A Buyer's Guide to Curtains
Curtains can make a room, but only when chosen correctly. Our buyer’s guide shows you what to consider
Pia Sinha
14 November 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine. I write professionally about design and decor. Personally too, I am a big fan of design that marries functionality with elegance. At home, I use a combination of striking patterns, colourful prints and natural materials for some chutzpah and cheer!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine.... More
When you’re considering buying curtains for your home, there are so many factors to consider: Fabric type, style, colour, length, lining and ready-made or custom-designed options. And it’s worthwhile remembering that the right window dressings will succeed both aesthetically and functionally. So how do you figure out what will suit your home and your needs? Let’s dive in.
What is the difference between drapes and curtains?
While the two terms are often interchangeable, there is a key difference to bear in mind. Curtains are usually composed of lighter fabrics and do not come with a lining. Drapes, on the other hand, use heavier fabrics with a lining added in for additional weight.
While the two terms are often interchangeable, there is a key difference to bear in mind. Curtains are usually composed of lighter fabrics and do not come with a lining. Drapes, on the other hand, use heavier fabrics with a lining added in for additional weight.
How to choose fabric
The choice of fabric can dictate the look of your room as well as the longevity of your curtains. While we love to think of curtains as decorative tools that embellish our spaces, they have a lot of functionality too. The idea is to think of what you would like to achieve with them and then make a choice based on those goals. Here are some of the common functions that you could be seeking.
1. Controlling light
The most obvious function of curtains is to manage the outdoor light entering your home. For instance, if you’re after some diffused sunshine in a room, sheers are an excellent choice. For a complete blackout, thicker fabric such as velvet or corduroy will help achieve this effectively. Adding a lining will get even better results.
Learn how to pick the right curtains for your home
The choice of fabric can dictate the look of your room as well as the longevity of your curtains. While we love to think of curtains as decorative tools that embellish our spaces, they have a lot of functionality too. The idea is to think of what you would like to achieve with them and then make a choice based on those goals. Here are some of the common functions that you could be seeking.
1. Controlling light
The most obvious function of curtains is to manage the outdoor light entering your home. For instance, if you’re after some diffused sunshine in a room, sheers are an excellent choice. For a complete blackout, thicker fabric such as velvet or corduroy will help achieve this effectively. Adding a lining will get even better results.
Learn how to pick the right curtains for your home
Tip: If you’re after a beautiful fall, select from linen, silk, or faux silk curtains.
Good to know: With prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays, over time your fabrics will fade. Instead of opting for brighter fabrics, go for neutral colours, which resist fading.
Good to know: With prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays, over time your fabrics will fade. Instead of opting for brighter fabrics, go for neutral colours, which resist fading.
2. Reducing noise
Living on a busy street can mean a lot of external noise to keep at bay. For better sound absorption, look to thicker materials such as velvet, suede or wool. Fabrics that are able to hold a fair amount of water will work to absorb sound too, and improve the acoustics of your room. If you prefer lighter fabrics such as silk or linen, use a double rod to hang the sound-absorbing fabric beneath the aesthetic fabric of your choice.
Living on a busy street can mean a lot of external noise to keep at bay. For better sound absorption, look to thicker materials such as velvet, suede or wool. Fabrics that are able to hold a fair amount of water will work to absorb sound too, and improve the acoustics of your room. If you prefer lighter fabrics such as silk or linen, use a double rod to hang the sound-absorbing fabric beneath the aesthetic fabric of your choice.
How to measure up
When measuring for any curtain (or window treatment), it’s important to remember that it generally takes at least twice as much fabric as the length of the space being covered to lend an appearance of fullness. So ideally, the finished width of the curtain should be twice that of the curtain rod or window.
When you’re measuring the length of your curtain, calculate a few centimetres above the window (where the curtain will hang from) to the floor. If you like your curtains to pool at the bottom, add a couple more centimetres to the length. If you’re opting for sill-length curtains, they should ideally flow to just below the sill.
When measuring for any curtain (or window treatment), it’s important to remember that it generally takes at least twice as much fabric as the length of the space being covered to lend an appearance of fullness. So ideally, the finished width of the curtain should be twice that of the curtain rod or window.
When you’re measuring the length of your curtain, calculate a few centimetres above the window (where the curtain will hang from) to the floor. If you like your curtains to pool at the bottom, add a couple more centimetres to the length. If you’re opting for sill-length curtains, they should ideally flow to just below the sill.
Think about curtain headers
Headers are the top hems of your curtain or drapery, i.e. the way they are sewn at the top. They’re responsible for the overall look and feel of your window dressing. Here are some popular options to select from.
1. Eyelet headers
Eyelet headers are casual, wider and lend a sense of fluidity to your curtain’s fall. Eyelets are hung directly from the pole and are easy to move as well. The look is contemporary and works well in a modern-style home.
Do you know that your curtains need dressing up too?
