WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING CURTAINS
Curtains may be functional, but they’re also a great way to add style and finish a room. We’d like to offer a few tips to be sure you get exactly what you want.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
LIGHT FILTRATION
You’ll want to consider how much light filtration you need. Sheer and semi-sheer options are a breezy choice, but they don’t offer much privacy. Blackout curtains are a good choice for bedrooms and home theaters.
COLOR, PATTERN, & FABRIC
Consider how you want the finished room to feel. Velvet and chenille drape beautifully and can even add warmth, but they may be more formal and/or heavy than your room requires. Silk offers lightweight shimmer but isn’t a good choice for direct sun unless it’s lined. Linen and cotton are often semi-sheer or sheer, but they can give a room a light, summery feel.
When it comes to pattern, busy patterns can create quite a statement but may be overwhelming if your windows are close together. If your furniture and rugs are bold, you might prefer to balance that with neutral, more subtle curtains—or vice versa: if your furnishings are neutral, add a pop of color and pattern at the windows.
HEADERS
This refers to how a curtain is hung from the rod, and the one you choose will affect how you measure to get the right length.
Grommets are circular metal holes at the top of the curtain that leave the rod more exposed than other styles do.
Tab- or tie-top headers are loops of fabric at the top of the curtain that the rod slides through. These have the least amount of pleating/gathering and can leave the rod partially exposed.
Back tabs are a variation on tab tops that hides the rod (the tabs are attached behind the curtain rather on top of it) but can give a looser drape than a rod pocket does. Back tabs are often combined with rod pockets to give you a choice of hanging styles.
Rod pocket curtains have a pocket along the top of the panel that will completely cover the rod. These offer a more gathered look and are often used with tiebacks.
Pinch pleat curtains are more formal than others and attach to a rod using drapery hooks, rings, or clips.
HOW TO MEASURE FOR CURTAINS
Once you’ve decided on fabric, pattern, and style, you’ll need to measure your space to get the results you want.
UNDERSTANDING OUR CURTAIN MEASUREMENTS
Width refers to a single curtain panel, even when they are sold in pairs.
Rod-pocket curtain length is the distance from the top of the rod pocket to the bottom of the hem. It does not include top ruffles or other decorative treatments above the pocket.
Tie-top and tab-top curtain lengths are the distance from the top of the panel to the bottom of the hem. It does not include the ties or tabs.
HOW WIDE?
Measure the width of the window, including any architectural moldIng or trim (if you want those to be covered by the curtains).
For a relaxed but tailored look with curtains loosely gathered, multiply the window width by 1.5 or 2. Divide that number by the width of a single curtain panel to get the number of panels you need.
For a full, luxurious look with curtains tightly gathered, multiply window width by 2.5 or 3. Divide that number by the width of a single curtain panel to get the number of panels you need.
HOW LONG?
For a traditional look, mount the curtain rod 4” above the top of the window. The distance from 4” above the window to about .5” above the floor is the length of your curtains.
For a grand, glamorous look with curtains “puddled” on the floor, measure from 4” above the window to the floor, then add 3” to 4”.
To make the room look taller, mount the curtain rod 2” to 3” below the ceiling. This may cover the top of the window and some of the wall above it, but the longer curtains will draw the eye upward and create the illusion of a more spacious room.
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS
USING CURTAIN PINS OR HOOKS
Curtain pins or hooks are inserted into the back (lining side) of curtain panels. The sharp end goes into the fabric.
Insert the straight end of the pin all the way. The curved end of the pin goes through the eyelet of the curtain ring or rod carrier.
Check to make sure the pins don’t poke through the front of the curtain panel. If you want the top of the curtain panels to be even with the bottom of your rings or carriers, insert the pointed end of the pin 1.25” down from the top edge of the curtain panel. This will place the top of the pin even with the top of the panel.
Rod-pocket or flat-top panels: Insert the pins into the pocket or lining on the back of the curtain panel. Space the pins 4” to 6” apart if you want the panel top to be straight. Space them 7” to 12” apart if you want the panel to drape a bit between the rings.
RODS & FINIALS
The length of the curtain rod should equal the total fabric width.
Add the length of two finials to the rod length to get the total amount of space necessary.