How to choose the perfect curtain or drapes for your home

Selecting curtains is a lot like selecting clothes. The choice depends not only on what looks good but what their purpose is. Some rooms need light and airy curtains, while others might need a heavier fabric. It depends on the purpose of the room and how much daily sunlight that room receives. The other big factor is what color the walls are and what furniture you have. The right design choice not only transforms your decor, it also provides privacy and controls natural light. Start by deciding whether you want a formal or casual, traditional or contemporary style. And you'll also need to take practical considerations into accounts, such as the weight and transparency of the fabric and the shape and outlook of the window. Curtains can easily lift a room’s colors and make it feel larger and brighter, however, it’s important to take into account the fabric, colors and specific curtain system, to make sure it’s the best fit. For rooms that get a lot of afternoon sunlight, man-made fibers are a better choice as they won’t fade or deteriorate as quickly as natural fibers like linen or cotton. Curtains are a great way to keep the heat out and still enable you to enjoy the benefits of air conditioning. Specially designed ‘thermal curtains’ can do the opposite in winter by retaining heat inside. Heating and cooling will often make a heavy curtain cost-effective if it helps insulate a window that would otherwise be a big drain on a comfortable indoor environment. Designers suggest hanging the curtain rod 15cm above the window, however, in some rooms, a more dramatic effect can be achieved with a higher rod. It depends on the size of the window and the height of the ceiling. Ideally, the curtain rod and the curtains should extend 10 to 20 centimeters beyond the window’s sides. A full-length translucent fabric will not obstruct the view but will gently dim the harsh sunlight that streams into your room on a scorching summer day. Blackout curtains are great for bedrooms of your home if you are finicky about the amount of sunlight you want to allow in early in the morning. They also work well for rooms with a television or for home theaters. Blackout curtains are not black in color but are called so because of their ability to stop any light from passing through. Made from foam-backed opaque materials, they can instantly transform day into night. And that’s not all, they can also help control noise levels and work as insulators – keeping the heat trapped in winters and light out in summers. In this space, sheer curtains have been combined with blue blackout curtains. Don’t be afraid to use pattern and color in your drapes. It’s a great way to add interest and personality to a room and with so many different styles to choose from, you can go as subtle or bold as you like.