10 Criteria You Must Consider Before Buying Curtains

Are you at the point of selecting curtains for your home? You might think this is a pretty straightforward step but did you know there are many things to consider? No, the budget is not the only criteria you should have. The curtains you choose will be around for a while so make sure you pick the right ones. Not to mention, curtains play a huge part in warming your home.

Whether you are looking for door or window curtains, there’s so much to consider when buying  – the length, lining, quality, colour, and design are a few things to check. There is also the all-important question of whether to get them tailored or buy them ready-made. Don’t get overwhelmed – our experts have spilled the beans on selecting the perfect curtains for your home. Below are 5 criteria you must consider before buying curtains:

1. Fabric

Fabric is an important consideration for curtains because it lets the home breathe. Choosing good quality fabric is important to make sure that your curtains can be used for many years and also looks fabulous. If fabrics are too heavy, they spill onto the entire window despite being drawn apart while light fabrics don’t often stay together. Besides, some materials allow the free flow of air, keep dust away, while there are others that can be too suffocating and increase dust collection and allergies in the home.

2. The Drape of the Curtain fabric

Consider the drape of the fabric. Check out a big sample at the store itself and see how it falls. Pleat it like an accordion and see if it spills over or stays in its shape.

3. Exposure to Sunlight

Consider the exposure to sunlight over time. If the room gets plenty of it, keep the colours light and pastel. Bright colours, especially in cotton, tend to fade and look drab quickly.

4. Curtain Material

Consider the material – either a single choice or a combination of choices. Most homes use a combination of light airy cotton and linen during the bright sunny day, and thick, dark velvet or suede as the light fades and it gets colder. Window curtains work best in silk, faux silk, cotton, linen, and velvet. Faux silk works well in sunny rooms. If blocking the light and keeping the heat in is essential, then a thick, insulating felt material can be added to the thin material itself.

5. Curtain Length And Lining

Before even selecting the fabric, think about how high above the window you want the curtains to begin. Such curtains give small rooms a sense of height. Heres how to measure your windows for curtains:

• Begin measuring from the top of the window + additional few inches of height of the hooks
•  End the length with the curtains puddling on the floor (for a traditional look), and just lining the skirting (for a modern, contemporary look)
• Add 4″- 8″ of width on either side with an additional 2″ for a fuller look of the curtain. This ensures that when drawn apart the curtains won’t spill into the window area.

6.Tailored Curtains

Tailored window curtains have more benefits than readymade ones. Their dimensions can be customized as per window sizes, their custom panels are available in various design options and a variety of materials can be mixed and matched to suit different purposes and looks.

7. Readymade Curtains

Ready-made curtains are now available in a variety of designs and materials online. Since they are stitched to match standard dimensions, buying these and alternating them with custom curtains is reasonable as well as works for today’s homes and apartments. Buying better quality curtain material and stitching them is more durable and long-lasting.

8. Dry Cleaned Or Home Washing

This might sound unimportant, but it is essential to buy curtains based on how you want to maintain them. Does only the dry wash option sound appealing to you? Or do you want the more budget-friendly option of mashine-wash material? Usually, high-quality curtains used for the living and bedroom need to be dry-cleaned. They can get ruined quickly if washed at home. Cotton and other daily use curtains can be washed at home and re-used. Make sure you ask the salesman about this before you make your purchase.

9. DIY Or Curtain Consultants

This is perhaps the most important question you need to ask yourself. Do you want to Do It Yourself – that is decide the material, take measurements, shop around, buy the cloth and give it for stitching OR would you like a curtain consultant to come in and do it for you – plan the look, texture and finish, offer a selection of materials and have them stitched and hand-delivered within the comfort of your home?

10. Curtain Costs

If your budget allows, getting experts to design your home’s look can have many benefits. While having a consultant come in and do it for you is hassle-free, saving you a few trips to the store, it can work out expensive unless you find a reasonable one who does good work. On the other hand, doing it yourself can save you money but will require you to invest a lot more time and effort.

Remember to consider all the above points before you make your final decision. Do your homework and look around to find the curtains that look best and serves you best. And if you need help in your home’s design, speak to the experts at HomeLane!