How to Choose the Perfect Curtains for Your Home: A Complete Guide
Window curtains are an accessory that cannot be missing in any home. They are extremely important in window treatments, and their simple presence can change the look of a house in a matter of seconds, giving it life, elegance, and warmth. A space without curtains looks incomplete, and it is enough to add this detail so that everything fits into the decor. Choosing curtains for your home is a step you cannot ignore when decorating.
The best thing is that there are thousands of possibilities, so you will never fall short. On the contrary, sometimes there are so many options that it is difficult to choose! It all depends on what you want to show and achieve. Choosing curtains for the office is not the same as selecting curtains for the home. Curtains come in infinite designs, patterns, lengths, and constructions.
Choosing window curtains is much more than selecting the fabric you like and hoping it looks good in your room. A million little factors can influence the selection of curtains for a space: Do they provide the right level of privacy? Do they hang the right way, and are they long enough? Does your style match the architecture of your home?
All of these complex questions can be overwhelming for anyone. Lucky for you! At Al Baraka Curtains, we are experts in window dressing and curtain and blind design, so we decided to help you. Thanks to our extensive experience, we know a few useful rules to ensure that your curtains are the accessory of your home dreams. Below is our complete guide on how to choose the perfect curtains for you:
We have divided it into 5 steps to choose window curtains
1. Fabric selection
Not to be underestimated, the material plays a significant role in the appearance of the curtains and, consequently, the room. From sheer lace to lightweight cotton, from medium-weight brocade to thick velvet, there are many options at your fingertips! Of course, when choosing a fabric material, you should consider two things:
- The amount of sunlight you want to let in
- Your room’s atmosphere and decor
These two factors can determine the appearance and style of the curtains in the room. Do you want the curtains to stand out or blend into the environment? Heavy fabrics adapt to more traditional rooms, while transparent fabrics work better in more minimalist and youthful rooms.
We must remember that each curtain falls differently once we raise it. A stretched fabric is not the same as looking retracted!
2. Color is everything
Color is the essence of decoration; through it, you can communicate ideas and create an ideal atmosphere for your room. Ideally, the color of the curtains should match the rest of the furniture; no one likes a meaningless mix of colors!
You can choose curtains that match the decor or contrast with it. Choosing a color that complements your wall tone is better if you want to convey a cheerful look. On the contrary, if you are looking for the colors of the curtains to be the center of attention, you can go for a contrast with the furniture.
Color psychology also plays an important role. Cool colors like blue are relaxing, while warm colors are emotional and happy. Mixing colors and prints is ideal to reflect a unique style, so don’t limit yourself! Also, remember that sometimes the sun can pass through the fabric, causing the color to reflect in the room.
3. Let’s talk about style: solid or printed?
Not only is color an important factor for curtains, but so is style! We must look at the rest of the decorations to learn about our style. Prints are eye-catching and add visual weight to any item. If the rest of the furniture in the room is a solid color, patterned curtains can be an ideal option, and the same goes for the other way around.
It’s about creating visual balance. Whimsical prints and geometric patterns can be used in a contemporary space, while floral prints are more suitable for classic and traditional decor. However, the truth is that there are no limits, only your imagination!
We must not forget that curtains have a great impact on the visual space of the room. Therefore, to choose the perfect print, the ideal is to order a sample of the fabric and take it home. There, you must hold it against all the surfaces and compare them. Do the colors match? Does the furniture stand out? Do they shade them? Even sunlight is an important factor.
4. Short or long: what is the ideal height?
It may seem obvious, but the size of the curtains also affects the visual impact. Good curtains should always be a few centimeters wider than the window frame, even if you draw them most of the time. This way, they won’t block the view when you stretch them, giving them volume and dynamism!
It is also essential that they are long enough. You can freely allow the fabric to touch the floor for a sleek look. However, for a more dynamic style, the ideal would be for the curtains not to touch the floor or, at most, to brush against it.
If you want to use your curtains to block the sun, the extra inches around the perimeter of the window frame will help block any light that tries to enter.
5. The final touch: accessories!
Decorations and accessories can be a great ally in creating the finishing touch you need. Curtain accessories range from tiebacks and valances to curtain rods. You can cleverly add embellishments to light curtains to bring richness and grandeur; all it takes is creativity!
For example, gallery wrap, a decorative fabric draped across the top of a window, is a great way to add elegance to a room. On the other hand, the absence of simple straps and decorative embellishments will make fabrics like velvet or satin look more elegant.
Other factors to consider
When choosing curtains, other important factors are important besides style and design. We are talking about pieces of fabric that require specific maintenance. Comfort and practicality are useful allies when decorating any space, and curtains are no exception.
Do you want something practical? Does this design fit your budget? How long do you plan to have the curtains? Let’s look at some of the factors that you should analyze!
