Color and Fabric
Fabric is an essential part of choosing curtains, since the material will dictate how well your curtains function and hold up over time. "If they're too heavy, they may not fold crisply when drawn; too light and they may not fall well," says designer Suysel DePedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick.
The curtains are actually worth spending the money on. The furniture and artwork are often focused on making an establishment look attractive. Yet, sometimes people neglect the importance of the curtains in the room. The curtains are actually the classic décor of a room.
A simple but elegant way to decorate plain curtains is with a fabric tieback embellished with a braid and tassel trim. Many retail curtains come with the same fabric tieback. Either hot glue or sew the trim onto the tieback.
There's no given rule to how often you should take those curtains down to give them a clean, can we suggest a twice-yearly approach though, to help you keep on top of those household chores. Changing curtains twice a year gives you the opportunity to have summer or winter curtains.
A window that is longer in length than width can benefit from longer curtains giving the window a larger feel. However, a very wide window that is unusually short may look better with shorter curtains. Keep in mind that in a small room curtains could potentially overwhelm the space.
A reasonable price for curtains is anywhere from $50 to $100 per panel on average. Depending on the width of the panel and your window you may need to double up for added fullness.
Choosing between plain or patterned curtains comes down to your own personal style and the effect you want the curtains to have in a space. If you're looking for a way to bring in color, character and visual interest to a room, then patterned curtains can be a great option.
Most curtains should last at least 10 years, higher quality curtains can last longer, while lower quality curtains will show signs of wear sooner.
Light coloured curtains are good for rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight as they're less prone to fading from the sun. Dark and bright colours tend to fade faster. Good summer options as a white/lighter colour is more likely to bounce the sun's rays away keeping rooms cooler.
Budgeting for window treatments is largely dependent on both the number and size of windows in your home. Drapery and hardware is also typically more expensive than Roman shades or woven woods mainly because they require significantly more fabric to create.
If you find some really unique fabric and have solid sewing skills, homemade curtains from by-the-yard fabric are definitely a possibility. But, unfortunately, it's probably not a budget possibility, at least, not compared to store-bought curtains already on the market.
A lot of homeowners are under the impression that custom-made curtains are far more expensive than ready-made curtains. That's often not the case. In fact, when you take into account the customisation that goes into your curtains and the quality of the craftsmanship, your custom curtains are often the far better deal.
Short curtains and drapes are not ideal, and most often you don't want curtains that hang more than an inch above the ground. Too short curtains can not only look outdated, but they can also sometimes make the ceiling look lower. However, there are a couple of scenarios where short curtains are a more practical option.
Floor-Length Curtains
Floor-length curtains run from the top of the windows to 1/2" above the floor. They do not touch the floor, which protects them from dirt. Since they hang perfectly straight, they create a polished, uniform, and elegant appearance and increase the height of your walls.
'The perfect length for curtains depends on the aesthetic and mood of the space. However, curtains should either just touch the floor or be longer and puddle on the floor,' says Oshri Adri and Jillian Dahlman, the co-founders of Adri + Dahlman Interiors.
— Closing your curtains won't just give you more privacy at night, a new study finds it can also protect your heart while you sleep!
The simple fact is closing your curtains at dusk helps stop cold draughts from penetrating. And it helps keep the heat in your home. Even if you have double or triple glazing in your home and they are draught-proofed you can still lose heat through your windows. Therefore it's a good habit to fall into doing.
Fixtures — items attached to the house like cabinets, wall-to-wall carpet and ceiling fans — generally stay with the property. Personal property — items not attached to the house, like rugs, outdoor furniture and curtains — generally go with the home seller when they leave.
If your sofa is dark, match the curtains with another dark colour to keep the room feeling cosy, or choose a lighter shade to brighten it up. Similarly, if your sofa is light, choose a light colour for your curtains to keep that airy feeling, or a darker colour – perhaps in the same shade – to add some contrast.
Also, plan to mount the curtain about 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Should curtains hang inside the window frame? Except for ornate window frames you want to feature in the room, it's best to hang the curtain outside the window frame.
Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.