Choosing the Right Curtains: A Room by Room Guide

Choosing curtains, bedding, cushion covers, blankets, and furniture for your room is a relatively simple task – you choose how much room you have, the design and material, and decide accordingly. If only it were so simple for curtains! Custom-made curtains can be an option, but for those living in rented properties or on a budget, price is a huge block in comparison with ready-made curtains.

Size

In this case, size matters – measure your windows first of all. It is a good idea to decide early on how high and long you want your curtains. Elle Home report that “designers often hang curtains about six inches above the window frame” in order to create the illusion of high ceilings. Another consideration is how long you want your curtains: for full-length windows, it is obvious to go all the way to the floor, but if your window is overlooking a sink or kitchen counter, for example, take this into account. The general rule is to measure your window and add approximately 6″ to the top, and 6″ to the width to ensure you block out extra light.

Design

Changing the colour and print of your curtains is a fantastically easy way to completely revamp a room and create a theme to coordinate with other furnishings. When it comes to choosing the colour and print of your curtains, you’ll want to keep in mind several factors: the colour scheme of your room, and the amount of light the room is exposed to. Sunlight fades fabrics, so if your room is exposed to a lot of bright sunlight it may be better to choose a lighter colour, as bright prints will fade. That said, you can invest in a thick lining to attach behind the curtain in order to prevent fading – if this is the case, choose your design to your heart’s content.

Fabric

When I talk about fabric, I don’t mean the design, but the weight and thickness of the material; Sheer fabrics are great if you just need to cover the window from the outside while continuing to let in light. However, if the room is prone to chills it is sensible to invest in a thicker fabric in order to insulate the room when the curtains are closed. Thicker fabrics are also a worthy investment for those who need to conceal light in bedrooms, and it is an option to buy curtains with a special blackout lining in order to do this – ideal for very young children and daytime sleepers.