Curtains are unrivaled in terms of their ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while also contributing to the overall beauty of a room. They are, alas, also the ones that appear to create the most consternation!
The long and the short of it is that selecting the appropriate curtains, taking into account their design, material, and size, as well as understanding how to hang them properly, may be challenging.
You should begin with this guide. We’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about curtains that we get from our patrons. You are welcome to visit our store in Tigard, where we will gladly address any and all of your concerns, or you may take advantage of our convenient online consultation services.
What length should my window coverings be?
This is dependent on whether or not your curtains are fixed in place or functional, meaning they can be opened and closed. If you are interested in stationary panels, you will want your curtains to be long enough to softly brush the floor, but not so long that they gather up in a pile. This is the ideal length for curtains.
Your curtains should have a break ranging from a quarter of an inch to half an inch from the floor, following the same pattern as the break in the pant legs on your foot. This is a decent rule of thumb. While doing so, this also serves the purpose of actively holding your curtains in place, adding a touch of personalized elegance.
If you want your curtains to be able to open and close easily, you should hang them at a height of approximately half an inch above the floor. This will prevent additional friction from hindering the movement of the curtains.
There is a certain notable exception. When selecting the length of your curtains, you should also take into consideration the design of the space, the size of the window, and the style of your home. Longer curtains with a break of more than one inch provide a style that is dressier and more formal, while shorter curtains indicate a more informal and relaxed atmosphere.
Do you think it’s a good idea to put long curtains on short windows?
Yes. If you have small windows, using drapes that are longer than your windows will assist make them appear to be larger. The proportion of the curtain’s width to its height will determine the length of the curtain. Longer curtains may help a window appear even more expansive, especially if the length of the window is significantly more than its breadth. On the other hand, a very broad window that is exceptionally short can benefit from having drapes that are shorter.
Keep in mind that curtains might easily take up too much space in a room that is already on the smaller side. Valances made of cloth or Roman shades are possible options in this scenario.
At what height should the curtains be hung?
We advise hanging the majority of drapes at a height that is at least 4–6 inches above the window frame. As a matter of thumb, you should use up two-thirds of the area above the window. Many different firms provide specialized ceiling-mount drapery hardware for the purpose of maximizing the perception of height.
What percentage of the window should be covered by the curtains?
This is dependent on the dimensions of your window as well as the amount of available wall space in your room. How much of the window do you want to keep open for air circulation? Our research has shown that curtain panels appear their most attractive when they extend into the window area by roughly 2–3 inches. Panels cover a width ranging from 12 to 24 inches, once again depending on the size of your window. A window with a width of 48 inches can look too crowded with panels that are broad, while panels on a window with a width of 72 inches might appear to be too small if they are less than 20 inches.
Take measurements of your window before placing your order for curtain panels. In most cases, you will want to have curtains made out of fabric that is 2 and a half times the width of your window and pleated down. In order to get the right amount of fullness from sheer, flowing curtain materials, you might want to make the pleated width three times as wide as the window itself.
What are the most suitable drapes for windows that are somewhat narrow?
By putting curtain rods that are six inches wider and four to six inches taller than the window, it is possible to create the illusion that the window is broader than it actually is. On the other hand, a complementing roman shade made of the same fabric might serve a tiny window in a room that also has windows of a greater size more effectively.
Should you hang curtains on a wall that is entirely made up of windows?
Any kind of window covering will be required if you have a large window or one that takes up the entire wall in your house. Now that they may be motorized, the sheer drapery that is installed at the ceiling gives you the ability to move your drapes simply across big areas.
The addition of curtains, in addition to blinds or shades, to a long row or wall of windows, may provide a great deal of aesthetic value and complement the decor of your house.
What is the most suitable material for making drapes?
There is a large variety of curtain material options available to select from. Your choice of material for the room’s furnishings can have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of the space. To give you an idea, a darker fabric will offer your space a dramatic and serious tone, whilst light and thin curtains will make your room feel airy and breezy.
To pick the curtain fabric that is most suited for a room, you either need the eye of a designer or to do a lot of study on your own. An excellent place to begin is by gaining a grasp of the many varieties of curtain fabrics, which include the following:
Linen \sCotton \sVelvet \sSilk \sPolyester
Curtains that completely block out the light or dull the brightness
Should your curtains complement the color of your walls and your furniture?
It is not necessary for you to worry about precisely coordinating the color of your curtains with the color of your walls, couch, or carpet. However, a smart place to start is by looking at the colors that are already present in your furniture and décor.
Consider what pieces of furniture will be positioned in front of your window treatment when making your selection for curtains. It is recommended that you select curtains that are at least one shade lighter or darker than your walls. If your couch is covered with a pattern, you may consider hanging a solid-color curtain in a contrasting hue that brings out the pattern in the fabric. When combined with leather upholstery, a patterned fabric may make for a particularly beautiful focal point in the environment they are utilized in.
Think about combining with the colors that are going to be there permanently, such as the flooring, the tile work, and the moldings. If you coordinate with these components, your draperies can have a life for as long as they are there in your area. This is provided that you coordinate with them. If you match the permanent pieces, your curtains will continue to look good even if you decide to alter the paint color or the cushions.
A guide to selecting the ideal drapes
Where do you go from here, seeing as how you already know the solutions?
Even with all of this information at hand, it might be challenging to select the ideal curtains in terms of their size, material, design, and color. Because of this, a significant number of people find themselves in employment with a designer. It is a relief, and it leads to the greatest results, to have the opinion of a trained professional as well as a new point of view on what will look and perform best in your house.
Find curtains that complement the design of your home and are suitable for your requirements as a first step if you want to try doing things on your own to see how well they turn out. Give some thought to the following:
- The configuration of the window itself
- The color palette of the room
- The overall look and feel of your house (decorative, modern, mid-century, minimalistic, traditional, etc.)
- Whether or not the same curtain design will look nice across your entire home, or if you need to pick curtains room-by-room.
- Do you require complete darkness, such as with blackout curtains, or can you get away with something a little sheerer?
- When you understand the answers to these questions at a fundamental level, it will be much easier for you to feel comfortable looking at different curtain alternatives (or working with a window treatment professional) to discover the optimal solution.
More questions regarding curtains? We do have the answers.
You should not be intimidated by the procedure of selecting curtains. It is not embarrassing to ask for assistance from a qualified expert when necessary. If you have further questions regarding selecting curtains, email us. You may rely on the assistance of our team of highly trained experts in windows now!
Your project can be assisted in many different ways, including the following:
A virtual consultation to assess your room and windows and assist you in making the appropriate curtain selection
- Tours of our virtual showrooms, during which we will demonstrate all of the many types of window coverings that we have.
- Come see our display in person at the dealership in Tigard.
- Make an appointment for an in-house consultation.
- In addition, we are always available to respond to any inquiries you may have through the page designated for that purpose.
We wish you the best of luck with your curtain project, and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
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