Pro Tips on Choosing Window Curtains
These often-ignored accessories are, in fact, crucial to the overall look of your home. With their wide range of uses, no room is complete without a window treatment. Among some of the most important functions are maintaining a level of privacy, reducing or eliminating harmful sun rays, and regulating the warmth or temperature of a room.
In addition, they often serve as the missing link to your interior décor. The type, color, and style of a curtain can make or break the interior design of your home. That said, it is important to note that choosing the right window treatment can be pretty overwhelming. There are loads of options to choose from. Homeowners are usually confused as to the best window treatment for their home. They are torn between several popular options including drapes, shades, curtains, shutters, and blinds.
Considerations When Choosing Window Curtains
While each type of window treatments comes with its unique style and touch, curtains tend to supply an elegant and sophisticated touch to any space they are decorated with. In this guide, we will take a close look at some things to consider while choosing the perfect curtain for your home.
Fabric Options For Curtains & Drapery
The primary function of curtains is to shield your room from prying eyes and sun rays. As much as you might love a stylish, sophisticated curtain, be sure to pick one which offers the necessary practical benefits, too. Depending on the room, it might be better to think function before fashion.
Considering the amount of light and privacy needed, there are several fabric options you should consider before ultimately deciding on one. While sheer, cotton, and linen fabrics let in a moderate amount of light, velvet and blackout lining tend to block light almost completely. Cotton and linen curtains are your best bet for moderate light and privacy options.
Custom shaped cornice with sheers and side panels.
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Choose Your Color Wisely
The color of your curtains is one of the crucial factors to consider when choosing the perfect curtains for your home. You will have to go for a color or colors that complement other colors in the room. Contrasting colors is also a good way to go, however, be sure to choose contrasting colors that increase the appeal of the room.
Experts advise that homeowners opt for bright-colored curtains when decorating small rooms as bright colors usually help to give the room an illusion of a large space. A large room, on the other hand, should be decorated with darker or neutral curtains. Dark colors will prevent the room from looking large and empty.
Custom Kirsch bent traverse drapery rod underneath a cornice with contrast welt.
(click to enlarge)
Choose Your Color Wisely
The color of your curtains is one of the crucial factors to consider when choosing the perfect curtains for your home. You will have to go for a color or colors that complement other colors in the room. Contrasting colors is also a good way to go, however, be sure to choose contrasting colors that increase the appeal of the room.
Experts advise that homeowners opt for bright-colored curtains when decorating small rooms as bright colors usually help to give the room an illusion of a large space. A large room, on the other hand, should be decorated with darker or neutral curtains. Dark colors will prevent the room from looking large and empty.
Custom Kirsch bent traverse drapery rod underneath a cornice with contrast welt.
(click to enlarge)
Window Curtain Length Is Crucial
The length of your curtain is yet another important factor to consider. Would you prefer the curtains to fall extra on the floor or hang just to the floor? Or would you rather go for an apron-sized curtain that falls a few inches below the window sill? These are some basic questions you will have to answer when determining the perfect window curtains for your home.
Each length is perfect for different rooms. Apron-sized curtains are best for windows that you open frequently. While the overflowing length is perfect for rooms with less traffic. Be sure to choose one that fits your home perfectly as there is no one-size-fits-all approach for every home.
Full-length medallion drapery panels brightened up this dining area.
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These beautiful fabrics were implemented in various shaped cornices, medallion drapery panels, and wood pole pinch pleat drapery panels.
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Vertical or Horizontal Lines?
It may sound basic but the lines and patterns on your curtains do play a role in enhancing the overall design and decor of the home. Curtains with vertical lines are a smart choice for low ceilings. The vertical lines give the room an illusion of higher ceilings, thus increasing the appeal of the room.
For spaces with tall ceilings, curtains with horizontal lines tend to work best. Horizontal lines in larger spaces help to balance the height to a more appealing size. Be sure to pay attention to these tiny details when purchasing your window curtains and drapery.
Vertical or Horizontal Lines?
It may sound basic but the lines and patterns on your curtains do play a role in enhancing the overall design and decor of the home. Curtains with vertical lines are a smart choice for low ceilings. The vertical lines give the room an illusion of higher ceilings, thus increasing the appeal of the room.
For spaces with tall ceilings, curtains with horizontal lines tend to work best. Horizontal lines in larger spaces help to balance the height to a more appealing size. Be sure to pay attention to these tiny details when purchasing your window curtains and drapery.
These beautiful fabrics were implemented in various shaped cornices, medallion drapery panels, and wood pole pinch pleat drapery panels.
(click to enlarge)
Energy Efficient Curtains For Seasonality
Besides lighting and privacy options, your curtain fabric and construction also plays a major role in regulating the temperature of the room. Certain materials provide more insulation compared to others. For example, compared to sheer and other light fabrics, heavy fabrics like velvet and specialty blackout curtains provide more warmth during the winter and help keep the your rooms cooler during the summer.
However, if you’re looking for more ventilation and light to pass through, sheer or linen curtains would probably be your fabric of choice. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a fabric that fits into the weather and climate of your locality.
Blackout Drapery over sheer curtains help keep this room insulated.
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Wooden drapery rod blended beautifully with these custom treatments.
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Curtain Rod Hardware And Decor
The style and color of your curtain rods are just as important as the curtain. They also possess the power to ruin your interior décor. Be sure to go for curtain rods that complement the color of the curtain and the room in general. Again, you should pay attention to both fashion and function while choosing curtain rods.
It’s common to opt for simple, sleek curtain rods if you are looking to decorate a small room. However, you could get a bit more creative in larger rooms and choose bolder and more prominent curtain rods and hardware. However, always remember to stick with the overall aesthetic design of your home.
Curtain Rod Hardware And Decor
The style and color of your curtain rods are just as important as the curtain. They also possess the power to ruin your interior décor. Be sure to go for curtain rods that complement the color of the curtain and the room in general. Again, you should pay attention to both fashion and function while choosing curtain rods.
It’s common to opt for simple, sleek curtain rods if you are looking to decorate a small room. However, you could get a bit more creative in larger rooms and choose bolder and more prominent curtain rods and hardware. However, always remember to stick with the overall aesthetic design of your home.
Wooden drapery rod blended beautifully with these custom treatments.
(click to enlarge)
Conclusion – Expert Tips For Choosing Window Curtains
There are many factors to account for when considering new soft treatments for your home, but deciding on your new curtains does not have to be an onerous task. With the expertise of a B&G Window Fashions design consultant, we can make picking the right window curtains for your home an enjoyable process. Taking into account these important tips while choosing from our incredible selection of curtain fabrics and hardware, you are sure to get the glamorous look that your home deserves.
Window Curtains – Venice, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton
B&G Window Fashions is a Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealer serving Southwest Florida, including Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties. We offer custom blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, and upholstery to residential and commercial clients throughout the tri-county areas. We also work hand-in-hand with home-builders, remodeling companies, and interior designers.
At B&G Window Fashions, our highly-trained staff will make your window treatment shopping experience one you’ll never forget. Our design consultants have an amazing eye, and our installers are employees, not subcontractors. Feel free to visit our showroom at one of our two locations, or contact us for a FREE in-home consultation!