A lot of thought and consideration goes into picking out the perfect curtains for your home. You've selected the ideal fabrics, the best style for your space and perhaps even a designer curtain pole. It's fair to say then that you want to make the most of your brand new made to measure curtains. We've put together five tips and tricks to make sure your curtains are living their best life!
Take Your Time Picking The Right Fabric
It sounds obvious but so many people rush into buying their curtain fabric only to feel a little let down when their new curtains arrive. The curtain fabric is the lifeblood of your curtains, make sure you get this right and order plenty of samples. In fact, we offer a free post sample service so you can be absolutely sure that your new designer curtain fabric is the perfect one for your home.
Darker coloured curtains have the effect of making a room feel smaller, this isn't necessarily a bad thing - it creates a sense of coziness. Think crackling fire, tweed and thick, dark curtains - selecting a darker fabric is great for a homely feel.
Likewise, light and airy fabrics will uplift your space - making it feel larger and more breathable. Consider what your space is being used for and the ambience you're trying to achieve when browsing curtain fabrics.
Curtains Can Create Space
Ok, this isn't strictly true, curtains don't really create space but they do create the feeling of space. The illusion of space. Selecting a fabric with ticking stripes makes the whole room feel taller - your eyes are naturally drawn to and up the stripes elongating your room. Equally, the position of your curtain pole is important. Putting it too close to your window recess can make your room feel cramped. Set it a little higher than you normally would and make sure your curtain length drops well below your window, it will make your room feel much more spacious.
Introduce Colour
Curtains make up a huge part of your decor, don't underestimate how much effect your curtains will have on your space both when opened and drawn. It's advisable to chose the pattern and colour of your curtain fabric in the early stages of your redecoration, this way you can be sure that everything matches up.
Curtains offer you a great opportunity to inject life and colour into your space. Picking curtains the same colours as your space can leave it looking a little one dimensional, a little drab. Consider using complimentary colours to add life to your space. If you're a little confused by what colours are complimentary, a colour wheel is a really useful tool to help you select a great shade.
Steam Your New Curtains
This is particularly important if your new made to measure curtains are arriving by post. Yes, you might be excited to hang them straight away, and you should be! However, you shouldn't leave it there. Steaming them once they're hung will get rid of any of them unsightly creases and folds. You can do this before they're up, but the added bonus of doing it in situ is that you get a feel for how they'll hang.
Order Enough Fabric
Skimping on your curtain fabric can leave your new curtains looking a little sad when drawn. If your curtains are a little too small for your window recess, when they're drawn they loose their shape and fullness and can feel a little flat. We have a fantastic collection of curtain measuring guides that spells out just how to measure your curtains so that they look perfect when open or drawn.
