Choosing the fabric
There are thousands of curtain fabrics to choose from and which one you select will depend on your personal taste. However, there are certain things to bear in mind when choosing your fabric and style of your curtains.
The type of material is highly important when choosing curtains and they can be made from a wide range of fabrics. You may be asking what fabric is best for kitchen curtains? In this case you will need a washable cotton. Or maybe what fabrics are best for a living room, here you have a much wider choice of fabrics that will be suitable such as a velvet or linen.
Headings
Eyelet styles are very popular, these give a sleek contemporary look and hang from a pole. If you prefer a more traditional look opt for a triple pinch pleat heading. Pelmets are also back in fashion – a flat upholstered pelmet either in a matching or coordinating fabric looks stylish in a contemporary or traditional setting. For a contemporary look layer your window treatments for example, combine a roman blind with curtains or voiles.
Linings
Lined curtains always drape better than unlined curtains and would always be recommended. If you are using a silk or faux silk fabric, interlining is also advised as it enables them to drape beautifully. Choose a thermal lining or interlining if you need to keep out the draughts. To ensure a good night’s sleep blackout lining is great for bedrooms, especially children’s. To make a statement consider lining your curtains with a coloured or striped lining, this will look very stylish and create a truly bespoke finish.
Long or short
This is a matter of personal choice. Full length curtains will look more luxurious but you need to be careful if you have a radiator under your window as they can block the heat when drawn across. Sill length or just below the sill may be a more practical solution.
Working to a budget
As nothing looks worse than skimpy curtains with not enough fabric in them if you are working to a budget it is better to choose fabric which is less expensive so that you can have enough of it to drape nicely rather than a smaller amount of a really expensive fabric which will give you skimpy curtains. However, if you can’t resist the expensive fabric you could also consider having a roman blind instead of curtains. Blinds are right on trend and look very smart.
Finishing touches
Trims can be added to curtains or pelmets for a unique look. You could also add tie-backs, these could either be in the same fabric or there are many other designs to choose from. Poles also come in many finishes from wood to chrome with different finials – select one to suit your style and room.
