So, you have a thing for window curtains. Spending hours in clothing stores, checking curtains of different shapes and designs—some with floral designs, some with Roman shades—never bores you.
You are not alone. Many like you fancy designer curtains to dress their windows. What I’ve observed is that they are either too picky or don’t know how to bargain, because every time they end up buying something that they later regret.
Consider this article as a buying guide for window curtains.
Proper window dressing
Dream of dressing your window? Want to know the proper way? Well, there’s no proper way. Hundreds of styles are available, and it’s for you to decide how to buy curtains, what style to apply, what color to go for, and what fabric to choose. Just make sure that your window looks nice and colorful, and the curtain is not obstructing the sunlight from entering your house.
Here are a couple of other things to keep in mind.
Check the heading type
The heading is a very important part of a window curtain. Eyelet Hem heading is among the most popular heading styles today, with an oriental touch to it. Box pleats, pencil pleats, and tab tops are a couple of other heading types, and they are quite popular too. I won’t describe these types here to give you a heads-up, as I’ve assumed you already know about them.
I am here to help you make a choice. If you like traditional stuff, buy pencil pleat curtains. When these curtains are spread across the length of the window, the folds have a very thin gap between them, adding a traditional touch. Tab top curtains come with fabric loops hanging from the pole. Those who like an informal style, go for it. Its benefit is that it causes better heat insulation.
Elegance and symmetry
As mentioned before, your proclivity for fashion and sense of style should decide the heading type for your curtain. If you like symmetry and structure, curtains with a pinch pleat heading would be suitable for you. These curtains have an overly formal touch to them. Because of the shape of the fold, they look like open bottles from afar. If elegance is your priority, the goblet pleat is what you should be after. Folds look fuller, so it is called the goblet style.
Select the color carefully
I will come to the fabric and upholstery part later. Let’s discuss the color part for now. Window curtains come in all colors, but in all shades of color. If your favorite color is pink, you can easily pick a pink-colored window curtain in the designer store.
The wise thing, however, would be not to choose a curtain based on whether you like that color or not. As a rule of thumb, the curtain color should either be contrasting to the color of your wall, or it will complement the color of the wall. Curtains for the patio door should resemble the color of the wooden shades. Don’t forget to check the color of your window blinds.
If you like a monochromatic color palette, buy curtains in the same color as your wall. If you like variety, bring curtains with different colors. Homeowners are advised not to select an overly loud color, as a room should preferably have a serene atmosphere, especially if it’s the living room.
What about the fabric?
The fabric is perhaps the most important part of a window curtain. Normally, window curtains are made of linen, cotton, silk, velvet, etc. All these materials have their pros and cons, so choose carefully. When choosing the fabric, you need to consider a few things, such as durability, longevity, heat insulation, decor, etc.
Let’s begin with durability. Cotton is more durable than other fabrics; however, when exposed to the sun, it tends to wear rather more quickly, and window curtains get the sunlight all through the day. Cotton also catches mildew quickly. As you toss out cotton from the list of fabric choices, the next best option is silk. Faux silk is more durable than ordinary silk.
The best part about linen curtains is that they are biodegradable, resistant to UV light, and repel insects. A lot of people use linen window curtains; the only problem is that these curtains are expensive. If the question “how to buy curtains” strikes you, the knowledge of fabric would be needed to answer.
Light and heat
When buying a curtain, make sure they offer protection from harsh daylight. It doesn’t completely block sunlight but filters it. Curtains made of coconut shell are excellent for heat insulation. In Asian countries with tropical weather, these curtains are used to keep the room cool and airy.
Summing up
Notice I didn’t prescribe any window curtain, nor did I advocate any particular material. The discussion guides you to buy the kind of curtain that’d be best for you. So follow the discussion here and buy a curtain for your window.
