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This post is written in partnership with Bali Blinds. All opinions are my own.
Curtains (or drapes, if you prefer) play a key role in the design of a room. Besides fulfilling the practical purpose of covering your windows, they are also a great way to also add color, pattern, texture, softness, movement, and height...all elements that are often exactly what a room needs. The right curtains can be that beautiful finishing touch that makes your room feel complete. So how do you make sure you choose well? Here are the top three things to consider when selecting curtains for your home.
1. Light & Privacy - The first priority is always functionality. What is the practical purpose your curtains will serve? How much light do you want to let in? How much privacy does this room require? These needs will determine the type of fabric that makes sense for your curtains. Do you want sheer, breezy curtains that maximize natural light? Do you need heavier blackout drapes to help you sleep? Or something in between?
For the best of both worlds, consider a light filtering Roman shade with blackout drapes layered over it. This is exactly what we did for our bedroom, and I love the flexibility. If we want privacy without blocking out light, we can close just the shade. If we want it to be dark for naps and bedtime, we can pull the drapes shut. It's fantastic. The two photos below are both taken from the same angle in the middle of the day. You can see how well the blackout drapes turn our room into a dark and cozy cocoon. And as the weather has gotten hotter, we've also noticed how well the blackout drapes help insulate the room, avoid hot spots near the windows, and make it so we don't have to run the AC as much.
Bonus: besides giving us more options for privacy and light control, layered window treatments are even better for insulation and energy efficiency.
2. Style - Now it's time to think about aesthetics. What look are you going for? Do you want your curtains to give off a casual, relaxed vibe? Or do you prefer a more formal and elegant style? Would you like your curtains to stand out and be a focal point? Or would you rather if they blend in seamlessly with the room overall? For a classic look that will never go out of style, go with neutrals or a color that matches your walls. If you love contrast and color, then don't be afraid to go bold. Once you've determined the overall look that you want, it's time to order fabric swatches. Bali allows you to order up to five swatches free, which I highly recommend doing.
For our bedroom, I knew I wanted a warm neutral, but I wasn't sure whether I'd like a pattern or a solid, a cotton or a silk. I chose five favorites from their thumbnails online, and eagerly ripped open the blue envelope when it arrived. Being able to hold the swatches in person made the decision so much easier! I quickly ruled out a few, and for the rest I could hold them up against existing elements like the Roman shade we already had in this room.
I went with Ludlow Palatial (the swatch I'm holding above). It's a gorgeous, slubby fabric and the color is exactly right...a soft, creamy, light neutral that's neither too warm or too cool. Yes, did you know that you don't have to do a dark fabric for blackout drapes? You can use any color with a blackout liner!
Another important decision is how the curtains will hang. Grommet, classic tab, and rod pocket offer a more casual look, while inverted pleat and pinched pleat are more tailored and traditional. Personally, I think back tab is the perfect happy medium. Classic and clean-lined, it's the hanging style I chose for our bedroom curtains.
For a signature, custom look you can also add on decorative touches like color blocking, banding, and trim.
3. Width & Length - Sizing your curtains is something that many people struggle with. After all, it's not as straightforward as measuring your window and getting a shade to fit. What is standard curtain length? How wide should your curtains be? Where should you install the curtain rod? These are all important questions. If you get the width and length right, your curtains can make your windows appear larger and your ceilings look taller...but if you get them wrong, the curtains can end up looking like a cringe-worthy mistake...yikes.
The first step is the curtain rod. For a designer look, aim to mount your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as you can. If your ceilings are really tall, then a good rule of thumb is to place the rod 6" above the top of the window frame. This will make your room appear taller and more spacious. You'll also want your rod to extend wider than the window (about 8-12" on each side). When your curtains are open they should sit outside the window frame and only overlap the window by a couple inches. This will make your windows appear larger and ensure that your curtains don't block the sunlight when they're open.
Once you've determined where your rod will go, you can figure out the right length for your curtains. I wrote a curtain length guide awhile ago if you want to learn all about the different options and how to choose curtain length. The short version is that unless you're doing cafe curtains that stop at the windowsill (like for a small kitchen window), your curtains should probably go all the way to the floor. The most common curtain length options either hit right at the floor (this is the standard curtain length I recommend), or go a couple inches longer for a puddled, romantic look (this is what I chose for our bedroom). "Highwater" curtains that end a few inches above the floor will make your curtains look cut off and too short.
That leaves us with the width! To determine the right width for your curtains, measure the width of your window and multiply by 2. If you're doing two panels, that means each panel ends up being same width as the window itself. This will ensure your curtains look full and luxurious, whether they are open or closed. If they can barely cover the window, the panels will look too skimpy when they're open and won't have those beautiful folds.
Do you have any other questions about curtains? Let me know!
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Nice information about how to choose the right curtains.Thanks for sharing this post, it is very helpful article.
Thanks for telling us the method of selecting the right wall curtains for the rooms of the house.
This is a nice article. I'd like to get a new curtain for my room. This is incredibly helpful.
Its really good information for me and those people who takes interest in home decore. Thank you very much for share this amazing blog. Curtain Designs in Dubai