Updated at: 16-12-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Decorators tell you that curtains can transform a room, but only when the right ones are used. It’s all about color and fabric, length and lining, and custom vs. off-the-the-the-the-shelf when it comes to window treatments. Choosing the correct curtains for your house may be difficult when there are so many options to consider. To help you out, we talked to a few interior design experts.

COLOR AND FABRIC

Choosing the right fabric for your curtains is critical since it will determine how effectively they operate and how long they will last.

Designer Suysel Depedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick explains, “If they’re too heavy, they might not fold crisply when drawn; if they’re too light, they might not fall smoothly.”

Designers like Alexa Hampton and Katie Ridder rely on Lana Lawrence, the vice president of Anthony Lawrence-Belfair curtain fabricators, to hold their textiles up to a window for inspiration. According to her, “Pleat it like an accordion at the top and let it drape.” For example, “It won’t fall flat on the window when it flares like a piece of crinoline.”

At least 2 yards of cloth should be used to get a genuine sense of the fabric’s drape.

Also, keep in mind that exposure to the sun will eventually wear down the cloth. If the room has a lot of natural light, bright colors should be avoided because they fade more quickly.

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It’s still possible to avoid fading if you frequently change up your home decor. Alice Guercio, vice president of product development at Kravet, explains this. Because they are less likely to fade than other colors, Cunningham recommends using neutral hues in a room.

Guercio recommends using linen, silk, imitation silk, and velvet for window curtains because they tend to hang the best. Faux silk tends to be more durable, she says. Faux silk also doesn’t degrade as quickly as real silk in bright rooms.

Some materials have the ability to keep the cold at bay. Suede, velvet, tapestry, and tweed, which are heavy enough to keep out light and keep heat in, are common materials in hotel rooms. Despite this, bump, a thick, insulating felt material, can be used to interline almost any fabric. The curtains’ lifespan can be extended even further by using interlining, which is just a piece of cloth tucked in between the lining and the face fabric.

Lawrence warns that untreated silk may deteriorate. Cunningham adds: “Curtains’ body and fullness are due to the lining and interlining.”

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LENGTH AND LINING

Plan out the height of your curtain rod before you get it out and start measuring. According to Cunningham, the room will appear taller if the panels are hung higher than the window. If you’re going for a dramatic look, you may want to hang your curtains higher than six inches above the window.

In order to get an accurate measurement, measure from the window’s top to the floor, including the additional inches that the curtains will hang from. In order to have a more conventional look, you’ll need to add two or three inches to the length of your curtain. The panel should be flush with the floor for a clean, contemporary effect.

If you want a full-looking curtain, be sure to double the width of your window and add four to eight inches on either side. So that the curtains do not get in the way and do not block a lot of the window glass while they are open, Lawrence suggests this solution.

If you’re going to utilize your curtains to block out the sun, adding a few extra inches to the frame of the window will assist keep out any stray light.

OFF-THE-SHELF AND CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

With custom window treatments, you can create a customized effect, like a perfectly-fitted suit, by tailoring the measurements to your window size. Custom panels are available in a wide range of materials and styles, from the material to the header. However, the price difference between custom-made and off-the-shelf curtain panels is substantial.

Cunningham recommends spending a little more money on high-quality retail window treatments if bespoke drapes are out of your price range. The Belgian Heavyweight Textured Linen Curtains from Restoration Hardware are a favorite of her and her companion, Anne Maxwell Foster.

WASHER MACHINE FRIENDLY VS. DRY CLEAN ONLY

It will save you time and money in the long run if you buy curtains that can be cleaned in a washing machine instead of a dryer. Consumer Reports warns against washing expensive drapes because you risk ruining them.

IN-HOME VS. ONLINE CONSULTATIONS

A home consultation can help you find the perfect set of curtains. You can save a few trips to the store by having a consultant from Macy’s come to your house to help you choose colors, textures, and finishes that go well with your decor.

Laurel and Wolf, an online interior design service, will link you with a professional designer to help you select the best curtains for your area. A shopping list and the things you select will be sent directly to your home after this process is complete.

Choosing Living Room Curtain Lengths

I’m a big fan of curtains. They have the ability to instantaneously transform a space into one that exudes elegance, cohesion, and completion. Light control, privacy, and energy efficiency are all provided by these devices. It can be difficult, however, to determine the ideal curtain lengths. What’s the ideal height for a curtain rod? Are your curtains too short? Should they or shouldn’t they touch the ground? It all depends on the situation. Each of the five curtain lengths offered by Bali Drapery serves a certain purpose. Here are some of my recommendations.

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1. Sill Length

1/2 inch higher than the window sill. Unpretentious and endearing. If you’re looking for a chance to experiment with pattern or color, these are the perfect lengths. You won’t become tired of a strong option because they take up less visual area.

They should be used on windows that would be obscured by full-length drapes, such as those above heaters, countertops, or other furniture. Kitchen and bathroom windows benefit most from sill curtain lengths.

Swatches can be ordered online before making a final decision on a cloth. Order as many free swatches as you like!

2. Apron Length

The bottom of the window apron is 1 inch below the bottom of the window frame. Simple and clean. Apron curtain lengths are no longer as popular as they once were, but they are still acceptable and useful. It will be easier to open and close your curtains because they won’t collect dirt and dust from the floor.

What to do with them: Full-length drapes aren’t an option for these windows because of the obstructions such as radiators or furnishings.

Tip: Avoid using aprons with short lengths because they might make a room appear smaller. If you can’t use floor-length curtains because of anything like a window seat, I propose using these instead.

