Curtains may not be high on the list when thinking about what features make a house a home. But as soon as you have the wrong ones, everything in the home is not quite right. Understand your needs, style, and decor and choose curtains that fit your criteria by remembering these 6 considerations.
- Quality or nothing
Like all things in life, there is a cheap option and a quality option. When it comes to your curtains, you can always spot the difference. As the windows are the eyes and soul of the home you need curtains that will complement your space giving the sense of style and grandeur.
To achieve a luxury feel, you will need commercial drapery. Otherwise, your guests will notice the plastic shine of your bargain blinds or the quickly faded shades that you thought you could get away with. Choose quality curtains so you don’t have to replace them after no time at all.
- To block, or not to block
And then, there was light! But there doesn’t always have to be.
Block-out curtains have been a fast favorite for many homeowners and it’s not hard to see why. We are not fresh as a daisy every day, and sometimes you just want to be able to watch a dark movie in the middle of the day without the glare and judgment of the sun.
Most curtains will have a grading, from transparent to complete block-out, so try and find what you want on the spectrum before you buy.
- Color
How quickly a trend can change! Your parents will tell you there was a time when wearing a corduroy suit to a wedding wasn’t just acceptable, it was style! The same goes for your curtains. Choose neutral colors that will stand the test of time and not be a painful reminder of your brief love affair with pastels.
You cannot go wrong with sand, ivory, navy or white so make sure you pick a classic color that will allow you to find furniture and artwork that will complement easily and eternally.
- Function or flair?
Usually a question we ask the mirror when dressing for a day date. When choosing your curtains, do you choose something bold that is complicated to open and close and impossible to clean? Or is it about sensible style which fits the room without overpowering it?
Each home will call for a different answer. Your classic homes would suit flair over function, while your contemporary and minimalist home may like the ease and simpleness of a more functional curtain.
- Floor length or cropped
There is no wrong answer when it comes to curtain length, although certain looks suit houses in different ways. Smaller windows can look a bit silly with floor length curtains, and cropped curtains can look too sparse on a large dramatic window.
Floorboards and concrete suit floor length curtains, whereas carpeted floor needs a cropped curtain to avoid a fabric overdose. Make your decision based on the floor surface and window size and see what will look best for you.
- Sud up
It’s so easy to fall in love with a gold-threaded brocade curtain; the detail and the luxurious feel have been around for centuries for a reason. But when (and I do mean when) the curtains get dirty, how easy is this going to be to clean?
If you are happy to accept that big dry-cleaning bill then dress your windows in the most decadent fabric you can find. But if you are hoping to throw them in with the colors, then perhaps choose a more basic fabric. Always find out how often they should be washed and what kind of curtain care they need to avoid a surprise down the road.
Curtains are a stunning addition to any room, giving the space a large and homely feel. Choosing the right style for you can be tricky but start with these steps and see what you end loving.