What Should I Consider When Buying Curtains?

It can be easy to think of curtains as an afterthought to your interiors, but the right curtains can really make a room and bring your interior styling together.

So, our first piece of advice is not to rush when choosing your curtains. Instead, take some time to consider what you need for each room in your home and work your way through the following checklist to ensure you get the right curtains for your home.

Top 5 considerations when buying curtains

We think the following points are the most important ones to bear in mind when selecting window coverings:

1. Purpose
2. Window shape and location
3. Length
4. Style
5. Fabric

1. Purpose

You might think that the purpose of having curtains is as simple as keeping light out and giving you privacy. These are both important points, but there are other reasons to have curtains in different rooms in your home. 

Curtains can be useful for keeping heat out in the hotter months, as well as for keeping heat in your rooms during the winter. In fact, it’s estimated that 18 per cent of heat in UK homes escapes through our windows.

This means that having insulated curtains and closing them as soon as it gets dark during the winter could save a reasonable amount of heat and therefore energy. 

What’s more, curtains can help to reduce the noise that enters your home from the street, so if you live on a main road and this is one of your aims then this will affect the type of fabric you choose for your curtains.

Of course, curtains can also be decorative, in which case you might focus more on the way the fabric falls or its colour. 

However, it’s easy to see how the purpose of your curtains will affect almost every other decision you make about how you dress your windows. 

2. Window shape and location

The shape of your window and the location in your home will also have an effect on what curtains you want to purchase. 

Is your window above a radiator for example? Is it a bay window which means it curves around? Does it face onto a busy street, or is it at the back of your home looking over your garden? Is the window south facing? 

When you are considering the purpose of your curtains, you’ll likely already be thinking about where your window is.

So, if you are looking for bedroom curtains for a south-facing window, you may want to consider blackout fabric so that you can keep all of the light out during the summer months.

Or if you are looking for curtains to dress a window that is overlooked by the street, you could choose lined curtains for their sound and temperature insulating properties. Or you may prefer a sheer fabric that lets the light in during the day, but provides you with privacy.

The shape of your windows will affect the type of curtain rail you use, which will also have an impact on the overall design. If you have quirky shaped windows in your property, bespoke curtains will be your best option to ensure they fit seamlessly into your room.

3. Length

While floor-to-ceiling curtains can look dramatic, they aren’t appropriate or necessary in every room. 

Depending on where the furniture in your room is located, having long curtains may also be impractical. Naturally, if you have full-length windows then you will want full-length curtains to cover them. 

Furthermore, don’t forget to consider how furniture positioning, such as wardrobes near windows, will potentially impact the width of your curtains.

If you’re unsure of what length or width would best suit your space, you can speak to one of our designers to get their professional advice. 

4. Style

The style of the curtains you choose should complement the overall style of your room. So, if you have a period property and have decorated in keeping with that era – such as Victorian or Georgian – you might want heavier curtains to match that style. 

If, on the other hand, the style of your home is contemporary, simple and sleek curtains that work well with clean lines might be a better option.

Your style also applies to the colour of your curtains. Are you looking for timeless curtains in black, white or grey that will go with a more monochrome, contemporary look, or do you want curtains in opulent reds or greens to make your space feel more cosy? 

The choice is down to your personal preference. There is no right or wrong decision here. 

5. Fabric

Curtains can be made from various fabrics, including linen, cotton, velvet, voiles, silk and mixes such as linen-cotton blends. If you have thought carefully about the four other points we’ve discussed here, you will likely already have an idea of which fabric will be most appropriate. 

By working through these points in order, you can make it much easier to decide on the fabric and style for your curtains that will not only look amazing, but also be very stylish and suit your home’s decor.