Curtains are a necessity for most homes, the best way to pick new curtains for your home is to do the research, so that you find the best style, size and colour for your home. So here’s a little guide we’ve put together on how to choose curtains, and all of the extras that come with them. Read on for 3 tips for picking the best curtains for your home.
Figure Out How Long The Curtains Need To Be
Length is always one of the biggest factors when deciding what curtains you would like to pick. There are five standard curtain lengths, these are 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. The length you’ll end up picking will be dependant on the the size of your window and/or your ceiling.
Curtain lengths are determined by measuring from the rod pocket, which is where your curtain hangs off the curtain rod, to the bottom of the fabric.
To figure out the curtain length you’ll need to purchase, you’ll want to come up with your rod to floor height. Decide where your rod is going to be installed or measure from the existing rod down to where you want the curtains to hang. This could be either the bottom of the window or all the way to the floor. Do this measurement in inches, since that is how curtain lengths are usually indicated.
The standard curtain width is 45 inches. To determine if you’ll need to measure the width of your window in inches and then add 12 inches to each side to account for rod overhang and to allow for your curtains to hang in gentle folds.
When you’re searching for curtains, these are the 4 most common types:
- Tier curtains – Short curtains that cover just a portion of the window.
- Apron curtains – Curtains that hang just below the bottom of the window.
- Floor curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor. Usually look best when paired with a rod that’s closer to the ceiling.
- Puddle curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor with some remaining fabric puddling at the bottom. Again, pair these with a higher situated rod.
Why not head over to Direct Fabrics to find the best curtains for you. They offer such a wide range of colours and styles.
Choose A fabric You Love
Curtains come in a variety of fabric. Choose a bold fabric if you want your curtains to be a standout feature of the room, or keep it simple if you’d rather they don’t take attention away from other focal points in the space.
You might find that the fabric you chose is dependant on how much light you would like in the room. Heavier, opaque fabrics will keep out more light than lighter and more sheer fabrics. If you want a lot of light to come through your curtains you might want to opt for a cotton curtain, if you’re looking for a curtain that only lets a little light in linen might be the best option for you. When it comes to blackout curtains, velvet or a curtain with a blackout lining are the ones to go for.
Pick Your Hardware
Once you’ve decided on a fabric for your curtains you’re going to want to select your hardware and curtain rod. You want to start by choosing a curtain rod that is 6 to12 inches wider than the window.
As for the material of your hardware, brass, brushed nickel, polished nickel, and antique bronze are all popular options that can fit with any style home. If you decide to use curtain holders, keep them the same material as your rod so that they match.
Hopefully these 3 tips for picking the best curtains for your home have helped you pick some beautiful new curtains for your home.
If you enjoyed this post head over to my 7 Everyday Choices for an Eco-Friendly Bedroom Design and Ways To Style Your Home With Fine Art America Prints
I love the Puddle curtains look. Looks elegant in a minimalist styled room and makes the room look taller. Thanks for sharing information and ideas 🏠 🪟
Great post! I think making sure you have the right measurements is such an important point 🙂 thank you for sharing x
I usually I picked curtains based on patterns and motifs. Thank you for sharing this tips.
I’m sort of bummed because I just bought curtains this weekend and could have used your post. That said…great explanations!
Some amazing advice for choosing the right curtains, measuring the length is so important, as is the width as they need to be able to shut properly! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s always been comically frustrating for me to figure out which length is best for curtains. I never know if it looks better just below the sill or to the floor. And I can’t rely on friends or family because they all do it differently. But, I usually go to the floor, because that is how my mom does it.