My Simple Guide for Picking Curtains, Shades, and Blinds (Part 1)
While the phrase window treatments may sound all fancy and complicated (and expensive, let’s be honest), it’s really just a way to describe all the options that exist out there for decorating your windows. Just because it sounds fancy doesn’t mean you have to be intimidated by it though! My goal is to break down what it’s all about so that you can figure out what might work best in your home both in function and style. So many people end up either doing nothing because they are paralyzed and overwhelmed by it all, or they hang a curtain, shade, or blind in a hurry just to have it DONE, but it really isn’t the best fit.
Does one of those describe you?
Well have no fear, because I’ve got a simple guide to help you understand the basics of curtains, shades, and blinds. With that knowledge in hand, along with a few suggestions about what works best in different scenarios, you’ll be able to make decisions about how to dress your windows with confidence!
In this two part guide, I’ll be diving into the three main window treatment types (curtains today, then shades and blinds next week {UPDATE: here’s the link to Part 2!}) by covering the following topics and questions for each:
The basics
Where do you buy them?
How do you hang them?
Where do they work best?
Other important things to consider
Let’s start with perhaps the easiest (and least intimidating!) one: curtains.
All About Curtains
via Studio McGee
The basics
Curtains are probably the most popular window treatment out there and for good reason - they’re readily available, come in a ton of sizes, colors, patterns, and styles, and they’re incredibly functional. They have the ability to transform a room if you get it right. Get it wrong and at best, they add nothing, and at worst, they can bring a room way down. We’ve all seen this before, haven’t we? It’s all to common, unfortunately. Let’s avoid that!
If you purchase curtains at a store, they tend to come tend to come in a few standard lengths: 84”, 96”, and 108" (plus or minus a couple of inches). If you have 8’ ceilings, you’ll usually want to go with 96” curtains and hem them if needed. If they’re taller than 8’, go longer! The 84” length is almost always way too short and yet that’s what you often see in-store at places like Target. DON’T BE FOOLED into thinking that means that’s the length you should buy. If that’s all you see in store, check online - 99% of the time they have more sizes there and you can simply order the correct one for your space!
Since there are so many different kinds out there, it can feel overwhelming to even begin to hunt for the right ones for your home, but I’ve got you covered with some helpful hints below!
Where do you buy them?
For ready-made options, my go-to sources are West Elm*, Pottery Barn, Target, and IKEA. Those four places offer lots of styles, colors, and patterns to choose from no matter your decorating style. When you’re shopping for curtains, be sure to take note of the material. As a general rule of thumb, materials like cotton and linen tend to hang better and look better than synthetics like polyester. Some polyester curtains are fine, but if you want to play it safe, natural fibers are your best bet.
Custom curtains are a totally different animal, but can be amazing if you’re looking for something special and are willing to spend a little more. Going this route allows you to select every aspect and get the perfect length for your windows. Online retailers like Smith & Noble and The Shade Store are great resources, but you may have limited fabric options. Local drapery workrooms are a great option as well and you can pick out your own fabric. These companies and workrooms are generally happy to help walk you through the finer details and technical parts of the process.
Finally, Etsy is a good place to look too - there are plenty of shops that make custom curtains with fabric that they stock. The pricing and styles vary a ton, so make sure you read reviews and reach out to the shop owner if you have questions.
How do you hang them?
If you remember one thing from this post, it’s to hang your curtains HIGH and WIDE! This makes your windows look larger and your ceilings look higher. Install your curtain rod so that it’s at least halfway between the ceiling and the window trim (you can go closer to the ceiling as well) and a good 6-12” beyond the frame on each side. Of course, this hanging method isn’t always possible with every window, but it’s a good rule of thumb.
You also need to think about how you’ll hang the curtains from the rod. My preference is to either use back tabs (strips of fabric attached to the backside of a curtain near the top) or curtain rings. Rod pockets and grommets (those metal ring types that allow you to slide the rod through) are my least favorite, but the good news is that you can always clip rings onto a rod pocket curtain - it works beautifully! Another reason I don’t love rod pockets is that I think they’re hard to slide across a curtain rod and they always look a little disheveled.
For length, you typically want the curtains to just touch the floor or hang a tiny fraction above it - any higher and you’ll end up with panels that are awkwardly short. Hitting the right length is a key to giving your curtains a high-end, tailored look.
An easy way to hang your curtains right the first time without having to do any super-detailed measurements is to go ahead and assemble everything on the ground first with whichever method you choose (rings or back tabs ideally) and hold it up above the window so that the curtain panels just touch the ground. Mark the spot where you’ll hang the hardware. Then lay your curtain assembly down and install the hardware on the wall. Double check to make sure it’s all level and symmetrical! You’ll probably need to grab a friend or partner to help you do it this way, but it will be much easier and less maddening than adding up all the little measurements to make sure your curtains hang in the right spot!
If you feel like you’re totally out of your league on this part, no worries! You can always hire a handyman to do it for you - just be sure to give them detailed instructions on how you want the curtains to hang.
Where do they work best?
Curtains are one of the most versatile window treatments out there, so I think the better question may be where they don’t work well.
In my experience, curtains are tough to use in these situations:
In homes with baseboard heat due to the potential fire hazard.
In spots that have a radiator or piece of furniture directly under them (unless the curtains are purely decorative and you don’t plan on closing them).
If you have a ton of decorative trim, sometimes there just isn’t a good spot for a curtain rod to hang nicely - blinds or shades are probably a better choice.
via Emily Henderson
Other important things to consider
First, the function of your curtains is a big consideration. Will you open and close them every day? Do they need to filter light or block it out completely? Are they just decorative? In bedrooms, you typically want blackout or heavily lined curtains, but in other places, you can be more flexible. If privacy is a concern, just make sure they’re thick enough to do the job.
The second important thing is the rod. You want to choose a sturdy rod that’s wide enough to support your panels without sagging and has good “visual weight.” A 1” curtain rod in a black (my favorite), brass, or silver finish tends to work well in most situations. This rod is one of my favorite go-tos if you want a clean, modern look at an affordable price.
Third, think through the type of pleat (the pinched area at the top) you want. Generally, the more pleats you have the more formal the drape. If you have a fairly casual home, a single or two finger pleat works well.
Lastly, depending on the width of the window you’re dressing, you may need more than one pair of curtains to cover it completely. Adding an extra panel to each side adds fullness and will look proportional. Even if you’re not planning on closing them often (or at all!), you still want to have the right number on either side. To figure out that number, compare the total width of the panels together to the width of the window. You want the curtains to be able to spread comfortably across the whole width of the windows and still have some visible folding. They shouldn’t be totally taut when closed. If there’s not enough fabric for that to happen, add an extra set - more is usually better than less.
That wraps up part one of this window treatment guide!
I know that’s a lot of information, but I hope it’s been helpful and that you feel ready to tackle those curtain buying and hanging goals. I’ll be back next week with part 2 where we’ll talk all about shades and blinds!
Ready for Part 2 on blinds and shades? Head on over here!
Have questions! Don’t be shy! Hit me up in the comments or over on Instagram!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means Mix & Match Design Company earns a small commission from your purchase at no cost to you.