How To Choose The Most Suitable Curtains For Your Home
Choosing curtains is like choosing clothes for your home. The choice depends not only on what looks good, but also on what purpose they will serve.
Many curtains you come across might look great, but will they work where you want to hang them? And will they be suitable for the purpose of the room? Bear these questions in mind when making your choice.
There are many factors to take into account, from the type and texture of the fabric and the length, to the style and size of the windows. Framing the windows with long curtains can add charm and personality to a room, whereas shorter curtains tend to be more durable. Due to the unique design of different windows and the many options available, choosing the right curtains can be an arduous process. In this article, we have prepared some tips to help you choose the perfect curtains for your home.
Colour Combination Examples for Your Living Room >
The Purpose Of Curtains
If you want to add a splash of colour, increase privacy, create darkness or add an insulating layer to your windows, curtains can be the answer. Zebra blinds can allow you to control the temperature of the room and how much light gets in, while basic cotton curtains can protect your fabrics but still allow for soft lighting. Using curtains for insulation helps you to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and a blackout lining is ideal for bedrooms as it doesn’t allow any light through.
Tips For Choosing Your Curtains
When choosing curtains, narrow down your search by deciding what you want them to do for you. If you want to maximise light you can eliminate any styles that don’t serve this purpose.
• Take care to choose the curtains that best suit your needs. If you want the room to benefit from as much natural light as possible, focus on transparent fabrics. However, if you are hypersensitive to light or want more privacy, consider thicker, darker curtains.
• When thinking about how to choose curtains for different rooms, it’s usually a good idea to choose lightweight curtains that allow for natural light for the living room or hallway. Whereas for the bedroom, you might prefer a heavier fabric to create privacy.
• When it comes to colours, whites, blues and grays are a great choice as they will complement most colours and room themes. So even if you decide to change the furniture or colour scheme of the room further down the line, you won't necessarily have to change the curtains.
• For bedrooms, earthy tones like beiges, browns or pale pinks work well and make the space feel more comfortable.
Deciding on the function of the curtains
What do you want the curtain to do? Should it block out light or let through as much as possible? Do you want privacy from your neighbours or from the street? For example, if you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful view, you want your curtains to be light and easy to open so that you can sit back and enjoy it. Of course, you might even want to be able to achieve both light and darkness depending on what mood takes you. In this case, you can use a heavy fabric which can be left open, with a lighter fabric behind. This will allow light to come in, but also allow for darkness and privacy when the heavier curtains are closed.
Getting The Correct Measurements
One crucial point is getting your measurements right. Before estimating the length and width of the window, it is important to consider how far down you want your curtains to hang. If you want to add height to your room, it is best to hang your curtains over the frame of your windows. Interior designers recommend hanging the curtain rod 15cm above the window, however a more dramatic effect can be achieved with a higher rod. It all depends on the size of the window and the height of the ceiling, but ideally, the rod and curtains should extend 10cm to 20cm beyond the edges of the window. The extra extension also blocks the light from seeping out of the sides and allows you to darken the room at any time. If the room has a low ceiling, opting for ceiling to floor curtains can create the illusion of a larger room. Choosing a shorter length however will prevent the fabric of the curtains from being ruined. The fact that they do not drag along the floor is the secret to their durability.
Deciding On A Colour
Curtains cover a large visual area, so it is imperative to think about your colour and pattern choices carefully. When choosing your curtains, think about the colour scheme used in the rest of the room. Our advice is to buy good quality fabric that will continue to suit the room, even if you decide to redecorate. If you want your curtains to blend seamlessly with the decor of the room, you can pick the same colour as the walls. If you want to go for something bolder and more daring, you can pick more vivid shades such as red, blue or green. However if the room has a lot of exposure to sunlight, it may be better to avoid these colours as they will fade quickly. Another aesthetically pleasing idea is matching the curtain colour to the carpet colour if you have one. To turn your room into a beautiful retreat, you can choose cool, soothing pastel colours such as lilac, teal, purple or pink. A great way to encourage positive energy in your home is to use happy colours like yellow and orange. Bright, bold colours work best when they have a large space to work with.
Choosing The Right Fabric
Curtains can be produced from pretty much any fabric, but some are more suitable than others. Heavy fabrics work better in colder climates as they insulate the room, whereas lighter fabrics are better suited to warmer climates. Details of some of the fabrics typically used for curtains and the benefits of each can be found below:
Silk - Silk curtains are classic and traditional. Silk allows for some light to pass through but is generally best used for insulation and blocking light. Due to its high quality, it is an expensive curtain choice.
Cotton - Cotton is probably the most popular curtain fabric choice and with good reason. Cotton curtains are available in every imaginable colour and style. They can be casual or fancy and they’re easy to clean. The downside is that they tend to be slightly stiffer than other fabrics.
Linen - Linen is a light and generally sheer fabric. It’s the preferred fabric for modern rooms and is used for comfort.
Velvet - Velvet is a heavy and thick fabric with a luxurious look and feel. It is often used in lavishly decorated rooms and is regarded as too over the top for modern, simple living. Like silk, velvet is an expensive fabric.
Net - If you want something that allows light into the room, net curtains are great. However they don’t offer much in the way of privacy. For this reason, they are usually used together with a thicker fabric.
Polyester - Polyester is generally used for blinds. It’s cheaper than other fabrics and offers many benefits. It doesn’t hold dirt and doesn’t wrinkle easily.
Prints and Patterns
Patterned curtains go best with solid coloured furniture and bedding. They’re a great way to liven up your home if you have plain tones recurring throughout the rest of your decor. Leaves and flowers make for great curtain patterns, while pinks and sheer curtains can add a dash of life. Blackout curtains, made of heavy polyester, are great for creating privacy, not only because they block out light but because they can help block out noise too. They also help to retain heat in the room.
Long Lasting Fabrics
Most fabrics tend to be worn down by the sun, however some are more durable than others. Fake silk is the least susceptible to sun damage and won’t deteriorate as quickly as other fabrics. Linen, velvet and silk also tend to be more durable in a sun drenched room. Choosing washing machine friendly fabrics can also be a great idea. It’s convenient and easy to wash curtains in the washing machine and will save you the hassle of having to wash one curtain at a time.
Curtain Sizes
In the living room, the size of your curtains is very important. The curtain should be at least twice the size of the window. The length of the curtains can also make a huge difference to the room. Having them long enough to gather on the floor can create a stylish look, whereas a shorter length can create a cleaner and more modern look. If you opt for a shorter length, make sure not to overdo it. If the curtains are too short, they can leave the wall looking empty and uneven.
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