Moving into a new home is all exciting and fun. There are so many decisions to be made and sadly these decisions can dampen your spirit a little if you aren’t armed with enough knowledge about these things.
For instance, one decision you may not know you’d be burdened with is the type of curtains your home needs. If you visit sites like the The Curtain Shop, you will see many options that one can choose from. At this point, you most likely would get confused because of the many options available to you.
This is why you need to find out all you can about buying curtains before you even go shopping for them. When you have all the necessary information beforehand, you’d be able to make the right choices. Luckily for you, we are here to help you with this information. This article will be your guide to everything relating to buying curtains.
Step 1: Know the Difference between Drapes and Curtains
The first thing you need to know when curtain shopping is that drapes aren’t the same as curtains. Most times, homeowners just buy either of these two without knowing their differences.
Curtains are usually made with light materials with their major function being to provide privacy. Because of this, they are ideal for living areas in the home. Drapes on the other hand are made with thicker materials. Because of how thick their materials are, drapes are very great at blocking out sunlight. Therefore, they are great options for bedrooms.
Step 2: Select the Fabric
The type of fabric your curtain is made of is very important because it will significantly influence the room’s look. Window treatment comes in several types of fabrics from lightweight cotton to sheer lace, heavy velvet, brocades, and so on.
Because of how vast the options are when it comes to curtain fabrics, selecting the right one can be quite difficult. However, all you need to do is consider your preferences. If you ask yourself the following questions about your preference, you would be able to choose a fabric that matches the answer to the questions:
- How much sunlight do I want to stream into the room? For plenty of sunlight, choose a light fabric like cotton or sheer fabrics. For moderate sunlight, choose a material that is moderately heavy like linen. Finally, for little or no sunlight, choose a very heavy material like velvet.
- What type of ambiance and style am I trying to achieve with the window treatment? For instance, if you want to create a traditional style, heavier fabrics will help you achieve this. But, if you are aiming for a minimalist look, then sheer fabrics will be a better option. Visit https://www.pinterest.com/ to view some wonderful minimalist décor ideas for your home.
Step 3: Select the Length
The next thing to consider is how long you want your curtains to be. How long your window treatment should be is based on your ceilings and windows height and the style you wish to create. You can choose to let the curtain reach the level of the floor exactly.
You can also decide to make it a couple of inches longer if you want to create a dramatic look. But people that have pets or kids may need to think twice about letting their curtains puddle on their floors. You can also choose to make it shorter. For instance, a tier curtain will only cover a part of your window.
Step 4: Measure the Width
Your curtains should be wide enough to properly cover your doors or/and windows. So, to choose the curtain’s width, you need to measure your door or/and window width. Multiply the figure gotten after the measurement by 2 or 2.5.
Doing this will give the curtain extra fabrics after properly covering the window or door. The extra material will then create a gathered look by the sides whenever the curtain is dawn.
Step 5: Choose the Color
Your curtains’ color should coordinate with your remaining furnishings. You can do this by either harmonizing or contrasting the colors with the room’s overall décor.
If you want to achieve a pleasing appearance, then it will be great to match the walls’ shade with that of the curtains. Or, you can choose to make the windows and doors the focus of the room by picking a shade that contrasts with other furnishings in the room.
Step 6: Choose Between Solids and Prints
For you to properly do this, you need to consider the room’s décor. If you have most of the other furnishings in solid color, choosing prints should be the typical choice and vice versa.
Step 7: Select Your Hardware
The hardware you’d use for your curtains is as important as the curtain itself. You need to select hardware that will balance the look you’ve chosen so far. Some popular hardware options that fit several types of home styles include antique bronze, polished nickel, brushed nickel, and brass.
If you decide to use holders, ensure you maintain continuity by making sure the rod and holders are of the exact material.
Step 8: Consider the Maintenance Requirement
Typically, how you clean the curtain and how frequently you do so is based on its material and fabric. Yes, window treatments need to be washed once every 3 to 6 months. However, some need more maintenance than others.
Low-maintenance
If you want fabrics that do not need more than 2 wash in one year, then synthetic or cotton fabrics will be ideal. You can use your washing machine to wash synthetic and cotton fabrics if they aren’t lined. But if they are, you can quickly hand wash them when they need to be washed.
High-maintenance
If your curtain has swags or pleats, then you need to dry clean it regardless of what fabric it’s made of. Silk, wool, as well as sheer curtains have to be hand washed or dry cleaned with cold water so that their shape and colors can be maintained. Click here to learn more about how to wash your curtains.
Conclusion
Considering your home décor is always important when choosing curtains for the home. While your preference plays a major role in what you choose, you can’t just pick anything. You need to consider other furnishings to ensure everything is harmonious and coordinated.
