Decorating
A Beginner’s Guide to Buying the Right Curtains for Your Space
Curtains can totally transform the look and feel of a room, so follow this handy guide to buying the right style and design for your needs
Great curtains are an investment, not just financially, but also from a style perspective. So it’s important that you choose and hang them correctly. A key piece of advice is to buy the best-quality ones you can afford and, if possible, consult an interiors expert to help you make the right choice for your needs.
There are so many beautiful fabrics to choose from and so many different looks to consider. There are also certain style rules to bear in mind. If you use patterned fabric for your curtains, for example, then keep the patterning in the rest of the room to a minimum. If, however, you prefer plain curtains, add a complementary pattern elsewhere to spice up the room. Read on to find out all you need to know about curtains, from the different hanging systems to the various types of pleating.
There are so many beautiful fabrics to choose from and so many different looks to consider. There are also certain style rules to bear in mind. If you use patterned fabric for your curtains, for example, then keep the patterning in the rest of the room to a minimum. If, however, you prefer plain curtains, add a complementary pattern elsewhere to spice up the room. Read on to find out all you need to know about curtains, from the different hanging systems to the various types of pleating.
What styles to consider
The type of curtain you choose should be in harmony with the style of your home. Each room is likely to be slightly different, but most will have certain curtain requirements. For example, you may have two to three layers of curtains in a bedroom – something decorative to dress the window, something sheer for privacy and a blackout layer to control light.
If privacy is not a concern in your living room, it may only need a beautiful set of sheer curtains. A nursery, however, will need a blackout layer along with some industrial-strength sound proofing!
Tip Think about how you would describe your home to a stranger. This will help you decide the style of curtain to choose.
Discover how curtains can add a stylish flourish to a room
The type of curtain you choose should be in harmony with the style of your home. Each room is likely to be slightly different, but most will have certain curtain requirements. For example, you may have two to three layers of curtains in a bedroom – something decorative to dress the window, something sheer for privacy and a blackout layer to control light.
If privacy is not a concern in your living room, it may only need a beautiful set of sheer curtains. A nursery, however, will need a blackout layer along with some industrial-strength sound proofing!
Tip Think about how you would describe your home to a stranger. This will help you decide the style of curtain to choose.
Discover how curtains can add a stylish flourish to a room
Choosing fabrics
Fabric is one of the key considerations when choosing curtains. The fabric you opt for will determine how well your curtains function and last over time. Heavy fabrics may not fold and drape properly when they’re drawn, and if the fabric is too light, it may not fall well. Linen, silk and velvet are great choices as they tend to hang and drape very well.
Take your time and collect fabric swatches for ideas. Most fabric shops will provide swatches on the spot, but others may have to order them in for you. Create a mood board with your swatches, or use your smartphone and take photos of the fabric to create an Ideabook.
Tip Hold the fabric up to your window to get a feel for how the light will play with it. Test the drape of the fabric by pleating or gathering a good length of it to see how it falls.
Fabric is one of the key considerations when choosing curtains. The fabric you opt for will determine how well your curtains function and last over time. Heavy fabrics may not fold and drape properly when they’re drawn, and if the fabric is too light, it may not fall well. Linen, silk and velvet are great choices as they tend to hang and drape very well.
Take your time and collect fabric swatches for ideas. Most fabric shops will provide swatches on the spot, but others may have to order them in for you. Create a mood board with your swatches, or use your smartphone and take photos of the fabric to create an Ideabook.
Tip Hold the fabric up to your window to get a feel for how the light will play with it. Test the drape of the fabric by pleating or gathering a good length of it to see how it falls.
Length and width
Hanging curtains higher than the window will add height to a room. If you can, hang your curtains at least 15cm above the window frame. For a more dramatic look, hang them even higher, from the ceiling or just below the cornices. This will lift the eye and make a low ceiling appear higher.
Remember that curtains should frame a window, so make sure the fittings do just that. As a rule of thumb, allow an extra 10% of rod on each side, but heavier fabrics will require a bit more.
