All about curtains with tips and tricks you need to know

CURTAIN CALL! In this post the star attraction are curtains, and everything you need to know about the selection process that will fit your décor, installation tips with different design styles, as well as Do and Don’ts.

How to hang (Installation process):

Making a template like this will take away the guess work on where to level and measure each window. All of the rods in your house can be hung at the same height and width. This template can be made by cardboard, any hard paper, even some wood if you want.

Measure the length of the curtain to make sure that it will fall to the desired length when hung. Cut your template top piece 4-8 inches and the side piece 8 to 12 inches, then tape, staple, or glue together at a 90 degree angle. That’s it!

I would like to give a "shout out" to Pinterest where this template concept was found, this was so fast and easy to make!

I LOVE this idea, just put the finished template on the wall, mark the point your hardware will go, flip over to the other side mark drill and go!

This template choice is 4 inches on the top and 9 inches on the side.

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Do or Don’t:

Do: Hang your curtains high 4 to 8 inches above the window molding and all the way to the floor. With this technique the window looks bigger and the overall look and feel of the room really transforms.

Don’t: Hang your curtains right above the window molding or inside the window frame. As you can see the window looks smaller and the curtains do not give the space any justice.

More looks at Do and Don’t:

Do!

Don’t: Hang curtains too low makes a sad window.

Don't: The curtains are hung high which is great, but fall short and fan out at the bottom, reminds me of someone wearing “high water” pants, at the expense of looking at these “high water" curtains. Looks like someone is expecting a flood! Everything is wrong about this pic even the large plant on the mantle grouped with the small pictures.

Don’t:

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Using enough fabric for fullness is so important:

Do: Use the right amount of fabric – In this window the curtains remain open at all times, considering the size of this window you still need more than one panel to have a better look. For reference this window has two curtain panels.

Tip: For a window that the curtains need to close and depending on how full you wish to have your curtains from a closed view. Measure the length of the curtain rod when hung and multiply that total by 1-3 then round to the nearest whole number to achieve your desired appearance of fullness.

Don’t: Fabric looks skimpy on this window, even if you opt for a quality or more economical fabric the curtain will still look skimpy and possible cheap if you don’t use enough fabric.

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Different styles of curtains:

Pinched pleat (Single pinch pleat curtain shown in this post)

Goblet pleat (Image from sew-helpful.com)

Tab top (Image from Plow & Hearth plowhearth.com)

Box Pleat (Image from dreamdrapes.com)

Back Tab (Image from selectblinds.com)

Pencil Pleat (Image from sew-helpful.com)

Tie top (Image from halfpricedrapes.com)

Ripple fold (Image from islandwindowcovering.com)

Rod pocket Image from (countrycurtains.com)

Grommet curtain Image from (Shopdecorator.com)

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What color curtain should you choose with decorating tips:

To go bold for your room to yell “WOW”:

If you have white or tan walls pull the boldest color in a rug that’s in the room, a bold vase color, or pillows and make the curtains that color. Another way is to color block example: In a room with blue walls hang emerald green or brown curtains, or a room with gray walls hang burnt orange, turquoise or blue curtains. (Have the couch or rug and a couple of accessories on hand to match those bold curtains).

To blend with the décor: Classic

Do the opposite of the bold method by choosing curtains the exact same color of the wall or a shade no more than two shades darker than the wall. (A tip is choose a non-dominant part of your color scheme in the room like the most subtle secondary color from the rug and make that your color for your curtain).

If you like Patterns:

Solids go with any type of décor style, geometric, abstract and vertical strips are more contemporary. Floral is more in line with a traditional space. (A tip is if you already have a rug with a lot of patterns in it stay with a solid color or a smaller more subtle pattern that is in the same color family as the rug).

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Choosing a rod size/dimension:

When my clients ask me for advise on how thick their curtain rod should be, I advise them to use anywhere from 1 inch - 1 3/4 in diameter for a sleek, clean and timeless look. Smaller than one inch the rod will look cheap and will pull down along with the weight of the curtain. larger than 2 inches it will look too bulky.

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Common Curtain Rod Styles:

(Images from jcpenney.com)

Traverse Rods: These come with a cord and sliding equipment inside the rod, as well as drapery hooks that are attached to move your curtains from a closed to open position without touching the curtain.

(Image from bedbathandbeyond.com)

Café rods: for light weight fabrics or sheers.

(Image from continentalwindowfashions.com)

Traditional lock seam curtain rod: come as a single, double or triple and used for medium to heavy curtain fabrics.

(Image from ballarddesigns.com)

Return Rod: U-shaped rod curves to the wall connecting to the hardware, therefore, making the curtain fabric curve around and touch the wall to blocking out light.

(Image from bedbathandbeyond.com)

Double and single Curtain Rod with finial: (shown with curtains on this post and most used in homes).

(Image from bedbathandbeyond.com)

Cable Rod: Curtains are hung directly on the cable or by using clips, the cable is connected to hardware that’s connected to the wall.

(Image from bedbathandbeyond.com)

Side rod: mostly used for decorative purposes where you don’t want to open and close curtains. The rod does not go across the entire window just where the fabric is.

(Image from walmart.com)

Tension Rod: Held up in between a doorway, windows or in a closet to hang clothes, no hardware is needed and is held up by turning until tight against the wall.

(Image from boscovs.com)

Swing rod: These rods swing in and out (mock a door movement) they are very versatile and can be used in many ways.

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End statement:

Curtains are the finishing touch that enhances a room like a piece of jewelry, adding scarf or a fabulous pair of shoes to an outfit, it can become the showcase to any the room that not only transforms but makes it come alive with personality.

Happy decorating! I hope that these tips will make your your choices easy, enjoyable and transform your room to a space that you just love.