Are you renovating your existing decor? Moving into your dream home? Whatever you do, don’t ignore your curtains, as they can help set a room’s tone.
True, it can be confusing to choose the ones that are just right for your home. The range of options when it comes to fabric and hardware are vast, and the style possibilities, from ornamental and substantial to light and breezy, are virtually limitless.
Don’t worry. Here are some amazing tips that will help you choose the right window curtains.
Tips to Find the Perfect Window Curtains
Choosing window curtains to match your interiors isn’t easy. Follow these tips to ensure you’re making the right decision.
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What fabric should you choose for the curtains?
The right fabric dictates how well your curtains hold up and function. If it’s too light, it may not fall well; if it’s too heavy, it may not form crisp folds.
First, hold the fabric up to a window, even if you’re purchasing it from a showroom. This is the best way to understand how well it will function and look at home.
You can also take the fabric and pleat it like an accordion at the top and allow it to drape. Use at least a couple of yards, as anything smaller will fail to display the actual draping of the fabric.
Also, remember that sunlight fades the fabric. If you’re dressing windows in a room that receives a lot of natural light, avoid bright colours as these generally fade faster.
Here are some of the most popular curtain materials.
- Cotton
Cotton adds a casual feel to a room when used as a curtain and is easy to clean. It allows plenty of light to filter through and generates a bright and cheerful ambience during the day. Adding a cotton panel to your curtains with a lining creates a denser appearance that also offers more privacy and temperature control.
- Linen
This fabric’s textured weave is meant to diffuse the light beautifully. Linen panels can also be dry cleaned but should be hung immediately afterwards to ensure smooth draping.
- Linen-Silk Blend
This light-diffusing blend combines the lustrous sheen of silk with the relaxed nature of linen. However, silk is susceptible to sun damage from prolonged exposure. To avoid this, consider having your curtains lined.
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How to decide on the length of the curtains?
Curtains are a significant design element in any room. As such, their length impacts how small or large the space appears.
It’s not necessary to install curtain rods directly above the window frame and make the hem end at your windowsill. Remember, the closer the curtains are to your ceiling, the larger it will make the room feel. This is also applicable for the hem as they can also hang below the windowsill.
Before you begin measuring, figure out how you want your room to appear. For a formal atmosphere, have your curtains start above your windows and fall to the floor. With shorter ceilings, traditional curtains create a sense of coziness and warmth.
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Colour
The colour you choose for your curtains will be a stylistic element that aids in achieving the room’s desired tone. This is also what dictates whether your window covering will match the rest of your decor.
To ensure you’re choosing the right colour, decide whether you want your curtains to coordinate with the background. If you want them to blend in, search for neutral bases of the room’s colour palette. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something that stands out, search for accent colours you’ve selected for your palette and pick a dominant colour.
Remember that exposure to direct sunlight can fade curtains, and bright colours and bold patterns tend to fade rapidly, especially when paired with delicate fabrics. If you prefer vibrant colours, use a liner between the curtain and window to protect them.
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Privacy
One major consideration when picking out curtain fabric is the purpose they’ll serve. Do you want your curtains to let in light? Or do you prefer blackout curtains to ensure privacy? You can start narrowing down your options once you’ve answered these questions.
Most cotton and linen curtains are available in varying degrees of opacity. These range from opaque (which offers more privacy ) to sheer (which makes the room appear light and breezy.
Renovating your current home or decorating a new one can be fun – at first. But you may feel like grabbing the first curtains you see by the time you get to choose them. Push through these feelings of decorating burnout. By following these tips, you’ll find the right window coverings to ensure you create a space you enjoy. The right choice will not only complement your decor but draw attention to them, even when drawn apart.
