Guide to choosing curtains: What kind of curtains do I need?

Well-chosen curtains enhance the decorative style of your home while also providing functional features. For example, they provide the privacy you need to read a book in a small corner by the window, control the heat and light you need to chat with friends in the living room during an after-dinner chat, and provide the silence and privacy you need to give yourself a midday break in your bedroom.

In addition, curtains also have natural heat and light filtering properties and can increase the energy efficiency of your home. Therefore, you should be careful when choosing curtains and choose them according to the features you need and the decorative style of your home.

Curtains allow you to reduce noise entering your home, regulate temperature and achieve greater privacy, as well as regulate light intensity. There are three things to consider when choosing them:

The orientation of the room. The orientation of your home determines the type of natural light that enters through the windows and at what time of day: pay attention to this detail to choose fabrics that allow you to regulate the light. For example, if your home faces north and not much light enters, opt for very light and airy fabrics such as organza. On the other hand, if the apartment faces south and a lot of light enters most of the day, you can use double curtains to adapt to the activity you do in the morning, at noon or early afternoon.

Type and size of window or balcony. Folding, tilt and turn, sliding, attic, roof window… In order to be comfortable, the curtain must be adapted to the type of opening of the window or balcony. For example, for a retractable window, the ideal solution is to attach a curtain to the inside of the window sash. On the other hand, for a balcony with inward opening doors, it is much more comfortable to hang two curtains at the ends and leave the middle area free.

Decorative style of your home: What style did you choose to decorate your home? One of the decor elements that we usually leave for last is the curtains. You can make the windows the focal point by highlighting them with textiles, but always keep the same style as the rest of the room so as not to lose the harmony of the space. If you have any doubts or are going to make changes soon, plain white never fails!

Now, what function will the curtains fulfill in the room where they will be hung? Here are 3 (+1) examples to inspire you and give you some thought to what you need. Here they go!

Make the apartment look bigger

To gain visual amplitude, we need two things: to open up the light and to make the windows look bigger. To achieve this, use drapes made of a light fabric that allows light to pass through: cotton gauze, linen or polyester are great options. If you have more than one window in the same room, use the same fabric for all of them: this way you don’t create contrast between one and the other and the space looks more harmonious.

When choosing a design, remember that plain, light-colored fabrics visually expand the space and multiply the amount of light. Also, if you use a color as similar as possible to the walls, you will dilute the architectural border between the wall and the window frame, making the space appear larger.

Finally, the higher you hang your bar, the better. By doing this, you will visually lengthen the height of the ceilings, making them appear higher and ultimately increasing the feeling of space in the room. If your ceilings are very low, you may want to consider hanging your bar from the ceiling.

Dark curtain for a better night's sleep

If you work at night and need to create the right atmosphere for a good night's sleep during the day, you can use blackout curtains or blinds. Curtains made for this purpose are known as blackouts: place them as close to the window as possible to achieve complete darkness in the room. Do this especially if you don't have blinds.

Curtains for office

Use curtains! Especially if you place your desk in front of natural light. Roller blinds are the most comfortable way to cover windows that have a table, radiator or use the window sill as a support point.

Roller blinds are ideal for spaces with a minimalist style. If you want to give your office a more relaxed atmosphere, you can choose roller blinds with rods or panel blinds: the latter have no rods, so they have a lighter and more natural drape.

Transparent windows to show off architecture

Sometimes the window itself is the star of the room. It may be because it is an old house that has preserved the original windows, because the balcony provides access to a tribune or because the view from the window is privileged (sea, mountains or panoramic city views), but if you are not too close to the neighbors across the street and have enough privacy, do not hesitate and show them off: these architectural elements give personality to the spaces and are worth using them.

Here are some factors you should consider when choosing quality curtains:

1. Material: Quality curtains are usually made from durable materials such as cotton, silk, polyester or nylon.
2. Weaving: The weaving of quality curtains should be smooth and tight. Also, the ends of the curtain threads should be cut properly.
3. Colour: The colors of quality curtains should be vibrant and bright. Also, the colors of the curtains may change depending on the lighting conditions, so it is recommended that you examine the curtains you choose under daylight.
4. Size: Quality curtains must have the right dimensions. If the dimensions are wrong, the appearance of the curtains will be spoiled and their functionality will be reduced.
5. Processing: In quality curtains, sewing and embroidery should be done well. The sewing should be flawless and the embroidery should be neat.
6. Guarantee: Quality curtains usually come with a warranty. This guarantees the quality and durability of the curtains.
7. When: Brands that sell quality curtains usually offer better quality. Therefore, it is recommended that you be careful when choosing a brand.

Remember, to choose quality curtains, it is important to consider the factors mentioned above and check the quality of the curtains. Also, for the functionality and aesthetics of the curtains, you need to choose the right sizes and colors.

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