Quality curtains are often a pricey investment, especially if your home has a lot of windows that need covering. That is why before buying any window treatment it is so easy to make curtain mistakes that can cost you a lot. One way to save your money is to apply some budget-friendly ideas for window dressing that you can find online. Unfortunately, you will still need to invest in quality curtain fabric and poles or tracks. You will also need to allocate some time to hang your curtains. The last thing you want is to invest time and money and get your curtains wrong. So, here are common curtain mistakes that you should avoid before buying.
| 5 Common Curtain Mistakes to Avoid | |
|---|---|
1. Considering the Curtains at the End
When you are designing or decorating your home, most people choose the paint colours first. They think about their soft furnishings, including curtains, much later in the process. This is one of the most common curtain mistakes. See, paint colours come in an almost unlimited variety. You have a much wider range of choice of paints than you have of the more limited curtain fabrics available. Thus, it is easier to get the style that you want if you choose your curtains first. And only then choose the paint colours afterwards, based on the curtain fabric that you have selected.
Related: Window Treatments Glossary. Words You're Probably Using Wrong
2. Hanging Curtain Too Close to the Window
Measuring a window to hang your curtains right at the top of the window frame should seem like the sensible thing to do, right? No. This is one of the biggest mistakes people do when measuring windows. While it is true that you should know the size of your window, poles or tracks should be hung higher (around 15-20 cm higher) than the top of your window. In fact, what will look best is hanging the curtains as close to the ceiling as possible to make a room look taller. However, net curtains like voile should not be hung this high, they are meant to top the window. Hanging your curtains a bit higher will make your room feel bigger, which is especially important if you have a small room.
Write down these measurements before you head out to buy your curtains:
1.Top to bottom: Start a few centimetres below the ceiling, and measure to the floor to get the right length for the curtain.
2. Window width: Measure across the window’s width, then double this number to have curtains with a fuller look, instead of the unattractive hanging sheet look. For curtains, this means that if you have a window that is 56 cm (22 inches) wide, you should choose panels that are at least 112cm (44 inches) in width. The same rule applies to most net curtains if you want a more gathered look.
3. Choosing the Incorrect Style
So, you have decided to buy curtains. Where do you start? There are many curtain headings on the market to choose from! Well, the most popular are pencil pleat and eyelet curtains.
1) Pencil Pleat curtains.They are the standard, popular heading for curtains that suit all types of tracks and poles. (See the image below). This type is ideal for traditional, classic décor, as well as contemporary.
2) Eyelet curtains. They are a modern alternative to pencil curtains. Usually, they are cheaper and much easier to hang, you just thread the eyelet curtain pole through each of the eyelets. But they are not suitable for curtain tracks or many bay window poles. Shop for bay window eyelet poles as do not go past the brackets.
4. Cutting Costs on Poles or Tracks
Buying more expensive, quality hardware for your curtains can seem like a waste of money when some parts or most of it is covered up by the curtains. You can save a bit of money with some curtain poles tricks but still buy quality so your curtains will hang nicely and be securely in place.
3 Mistakes to avoid when selecting curtain poles or tracks:
1. Flimsy curtain pole. Never buy a pole or a track that can’t support the weight of the curtains, as this will cause them to dip in the middle, which will never look nice. Before buying, always check the suitable curtain weight for the pole in the description tab.
2. Too short curtain pole. Don’t use a rod that is too short for the space, which will cover up most of the window with a curtain, blocking your view and light from getting in. When the rod is the same width as your window, it will be mostly covered by the curtains, which stops light coming in from outside and make your room feels dark. Instead, always measure your window carefully and buy a pole that will reach further than the width of the window so you can open up your curtains wide and let in plenty of light. Normally, allow 15-20 cm on both sides for 1-2 metre window.
3. Thin curtain pole. Don’t select a curtain pole that is too thin for eyelet curtains. If you are using curtains that have large eyelet rings that will leave a lot of the rod on display, make sure you use a pole that looks chunky. A rod that is too thin can look cheap and ruin the effect of nice curtains.
Related: Curtain Poles Measuring Guide
5. Not Taking Enough Care
After buying curtains, check if the fabric can be ironed and iron it if you are allowed to do so. Don’t forget to iron the curtains after washing. Not only will it remove creases, but it also helps to eradicate any remaining bacteria or odours. We recommend washing curtains every 3-4 months. So, if you plan to spend time and money, try to avoid these curtain mistakes.
Related: Guide to Curtain Tracks: how to choose and care for them?
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know in the comment section below! And please share this post with friends on social media!
