Never underestimate the power of a new pair of curtains. Not only will they give your home a fresh new look, they’ll also keep it lovely and toasty on those cold winter nights. But good curtains don’t come cheap so it’s worth doing a bit of research before you hit the shops.
How to choose curtains for your home
Top Tips
When buying a curtain pole, allow for it to extend beyond the window at either side by 10-20cm so that curtains can be drawn right back. See our video on how to put up a curtain pole.
Curved bay window? Silent Gliss sells bendable track and poles. Cord-operated systems make heavy or difficult to reach curtains easier to control.
For a modern look, combine curtains with a roller blind that either contrasts or coordinates with the curtain fabric.
Grubby net curtains are never a good look. Update your windows with panels of delicately patterned white voile.
Vertical striped curtains trick the eye into making a ceiling appear taller – perfect for a small room.
Ready made or bespoke?
The first thing you need to decide is whether to have curtains made or buy them off the shelf. If you’re in a rush, readymade curtains are quick and easy. John Lewis has some lovely, affordable styles, with prices starting from just £9.50 for a pair of plain cotton curtains. If you can afford it, always go for lined curtains which will hang better than unlined ones, and help keep your room dark when the curtains are drawn.
Made to measure curtains are pricier but the sky’s the limit when it comes to the designs and colours you can choose. Marks & Spencer offers 500 fabrics in their Made To Order range. At Laura Ashley, a plain woven velvet fabric will set you back £40 per metre, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of lining plus making the curtains up on top. Most companies will send you a swatch of fabric so you can see how the material looks in your home before ordering.
If you’re thinking about making your own curtains, the golden rule is always be generous with the fabric. Nothing looks worse than skimpy curtains. Check and double check measurements before cutting the fabric.
Which fabric to choose?
Look for good quality, heavyweight fabrics like linen blends or woven jacquards. Over time, cheap material may go shiny. Transform a jaded bedroom by hanging luscious velvet or silk curtains, then finish with a butter-soft fluffy rug – simply divine!
Linings are almost as important as the curtain fabric. A quality lining will give budget materials a longer lease of life. Choose thermal lining to keep out the chill in a draughty room, or interlining which provides an extra layer of padding to make curtains super-thick and cosy. For kids’ bedrooms, blackout lining should hopefully ensure a good night’s sleep for them – and you!
Latest looks
Current trends are veering away from fussy swags and flounces towards a more tailored approach. Next has a huge selection of eyelet curtains designed to flatter contemporary furniture. Hung from a pole, eyelet styles produce a sleeker look than traditional pencil pleat curtains and there are no fiddly hooks or clips to worry about. Pelmets are also back in fashion. A flat pelmet covered in silk looks surprisingly contemporary, just the thing for a formal dining room.
Long or short?
Whether you choose sill length or floor length curtains is really a matter of personal taste, although floor length styles do have a more luxurious feel. Sill-length drapes cost less, and are popular in bathrooms and kitchens. They also make a practical choice above radiators to allow heat to circulate.
Plain or patterned?
Take a good look at your scheme before deciding on a pattern. Too many different designs can create a busy, distracting effect. For a relaxed ambience, opt for either patterned curtains with plain walls, or vice versa. You can always dress up plain curtains with beautiful beaded tie backs or coloured glass poles.
Curtains can really be called enhancing utility harvest.
Curtains serve many purposes like decoration, change the look of the opportunity, changing the style and design of a window, block light and provide privacy to the home.
Cotton and silk were and will subdue remain the most standard fabrics for curtains.
Additional synthetics, like polyesther have gained impose a curfew in past few years. Self prints, construct patterns colored weaves and patterns are uncommon ways curtain tapistries are ornamented. The new array of the Pinella Curtains will surely change the entire look and feel.
Curtain design ideas
Curtains used to be dull and boring, designed to keep heat in and prying eyes out. But today’s designs can be a style statement in their own right. Drab shades have given way to bright lively colours, patterns are funky and chic, and fabrics pure luxe. So it’s definitely time to make curtains the focal point of your room.
http://interior-design-for.com/category/interior-design-for-living-rooms/page/16/
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