Transforming Traditional Pelmets Into Contemporary Features

Curtain pelmets have been around for a significant amount of time, dating all the way back to the Renaissance period in the 15th century – so the fact that they’re still going strong in the 21st century is seriously impressive.

However, it’s easy for the aesthetic to look a little dated if you’re not careful and, while there’s a lot to be said for traditional design and style ideas, many homeowners are now keen to see more contemporary additions to their home.

The good news is that you can easily bring pelmets in to frame your curtains and hide fixtures and fittings without affecting the modern look and feel of your property.

For example, you could keep the pelmet itself as sleek and as simple as possible. Avoiding fussy detailing and keeping it in one colour, blending in with the rest of the room, will help you create clean, minimalist lines throughout your living spaces, adding a layer of interest to proceedings without being overpowering.

On the other end of the scale, you can go full maximalism at home by embracing the more traditional pelmet aesthetic, using thick, heavy fabrics in big bold patterns. If you go down this route, you’ll likely find that the room works best if you paint the walls in a solid colour to ensure that the space feels balanced.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid fabric use altogether this is certainly achievable – although bear in mind that it is probably the more expensive route! Consider turning your pelmet into an architectural feature by creating one out of plaster, hiding your curtain tracks and rods in that way instead. 

This is a truly contemporary way to go about it and it is proving popular at the moment, although upheaval will be maximised, so if you want a pelmet without much fuss, fabric is definitely the way to go.

And don’t forget that it’s not just your windows that you can install pelmets on. These features can be used to frame book nooks and even your beds, delivering that instant wow factor to add serious interest at home.

Note, as well, that you can use your pelmets over Roman and blackout blinds, as well, and you can even have them fitted for bay windows (likely with the help of a professional who can come out to expertly measure and fit them), so the opportunities really are endless. The only limit is your imagination!

If you’d like to find out more about pelmets, curtains and what can be achieved, get in touch with the Pret A Vivre team today.