When are curtains not a good idea?
You may feel that blinds will look better than curtains in a particular room and common sense will often tell you when blinds are a more practical choice. Our advice is that curtains are best avoided:
-
Over a sink where they are likely to get splashed or stained
-
In a smoky atmosphere as fabric absorbs smells that are difficult to remove
-
In rooms with a lot of moisture that is likely to result in the build up of mould
-
Anywhere where they’re likely to be a nuisance and trip hazard. If you’re contemplating curtains across an external door, make sure they can stack back neatly and out of the way when the door is in use.
What style of curtains should I choose?
The heading will largely determine the style of the curtain. Headings gather and control the fullness of the curtains, and at Stitched we have headings to suit all settings. As well as the look you’re going for (relaxed, contemporary, tailored or traditional) a key factor is the space or ‘stack back’ you have available either side of the window. Some headings enable curtains to stack back into a much smaller space than others, a key consideration in rooms with small windows or little natural light. The fabric and lining (or interlining) also have an impact on the space curtains take up when open. Heavier fabrics such as velvets and interlined curtains will inevitably take up more space than lighter fabrics and unlined curtains.
The most versatile heading is probably the pencil pleat which is created with a tape to provide a crisp, elegant look to curtains that can be hung from tracks or poles. The fullness provided by the pleats lends an understated luxury to a room and the heading looks particularly good with fabrics such as silk that catch the light.
Double and triple (or ‘French’) pleat headings provide a very classic, tailored look. They require more fabric than a pencil pleat with the result that they are fuller and more luxurious when drawn. However, the pleating means they stack back well, taking up less space than you might imagine. This heading will suit any fabric.
If you’re looking for drama, go for curtains with a goblet heading. Made in a similar way to a double or triple pleat, the ‘goblets’ are formed by securing the base of the pleats and stuffing the tops to pad out the full shape. The resulting curtains can be hung from tracks or poles but require more space either side of the window to stack back effectively.
A cartridge heading creates beautiful, even folds in a fabric and a contemporary feel. Cartridge curtains provide a clean luxurious look. The cartridge is a simple heading that enables the curtains to stack neatly when open.
Where space either side of a window is very limited, an eyelet or wave heading is the best option. An eyelet heading creates a contemporary look where the curtain pole is threaded through metal eyelets in the top of the curtains. Curtains with eyelet headings are very easy to operate so a particularly good choice for children’s bedrooms.
A wave heading is another cool, contemporary option, perfect if you want to create a simple, modern and elegant look. Wave curtains have no gathering across the top, just a continuous, sinuous curve. The curtains stack back neatly and the heading suits fabrics that drape well such as sheers, cottons and silks. Both eyelet and wave headings are a great way of maximising natural light in a space.