DRAPES

Choosing a Fabric

Every room has its own needs and function, and this should be reflected in the fabric you choose for your curtains. Formal areas look best with heavier fabrics that will hold elegant folds well. In more casual rooms where the curtains will be opened and closed more often, more lightweight fabric, such as sheer curtains, is the best solution.

The color of your drapes can make or break a room’s look and feel, so don’t be afraid to take your time when choosing. You should have an idea of what color scheme you’re going with when you begin shopping so you don’t end up mixing too many tones or patterns and end up with an awkward, detached aesthetic. Contrasting colors are an easy way to add visual interest and make a statement without being too overbearing. Lighter shades help give a more classic look and make a room feel more open and airier. Consider darker hues in large spaces as they will help to make the area feel more welcoming and cozier. A caveat to using bright or dark colors is to be aware that these colors fade more quickly and more noticeably.

The Long and Short of It

The good news is that choosing a length for your kitchen curtains is not hard to do. The bad news is that if you get it wrong your curtains will look wildly out of place. Hanging the hardware about 6 inches above your window is an easy way to give the illusion of a higher ceiling regardless of how long your drapes will end up being. If you’re outfitting windows in an adults-only room, your drapes can puddle on the floor. This creates an exquisite, romantic aesthetic, but is a trip hazard for running children. If you want length but aren’t a fan of puddling, have your curtains stop less than an inch from the floor. They won’t brush the floor, but any shorter and they will look like “high water” curtains and that’s never a good look. In more casual spaces and high-traffic areas like kitchens, the general rule is to have curtains that stop at the bottom edge of the sill. This makes for more effortless opening and closing and minimal yanking by young children.

A rod that is too narrow will also do the look of your shades a disservice. For heavy, formal drapery, aim for between 2 and 2.5 times the width of your window so the panels will maintain their sophisticated style when pulled back. A rod without sufficient length will buckle in the middle under the weight, and lightweight fabrics will also block out some incoming natural light if they cannot be pulled back far enough.