When the curtains are open, the space that the gathered fabric takes up is called ‘the stack’. The stack should not cover too much of the window itself when the curtains are pulled back.
Tip To ensure your curtains look draped when closed, the width of the curtain panels should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window.
Hanging curtains higher than the window will add height to a room. If you can, hang your curtains at least 15cm above the window frame. For a more dramatic look, hang them even higher, from the ceiling or just below the cornices. This will lift the eye and make a low ceiling appear higher.
Remember that curtains should frame a window, so make sure the fittings do just that. As a rule of thumb, allow an extra 10% of rod on each side, but heavier fabrics will require a bit more.
When the curtains are open, the space that the gathered fabric takes up is called ‘the stack’. The stack should not cover too much of the window itself when the curtains are pulled back.
Tip To ensure your curtains look draped when closed, the width of the curtain panels should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window.
CURTAIN HANGING SYSTEMS
Curtain tracks
Tracks are an unobtrusive and elegant way to hang curtains. Install double or even triple tracks for a layered look of netted and blackout curtains, particularly if you need privacy but still want to let in the light. The quiet, efficient and smooth operation of tracking systems makes them a popular choice. They are particularly good if you have a curved window and need to bring the curtain around a corner.
Tip These hanging systems are great for a contemporary space. Add a pelmet or valance to make it work in a more formal room.
Curtain tracks
Tracks are an unobtrusive and elegant way to hang curtains. Install double or even triple tracks for a layered look of netted and blackout curtains, particularly if you need privacy but still want to let in the light. The quiet, efficient and smooth operation of tracking systems makes them a popular choice. They are particularly good if you have a curved window and need to bring the curtain around a corner.
Tip These hanging systems are great for a contemporary space. Add a pelmet or valance to make it work in a more formal room.
Curtain poles
Curtain poles are a really versatile way to hang different types of curtains. They come in a range of sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. Poles are usually capped at each end with a finial, which is a decorative stopper to prevent the curtain from slipping off.
Tip If you have high ceilings, choose a pole diameter of more than 40mm, or the pole will look lost.
Want to spruce up your living room? Check out these top stylists’ tricks
Curtain poles are a really versatile way to hang different types of curtains. They come in a range of sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. Poles are usually capped at each end with a finial, which is a decorative stopper to prevent the curtain from slipping off.
Tip If you have high ceilings, choose a pole diameter of more than 40mm, or the pole will look lost.
Want to spruce up your living room? Check out these top stylists’ tricks
Heading styles
Heading is the term used to describe the way the top of the curtain attaches to the poles or tracks. The most basic heading is the rod pocket style. This is when the curtain fabric is turned back on itself to create a pocket through which to feed the curtain rod or pole. Heading tape or eyelets are also used, and this determines how the curtain will hang. The type of heading tape you use can sometimes affect the curtain’s look, and deliver either a contemporary feel or something more traditional.
Tip Rod pocket headers are not as easy to draw as other headers, as the curtain doesn’t easily slip along the pole. You may need a tieback, but this could be something as simple as a rope that coordinates with your curtain, or one made from the same or a contrasting fabric to the curtain.
Heading is the term used to describe the way the top of the curtain attaches to the poles or tracks. The most basic heading is the rod pocket style. This is when the curtain fabric is turned back on itself to create a pocket through which to feed the curtain rod or pole. Heading tape or eyelets are also used, and this determines how the curtain will hang. The type of heading tape you use can sometimes affect the curtain’s look, and deliver either a contemporary feel or something more traditional.
Tip Rod pocket headers are not as easy to draw as other headers, as the curtain doesn’t easily slip along the pole. You may need a tieback, but this could be something as simple as a rope that coordinates with your curtain, or one made from the same or a contrasting fabric to the curtain.
PLEATS
Pencil pleats
These tidy and consistent folds at the top of the curtain resemble the size of a pencil, hence the name. These curtains are hung with hooks attached to the back of the curtains where they can’t be seen, and then hooked onto a pole system.
