Where To Start When Thinking About Curtains?
Over the years the team at Elite Curtains have learnt and expanded their knowledge around curtains, but one thing always remains the same, curtains add so much more to a room than being just something to close when you are looking for privacy or when it is getting dark. Curtains can give character, colour and flair to your living room, bedroom or anywhere else you wish to hang them. Curtains can define a space and draw the eye to your window and out. If you are unsure of where to start when it comes to curtains, let us help you with our step by step guide on the right way to plan for your new curtains in Leeds.
Colour & Fabric Options
One thing you learn when decorating a home, colour changes everything! You might have a dull room that doesn’t get much light, but you can bring a room back to life by adding colour and feature items. Curtains are no exception to this! It is essential you choose a fabric that works and fits in with the rest of your room décor. The fabric also affects the way the curtains hang; for example, if you choose a heavy fabric, they may not have crisp pleats in them when drawn to light, and you will find they are wispy and close slightly. There is an insane amount of fabrics on the market for curtains; you can get overwhelmed with the options:
- Linen
- Silk
- Velvet
- Cotton
These are just the basic fabrics, but you could use any fabric you wish. Colour-wise it is the same process; the difference with colour is that there are bog-standard colours such as; blue, red, green, white etc. You have the option of patterns, designs and styles. We have learned that every different aesthetic can be catered for when buying curtains. Bespoke Curtains also give you the option to have any colour, fabrics and style you wish; for bespoke curtains in Leeds, take a look at our homepage to find out more!
How To Measure Curtains
The first thing you need to decide when choosing your curtains is how they will be mounted to the wall. Do you want to mount them inside or outside the window frame? Hanging curtains on the outside allow for less light to pass through and make the window appear more prominent, giving any room a luxurious and classy feel. Inside the window frame, mounting will allow some natural light to creep in, meaning your room will always glow the window when curtains are closed during the daylight. Next, you need to determine the rod length. Ultimately it is up to each individual where they want their rod to sit, but we have a few recommendations.
- Inside Mount – streamlined and tailored window styles use this position; choose a rod with end caps and expandable design for a snug fit in your window, allowing for a perfect fit.
- Below Mount – This is perfect for windows that have beautiful and intricate patterns above their windows, whether in the woodwork or decoration of the room.
- Above Mount – Placed about 6-12 inches above your window frame, these are perfect for those who choose to go for a dramatic long drop curtain, offering luxury and style.
Not many people think about the importance of where the curtain rod sits around or in your window frame, but it can change the entire layout of the room, especially with rods such as the above Mount; you will find this adds drama and style your room.
The Final Checks!
This bit must be done, checked and rechecked! Above sill sits 1cm above windowsill, below the sill, sits 15cm below the windowsill, and floor-length is floor-length; once you have established which curtain length you would like to go for, you move on to width. Widthwise they should sit typically about 1 1.2 to 3 times the final width of your window. It is understandable that everyone has different ideas of design, style, and set-up, so it is primarily up to you how you want your curtain to hand; this affects the size and final measuring.
We believe lengthwise should be specific to each person; standard size windows will have a wide range of curtain choices, but odd-shaped windows will need bespoke made to measure curtains. Whether you like long hang, fitted or show curtains, measuring is always essential. Don’t forget – Rod length, width and height – Also don’t forget, curtains come as one piece orders so that you will have two for a pair of curtains!