Curtain Dos and Don’ts
Let’s face it, when you’re trying to make your bedroom a cozy place one of the hardest decisions to make is often - curtains! They come in all textures, colors, lengths and sizes. How in the world do you decide on what’s right for your space?
Today, let’t take a deeper dive together on the dos and don’ts of curtains.
DO
Pick a curtain because you love it, not because you saw in on social media. Like paint colors, curtains can feel and look different in your home than they do in a stranger’s home on the internet. The wall color, what furniture is around the room and the lighting your curtains get will get all make the curtains feel different in a space.
DON’T
Hang white curtains for the sake of using a neutral color. Yes, there is a time and a place for the use of white or cream curtains, but there are SO many other options that can and will truly make your space beautiful & functional.
DO
Hang them high and wide. Yes, there is a formula for this. I like to hang them halfway between the top of the trim and the ceiling. Other designers would say to hang them as high as possible. This helps draw the eye up. Also, hang them a bit off of the side of the window trim as well. When you hang them directly at the edge, it covers a lot of the window and doesn’t allow the most possible light to shine in.
DON’T
Buy the standard curtain size/length. Typically, curtains should just brush the floor of your space. Depending on your wall height and how high you hang them, you may need a longer curtain panel. If you’re going for a more dramatic look, your curtain panels should ‘pool’ a little bit on the floor.
DO
Look at curtains with texture and pattern and consider the style. Velvet for a more cozy feeling. Consider wool, silk and linen for a more elevated look to your space that draws the eye in to its subtle textures. A pattern is considered visual texture. Be careful not to incorporate too many patterns in one space or it will overwhelm the eye. And finally, the style. There are tabs, pockets, pleats, tie-backs, and grommets. The rod pockets and pleats bring more texture and drama to the windows, whereas the tabs and grommets keep it more simple.
Whew! That’s a lot to consider before purchasing curtains. Remember, curtains ARE part of your decor. So, they can totally change the look and feel of a space. Happy curtain-ing!
If you’re looking for some advice on how to make your space more beautiful & functional beyond curtains, check out my Love Where You Live Workbook!
It’s a downloadable workbook with worksheets to help you create a plan for what to add, change, and remove from a room to meet your goals for the space.