3. Floor Length

1/2 inch above the ground. Effortlessly chic. This is the length I prefer, and it’s becoming increasingly popular. Floor-to-ceiling curtains will make your room appear taller and more spacious by elongating your windows. Curtains hang exactly straight because they don’t quite reach the floor. The hem, on the other hand, remains spotless and is impervious to dirt, dust, and hair from pets.

These can be used in the living room, family room, or any other location where people congregate. This is an attractive and functional choice that can be used in a variety of settings.

Tip: Getting the length of your curtains just perfect isn’t enough. Both the height and width are equally important. Curtains with greater fullness tend to appear better when they are longer. To get a more customized look, multiply the width of your window by 1.5 when choosing floor curtain lengths.

4. Trouser Length

Extra 2 inches from floor to ceiling. Stylish and well-tailored. These drapes, like a good pair of jeans, have a break at the right place, making them appear effortlessly elegant. Crisp, heavier materials look best with this style.

They can be used in a formal dining room, a bedroom, or any other place where elegance is desired.

It’s common to hang your curtain rods one to three inches above the top of your window frame, but that’s not always necessary. My favorite method, however, is to raise the height of your curtain rods (a couple inches below the ceiling). Makes the room appear taller and grander immediately. This will ensure that no cloth will obstruct your view when your curtains are open. This will allow in the most light possible!

5. Puddle Length

6–10 inches longer than the distance from the floor to the top of the table. Spectacular and lavish. Curtains that are frequently opened and closed will not benefit from this style. In addition, if you have dogs or children, it is not suggested. Pet dander, crumbs, and grime will accumulate on the bottom of the bag because of the extra fabric.

In rooms where you want to make a statement with your curtains. Tall windows are ideal for this style.

Choosing the right fabric can make a big difference. Elegant, boho, and romantic, a translucent linen puddles gracefully… Using a thick cotton fabric may give the impression that you ordered them for a longer period of time than necessary. Make certain that the fabric you select is an appropriate fit for “the puddle.

Tips on Where to buy Long Curtains

What stores sell extra-long drapes? As far as I know, these can be found in a local store near you. You may want to visit a variety of specialty stores to see what they have to offer if this is the case. It will give you an idea of how many possibilities are out there, as well as the prices, for things like this.

In addition, you may be able to find them online either at the company’s website or on sites like Amazon, where you may get amazing deals and compare several possibilities side by side. Look at the company’s options in length, width, and finish before making a purchase. We hope this will help you narrow down the options for your property.

How much does a long curtain cost?

It is important to know how much long curtains cost before making a purchase. You should be aware that this will differ based on the size and substance of your window.

At a yard rate of $24, it would cost around $600 to sew linen curtains 72 inches long by 45 inches wide for a bay window (you can find these numbers on sites like this one).

The average cost to have a professional clean your windows is $300. You might expect to pay around $1500 or more to have a workroom construct a 72-inch wide by 45-inch long bay window, for example.

It’s also possible to look for a professional who specializes in this field. There is a wide range of prices based on where you buy them and the material they are made of (such as silk).

What is a long curtain?

It is a window covering that hangs on the wall and covers the entire window. Curtains without rods can be available as well as those created from drapes or cloth to cover all of the windows. It’s possible that long curtains can be made from a variety of various materials (such silk or velvet). They’re usually hung from a wall-mounted pole.)

If you don’t want passersby to be able to see inside your home, you can hang a long curtain on either side of the window or both. To add a contemporary feel to your home, consider hanging long curtains in the windows.

A lengthy curtain is useful because it hides everything in your house from anyone who happens to walk by. (Perhaps: Long curtains can save you money on heating and cooling expenditures by blocking sunlight.)

What should I look for when I want to buy a long curtain?

Silk, velvet, cotton, and polyester are just a few of the options available for your curtains. (Perhaps: Black or navy blue are additional options that go with just about any interior design scheme.) When purchasing curtains, the length of the window is an important consideration.

What kind of lengths should you search for?

There are a wide variety of lengths available for long curtains, but the most common is 108 inches or 274 centimeters.

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Which length is best?

The length of your curtains will depend on the size of your window and the design you want them to have. A 274-centimeter-long curtain would be ideal if you have a large window and want the entire length to reach the floor.

As a rule of thumb, the ideal length for windows with a height of less than 72 inches (185 centimeters) is 72 inches (185 centimeters). 54 inches (137 centimeters) is a good length for windows that extend all the way to the ground, but it all depends on the style you’re going for.

You should seek for a length that will fit your window and give your home the style you want.

Here are some tips to help find just the right length for any window:

Measure where you want to hang a curtain rod, or look at where it is now hanging if you don’t plan on changing that location. To avoid a cramped appearance, we recommend that you leave at least 36 inches (91 centimeters) between the two windows.

Using a 54-inch curtain rod, deduct 12 inches (30.48 cm) from each side of the window frame if you intend to hang the rod inside the frame. This will allow you to hang the rod far enough away from where people are sitting or standing on the other side of the window.

To give your home a more formal aspect, choose curtains that fall slightly past the floor, which will hide your pets’ hair from the outside world.

Step #4: Use lace or embroidery-detailed curtain panels in the middle of your windows to provide a decorative touch.

All of our rectangle curtains come in 48′′ (122 cm), 54′′ (137 cm) and 152 cm lengths if you’re looking for something a little more straightforward (183 centimeters). Depending on the length of your window and the look you’re going for, you can determine which one to utilize.