Finding the Right Curtain for Your Home
Interior design experts say that the right curtain can make or break your room. Like the wood type of your hard floors, the colour of your sofa, curtains are just as important. Curtains are one of the commercially available window treatments. The term tends to be used interchangeably with drapes, shades, and blinds but every single one of these terms refers to different things.
What's the difference between curtains, drapes, shades and blinds?
Curtains are fabric panels, usually made of lightweight, sheer fabrics. They are generally unlined which means they filter some of the light out, but not all of them.
Drapes or draperies are also fabric panels. They tend to be heavier than curtains. Drapes have a lining that blocks all of the light from coming in for a blackout effect. The making of drapes includes stiff, usually luxurious fabric like velvet and silk.
A shade is a soft fabric panel. It usually comes with some sort of lifting mechanisms like a roller or cord, so you can raise the shade up when you want to let the light in.
Blinds are non-fabric panels. They are typically built with horizontal slats that tilt open with a roller or cord to let the light in. Blinds are usually made of bamboo, wood, aluminum, and vinyl.
Room functionality
Living room and lounge area
Curtains win the popular vote in most living rooms. Its vast design options offer a wide variety of look and feel. Motorized shades and blinds can also be a great addition to your homes. If you’re looking for a classy, high-end look, drapes are the choice for you.
Kitchen
Blinds are the best choice for your kitchen space because they are easiest to clean when the food you’re cooking splashes. The non-fabric materials mean that you can simply use a microfiber cloth to wipe the mess.
Bedroom
Many have opted for drapes or blackout curtains in their bedrooms, especially for those who are late risers. Small bedrooms can benefit from a more minimalistic approach with binds that hang closer to the ceiling.
Colour and fabric
In terms of colours, choose one that complements the rest of your furniture and the surrounding walls. Moreover, the presence of the sun fades the fabric. If the room gets a lot of light, it’s best to avoid bright colours as they will fade quicker.
As for the fabric type, it depends on how much or how little sun you want. For a lot of light, go for sheer or cotton fabrics. If you’re seeking curtains that can let in a moderate amount of light, pick linen. Furthermore, choose velvet or blackout curtains for little to no light preferences.
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Length and lining
Before buying curtains, make sure you have the exact measurements of your windows. Additionally, it may be beneficial to know some of the different terms for curtains by length:
- Tier curtains – Cover a portion of the window
- Apron curtains – Cover just below the window frame
- Floor curtains – Reach down to the floor
- Puddle curtains – Reach down to the floor with some remaining length puddling on the surface
Lengthy curtains make a room appear larger. If you have a small room, you can opt to place the curtain railings a few inches higher than your window frame. Some people prefer to hang their curtains closer to the ceiling for this effect, so it’s up to you how much higher you want them.
Long curtains like the puddle curtains, however, may collect more dust bunnies and go through more damages caused by toddlers and pets. Short curtains can appear outdated but when placed right, they can look good. Additionally, they help avoid damages caused by your pets and children.
Store-bought or custom-made?
Custom window treatments come with many benefits. You can have them tailored to the specific dimensions of your window, pick out your own unique designs and materials. However, these perks come with a bigger financial investment compared to the ready-made, store-bought options.
How to clean your curtains?
When buying your curtains, find out how the care and maintenance look like. There are three options: dry cleaning, hand or machine wash, and professional cleaning. Professional cleaning is the safest route as they are well-informed, experienced, and equipped in dealing with different fabric types.
Our curtain cleaning service makes sure you don’t have to remove your curtains from the rod, experience curtain shrinkage and other damages.
