How to Choose Curtains
- Updated on:
- Written by Bev Fidler
Choosing the perfect curtains for your home can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. At Classic Blinds & Shutters, we understand that curtains are more than just window coverings – they’re an essential element of your home’s decor that can transform a room’s ambience.
Whether you’re looking to enhance privacy, control light, or add a touch of elegance to your space, choosing curtains that complement your style and meet your needs is key. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential factors when considering how to choose curtains for your home.
Determining Your Curtain Goals
Before diving into fabric swatches and style catalogues, it’s important to identify what you want your curtains to achieve.
At Classic Blinds & Shutters, we’ve found that understanding your specific needs is the first step in making the perfect choice. Consider the following goals:
Privacy Needs
- Assess how much privacy you require in each room. Bedrooms and bathrooms typically need more coverage than living areas.
- For maximum privacy, opt for heavier fabrics or blackout curtains.
- If you want to maintain some natural light while ensuring privacy, consider sheer curtains layered with heavier curtain panels.
Light Control
- Determine how much natural light you want in each space throughout the day.
- Choose thick, dark-coloured fabrics or blackout curtains for rooms where you want to block out light (like bedrooms).
- Light-filtering curtains offer a soft, relaxed ambience. They can be made from a variety of fabrics—cotton curtains or linen curtains are popular as they balance privacy and natural light.
- Consider adjustable options like layered curtains or those with tie-backs for versatile light control.
Decorative Purposes
- Think about how your curtains will contribute to your room’s overall aesthetic.
- Decide if you want your curtains to be a focal point or blend seamlessly with existing decor.
- Consider how different colours, patterns, and textures can enhance your interior design.
Energy Efficiency
- Curtains can play a significant role in your home’s energy efficiency.
- For better insulation in colder months, consider thermal curtains that help keep heat inside.
- Light-coloured curtains can reflect sunlight in warmer climates or during summer and help keep rooms cooler.
- Double-layered curtains can provide year-round energy benefits and adapt to different seasons. Heavy fabrics, such as thick cotton or velvet curtains, are great for blocking light and keeping heat in.
Consider Your Room’s Style
Once you’ve determined your curtain goals, the next step is to ensure your curtains complement and enhance your room’s existing style. This will influence the curtain fabric, length and style, and curtain colour.
You’ll also need to decide whether or not to use curtain rods and the style of curtain rod, whether you want blackout lining, or whether you’re opting for sheer curtains to layer over existing window coverings. Here’s how to consider your room’s style when choosing curtains:
Matching Curtains to Existing Decor
- Take stock of your room’s current style. Is it modern, traditional, bohemian, or eclectic?
- For modern rooms, consider sleek, solid-coloured curtains with clean lines.
- Opt for classic patterns like damask or elegant, heavy fabrics in traditional spaces.
- Bohemian or eclectic rooms can benefit from bold patterns, rich textures, or unique, eye-catching designs.
Complementing Color Schemes
- Look at your room’s colour palette, including walls, furniture, and accessories.
- For a harmonious look, choose curtains in a colour already present in the room, perhaps matching throw pillows or artwork.
- Select curtains in a darker or lighter shade of your wall colour to add depth.
- If you want to make a statement, choose curtains in a complementary colour to create contrast.
- Neutral-coloured curtains (beige, grey, white) are versatile and can work with changing decor over time.
Coordinating with Furniture and Accessories
- Consider the style and colour of your major furniture pieces.
- If you have patterned soft furnishings or rugs, solid curtains might be the best choice to avoid visual clutter.
- Conversely, if your furniture is solid-coloured, patterned curtains can add visual interest to the room.
- Look at the finish of your curtain rods and other hardware in the room (like doorknobs or light fixtures). Try to match or complement these finishes with your curtain hardware.
Considering the Room’s Function
- Think about how the room is used and how curtains can enhance its functionality.
- A heavier, darker colour curtain can create a cozy, sleep-friendly environment in a bedroom-perfect for a nursery. However, if you’re choosing curtains for an older kid’s bedroom, they might want something bright and fun. Stripes, florals, and geometric shapes are popular choices!
