4 tips to get your curtains right!

Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on July 1, 2015

I always get asked if we design only kid’s spaces. And the answer is no.

While we started out with the vision of designing unique spaces for kids and families….we have worked on living rooms, bedrooms and patios. We pride ourselves in being able to design spaces keeping kids in mind, which can be challenging! But we also enjoy the freedom of working on spaces without those constraints, where we can bring in that glam glass top coffee table or the floor length mirror!

I also think that some of the basics of creating a beautiful functional space work across all rooms. One of those is curtains and draperies….the concepts extend through to every space. So here are my 4 favorite tips when you are looking to get curtains for any room!

Hang it right!

If I had to say one thing about curtains then this is it! Most people end up with curtains hung from the wrong height. To make the most of your curtains, you want to hang them closer to your ceiling above the height of your doors/windows. That adds height to the space and visually makes your ceilings appear taller!

Go all the way to the floor!

Curtains that end an inch above the floor are not something you want…they visually cut the height of the space! Imagine wearing an ankle length saree…you get the point!

Long, flowy and gently pooling or breaking on the floor is how you want your curtains to look. Generally a 1-2inch break is a good rule of thumb to go by. While curtains that pool can create a dramatic luxurious effect they may not be practical for everyday living spaces.

Choose the right fabric!

Having thick blackout curtains in a living room where you want the natural light to come through or sheers in a bedroom where you need privacy are no – no’s! It’s important to keep in mind the purpose of the room and pick your curtains accordingly.

Texture is another important parameter….silk and heavier fabrics usually make for a more formal setting while cottons, linens and lighter fabrics are more casual.

Don’t skimp!

Curtains need to gather to create the right effect. You don’t want to skimp and get 2 panels in place of 4 and draw them flat all the way to cover your windows. A general rule of thumb is to halve the width of the curtains for gather. If you have a 48” wide curtain, it will cover 24” with gather.