Wednesday 28 October 2015

The four curtain lengths that you should know


Curtains complete the overall appearance of your house. From a dramatic look to a more casual feel, curtain length defines the style of your room. The length that you choose depends upon the look you want in your room. Before you measure your window for curtains, read below to know about four types of curtain lengths that can impact the overall design theme of your home interior:
  • Sill length: The curtain falls just above the sill. Being short, café style curtain length, it looks charming and sweet. This type of curtain length is perfect for windows that remain open all the time.
  • Apron length: Curtains with apron length look crisp and casual. Such curtains fall 4 inches below the sill. Since apron length curtains create a leaner profile, hang these curtains on windows that are not opened so frequently.
  • Floor length: This is probably the most traditional look among all curtain lengths. The floor-length curtains brush the floor and fall precisely between the rod and the floor. Giving a polished look to the room, floor-length curtains are perfect if you want to lengthen your windows.
  • Puddle length: This type of curtain length is widely used with luxurious looking fabric. Such curtains fall 6-10 inches extra at the floor. For creating a dramatic, romantic, and bohemian look, hang puddle length curtains in grand entrances, master bedroom, or living room.
The length of the curtains is completely up to you. But the thumb rule says: The longer the curtain, the more dressy and formal the look will be. Similarly, the shorter the curtain length, the more casual and relaxed ambiance you will get.

Curtains or drapes: Selecting the right window treatment


Window treatments often define the mood and style of your room. Window coverings are all about color and fabric, length and lining, and hardware. With so many designs, patterns and styles to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by narrowing down your options while selecting a curtain or drape will help you make a major impact in your home décor. Here are the three things that will make your selection process much easier when picking out curtains or drapes:
  • Room theme: The curtain or drape material you select should match the design and the room theme. You should choose heavy drapes for airy rooms where more sunlight enters. To add depth to your room space and make it look more spacious, select curtains that reflect the materials and objects present in the room.
  • Length: Curtains are either attached to a rod by tabs or rings or are gathered on it. From café style to floor-length, curtains can be of any length. On the other side, drapes are pleated panels that attach to small slides on a rod. The length of the drapes makes a great impact on the room. You can hang drapes which just touch the floor for a casual look. You can even allow the drapes to puddle on the floor in luxurious folds for a more dramatic look.
  • Color and fabric: The color and fabric of the curtain or drape you choose will affect the ambiance of the room. Heavy drape material will provide intimacy and a sense of comfort by filtering the excessive rays of sun. Sheer curtains allow more sunlight to penetrate into the room and enable you to enjoy the outside view at the comfort of your room.
These quick tips will help you find the right window treatment for your home. Depending on your style preference, needs, and priority, you can make the right decision while selecting drapes or curtains.

How to cover different height windows?


Not all windows look beautiful. But you can make them the focal point of your room with beautiful curtains and draperies. You can achieve different looks with different lengths of curtain fabrics for the same window. To help you in hiding the flaws of your windows and giving your room a completely different look, here are a few tips to cover windows of different height:
  • For wide windows: No need to hang several panels to cover your wide windows. Hang a roman shade across the wide window for adding scale and creating a lovely look.
  • For short windows: There is no rule that the covering has to be of the same length as the window. Attach rods just below the ceiling and go below the sill to give ceiling-to-the floor look to your small window, make it look taller and to improve the proportion.
  • For large windows: To cover your large windows, go for shades that come in both light filtering blackout fabrics. It is an inexpensive way to cover large windows and shades also offer insulation in both the heat of summer and cold of winter.
  • For narrow windows: Narrow windows can be covered by using draperies. Extend curtain rods beyond the window frame. Then hang open draperies leaving glass exposed to make your narrow window seem wider.
The window treatments you select not only depend on your decorating style but also on the height of the windows. Perk up your drab windows with classic curtains, drapes, shades, and valances while considering the window height to get the maximum effect.

Choosing the right fabric for your window treatment


The right window treatment can transform a dull room into fab. Whether you want a formal or informal feel, tailored or more decorative look, a good quality window treatment can help you enhance your room interior attractively. The most important thing that one must consider while choosing the window treatment for their windows is the fabric. If you’re having trouble deciding which type of fabric will look best with your windows, then read on to know more about curtain fabrics:
  • Cotton fabric: This is the most traditional type of curtain fabric used by people for covering their windows. It keeps your room bright and airy and can be cleaned easily.
  • Velvet fabric: Velvet fabric is perfect for rooms where you need extra privacy. This type of curtain fabric looks more formal and polished and also block out heat and cold.
  • Linen fabric: Why majority of homeowners love linen fabric is because its textured weave gives casual yet tailored look. It filters the right amount of sunlight. Available in different patterns, linen curtains are a focal point in your, thus grabbing attention of your guests towards them.
  • Blackout fabric: This is a must-have curtain fabric for kid’s room or master bedroom because you get extra privacy. Use blackout curtains to get a sound sleep as it completely blocks out light.
Silk, wool, and bamboo are some of the other fabric types available in window treatments and custom curtains. The right fabric can help you set the right mood in your room. Use heavy-weight fabrics to block out light and lighter fabric to get a casual feel and filter moderate amount of light.