Tip This curtain style in sheer fabric is perfect for a family room with large glass windows or doors, particularly when sunlight is flooding indoors.
Pencil pleats
These tidy and consistent folds at the top of the curtain resemble the size of a pencil, hence the name. These curtains are hung with hooks attached to the back of the curtains where they can’t be seen, and then hooked onto a pole system.
Tip This curtain style in sheer fabric is perfect for a family room with large glass windows or doors, particularly when sunlight is flooding indoors.
Pinch pleats
The beautiful curtains seen here have pinch pleat headings which are more gathered than other curtain styles. The pleats are sewn into the curtain for a permanent gathered look. This is a very versatile style that can be hung on tracks or poles.
Pinch pleats can seem quite formal, but these curtains have been trimmed in a cool colour and paired with modern furnishings and finishes to create a contemporary look.
The beautiful curtains seen here have pinch pleat headings which are more gathered than other curtain styles. The pleats are sewn into the curtain for a permanent gathered look. This is a very versatile style that can be hung on tracks or poles.
Pinch pleats can seem quite formal, but these curtains have been trimmed in a cool colour and paired with modern furnishings and finishes to create a contemporary look.
Gathered pleats
This style of curtain is a cross between a pinch pleat and a pencil pleat. A gathered curtain is created by sewing a pleating tape to the back of the top edge, then pulling cords in the tape to achieve the desired level of gathering.
This style of curtain is a cross between a pinch pleat and a pencil pleat. A gathered curtain is created by sewing a pleating tape to the back of the top edge, then pulling cords in the tape to achieve the desired level of gathering.
French pleats
Creating a tailored, elegant look, French-pleated curtains, also known as triple pleat curtains, have groups of triple pleats placed evenly along them to create a formal heading. These curtains stack neatly to each side and are ideal for a formal dining or living room.
Creating a tailored, elegant look, French-pleated curtains, also known as triple pleat curtains, have groups of triple pleats placed evenly along them to create a formal heading. These curtains stack neatly to each side and are ideal for a formal dining or living room.
Goblet pleats
These goblet pleated curtains are the most formal of all the styles, with a cylindrical cuff that resembles a wine glass. The main pleat is shaped and filled with wadding or lining. These curtains are usually seen in grand or traditional rooms with high ceilings.
See how to give your home the luxe look for less
These goblet pleated curtains are the most formal of all the styles, with a cylindrical cuff that resembles a wine glass. The main pleat is shaped and filled with wadding or lining. These curtains are usually seen in grand or traditional rooms with high ceilings.
See how to give your home the luxe look for less
OTHER HEADINGS
Tabs
Tab-top curtains have loops at the top, which are made from the same or contrasting fabric. These modern, informal curtains can only be used with poles. They look great in a sheer, billowy fabric and result in deeper folds in the curtain.
Tip As the curtain hardware is very exposed, it’s important to invest in high quality, good-looking poles and finials.
Tabs
Tab-top curtains have loops at the top, which are made from the same or contrasting fabric. These modern, informal curtains can only be used with poles. They look great in a sheer, billowy fabric and result in deeper folds in the curtain.
Tip As the curtain hardware is very exposed, it’s important to invest in high quality, good-looking poles and finials.
Eyelets
Eyelet curtains can only be used with curtain poles and have a contemporary, almost industrial feel. Curtains with eyelet headings give large, even and naturally soft folds.
Tip This type of heading doesn’t require as much fabric and is great for showing off prints.
Eyelet curtains can only be used with curtain poles and have a contemporary, almost industrial feel. Curtains with eyelet headings give large, even and naturally soft folds.
Tip This type of heading doesn’t require as much fabric and is great for showing off prints.
FABRIC PELMETS AND VALANCES
Pelmets and valances are placed above windows and over the heads of the curtains to add a finished look to the top of a window, camouflaging the track or pole. They can be used to create an illusion of height and to change the proportion of a window.