Headers are the top hems of your curtain or drapery, i.e. the way they are sewn at the top. They’re responsible for the overall look and feel of your window dressing. Here are some popular options to select from.
1. Eyelet headers
Eyelet headers are casual, wider and lend a sense of fluidity to your curtain’s fall. Eyelets are hung directly from the pole and are easy to move as well. The look is contemporary and works well in a modern-style home.
Do you know that your curtains need dressing up too?
2. Pinch pleats
Pinch pleat curtains are usually made to measure and offer a structured and more decorative look. They’re great for both curtain tracks and poles. Usually pinch pleat curtains will have metallic pin hooks that are fixed just beneath the top of the curtain and hung from the pole.
Pinch pleat curtains are usually made to measure and offer a structured and more decorative look. They’re great for both curtain tracks and poles. Usually pinch pleat curtains will have metallic pin hooks that are fixed just beneath the top of the curtain and hung from the pole.
3. Pencil pleats
This look involves pleating the top edge of the curtain into a tight and thin bunch of fabric that looks like pencils placed side by side. If you do opt for this style of header for your curtains, a good tip is to work with larger widths of fabric.
This look involves pleating the top edge of the curtain into a tight and thin bunch of fabric that looks like pencils placed side by side. If you do opt for this style of header for your curtains, a good tip is to work with larger widths of fabric.
4. Tab tops
Tab tops spell informality and casual chic. They’re fabric loops attached to the tops of curtains and hung directly from the curtain pole. In recent times, their popularity has waned in the face of eyelet headers.
Tab tops spell informality and casual chic. They’re fabric loops attached to the tops of curtains and hung directly from the curtain pole. In recent times, their popularity has waned in the face of eyelet headers.
5. Goblet pleats
Usually providing a more elegant and formal look, goblet pleats are named after their rounded goblet-like folds. They tend to maintain their shape whether the curtains are open or shut.
Usually providing a more elegant and formal look, goblet pleats are named after their rounded goblet-like folds. They tend to maintain their shape whether the curtains are open or shut.
Ready-made or custom designed?
While the choice is purely personal, there are a few things to keep in mind when you shop
Here’s how to choose between wood and metal curtain rods
While the choice is purely personal, there are a few things to keep in mind when you shop
- Ready-made curtains will modify the look and feel of your space within a matter of hours, while getting made-to-order curtains will mean you’ll have to wait for them to be made once you’ve chosen your fabric and style. The convenience of ready-made curtains is tempting, and especially so if you’ve left your curtain selections to the last minute.
- Today you’ll find ready-made curtains in a variety of patterns, design and colours, especially if you have the time to look and research. However, if you have very specific requirements and window lengths to cater to, custom solutions will be a better way to go.
Here’s how to choose between wood and metal curtain rods
- You will also need to factor in your budget while making this choice. Ultimately, with custom-designed drapes or curtains you’ll end up paying more, however, the value is also enormous. You’re looking at quality craftsmanship and superior quality fabrics that will stand the test of time.
Curtain care
When purchasing curtain materials, you’ll have to decide between washing machine-friendly fabric or curtains that only need dry-cleaning. Deciding early will help you save time and money in the long run.
Read more:
A Guide to Choosing Curtains
Tell us:
What style of curtains do you love for your spaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
When purchasing curtain materials, you’ll have to decide between washing machine-friendly fabric or curtains that only need dry-cleaning. Deciding early will help you save time and money in the long run.
Read more:
A Guide to Choosing Curtains
Tell us:
What style of curtains do you love for your spaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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It's good to get information on curtain choices. I wondered though why pelmets don't feature as part of the decision making? When one of the major reasons for curtains is environmental - ie we have hot summers and fairly cold winters here - insulation and pelmets to help control spread of cold/hot air are important. Styles of pelmets, how they go with particular curtain styles/tops are also an important consideration.
Like the previous commenters, I'm really pleased to see an article on curtains and was surprised by the lack of detail on pelmets. I didn't know the difference between drapes and curtains, its great to know so I can ask for the right thing now.
My other thought was about combining blinds as part of the window dressing. This can look spectacular, covers a wide budget range, and most importantly provide comfort with practicality. They preserve the heat inside in winter, and shade from the hot summer sun, or enable a quick switch from day time to night time (or day time naps with black-out material) without disturbing "the look" from the curtains/drapes.
I also recommend thinking about curtain rods. It is worth investing in better quality ones. The better ones improve the movement of the material across the window. Also, if you struggle with darker rooms, consider making the rods quite a bit wider than the window so they can be fully opened without limiting the light able to enter the room.
I have been a blind user predominately before but have enjoyed reading some of these articles, I am about to use Maurice Kain Twilight and Filigree Southport in our beach house on an S Fold track they looked fantastic in the showroom. I have still using Romans in the bedrooms, again using Maurice Kain Latitude, i have found them to be represent good value and a fabulous quality over a period of time