Curtains! They are much more than a piece of fabric that covers the windows or keeps the neighbors from peeping: in addition to being decorative, they are the key to the brightness of your home. Don’t make any mistake when choosing them! Not sure what to do? Don’t panic; we’re here to help!
Rushing is Never Good
Neither the color, nor the pattern, nor the type of fastening … The first aspect that must be taken into account to ensure you choose ideal curtains has, in fact, little to do with them and a lot to do with what they hide: the windows.
And it is that even the best coordinated curtain drapes can be a disaster if you do not take into account the brightness they have. Keep in mind that north-facing windows always receive less light than those facing south, so it is recommended that the fabrics for curtains are not too thick or dark, so as not to take even more light from the room. And, on the contrary, in south-facing windows, it may be necessary to opt for one that can block the most intense rays.
Find the Balance
A common mistake, closely related to the above, is to place only a few thin curtains in dimly lit rooms. While this seems like a good idea to enhance the natural light of the space, think that just as the sun rises each day, it also sets, and there are several hours when curtains are essential to protect our privacy from curious eyes. Something that transparencies – more apt to suggest than to hide – cannot guarantee.
In these cases, it is best to combine two layers: one translucent for the day and one opaque for the night. And although this reminds the classic curtains typical of a palace with a fireplace, do not worry: there are many ways to do it so that it fits in a current style, such as combining blinds or screens under the curtains, with louvered blinds, with flat panels like the Japanese.
Not Just a Decoration
Overlooking the purpose of curtains as elements that filter light in a room can have terrible consequences. For example, if your bedroom faces east and you’ve decided on a nice fall after a certain (very early) hour, you won’t be able to sleep if the light bothers you. Or you’ll have to bury yourself under the pillow to take a nap if it’s west-facing.
Solution: whatever curtain you choose, do not forget to combine it with opaque fabrics that can block the light, and which will also help you control the temperature inside the room.
Get Out the Tape Measure and Take Measurements!
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you wouldn’t be the first or last person to miss the curtain rod – or the custom track, even worse! – for not carefully measuring the window, or for doing it by hand or eye.
Or even if you did, you don’t take into account the fact that you need to add a minimum of 30 cm on each side of the window to prevent falls, to open it comfortably and to avoid that the frames are seen from the sides.
Lifting Effect
In the same way that tight pants with heels make your legs longer and a boyfriend cut makes them shorter (as trendy as that is), where you place the curtain rod influences its final finish. Regardless of the measurements or shapes of the windows, if the panels come out below the ceiling, they will be more stylish than if you place the support right above.
As with the width, for the length of the curtains, you also need to use mathematics: the fabric should be at least 35 cm longer than the final fall of the curtain. (to be able to make the top closure and hem). Keep this in mind if you don’t want to feel like your wall has “stretched”. And, if you want them to drag, add an extra 4 inches.
With these tips, you should be able to choose the perfect curtains.
Are you looking for a place to find your window coverings? Check out My Curtain & Blinds. Located in Melbourne, they have 5 years of experience in providing high-quality window coverings.