10 Golden Tips for Choosing the Perfect Curtains for Your Home

We all want our room or another place in the house to look nice. We may think we need to spend money on expensive furniture or even pay a professional, however it is the small details that make the difference. In this case, the curtains can create a big ’before and after’ in our home. The important thing is to know how to choose them.

That’s why we at Bright Side want to bring you some good tips to help you choose the ideal curtains for you.

1. Make sure you choose the right length for your style.

The first thing to decide is whether to have long or short curtains. This depends on the shape of the window and also on the height and size of the space. Even so, knowing if your style is classic or modern can be a great help.

Short curtains are a good option for a modern atmosphere. You can complement them with blinds too. If, on the other hand, you prefer a more classic style, long curtains add an elegant and distinguished touch to any room.

2. Have the correct measurements.

According to designer Suysel dePedro Cunningham, before measuring the length of the curtain, we should decide where we want it to start. Hanging them higher than the window frame will give the room a sense of height. In addition, we will prevent the curtains from touching the floor and getting dirty.

Another point to keep in mind is that when measuring the width of the window, you should add 10 to 20 centimeters on both sides. Then, those extra centimeters around the window will help block any light that wants to enter the room.

3. Determine the type of washing from the beginning.

When buying curtains, knowing in advance what type of washing we want will save us time and money. We can choose between using the washing machine, hand washing, or dry cleaning. Although the first option sounds faster, we have to be careful, as the linings and seams could shrink in the wash.

When in doubt, play it safe and choose to dry clean your curtains and other decorations. If curtains require hand washing, do it with warm or cold water and use a mild liquid detergent.

4. Decide on the main function of the curtains.

If privacy is important to us, we can opt for curtains in darker or solid colors. Opaque curtains can also be helpful for a good night’s sleep, as they reduce outside light. However, sheer fabrics are a better choice if we want cool spaces with lots of natural light.

5. Using the accent color to choose our drapes

An accent color is used to highlight a space in a room or some aspect of the decor. For example, the sofa in the dining room or the headboard in the bedroom. One of the best ways to match drapery color to a room is to use one of the accent colors in the decor. We can choose the accent color of large pieces of the home, like furniture or rugs, or even the color of a wall, and take inspiration from them to choose the curtain color.

6. Contrasting cool and warm colors

Another option for choosing the color of the curtains is to look at what tones predominate in your room. Cool colors include blues, greens, and violets — they are calming and appeal to the intellect. On the other hand, warm colors include yellows, oranges, and reds. These are stimulating and appeal to emotions.

If warm tones predominate in a room, choosing a cool-colored curtain, or vice versa, can help improve the mood and sense of comfort. The key is balance.

7. Beware of prints on the fabric.

If the room has bold prints, it is best to opt for plain curtains, as having a busy space can create a distracting or clashing effect. On the other hand, if the room is rather plain, patterned and printed curtains add a touch of style and transform the windows into focal points.

8. Don’t forget the accessories.

In addition to the curtains, we have to think about the accessories we will need. Curtain cords or tiebacks are a good way to add more color to the space and keep it tidy. If we look for designs that complement the rest of the room, we will give a plus to our curtains. We can also choose those that have extra decorations, like tassels or other details.

9. Consider the use of blinds.

If the windows we want to decorate have furniture underneath, like a bed or a sofa, blinds may be a good choice. The biggest advantage of choosing blinds is that they give a cleaner and tidier look to the space; in addition, they provide more light. We can opt for wooden or even fabric styles that match the rest of the room.

10. Consider the appearance from the outside.

It is true that when choosing curtains, the main focus should be on the interior. However, it is not a bad idea to consider how they look from the outside. We can see if the color complements the exterior of our home and if they provide us with the privacy we need.

How are the curtains in your home? What other design tip has never failed you?

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