Curtains marry form with function – they keep your neighbors from knowing too much about you and block the light when you want to sleep a bit longer. They can also transform a room and make a design statement. If you want to know how to pick curtains that are perfect for your home, these tips will help you. The complete lowdown on curtains will ensure that you enjoy your privacy and make every room catalog-worthy.

Curtain length

Before you take out the tape measure, decide how high above the window you’d like the curtains to begin. If you want your room to look high, opt for hanging panels that are higher than the window. The ideal height to hang curtains is about six inches above the window frame. You can always go higher.

Measure from the top of the window to the floor. You may add two-three inches extra for a more traditional look. If you prefer a modern, chic look for your curtains, have them fall flush with the floor.

Long curtains convey a sense of luxury and drama. For a formal, elegant look, opt for long curtains that stop just short of the floor. Curtains of this length provide a practical solution for bedrooms and living rooms, without sacrificing style.

For a more luxurious, romantic feel, use swathes of fabric and create a “puddle” style curtain, where fabric is cut extra-long and spreads out onto the floor. This look is great for large master bedrooms with high ceilings.

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High-traffic areas

Kitchens and children’s rooms provide special window-dressing challenges. For rooms that see a lot of use, half-drop curtains that stop just above the window sill will be more practical than heavy drapes that pool on the floor. As far as the fabric goes, we feel, if you have small children — you need easily washer-friendly curtains that do not require too much ironing and zero drycleaning. You will save time and money maintaining them. And, you may easily change them as and when your children go through different ages.

Kitchen curtains by Aurelia J. Schultz on Flickr [CC BY 2.0]

Curtain width

Do you know, how to measure the width of your curtain correctly? When doing so, you must add four to eight inches on both sides and double the total number to ensure curtain fullness. apart from looking elegant, these extra inches also help to shut out the sun, successfully blocking out any creeping light.

Also, hanging curtains, outside the line of the window, help avoid in blocking the light and can widen the appearance of narrow or small windows. You can also add a raised pelmet to make the windows seem taller and draw attention to them.

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Combating excessive light or shine

Everyone loves the idea of walls of big, beautiful windows – until they start dealing with all of the light (especially if the room also features a lot of glazed or high-shine walls). Instead of feeling like you have to wear your sunglasses indoors, lessen the impact of a wide run of windows and combat the excessive sunlight by hanging several bands of drapes at regular intervals.

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Similarly, to provide privacy and diffuse strong light, an uninterrupted line of sheer curtains makes a beautiful, minimalist statement.

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Color and pattern

Remember that curtains are just one part of your whole interior design scheme. If you’re going all out with colors or patterns in other parts of the room, your curtains should take a back seat. For a busy textile scheme, choose plain curtains in one tone.

Alternatively, you can make your curtains the feature of your room. Pick bold prints and/or bright colors for your curtain textiles, and stick with a neutral backdrop that will really show them off.

Curtain patterns depend on your choice and what your idea of beauty and elegance is. The great news is that there are different patterns available on the market. You can choose from United, stripes, floral, geometric, and many more. For customized patterns, you can consult your designer and provide the specific details that you need for your curtains.

A professional designer will advise you accordingly on what patterns are viable depending on the colors and theme of your home.

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Curtain fabric

Just like color and patterns, a wide variety of curtain fabric is also available on the market. The choice depends on your particular needs. For instance, if you need privacy in your space from other rooms, you can go for heavier fabrics. In case you want your home to have a roomy, bright feel — you may prefer airy and light fabrics. If you have small children, your curtains should be of easily washable fabrics such as cotton and linen.

Light and airy

Photo by Design Folly on Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Thick and dark

Custom drapery and chairs. by Design Folly on Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Your home decor depends a lot on the type of curtains you choose. Make sure they blend in with the color and style theme of the rest of the house. Needless to say, choosing the right curtains will produce amazing results. The best part is, these curtains don’t have to be expensive or sophisticated; they just need to be right. In case you are still confused, you must seek professional opinion — on the internet or from your local designers. You don’t have to guess when it comes to how to pick the curtains that are perfect for your home.

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