Design Guide: Curtains 101

 

Every designer knows that a good pair of curtains can transform the look and feel of a room.  Like accessories, curtains add color, pattern, texture and personality.  Curtains can also enhance a space, giving the illusion of height, visually expanding the size of a window and enhancing the way light flows into a room.

Selecting a curtain style and pattern is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to adding drapes to your decor.  Measuring for the right size and hanging your drapes in the correct way will make all the difference in how the curtains look and function in your room.  Here’s your design guide for curtain decor…

MEASURE

The appropriate placement for window treatments is for them to hang above and outside the window frame.

WIDTH:  The best placement for a curtain rod is to have the brackets sit outside the window frame.  Anywhere from 10 to 12 inches beyond the window frame will work in most homes however you can place the brackets wider is you have a small window and want to give the impression that it’s wider.

To create fullness with your drapes, double the width of the panels for custom drapes or hang two panels together for off-the-shelf drapes.  Sheer curtains will require more fabric width to create a sense of fullness.

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LENGTH:  To draw the eyes upward and to give visual height to a room, add 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Or, you can measure halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling.

To determine what length panels you need, measure from the floor up to where you plan on hanging the rod, then round-up to the closest panel size. You can always hem curtains that are too long but you have not options is the curtain panels are too short.

The trend for drapery panels is for them to ‘kiss’ or skim the floor.  This look is classic and will work in more decor settings.  For a more casual feel, you can allow the drapes to pool slighting on the floor (2 to 3 inches).  If you want real drama, you can allow the drapes to puddle 4 to 6 inches on the floor but this length is not recommended for drapes that will be opened and closed on a daily basis (or if you have cats) 🙂

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THE DETAILS

The curtain rod and finials you choose for  your home will add to the overall decor of your room. Think of these pieces like you do jewelry to an outfit and select a style that works with the style of your room.   No matter what your price-point or style you needs, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for at big box stores or through catalogs.    Here are some of my go-to sources:

Wayfair–a wide range of items including double curtain rods and decorative finials.

Ikea–a great source for inexpensive, basic rod styles, clips and finials.  Also a great source for budget-friendly curtain panels.

Home Depot–this super store has a great selection rods and finials including Traverse Rods which are built on a track system and allow you to easily open and close curtain panels.

Restoration Hardware–I love their selection of classic rod styles especially their brass collection.

Lux Hold Ups–this Etsy shop specializes in acrylic rods and has some really chic curtain rings.

 

Another thing to consider when look at drapes for your home is the style of top treatment.  Here’s a visual guide from Live Journal…

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While not all rooms call for window treatments, most rooms will benefit from the style, texture and visual impact that drapes will add to a space.