How to Choose the Perfect Curtains for Your Living Room

Posted by mattfallon 06/05/2022 0 Comment(s)

How to Choose the Perfect Curtains for Your Living Roomfitting-room-curtains

 

 

Curtains can completely transform the look and feel of your living room, helping to create a sense of privacy, enhance the height of your ceilings and tie your space together. Overlooking the importance and impact of window treatments is one of the biggest faux pas you can make when designing your home interior.

So, whether you’re decorating a living room in a compact inner-city apartment or a spacious detached home, it’s important to put plenty of thought into your decision-making process when it comes to choosing curtains.

Planning to revamp your living room? Loaded with tips from the experts and covering the most important factors to consider, this guide will teach you how to choose curtains for your living room, from finding the right size to selecting the perfect style.

 

How wide should curtains be?

 

Width is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing curtains for your living room. A general rule is to choose curtains that are between 2 and 2.5 times wider than the window, depending on how full you want the curtains to look. This will ensure there’s still plenty of drape and the fabric doesn’t appear stretched, even when the curtains are closed.

One exception to this rule is if you’re hanging curtains purely to frame the window and never plan to shut them. In this case, opt for 1.5 times the width. This is enough to make the curtains appear natural and give you the option of tying them back. 

 

Choosing curtains lengthfloral-curtains-to-the-floor

 

Most living rooms look best paired with floor length bespoke curtains. They add a touch of elegance to your space and help to create the illusion of higher ceilings. Within the floor length curtain category, you have a couple of different options:

 

Floor skimming curtains

Classic and timeless, curtains that skim the floor are popular with households across country. To get your calculations for made to measure curtains in the UK, simply measure from the height you plan to hang the rod to the floor, then round up to the nearest inch to be on the safe side. It’s better to end up with longer curtains and have them hemmed, if necessary, rather than end up with curtains that are too short. If you’d rather not have your curtains skimming the floor, opting for a length that sees them hover half an inch or so above the ground is a good option.

 

Pooling curtains

Curtains that pool on the floor are a wonderful way to bring a touch of romance into your living room. They feel luxurious yet relaxed - perfect for if you’re trying to create a breezy bohemian aesthetic in your home. You’ll get the same polished look of floor skimming curtains, only with a slightly more laissez-faire feel. They’re also a great option if you’re trying to conceal uneven floors.

 

To get your measurements for bespoke curtains, calculate the distance from the hanging rod to the floor, then add between one and three inches. As always, round up for extra wiggle room. For an extravagant look, you can add up to six inches to the length. However, this option can be high-maintenance and requires a lot more cleaning. You’ll need to hang up the curtains every time you sweep or vacuum, which is essential as pooled drapes pick up dust and pet hair. There’s also a risk of the bottom layer wearing out or even ripping if you have pets of kids running around. Definitely something to consider when choosing curtains for living room.

 

How to choose curtain colour

 

Choosing the colour of your curtains is just as important as selecting what colour to paint your walls or what shade of sofa to buy. The first step is to decide if you want your curtains to blend in with your living room or make a statement. If you want to create a soft and understated look, opt for a colour that’s a shade darker or lighter than the wall. For a little more impact, select a complementary but non-dominant colour from the room. For example, a subtle shade that appears in the carpet.

 

What about choosing a curtain colour that makes an impact? If you want to make a statement with your curtains, don’t be scared to choose rich hues like royal blue, ruby red or even Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2022, Very Peri.

 

What about patterns?

 

When it comes to statement window treatments, there’s no looking past patterned William Morris curtains. Using iconic patterns by the famous British textile designer, this range will bring a dash of vintage elegance into any living room - perfect for complementing period homes or creating drama in contemporary spaces.

 

Coordinating patterned curtains with William Morris cushions is a clever way to tie your space together and create a streamlined look that would win the seal of approval from Morris himself. If you plan to continue the theme throughout your home, you’ll love the option of bespoke bedspreads with matching curtains.

 

Going bold with patterned curtains works in many spaces. However, if you already have a striped sofa, elaborate Persian rug or statement art on the wall, patterned curtains may feel a little clumsy and it might be best to stick with a solid colour. That said, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to interior design and in some cases, patterned curtains can look wonderful alongside other statement décor. Small, repetitive prints like paisley or miniature florals feel neutral while larger, graphic prints can make a serious style statement.   

 

Eyelet or pencil pleat curtains

 

When it comes to hanging style, you’ve got a few different options to choose from. Eyelet or pencil pleat curtains is a longstanding debate among interior designers and both options offer their own unique benefits. Traditional eyelet curtains feature rings sewn into the top hem. They’re generally metal, though can sometimes be plastic. The rod can either be threaded through the rings or you can use hooks to attach the curtains to the rod.

Pleat curtains are a coveted option and create a formal, more structured look. They’re a great way to add depth to your space and are usually hung with hooks and rings. Another option is a rod pocket heading, which sees the curtains hung via a sewn-in channel on the top hem. This creates a gathered effect and a natural pleat, though the curtains can be difficult to open and close. You’ll also need to ensure there’s plenty of width to accommodate the ruching.

 

Lined or unlined curtains

 

Whether you choose lined or unlined curtains will depend on the mood you want to create in your living room. If you have limited natural light, it’s best to choose unlined curtains. They feel light, breezy and will ensure as much sunshine as possible streams into your living room. That said, they don’t necessarily offer complete privacy, especially if you opt for a lighter colour or natural fabrics like linen. After dark, there’s a chance passers-by may be able to see silhouettes through the window. Similarly, if you don’t want any light from the road or streetlamps filtering through after nightfall, unlined curtains may not be right for your space.

 

If your priority is privacy, lined curtains are an excellent choice. The extra layer of fabric not only blocks out sunlight, but it also keeps prying eyes at bay. If your living room overlooks a busy street or you simply like your privacy on an evening, lined curtains are the way to go. Lined curtains are thicker and heavier than their unlined counterparts, giving them a more luxurious feel. If you love a structured look and don’t want your curtains to billow in the breeze, lined is a great option. 

 

Insulation is another factor to consider when it comes to choosing lined or unlined curtains for your living room. Naturally, an extra layer of fabric helps lock in heat when it’s cold outside. In the long run, this can reduce your winter heating bill and minimise your energy footprint. In the summer, leaving your lined curtains drawn will help block ambient heat and keep your living room cool. 

 

Finally, lined curtains offer an extra layer of protection when it comes to wear and tear on your furniture. Sunlight can fade sofas, rugs, artwork and accessories at an alarmingly fast rate. With lined curtains, you can block out UV rays and keep your décor looking fresh.

 

Find bespoke curtains at Victoria Linencurtain-showroom

Want to know more about how to choose curtains for living room? Contact us today to chat to our friendly team. Whether your focus is on practicality, aesthetics or a combination of the two, we’ll walk you through how to choose curtains that complement your living space, lifestyle and design preferences.

We can also provide made to measure curtains to fit your unique living space - just drop us an email at info@victorialinen.co.uk and we’ll get back to you soon.

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