If you’re decorating your new house or you’re giving your house a makeover, curtains are a great way to add that finishing touch to any room. Window coverings are not just valued because of their aesthetic purposes and how it can greatly enhance the appearance of a certain room, but more than that, curtains help insulate heat and cold, block light and sound from filtering through a room, and provide cover for privacy. More so, they add value to your home when is come to re-sale!
Choosing the most suitable curtains for every room in your home can be a challenging task. You can even be confused about what type of curtain to use, what colours or shade best fit a particular room, what type of hardware to use for your curtains, and the most asked question of them all: how to hang your curtains in the most appropriate way. If you’re up to the challenge of using curtains in your household, there are some tips and basic steps you can follow to come up with the best choices for each room.
The foremost consideration when choosing a curtain is its compatibility with the room you will be hanging your curtains. The type of curtain and its colour should match with the room’s theme and style. If you haven’t decided on the colour, the best tip is to go neutral; go for creams, whites or even grays. Opt for a solid material if you’re still unsure about the stylistic direction of your room. If you choose a printed fabric it may be the dictating point of your entire room.
A room full of colours and patterns will benefit greatly from curtain colours that are more neutral. These can match wall colour, or one of the dominant neutrals in the room. Another important element to consider when buying ready-made curtains, or having them custom made is the length. Longer curtain lengths that puddle on the floor are fitting for formal rooms. If you want a contemporary, relaxed and cozy environment, hang your curtains so that they are 1/16″ shy off the floor.
Note that most ready-to-hang curtains come in standard lengths of 84″, 96″, and 120.” If your ceiling and window heights are taller that these can accommodate, you have the choice to get drapes custom-made or keep the costs down by doing faux wood blinds or roman shades that fit into the frame of the window. You can buy these window coverings that areready to cut at any big box stores.
Once you’ve decided on the style, pattern and type of curtains you want to use, here are some basic steps to follow in when hanging ready-mades:
1. The first step in hanging your curtain is to measure the width and length of the window frame or the space you want to cover in which you will be installing your curtains.
2. After this, you need to determine the kind of rod you will be using. The prices of rods vary according to the style, finish and quality. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the drapery hardware most appropriate for your curtains:
Drapery hardware can coincide with the theme you are employing, so choose one that matches the style of your room. This hardware can also serve as a decorative element. When selecting the finish, be it, chrome, brass or black, ensure that this finish is repeated somewhere else in your room so that you tie in the overall look.
There are several kinds of rod types and each has different purposes. For those who want visible curtain rods, you can use decorative rods with finials. For concealed-type rods, it remains hidden and is covered by the curtains. In this case, you will spend less on the rod and its accessories.
When choosing a decorative rod it is also equally important to consider the finial, rings, brackets, tie backs and other accessories because they play a part in creating that custom look!
3. Once you have the curtains and rods to use, mark the areas where you need to drill for your curtain holders. Always ensure that you have pre-drilled in the right location, and that both ends are level. The rule of thumb is to hang your curtains half way between the top of the frame and the ceiling. Therefore, if the distance top of the frame and the ceiling is 12″, you will want to mark thebrackets of your rod location at about 6″ from the top of the frame. You can now hang your curtains!
Once the curtains are hung, you can step back and evaluate the work you’ve done. If the drapes are too long, you can pin them and go to your local seamstress to get them hemmed. You can also use a quick and easy solution that can be found at any fabric store, it is called a hemming tape. All you have to do is iron it on and the fabric will instantly seam together. Be sure that you have pre-creased your fabric and that your line is straight!