Window treatments come in many different styles and forms. From classic curtains and flowing drapes to modern coverings, you can find pretty much anything.
The purpose of window treatments is mainly to provide privacy, create darkness and insulate the windows. However, window treatments can also serve as decoration. They can add color, texture, and pattern to your home.
Even with so many window treatment options, many people still struggle to find the perfect treatments for their windows. And mostly, they have the most trouble finding fitting curtains.
Here, we’re going to discuss how to find the perfect curtains for your home. Here are the 7 dos and don’ts when looking for perfect curtains.
1. Do consider the purpose of curtains
Before buying any, the first step would be to consider the purpose of the curtains. Different rooms in your house require different curtains.
For example, you’d want curtains that create darkness in your bedroom, while in your living room you’d want something that provides a splash of color, some pattern, or even texture.
You could also be looking for curtains that insulate the windows. In some cases, maybe you’d want all the above. The point here is that when looking for curtains, you need to consider their purpose because there are many different types of curtains on the market that may not tick all your boxes.
2. Don’t disregard the size of the curtains
Many people make the mistake of disregarding the curtain size. The curtain size can make all the difference – it can make a room look larger, or it can make it look smaller.
Some unwritten rule is that curtains should always be at least double the width of the window. This is so, even though the curtains will be drawn most of the time.
The curtains should also be long enough. Long, floor-length curtains draw the eyes up, creating the illusion of height. If your goal is to make the room look larger and higher, long curtains that puddle on the floor are the right way to go.
You can also choose the shorter curtains if the room is already large. In that case, short curtains should brush the windowsill. Of course, when buying curtains, it’s always better to buy longer ones and then have them shortened than to buy too short.
3. Do mind the color and pattern of the curtains
Other things that can make a whole lot of difference in a room are the color and pattern of the curtains. Just like the curtain size can alter the perception of the size of a room, so can the color and pattern of the curtains. They can also affect the overall visual look of the room.
So, in order to select the right color and pattern for your home, always take a curtain swatch to see how it would look in the space and with the furniture. This will help you make a decision.
Keep in mind that dark curtains can make the room look smaller, while light-colored, sheer curtains can visually expand the room.
When it comes to curtain patterns, try to stick with muted patterns and lightweight fabrics with vertical stripes. Avoid curtains with horizontal patterns and large flowers becue they tend to visually dominate the room and make it seem smaller.
4. Don’t forget about hardware
Curtain hardware is something that you should also consider when choosing the perfect curtains for your home. Curtain hardware includes rods, rings, and holdbacks.
The hardware is supposed to hold the drapes in position and it comes in many different types and colors. That’s why it’s really important to choose the right hardware because it can affect the room’s aesthetic.
Curtain rods should match both the fabric of the curtains and the rest of the room. Light, sheer curtains should be paired with thinner and lighter rods, while the heavier drapes require something larger and sturdier. The size of the windows can also affect the type of curtain hardware you choose.
5. Don’t forget fabric options
The curtain fabric is yet another thing that we need to take into consideration when choosing the curtains. And it’s good to know that curtain fabric options are many.
Typically, people go for cotton fabric because it’s quite versatile and easy to maintain. Sheer curtains are perfect for small spaces as they are light and airy. However, sheers don’t offer much privacy.
On the other hand, if you want to make a room feel luxurious and private, velvet curtains will be ideal. But keep in mind that velvet is heavy and it won’t work in just any space.
Linen is another typical fabric used for curtains. Linen curtains are very traditional and elegant, but their only downside is how easily they wrinkle and shrink when cleaned.
Your other curtain fabric options include wool, silk, muslin, polyester, and gauze, to name a few.
6. Do consider the final details
It’s final details that allow your curtains to shine. And those final details include decorative end screws on your curtain rods and curtain holdbacks. These may seem like such small and insignificant things to consider, but since the devil’s in the details, carefully choosing those details can make a huge difference.
When choosing final details, once again make sure you consider your curtain fabric, style, as well as the rest of your room.
7. Do shop around
Before jumping headfirst and buying the first curtains you find, do some measuring. Also, do research the exact style, fabric, and color of the curtains that would perfectly fit your home.
Once you know exactly what to look for in terms of size, type of fabric, color, and pattern, you can do some shopping. Keep in mind that curtains are quite expensive due to all the time and effort spent making them. Additionally, certain curtain fabrics will also be more expensive than others.
Looking both online and in brick-and-mortar stores will allow you to find some incredible discounts and outlet stores that sell curtains for much less than what you’d pay normally.
One would think that finding the perfect curtains for the home is simple. However, as you can see, there is a process to finding curtains as well. If you decide to mind these 7 dos and don’ts, you won’t have any trouble finding the most perfect curtains for every room in your home.
