Window Curtains

How to Choose Window Curtains

Window curtains add warmth to a room, softening hard edges and making it feel much more inviting and of course they offer privacy too to varying degrees.

While you always have the option of other forms of window treatments such as blinds, curtains add a feeling of opulence which blinds can’t match simply because you are talking about much more fabric. Blinds are great if you want a minimalist uncluttered look but if you want to give your home a luxurious finish then curtains are a must to dress your windows.

Once you have decided to buy window curtains you will be faced with many thousands of different fabrics, colors and styles as well as custom and ready made options. It can all be a bit daunting.

If you’re not sure how to choose curtains, here’s our easy guide…

Modern window curtains and holdbacks

Modern window curtains and holdbacks

1. Which Room are the Curtains for?

If you are buying kitchen curtains it makes sense to go for an informal, washable style whereas lounge or bedroom curtains can be more formal and “dressy”. Bathroom curtains need to be able to withstand a steamy atmosphere so you would give delicate silks a miss. Novelty curtains are great for kids bedrooms but you probably want something more grown-up for your own.

2. How Much Privacy?

Think about how much privacy you need during the day when the curtains are not closed. If the room is overlooked you may want to add fine voile, lace or net curtains to your windows or fit a mini blind in addition to having curtains to frame the windows and draw at night. If you don’t need to draw the curtains at all, you can get away with dress curtains which would not cover the full width of the windows, use less fabric and yet still enhance your room as if you had full curtains.

3. Which Windows?

Windows come in all shapes and sizes and some are easier to fit with window coverings than others. If you have French or patio doors or a full length window you will need full length curtains whereas you have the option to use sill length or floor length curtains on standard windows. If you have windows which form a feature in themselves such as a small round window or a tall stained glass window you may be better leaving the windows curtain free so that the full shape and style of the window is visible.

4. Measurements?

If your windows are standard sizes you will be able to choose from a vast range of ready made curtains as well as an even vaster range of custom made curtain options. If they are not standard you will have to go the custom route. Ready made curtains are generally cheaper and you can take them home or have them delivered from an online store right away although your choices are more restricted.

5. Current décor?

If you have already decided on or carried out the decoration of the room where the windows are then this will influence the kind of colors and styles you select for your curtains as well as the fabrics you choose. As curtains provide a big surface area make sure they go with the other colors in the room. If all else fails pick a neutral color and use one of the colors or fabrics used elsewhere in the room as a border or trim for a coordinated look. If you haven’t chosen your whole color scheme however it’s easier to start with a curtain fabric and use the colors in that to guide the choices of color for the rest of the room.

The current décor will also affect the style of your curtains which should be in keeping with the general theme you have chosen – contemporary, country cottage, shaker, retro or whatever.

If you don’t know where to start, browse around online where you’ll see many pictures of window curtains to get an idea of the type of styles, colors and fabrics which meet your requirements.

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7 Ideas for Plain Window Curtain Panels

Plain window curtain panels are easy to find in all different colors. You are bound to be able to find something to match your decor.

Unfortunately they are not always the most decorative of window treatments so you may want to think about giving them some added oomph with the ideas below and hopefully these will spark off some of your own ideas too especially once you start looking around at the kind of fabrics and trim you can use to enhance your curtains.

This way you can buy cheap curtain panels while still getting a designer look. Don’t buy the very cheapest however as you want some weight and quality of fabric in your window curtains.

  1. Add a braid or ribbon trimming about 6 to 12″ from the bottom of each plain curtain panel. If you think several colors would go you can add parallel lines of several different braids or ribbons of different widths along the bottom part of the curtains with a narrow gap between each trim. Pin on the ribbons in various ways to get the best effect before committing yourself by stitching them in place along the upper and lower edge of each trim. You should be able to can get some great ideas for this kind of curtain trimming simply from looking at all the various types of braid available at your local department store.
  2. Join a different color or patterned wide edging (about 6 to 9″) to the inside edge of a pair of plain curtain panels. This a away to get curtains in two shades which are exactly right for your room color scheme without having to get something which is too patterned. Great for a contemporary look.
    3. beads make a great curtain trimming

    Beads make a great curtain trimming

  3. Create decorative tab tops for a plain panel. Buy an extra panel and use the fabric to make matching tabs or you can use a contrasting fabric. Matching tab tops look great decorated with contrasting fabric colored buttons.
  4. Add tie tops to your panels with matching or contrasting ribbon. Be sure and match the weight of the ribbon to the type of panel. For example use a heavier velvet ribbon with a velvet panel and a light satin ribbon with a voile panel.
  5. Update a plain curtain panel by using beautiful tie-backs. You can get some fantastic ornate tassels in all colors of the rainbow or create your own tie backs with a contrasting or matching fabric and trim.
  6. Add a ready-made beaded or fringed edging to plain panels and trim tie-backs with the same edging to give a special look to plain curtains. Think cream curtains with a brown and amber bead fringed edging and you’ll get the idea.
  7. If you are handy with the needle embroider a pattern on the bottom inner corners or edge of your curtain panels. Machines which do computerized embroidery are great for this. Embroidery can be in the same color as the panels for an embossed effect or in a shade to complement the window curtains.

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How to Buy Window Curtains

Once you have an idea of the type of window curtains you are looking for in terms of color, style, design and so on it’s time to go shopping. ( See our article on How to Choose Window Curtains if you’re still at the choosing stage). Now here’s the curtain shopping plan

1. Measure Up

Take the exact measurements of your windows and write them down to take shopping with you. Measurements with a metal tape measure are more accurate than those with a dressmakers tape measure. Whatever you do don’t try and measure your windows with a 6″ ruler as one lady did – an expensive mistake. If you want window coverings fitted inside the window frame take those measurements. If you want them on rods mounted outside the window frame take the projected length of the curtain rods (which will extend a few inches either side beyond the edge of the windows) as well as the finished length of the curtains (called the drop).

Formal Bedroom Window Curtains

Formal Bedroom Window Curtains

2. Set a Budget

Have an idea of what you’d like to spend before you get carried away with what is available. There are some truly magnificent designer curtains at magnificent prices to match. However you can also get good quality great-looking cheaper curtains. You don’t have to blow your budget on designer window treatments.

3. Browse what is available

With an idea in mind of what you are looking for, take a look online or at your local store to see the range of fabrics, colors and styles on offer. Pick out a short list of curtains you like which meet your criteria for price as well as being in keeping with your room décor.

4. Weigh up The Various Options

Go throw your short list and check

  • Are the curtains available in the right size if ready made?
  • How much would they cost to make?
  • Are the curtains within budget whether custom or ready made?
  • Is there an option for buying the fabric and making them yourself?
  • Would you be able to create a professional finish if you made them yourself?
  • Are they lined? Do you need liners? How much additional cost for lining?
  • Are they the right style for your room?
  • Are they the right color?
  • Do they coordinate with the décor and other soft furnishings or would these have to be replaced?
  • Is the fabric good quality?
  • Is the fabric washable?
  • Does it matter for the room where the curtains will be?

Remember to visualize a small sample of fabric if that is all you have as a whole expanse of curtain. If necessary hold close to a mirror to double the area on view and get a better idea.

5. Select and Order Your Curtains

Once you have selected the best window curtains for your room be sure and give accurate measurements as requested by the salesperson or online order form. Ready made curtains will normally be returnable if you have made a mistake but custom made window curtains will not!

6. Select Accessories

You may wish to order or buy coordinating items with your curtains (if available) such as valances, tiebacks and pillows or cushions. Consider whether you have the budget for these and order or buy along with your window curtains if you wish.

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