A valance is usually soft and draped, while a pelmet is firm and structured and usually, but not always, upholstered.
Pelmets and valances are placed above windows and over the heads of the curtains to add a finished look to the top of a window, camouflaging the track or pole. They can be used to create an illusion of height and to change the proportion of a window.
A valance is usually soft and draped, while a pelmet is firm and structured and usually, but not always, upholstered.
TIMBER PELMET
This pelmet is made out of timber and simply painted to create a modern framework to conceal the curtain rod. The beauty of this type of pelmet is that it’s easy to construct and you don’t have to worry about the look of the pole or tracks. The curtain falls to the floor, seamlessly creating a light and floaty feel.
This pelmet is made out of timber and simply painted to create a modern framework to conceal the curtain rod. The beauty of this type of pelmet is that it’s easy to construct and you don’t have to worry about the look of the pole or tracks. The curtain falls to the floor, seamlessly creating a light and floaty feel.
HOW TO USE
Framing the room
Good curtains will soften the look and feel of a room in a way that no other window treatment will. Curtains can ‘play’ with the proportions of a room, frame a pretty outlook or hide a bad one.
Framing the room
Good curtains will soften the look and feel of a room in a way that no other window treatment will. Curtains can ‘play’ with the proportions of a room, frame a pretty outlook or hide a bad one.
Sheer delight
From living rooms to bedrooms, beautiful and versatile sheers are the high-fashion models of window treatments, whether you pair them with blackouts or hang them on their own. Cascading netted curtains out of a pelmet gives the illusion of light and space, while still providing that all-important privacy.
Tip Team sheer curtains with blackout blinds to provide transparency and light during the day and privacy at night.
From living rooms to bedrooms, beautiful and versatile sheers are the high-fashion models of window treatments, whether you pair them with blackouts or hang them on their own. Cascading netted curtains out of a pelmet gives the illusion of light and space, while still providing that all-important privacy.
Tip Team sheer curtains with blackout blinds to provide transparency and light during the day and privacy at night.
Easy versatility
Try using curtains in unusual places. There’s nothing more relaxing and soothing than a beautiful sheer curtain fluttering in a light breeze on a summer’s day.
The popularity of these hard-working window treatments has led to new developments in fabrics with sheer linens and fine wools entering the fold.
Try using curtains in unusual places. There’s nothing more relaxing and soothing than a beautiful sheer curtain fluttering in a light breeze on a summer’s day.
The popularity of these hard-working window treatments has led to new developments in fabrics with sheer linens and fine wools entering the fold.
Turn day to night
In bedrooms and nurseries, blackout curtains can be used to block out the light and keep baby (and you) asleep during daytime naps. However, this doesn’t mean the room has to look dark and gloomy. Choose a vibrant colour like this sunny orange to keep the space cheery, even when the curtains are drawn.
In bedrooms and nurseries, blackout curtains can be used to block out the light and keep baby (and you) asleep during daytime naps. However, this doesn’t mean the room has to look dark and gloomy. Choose a vibrant colour like this sunny orange to keep the space cheery, even when the curtains are drawn.
Divide and conquer
Use a sheer curtain cascading from a ceiling track to divide an open-plan space and create a separate zone.
TELL US…
What’s your ideal type of curtain? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Use a sheer curtain cascading from a ceiling track to divide an open-plan space and create a separate zone.
TELL US…
What’s your ideal type of curtain? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Sponsored
Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore
The great thing about curtains is that you’re not just investing in something beautiful for your home, you’re also adding practical insulation. Curtains reduce the cold and heat, and also help to dampen noise.
Good quality curtains form a barrier between energy-sapping windows and the inside of your house, lowering energy consumption, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. And during the summer, simply closing your curtains, particularly lined ones, can reduce heat gain inside by up to 33%.
Tip Lined and interlined curtains will insulate your home even further and provide a total ‘blackout’ that can help to prevent textiles fading in the sun. Lined curtains also help the fabric drape and fall more evenly.