Curtains Design and Style

 

   7 Curtain Tricks Only Interior Designers

CURTAINS are obviously largely utilitarian, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about selecting and installing them in one's space just ask designers! We spoke with several pros who weighed in on the eight most important things to keep in mind during the curtain shopping and hanging process. Some of their insights may surprise you.

01. Different Curtain Styles Create a Unique Mood in a Space

 

 The curtains you choose will greatly inform the room that they go in, designer Lauren DeBello explains. "Do you want a luxurious, romantic feel? If so, curtains that puddle on the ground may be the right look for you," she comments. "If you want a cleaner look, choose curtains that graze the floor," DeBello advises. "Make sure to consider this when choosing the length of panels."

02. Create A Contrast With Your Curtains

For a larger window space, using curtains of two different styles and colors can make for an elegant contrast and an eye-catching design feature in a room, a great look for modern curtain ideas. In this colorful children’s bedroom by Kauinnes,te G the curtains combine a calming cream with a bright and unexpected use of color and pattern for the leading edge of the curtains. The Rick Rack fabric by Kit Kamp injects a playful element of fun to the space, and ties in with the pink and yellow palette used throughout the room, with the cream instilling a sense of balance and harmony.

03. Bring In The Beauty Of The Outdoors

For a timeless look, a patterned curtain that takes inspiration from the beauty of the outdoors, and features a floral or botanical print, can effortlessly integrate into spaces both classic and contemporary. Here, the John Lewis & Partners Oxlisa Readymade Eyelet Curtains elegantly frame the picturesque view from the window of the green garden, with the use of green for the delicate leaf pattern establishing a beautiful connection between the two spaces.

04. Lining Your Curtains is Key

"If you are getting custom curtains made, you should definitely get them lined, "advises Stephanie Purzycki, CEO and co-founder of The Finish. "The  sun can fade and damage drapery over time so it's worth protecting your investment by adding a fabric liner''.
" And there are other ways to jazz up your curtains to add a little extra flair, she explains. "You can enhance store bought drapes with trim to give them a custom look."

 05. Coordinate With Your Wallpaper

Many similar patterns can be used across both wallpaper and curtains, with both features able to bring in a beautiful element of texture, color and character into a room. For a statement, layered look, why not use a matching print and coordinate your curtains with your wallpaper. As shown in this delightful study by Kate Guinness, an orange and green Seville wall fabric, installed by The Textile Wall Company, matches the curtains to establish a luxurious, plush look that feels both cozy and unique.

06. Elevate Your Curtains With A Pelmet 

Curtain pelmets, often used in classic interior spaces, are used to conceal the top of the curtain. Adding a luxurious, decorative touch to your windows, pelmets can also be used for insulation around windows, great for older buildings and large window curtain ideas.In this traditional home, interior designer Christiana Syrris has used a beautiful, deep mustard hue on the walls, curtains and pelmets. With the different materials used adding depth and interest to the singular color palette, the pelmet used on this window elevates the design with gorgeous grandeur and tradition.

07 Go Two Tone On Curtain Panels

Sometimes the most simple designs can be the most effective. On a large, floor-to-ceiling window or door, adding a two tone curtain brings energy into the room. For a sophisticated scheme, stick to a neutral on the majority of the curtain, and add in a contrasting shade for the top third to ensure you still benefit from the color without it distracting from the rest of the space.

What Curtains Are In Style?

Over the last few years we’ve seen a resurgence of beautiful blousy style curtains, ones that are full length and with stunning prints and weaves. However, simpler farmhouse curtain ideas and country curtain ideas are also very much en vogue. Try to find designs that make the room complete and are integral to the rest of the scheme, because curtains should be as important as the furniture and accessories, not an afterthought. They can make a neutral scheme suddenly feel uber stylish, or add that level of luxury that you can’t achieve anywhere else. 

For some more guidance on choosing and planning the curtain ideas for your home, our curtain mistakes to avoid guide has plenty of advice.

How Do You Choose Curtain Fabric?

Consider the style and period of your home, as well as the other colors, textures and patterns in the room. ‘The best color for curtains is at least one shade lighter or darker than the walls,’ says fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnott.

Lining your curtains will gives a fuller, more luxurious look. Consider interlining too – an extra layer of insulating fabric (sometimes called bump) between the lining and surface material – as this will reduce chills, and even noise, from outside. Unlined curtains are also one of the things that makes a house look cheap.

Emma Clarke says, 'almost any fabric can be used as a curtain provided it has beautiful drape. Best quality curtain lining and interlining materials give a luxurious finish, enhancing the beauty of the fabric and accentuating shape and fullness.'

What Is The Best Material For Curtains? 

The best material type is the one that suits your chosen room best. A big draughty house will benefit from heavy velvet curtains with lining to create that cosy feel during the cooler months and add a touch of luxury.

On the other end of the scale, linen in all its glory is perhaps one of the most popular choices and it’s easy to see why – slubby and glorious, it hangs beautifully and comes in an array of subtle shades. Voiles are a good curtain idea for bathrooms, and if you fancy a spot of glamour in the bedroom opt for silk-lined drapes. 

What Are The Different Curtain Styles?

Eyelets or pencil pleats are standard on ready-made curtains, so a decorative heading on made-to-measure curtains suggests quality, whatever your fabric. Choose from double and triple pleats, flop-over frills or informal gathers.

Clarke says, 'add character with headings and trims. At Warner House we love the pinch pleat heading: triple pinch for a heritage look, double pinch for a sleeker finish. And add luxurious brush fringe or smart animal print tape to the leading edge for a polished effect.'