So you’ve bought a new home and are wondering just what to do with your bedroom windows. Or maybe you are redecorating and want to give your bedroom a new look. Buying a curtain, or more aptly, buying the right curtain can be a difficult call. From selecting the right fabric, to colour combinations, length and lining, there are so many choices to make that it can become overwhelming.
The truth is that curtains play a huge role in how a room comes across. The mood of a room can be defined by how you treat your windows. Curtains can make your room feel bigger, brighter and livelier. On the flipside, making the wrong choice can also make your room gloomy and lifeless.
The important thing to remember here is that for any choice to work, you need to be comfortable with it. You should feel the pulse of your room before deciding on the curtains. Your curtains have to look part of the overall décor and not something that stands out.
John from Prestige Doors laughed “It’s funny how even curtain choice can be so technical, but it really does make a difference.”
Here are a few pointers to help you pick the right curtains for your bedroom:
Colours and Patterns
The right colours and design on your curtains can add much needed personality to any room. There are plenty of options to choose from – geometric shapes, motifs, patterns, or you could go for just the solid coloured ones.
Whatever the choice, colours should not be similar to those of the walls. In fact, they should catch the eye and even complement other colours in the room. Pick colours that don’t clash with the theme of the room. On the contrary, if your room has a formal setting, you don’t want colours that stand out too much but rather blend in. Another thing to consider is how much light you want filtering into your room. Lighter coloured curtains allow much more light than dark curtains.
As far as curtain designs are concerned, it would be best to stick with single coloured curtains if you have textured wallpaper. Designs on your curtains also would way too much. For lighter rooms, if you are looking for curtains that stand out, pick those designs that excite. Large, bold designs can be a lot of fun.
Fabric
As far as fabric is concerned, you want one that not only looks good but also functions well and lasts for a long time. Some fabrics are too heavy and impossible to manoeuvre, while some can be too light and just don’t fall very well. Picking the right fabric is all about understanding what is important to you.
Some of the better fabrics that you can choose include linen, faux silk and velvet. People love the feel of silk as well, but it tends to waste away pretty easily and doesn’t have a good life. Some fabrics like velvet and suede provide natural insulation. This is useful in colder climates. In any case, you can always line any fabric with an extra layer of insulation if needed.
Selecting the right fabric also has a lot to do the look of your bedroom. Lighter fabrics allow more natural light into the room. Heavier fabrics, on the other hand, are good for blocking light and will further darken a dull room.
Style
Colours are not the only things that define how a curtain will look in a room. Just like wearing a blazer is not the same as wearing a tuxedo, there are many different styles of curtains. The way you hang your curtains will go a long way in defining how they look in your bedroom.
You need to consider the ambiance of your home. Are you going for a chic modern feel or do you like the traditional elegant styles. Whichever choice you make, and there are plenty, just make sure that it fits with the theme. You don’t want to end up with a Victorian style curtain adorning a room filled with IKEA furniture.
Length and Width
Typically, the length of your curtains should be just enough so that they hang half-an-inch above the floor. This works well if you plan on opening and closing them often. If you plan to keep your curtains closed all the time, you can have longer curtains that puddle up on the floor. This can add a nice, sensual feel to your bedroom.
As for the width, it depends on the kind of look and functionality you want. You can go for a compact look by keeping the width at 1.5 times the width of the window. This is best for stationary curtains. For an elegant look with ample fabric for you to drape easily, go for a width around 2 times the window width.
