How to Choose Curtains and Drapes for Your Home
Making time for home projects isn’t always easy. Hanging curtains is no exception. Mounting rods and brackets can be an all-day project, and finding the right curtains can turn into a never-ending quest.
It’s important to put thought into selecting the right pattern, length and style of your curtains. Are you looking for sheer curtains that filter the light, but still keep the room’s brightness? Or do you prefer opaque drapes that offer more privacy? Are you a light sleeper and need blackout curtains to banish any sliver of light that can disrupt your sleep?
The options are endless and confusing. We put together this quick guide on how to choose curtains for your home.
How to Choose Curtains and Drapes for Your Home
Cotton or wool? Linen or silk? Blackouts or sheers? Different curtain types each have their pros and cons. The more you know about what your curtains need to do for your room, the easier to choose the perfect curtains.
While you’re shopping for curtains, keep these considerations in mind:
1. Privacy
How much privacy do you need? Ground-level rooms and bedrooms usually require more privacy than other rooms.
Thick, heavy fabrics like wool and brocade provide the most privacy day or night. They’re great for blocking out exterior light and muffling noise. Sheer fabrics only provide privacy while interior lights are off.
Layering a thicker curtain with lighter sheer ones is a stylish way to add a little privacy to a room. (And layering curtains like a pro isn’t as hard as you’d think.)
2. Lighting
Kitchens and living rooms benefit from daylighting, but direct sunlight can fade the wood, paint and upholstery of your cabinets and furniture. Sheer curtains made of cotton organdy or chiffon allow a lot of light to pass through while still blocking out much of the sun’s damaging UV rays.
Curtain pro tip: Gather several samples of sheer fabrics before making a choice. Hold them up to a window and compare how they filter the light. Choose the curtains that best match the style and ambiance of the room.
3. Insulation
Windows radiate the outside heat and cold directly into homes and offices. In climates with extreme temperatures, curtains reduce energy costs and keep spaces more comfortable.
Velvet and other heavier fabrics do the best job of insulating against the cold. Adding a white blackout lining to curtain fabrics will reflect away the sunlight and heat.
4. Style
Different styles of curtains work better with different fabrics. The mood of the room will influence the style of curtain you choose.
Get samples of several fabrics that match your curtain style and bring them into the room. The weight, texture and drape of the curtain fabric you select should match the feel of the space.
For example, thick brocade drapes that puddle on the floor might look disjointed in a clean, modern family room. Bright, shocking patterns would clash in a monochromatic, serene bedroom.
Here are a few tactics to help you choose the right curtains for a space:
- Pick a color from the room (can be a throw pillow, rug, couch anything) to match your curtains.
- Go bold and make a statement with a bright, contrasting color. Make sure it matches one to two accessories in the room, so it looks cohesive.
- Try a neutral pattern for a more subtle style.
5. Fabric Care
You should also consider maintenance when choosing your curtains.
Besides a weekly shake and monthly vacuuming, curtains need to be washed on an annual basis. Dust, pollen and other allergens cling to curtain fabric, which is why it’s so important to clean them consistently.
Cleaning your curtains once a year also maintains the appearance of your fabrics. Following the proper care instructions for your fabric type will prevent unwanted wrinkling or discoloration.
Also, fabrics like silk are prone to sun damage. Consider using an interlining as backing for these fabrics to extend their life and prevent fading.
Curtain pro tip: For spaces with a lot of natural light, try curtains with a natural tone. Bright rays will fade curtains faster.
Kwik-Hang Makes It Easy to Style Your Curtains
Choosing the right fabric for your curtains takes time. Hanging your curtains shouldn’t.
Kwik-Hang has turned the time-consuming hassle of hanging curtains into a simple installation process. Position the Kwik-Hang curtain rod bracket above your window trim, tap into place and you’re done!
No measuring. No drilling. No damage.
Save yourself time and try the revolutionary Kwik-Hang curtain rod brackets!