- For rooms facing the street, particularly bedrooms, you might consider thicker curtains or curtains that can be layered over other window treatments like plantation shutters or blinds.
- For a home office, consider curtains that reduce computer screen glare while allowing natural light.
- For living room curtains or your dining area, you might want to consider the curtain length, opting for shorter curtains that just frame the windows, creating an open, inviting atmosphere.
Balancing Proportions
- Consider the size of your room and windows when choosing curtains.
- In smaller rooms, avoid overwhelming the space with heavy or dark curtains. Opt for lighter fabrics and colours to create an airier feel.
- Floor-length curtains can accentuate the height and add drama to rooms with high ceilings.
- In rooms with unusual architectural features, particularly around the window frame, curtains should complement rather than hide these unique elements.
Measuring for Curtains
Getting the proper measurements is crucial for curtains that look great and function well. You’ll need to consider length, width, and fullness to achieve the perfect fit for your windows.
If you choose custom curtains, the installer will likely do a free measure and quote before fitting them to your existing window treatment.
Curtain Accessories
The right accessories can take your curtains from basic to beautiful. Curtain headers, tracks, tiebacks, and pelmets add style while also serving important functions.
Choosing Curtain Headers
The curtain style is a vital aspect to consider as it defines the look and character of your curtains. The choice of header also determines how the curtain fabric falls and stacks when the curtains are pulled aside.
Modern curtain styles like the S-Wave Fold offer a soft, sophisticated look with a low-profile track gliding seamlessly. The pinch pleat, offers a classic, more formal look, with structured, sewn-in pleats.
There are multiple styles to choose from, so it’s important to consider what would suit your windows.
Selecting Suitable Tiebacks
Tiebacks hold curtains open to let in light or show off your view. They come in many styles to suit your decor. Rope tiebacks with tassels look elegant in traditional rooms. Metal or wood tiebacks match contemporary spaces.
Some tiebacks have hooks that screw into the wall. Others wrap around the curtain and are fastened with magnets or hooks. Choose a style that’s easy for you to use daily, and remember to place tiebacks about two-thirds of the way down your curtains for the perfect drape.
Curtain Tracks
Designed for both functionality and style, quality curtain tracks offer smooth operation, allowing you to effortlessly open and close your curtains.
With a range of styles and finishes available, you should be able to find the perfect match for your décor, whether you prefer a modern, sleek look or a more traditional aesthetic.
Curtain Pelmets
Curtain pelmets provide an attractive alternative option to the exposed curtain track. Custom-made pelmets not only provide an improved visual appeal but also offer improved energy efficiency. During winter, pelmets act as insulation, stopping cold air at the glass. Conversely, in summer, they work to trap the heat outside.
Installation Tips
Proper curtain installation makes a big difference in how they look and function. Getting the right tools and knowing the correct hanging techniques will ensure that your curtains function perfectly every time you open and close them!
This is why you may consider hiring professionals to design and install your new curtains.
Key Takeaways
- Identify your curtain goals: Consider your needs for privacy, light control, decoration, and energy efficiency.
- Match curtains to your room's style: Choose curtains that complement your existing decor, color scheme, furniture, and the room's function.
- Measure properly: Ensure you get the right curtain length, width, and fullness for a perfect fit.
- Choose the right header style: The curtain header impacts the look and drape of the curtains. Options range from modern styles like S-Wave Fold to classic styles like pinch pleats.
- Select suitable accessories: Curtain tiebacks, tracks, and pelmets add both style and functionality. Choose accessories that match your decor and are easy to use.
- Proper installation is key: Hire professionals or use the right tools and techniques to ensure your curtains look great and function properly.
Ready to Hang Curtains?
If you are ready to choose curtains and install these in your home, get in touch with the Classic Blinds & Shutters team. We’ll take you through all the options to suit you, your home and your family. We also provide a free measuring service, so get in touch today.
