6 great tips on how to choose curtains for your living room

Most of us will know what we're after regarding style, making it a great place to start. We don’t often realise that there is quite a range of styles to choose from when it comes to curtains. For example, a popular choice in Australia is flat panel curtains. These curtains don’t have any folds when pulled across your windows, achieving a completely smooth appearance. This style of curtain is great for highlighting the pattern or material of your curtains. Another popular style is pleated panel curtains. When opened, these are considered a more traditional, formal, and luxurious type of curtain with more folds in its panels. There are several other choices available to explore and discover, and making that decision early will make the following decisions much easier.

Another important thing to consider when choosing curtains is the material you want. The fabric you chose impacts many things regarding texture, feel, longevity and, quite crucially, the amount of light that can pass through your curtains. Consider cotton or sheer curtains if you want a lot of natural light in your living room. This will allow a lot of light to shine through the curtains while providing ample shade. Choose a heavier material, like velvet, to block out a greater amount of light. These are denser and will keep your room darker and more private. A step further would be to invest in blackout curtains, which have an additional lining to block sunlight. Finally, you can choose linen curtains to achieve an even balance. This will block out some light, but not all of it. Meeting with your local curtain fabricators is a great way to learn more about the different subtleties between materials.

Related article: How to create beautifully gathered curtains

When you are choosing living room curtains, the colours and patterns you choose will play a big part in the interior design of your living room. Before you can choose the colour and pattern, you need to look at the rest of the decor in your home. If everything else in your room is solid coloured, having curtains with a pattern will be a great contrast and point of difference. Similarly, you need to make sure the colour of your curtains fits with the rest of the furniture. While you don't necessarily want your curtains to match exactly, choosing drapes with a colour that complements other features in your room is important. For example, choose an undertone from your rug or furniture to match your curtains. Coloured curtains that match other design elements will make your living room feel more cohesive and well-designed.

When choosing curtains, it's essential to consider their length, as this significantly impacts how they look in your living room. Curtain lengths are determined by measuring from the rod pocket, where the curtains hang from the rod to the desired endpoint. Typically, there are four common lengths. Tier curtains are the shortest, covering only a small part of the window, such as the top foot. Apron curtains are slightly longer, just below the window’s bottom edge. Floor curtains reach the floor without bunching, brushing the surface for a clean, polished look. Puddle curtains, on the other hand, extend well past the floor, with the excess fabric pooling at the bottom for a dramatic, luxurious effect. The width of your curtains is equally essential and should be based on the width of your window and its frame. To achieve a gathered look, which allows the curtains to tie back neatly and create an elegant appearance, measure the window frame and multiply that width by two. This ensures you have enough fabric for a full, expensive-looking drape.

Related article: 17 exquisite types of curtains for your home

Another essential factor to consider when buying curtains for your home is whether or not they will be functional. While curtains can significantly improve your interior design, you must find curtains that do their job. First, you need to pick between lined and unlined curtains. This will depend on how much light gets into your living room in the first place and how much light you want to block out. If you want more natural light in your home, choose unlined curtains or curtains made from linen. You can also choose to use opaque curtains to provide more privacy. If you want to choose the amount of privacy you want, you should consider layering sheer curtains with opaque curtains. You'll also want to think about ongoing maintenance and care. While velvet curtains may look and feel fantastic, they require more attention and effort when cleaning them compared with alternatives like cotton.

Related article: Curtains & drapes – what’s the difference?

The curtain rods, rings, and brackets you choose can greatly impact the overall look and functionality of your curtains. Hardware should complement the curtains and the overall aesthetic of your living room. For a modern look, consider sleek, metallic rods with minimal finials. Other types of rods like wood or wrought iron can be a perfect choice for a more traditional or rustic design. Additionally, ensure the hardware is sturdy enough to support the weight of your chosen curtains, especially if you opt for heavier materials like velvet or blackout curtains.

Choosing the right curtains is a process that should be carefully considered but one you can have a lot of fun with too. By knowing what elements are important to you, you’ll be best placed to make informed decisions which will ultimately lead you to curtains that will do all and everything that you need.

This article was updated on 28th November 2024

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