Curtains must be coordinated with the following elements:

• Floor coverings

• Wall paints

• Furniture

• Lighting concept

• Material concept

Without coordination, they quickly appear random.

Correctly accentuate window proportions with curtains

The position of the curtain track and the length of the curtains significantly influence the room's appearance. Incorrectly placed curtains can make rooms appear smaller.

Combination of function and aesthetics

Curtains should simultaneously:

• Provide privacy

• regulate light

• improve the acoustics of the room

• appear high-quality

This combination requires careful planning.

Plan curtains early

Curtains should be considered during the interior design planning phase. This allows for:

• Integrated curtain tracks

• Lighting situations coordinated

• Room proportions are optimized.

Particularly elegant solutions are created when curtain tracks are integrated directly into ceilings or shadow gaps.

Transparent and blackout curtain fabrics

A common solution is a combination of:

• transparent day curtains

• blackout curtains

This creates maximum flexibility between light, privacy and atmosphere.

Curtain improves acoustics

Especially modern apartments with:

• Stone floors

• large glass surfaces

• open floor plans

Rooms often have acoustic problems. Curtains significantly improve room acoustics and create a quieter atmosphere.

Curtains as part of the material concept

Curtains appear particularly high-quality when they are part of an overarching material concept.

For example, fabrics can be matched to:

• natural stone

• Wood surfaces

• Carpets

• Upholstery fabrics

This creates a calm and harmonious overall effect .

Role of the interior designer

An interior designer does not plan curtains in isolation, but as part of the overall room concept.

The following are taken into account:

• Lighting design

• Spatial proportions

• Materiality

• use

• Acoustics

At INBYKO, we develop textile concepts in conjunction with floor plan, interior design, and material selection. This results in solutions that are functionally and aesthetically compelling in the long term.

Our interior concept system enables structured planning and quick, uncomplicated implementation – together with regional partners and craftsmen.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Which curtains are suitable for modern apartments?

Lightweight, calm fabrics combined with high-quality rail solutions are particularly popular.

Do curtains improve acoustics?

Yes. Fabrics absorb sound and significantly reduce reverberation.

Should curtains reach the floor?

In most cases, yes, as this makes rooms appear calmer and more sophisticated.

When should curtains be planned?

Ideally, this should be done during the interior design and lighting planning phase.

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Curtain in the living room

Curtains are far more than a decorative element. They influence light, atmosphere, acoustics and the spatial effect, and play a central role in interior design.

Those who plan curtains early and as part of an overall concept create rooms that appear significantly calmer, higher quality and more homely.

Especially with high-quality condominiums in Basel, professional planning is worthwhile in order to optimally combine function and design.

INBYKO is an interior design firm in Basel focusing on high-quality renovations and interior design projects in private residential construction.