Measurements
Have you ever hung fresh curtains to find they’re too short? Well… never guess the measurements! You will need to measure the track or pole as well as where you want your curtains to fall. Don’t be scared though, for most windows it is very simple to do. Make sure you measure in centimetres. Watch our useful video showing you how to measure for your new curtains.
Function
It may seem like a silly question, but your curtains often have more than one function. Are your curtains just for decoration or privacy? It depends on where you live as to how much your curtains will be drawn. How much light do you want them to let in? Some rooms, such as kitchens for example, need more light than a bedroom. You could have a combination of a blind and curtains. Curtains for a child’s bedroom may need blackout lining fabric to enable better sleep. Do you need your curtains thermally insulated to keep in the warmth? Do you need to block noise pollution? Do you have pets or children and need them to be washable? All of these considerations will affect your fabric choice and curtain style.
Hanging curtains
Are you going to use tracks or poles? Our detailed curtain poles v curtain tracks guide may help you make your decision if you are unsure. This will then affect the type of heading you can have for your curtains. If using a pole, you may want eyelet or a tab top heading, if on tracks there are other heading options, such as pencil pleats. Pinch pleats should really be hung on a pole. These heading types affect the amount of fabric in your curtains. Take a look at our recent project gallery for images of what is possible from our wide range of curtain poles and tracks.
Budget
Buy what you can afford rather than the cheapest possible, your curtains are going to last a while and are an investment in your home’s style. You are going to be looking at them and maybe drawing them every day. Your budget will influence whether you are buying made to measure or ready-made curtains, your fabric choice and hanging solution.
Room style and scheme
Colours and patterns affect the whole room and give different impressions and looks. Go to Pinterest and create a board and search interior design styles and room types just to start getting inspiration. Create a mood board on Just fabrics website where you can upload photos of your own furniture and collect together your fabric choices. Get free samples of fabrics by adding them to the sample box on the website, so you can see them alongside your other room elements such as paint and furniture and in your room, before ordering.
