Curtains and drapes are one of those important pieces that can set the tone of any room. As far as window treatments are concerned, it is a matter of fabric and color, lining, and length, and custom-made against off-the-shelf. With so many choices, it is normal to get confused, so here are a few tips to choose the right curtains for your home.
No matter whether you are moving into your dream house or want to renovate your current home decor, there is one element of your home décor that cannot be ignored, i.e. curtains. Curtains are one of those important pieces that help in setting the tone of the room. From light and breezy to ornamental and substantial, from solid to bold prints, from opaque textiles to sheer fabrics- the choices are endless. With so many types of curtains out there, choosing the right room curtains is a daunting task.
Tips to Choose the Right Curtains
Color and Fabric
Fabric plays a significant role in choosing curtains for sliding glass doors, as the material will determine how well your curtains function. If the curtains for sliding doors are too heavy, they may not fold crisply when the curtain is drawn. On the other hand, if they are light, they may not fall beautifully.
Home décor experts suggest holding fabrics up to a window, even in a fabric showroom. If it starts to flare like a crinoline piece, then it will not fall beautifully on the window.
One of the significant tips to choose the right curtains is to try a huge sample, maybe 2 yards, as a small piece may not show the actual fabric of a drape. Also, remember that sunlight can fade the fabrics over time. If the room gets a lot of light, it is better to avoid bright colors, as they tend to fade fast.
As far as the material is concerned, silk, linen, velvet, and faux silk are the best options to use for window treatments as they tend to hang the best. Faux silk tends to be the most durable one. And especially in a sunny room, faux silk does not deteriorate as fast as real silk.
There are some fabrics that help keep out the cold. Most of the hotels use suede, tapestry, velvet, or tweed as their weight helps to block the light and keeps the heat in. Still, any fabric can interline with a bump, a thick, shielding felt material. And interlining, a fabric piece slipped between the face fabric and lining- can also help extend the life of the curtains. Lining and interlining play an important role in giving the curtain their fullness.
Matching the curtains with your home décor
Now that you are ready to choose a color, the first step is to decide whether you are going to decorate a room from scratch or planning to match your curtain’s color with your current home décor. Most of the people searching for curtains are replacing old curtains for patio doors, but that does not mean you have to follow the same color curtains for your alternative. In fact, simple home décor replacements give you a rare chance to bring a refreshing look to a room that is already created. Here are a few ideas for using your present home décor to choose the right color for your curtain.
- Color- Curtain color matching with the rest of the furniture is important. You could either choose curtains that match with the décor or which are contrasting with it. If you are looking for a pleasing look, choose curtains in a color that complement the curtain wall. Instead, if you want the curtains to be on the focus, choose a color that contrasts with the walls and furniture.
- Select accent colors- One of the best ways to instantly pull a room together with the curtain’s color is to use one of the present accent colors from your previous home décor. An accent color from one round couch, rug, or any other piece of furniture can tie your room together in a new way. While choosing the perfect accent color, you will be safer pulling out from larger or more permanent house decors pieces like area rugs, furniture, or an accent color from a newly painted wall. But, do not count on more lasting accent pieces like wall art or decorative pillows for inspiring the color of your curtain.
- Complementary colors- One of the significant tips to choose the right curtains is to select complementary colors. They are common and sometimes an undervalued strategy for choosing the right color. The same rule for selecting complementary colors for your walls can be applied to the room’s home décor. Using complementary colors in your home is effective if you have more neutral colors in the room. If a specific color rules a color scheme, look for curtains with a complementary color.
Length
Curtains that fall on the floor are always in trend. For a dramatic look, you can choose curtains that are longer by some inches. On the contrary, if you have children, choose curtains that are a few inches above the floor. Curtains for small windows must end at the sill for a classic look in the room.
Accessories and Trims
You can either dress the curtains up or tone them down. Trims and accessories for curtains range from pullbacks and valances to ornamental curtain tracks. These are fixed on the wall over the curtains. Accessories and trims can be skillfully accompanied with the light curtains to add grandeur and richness. Valance, the ornamental frilled fabric is a great way to add decoration to your room. On the contrary, simple pullbacks will make the fabrics like satin or velvet look sleek and chic. Again, this will depend on the effect you want to attain.
Solids or Prints
The choice between prints or solids depends on the rest of your home décor. If all other soft furnishings in your room are a solid color, choosing printed curtains is a popular option. One thing to keep in mind is that prints add visual weight to an element. Therefore, one way to work with printed curtains is to pair them with solid-colored furniture, area rugs, printed cushions, etc. You can also use quirky prints as well as geometric designs with a contemporary style space. Floral designs are the best for traditional and modern classic décor.
Thickness
The thickness of the drape is also one of the important things to consider while choosing living room curtains. If you are looking for curtains to block heat, then you must check its thickness. Sheer curtains are a perfect choice for layering on existing shades or blinds. Opaque is one of the most common types of ready-to-hang curtains available in the market. They are an excellent choice for filtering light and offering enough privacy as at night only shadows are visible. Blackout and lined curtains are the best if you are looking for sunlight blocking and privacy. These types of curtains are the preferred choice for bedrooms and entertainment rooms.
With the above-mentioned tips to choose the right curtains and drapes for your home, you can give an exceptional look to your space.