We use curtains for a multitude of reasons but the most common is to cover windows. We select curtain fabric depending whether our curtains are used as a decorative element, to insulate the house, to separate spaces, or to hide ugly things we would rather not show. Before you go out and look at all the various curtain fabrics make sure you are well aware of your intent.
If you choose to use curtains, instead of window shades, to protect yourself from people looking in your windows, and to keep your private space private, choose a curtain fabric that is heavier perhaps even a lined curtain. You do not need heavy curtain fabric just to decorate a window, adding a sheer voile curtain will do the job just fine. If you prefer to block light, protect your furniture from harsh sunlight, then your curtain material needs to be opaque. You can install one type of curtains in front of another type, on two different rods. This allows you to have both the decorative and the function you need. Decorative curtains can take any form you want. Many people who would not need any curtains use them to give style and ambiance to their home, to add a personal touch. If however the amount of light that enters your room at night is too bothersome you might have to choose a blackout fabric. Blackout curtain curtain fabric like blackout blinds have helped many find sleep in otherwise difficult situations.
Consider the room and windows size and proportions when buying curtain fabric.
Choose a panels that correspond to the size of the room. What I mean is long panels look elegant on tall narrow windows. You can play with the window height by choosing curtains that have a motif where you want to attract attention. You can use horizontal stripes to give the optical illusion of a shorter curtain and minimize the window, or conversely you can use vertical stripes to emphasize the size of a window.
Use curtain fabrics and colors to your advantage
Straight panels will get a touch of extravagance if you frame them with a contrasting material or color. For example choose a wallpaper that defines the background of your curtains, then add a motif in a contrasting color.
Go off the beaten path, choose black curtains, shiny colors or curtain fabric like taffeta. It is light enough to be a good compromise between the heavy lined drapes and a voile curtain.
You can dress a large window with silk double curtains and tie them with a beautiful tie-back, add some pompons for another look.
For a very large window you could use 3 panels, have dark panels on each side and a light color panel in the middle.
You can mix your curtain fabrics or you can stay within one type. You will find cotton, velours, even chenille for a sophisticated look. Linen curtains are an alternative to voile, and can give a crumpled, amusing and very contemporary look to your curtains. Trends are towards light and bright curtain fabrics, for interiors that are dynamic either transparent fabric or opaque fabric to allow you the freedom to play with the light entering the room.
Should you spend extra to buy designer curtain fabric?
Some people wonder why they should spend additional money on designer fabrics and pay for a name when a no name fabric will do just as well. Paying for the name may seem outrageous, but when people buy designer clothing for example they are not purchasing the name. They are turning towards the expertise that the designer brings, which make the clothes fit better than a discount item from a general store. Designer curtain fabrics are specifically created to be used as curtains, so the fabric has special qualities that will provide a better drape or a more flowing design. You need to weigh your decision on the look you are trying to achieve against the additional cost designer fabric will add to your decorating budget. It may sometimes be worth it and sometimes not.
Comments on this entry are closed.