Curtains offer many benefits and are an essential part of interior design, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. They help create a cozy atmosphere, block out light, provide privacy, and absorb sound as needed.
Things to Consider When Choosing Curtains
When choosing curtains for a room, consider how the room is used and what functions the curtains need to serve. Also take into account the room's style and color scheme to create a cohesive look in your interior design.
For instance, a bedroom may need blackout curtains, especially during the summer, to darken the room in the evenings and early mornings.
In a living room, kitchen, or study, sheer curtains may be sufficient to reduce glare and sunlight while still allowing natural light to enter. In a kitchen, a Roman shade might be ideal, as it takes up less space than full-length curtains and can be adjusted to control sunlight effectively.
Photo by: Mimou
Photo and designed by Louise Hjort/@Lojsanhjorth.
Placing Your Curtains
By placing curtains on rods or tracks close to the ceiling, you can make a room appear larger with a higher ceiling. Curtain tracks can be mounted on the ceiling, and curtain rods can be installed high on the walls to achieve the desired height. Make sure to use generous curtain lengths with plenty of fabric to create the right feel in the room, allowing the fabric to reach down to the floor. Short and narrow curtains can create a disjointed look, which we want to avoid ☺️
If there is wall space on the sides of the window, it's a good idea to have curtain tracks or rods long enough to allow the curtains to be hung on the sides of the window. Instead of covering the windows, the curtains frame them, maximizing natural light while still allowing you to close them if the room needs to be darkened. Consider using double curtain rods or tracks to hang two sets of curtains—one sheer set to reduce glare and provide privacy, and one blackout set to darken the room completely.
Using Curtains in Different Ways
Curtains can be used in many different ways in interior design, such as room dividers, to reinforce a color scheme, darken part of a room, or to soften and create a cozy feel in the space. You can also hang a curtain to cover a 'dull' wall without windows, which also helps dampen the room's acoustics.
Photo and designed by Louise Hjorth/@Lojsanhjorth
Photo and designed by Sofia Tretow/@tretowdeco
Choosing Fabric for Curtains Based on Room and Purpose
It's also important to consider the fabric's properties when choosing curtains. For example, silk is sensitive to direct sunlight, so if you want to use it for curtains, it's a good idea to line it with a more durable fabric on the back to protect the silk from the sun. It should also be placed in a north-facing window rather than a south-facing one where the sun is more intense.
Curtains can also help keep out the cold during winter and drafty windows. In summer, when the sun shines on the windows, the curtains can be drawn to keep the indoor temperature lower.
Photo by: Mimou
If you're buying new curtains, it's a good idea to start by checking what's available secondhand before making new purchases. If you already have curtains at home but find them too short or narrow, sew them together with another fabric to achieve the desired size.
Photo by Rene Humphrey/@rene_humphrey
Today, many stores, online shops, and suppliers sell ready-made curtain lengths in standard sizes. Keep in mind that if you order fabrics online, the colors may vary slightly from the digital image. Some companies like Gotain, Gardinex, and Mimou offer fabric samples, which is recommended so you can see the actual color before placing an order. There are also stores that both sell fabrics and make custom curtains. The curtains are tailored to the dimensions of your windows and room for the best result—it costs more but is a more long-term solution due to the company's expertise and the quality of the fabrics.
5 Tips for Choosing Curtains
Place the curtains on either side of the window to frame it rather than obscure it.
Mount the curtain rod high on the wall or curtain tracks on the ceiling to make the room appear larger with higher ceilings.
Generous curtain lengths, with extra width and reaching the floor, create a cozy feel.
Shop secondhand and look for curtain fabric on platforms like Marketplace, Auctionet, etc.
Update and design your own curtains to create a unique interior—sew together different curtain lengths or fabrics to achieve your own design.
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