Curtains are similar to lipstick in my opinion. Would you spend hours on flawless make-up but skip the lipstick? Most likely not. Even though I’m no make-up professional, I’m well aware of the power of lipstick (it’s often the only make-up I wear). So, think of your curtains as lipstick, and we’re only talking about the aesthetic side of curtains here. Curtains are necessary in interior design for both aesthetic and practical purposes.
Curtains are frequently an afterthought for many individuals when it comes to interior design. Window treatments, on the other hand, should be properly considered as early in the design process as possible. Even if curtains are the ‘only’ thing lacking from your area, please continue reading. Window treatments will always have a significant impact on a room’s overall feel and atmosphere. Curtains are just as significant as any other room feature in terms of interior design. In fact, while creating a home, I would consider the style of curtains before choosing on the actual windows. Why? Because the type of window you have will influence the type of window treatment you can employ. Your options will be limited because to the architecture, so
Whatever your situation, the first thing you should ask yourself when considering adding curtains to your home is:
What’s the purpose of the curtains?
Sun control, privacy, decoration, or all three? After that, you must examine a number of other criteria, including:
I – The architecture of your home
How much space do you have above and/or to the side(s) of your window to work with? What kind of windows do you have and in what style? How do you open them?
II – The Interior Design
Should the curtains match the rest of the room’s decor or stand out? What is the overall look you want to achieve?
III – The Window Treatment
What style window treatments do you like?
So, let’s have a look at some possibilities for maximising the power of curtains in interior design.
Curtains, blinds or shutters?
When it comes to window treatments, this is a crucial consideration. Curtains and blinds are the most prevalent window treatments. In tropical climes like the Caribbean, wooden sofa cushion cover, shutters are highly common.
The architecture, window style, usefulness, and, of course, your own preference should all go into your decision. Consider the character of the room you want to create before making a decision.
Blinds are a popular choice for the kitchen, study, and bay windows. A large selection of blinds is available (enough to maybe write an entire blog post about). Roman blinds, roller blinds, venetian blinds, plissés, and London blinds are just a few of the most common options. Each has somewhat distinct capabilities and, as a result, a unique feel and appearance.
Curtains are renowned to bring a touch of elegance to any room. Curtains, on the other hand, offer texture, which enhances comfort and has a favourable effect on a room’s acoustics. Let’s look at curtains in terms of interior design. As you surely know, there are a plethora of curtain types, curtain heads, ornamental treatments, and fabrics to choose from.
Tracks or poles?
Curtains can be suspended from a pole or hung from tracks. Poles function best in a more formal context, but depending on the sort of heading used, they can also work well in a more casual setting, such as a teenager’s room.
If you want to use poles, you will also need finials at either end of the curtain pole. Finials can be quite appealing and can be used as a design element on their own. This pole addition may be completely customized curtains online to make a statement.
We picked floor length sheer linen curtains strung from a solid iron rod with forged finials for a recent design job where Comfort meets Luxury at Global Inspirations Design. To add to the sophisticated French chic aesthetic and to match the craftsmanship of the bronze table lamp and the handmade chandelier, a London-based blacksmith created unique curtain poles and finials.
What heading should you go for?
How do you want your drapes to hang? Do you want to go for a more casual or formal look? Which style do you prefer: modern, conventional, or classic? Your answers will determine the type of heading. The heading, or top section of your curtain, is the most important part of the curtains since it determines how your curtains hang as well as their overall design and appearance.
Flat heading is the most popular heading utilised in contemporary settings, but traditional and classic interiors prefer goblet pleat, pencil pleat, and French pleat, to name a few. Eyelet headings work well in both settings, and tie top headings, for example, are ideal for a more relaxed setting. When working with customers on interior design projects, we recommend the finest heading for your curtains, in collaboration with our preferred readymade curtains online , to assist complement the rest of the interior design. As previously stated, curtains are an important aspect of the interior design process.
How to choose the right curtain fabric to match the interior design?
How do you choose the right fabric? This, too, is highly dependent on the overall interior design and the space’s intended function. Curtain fabric either complements the interior decor or is used to create a splash of colour or make a statement, such as with a strong pattern. Natural textiles, such as linen, cotton, and silk, are frequently used at Global Inspirations Design. Linen is available in a variety of weights to suit a variety of demands and styles. It’s a fantastic fabric that performs nicely in both winter and summer. Velvets (made of cotton and/or silk) are another of our favourites, especially when used with linen as a border, as seen in the photo.
Fabric selection is one of my personal favourite aspects of interior design. I can spend hours in fabric showrooms, attend fabric launch events all throughout Switzerland on a regular basis, visit the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre in London once a year, and visit fabric houses in Milan and Paris during Maisons et Objets and Milan Design Week (pre-Covid). Fabrics are frequently a source of inspiration, with seemingly limitless variations and possibilities.
Do you need lining or not?
When it comes to custom made curtains, you’ll also need to pick whether or not you want a lining and what weight lining you want. This is a crucial step in selecting drapes that will complement your home’s decor. Because blackout lining blocks out light, it’s ideal for bedroom curtains for a restful night’s sleep.
Interlinings, on the other hand, can provide weight, volume, and warmth to a sumptuous living room. Some textiles, such as’sheers’ or ‘voiles,’ do not require lining. They look great on their own. We’ve utilised sheers in a few of our recent interior design projects because they provide a sense of elegance while letting in a lot of light.
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How long should your curtains be?
Unless we’re designing a Swiss chalet or a rustic country home, we exclusively use floor to ceiling drapes at Global Inspirations Design. You must pick between floating and pooling curtains while using full length curtains. Fabric collects on the floor during pooling, as opposed to floating. You can add an extra 5cm to accommodate for uneven flooring and some pooling, or go for a more luxurious look by pooling generously. The latter is only recommended in large places and for people who do not have children or pets at home. As seen above in the dining area, I recommend curtains that at least hit the floor plus some.
When it comes to curtains, there is a lot to consider, so take your time. Consider each factor before making your decision, as you want your blinds or curtains to have a long-term good impact on your interior design. Bespoke window treatments are well worth the investment when done correctly. You might also like to listen to this piece on Radio X Basel’s The English Show (at 3.28), where I addressed a question about curtains from one of the listeners
