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French or pinch pleats. These headings are made by joining three pleats together at the top of the curtains. They are pricier than other options, because they’re more labor-intensive to make, but Quilliam says they’re worth the extra money. “Pinch pleats give a more tailored finish, with the curtain falling into elegant folds that can easily be dressed for a slightly more formal look — ideal for living rooms,” she says.
Curtain HeadingsA curtain’s heading is the way in which it’s attached to the pole or track. It can have a big impact on the look of your curtains. Eyelets. These have an unfussy, contemporary aesthetic, with regular, even pleats. The curtain will need little space on either side of the window to stack back.
Made-to-measure. Opting for custom curtains lets you tailor the material, pattern, color and style to your own requirements. “Ready-made curtains come in standard sizes, while windows don’t — especially in period or traditional homes, where they can be a variety of shapes and sizes,” Sarah Quilliam of Hillarys says. “With a made-to-measure service, you can be confident your curtains will be the best fit for your window.”In addition, having a wider choice of fabrics means you’ll have a greater scope in putting your own stamp on the design. “You can add in extra features too, such as additional lining, tiebacks and headings for a bespoke look that meets your needs,” Quilliam says. A potential disadvantage of custom curtains is that you can expect a lead time of two to three weeks, depending on the availability of the fabric. Also, as Duffield points out, “although in the long term made-to-measure curtains offer value for money, they’re a more considerable initial outlay than ready-made ones.” So look for designs that won’t become dated and that you won’t tire of, to justify the higher cost.Guide: Custom Draperies 101
The exact stacking space required will vary greatly with material thickness and flexibility, so it’s best to consult an expert. However, as a general rule, a light, unlined curtain will require 10 to 15 percent of the panel width to stack, while a heavier, lined drape will need 20 to 25 percent.Therefore, if you want your drape to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
However, solid curtains also can look fantastic wall to wall, especially if you layer furniture in front of them. You can even layer art or a mirror on them for added interest by including a slit in the curtain to allow a point of attachment back to the wall.Keep in mind that if you choose a dark color for wall-to-wall drapes, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or midtone material will appear less heavy.
Tall and LongEven the humblest draperies can benefit from two key rules: In almost every scenario, the best place to hang a drapery is at the ceiling line — either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or molding — and stretching down to the floor.This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger and large spaces look grand.
Add elegance. Although curtains lend softness and a timeless quality to traditional rooms, bunched-up fabric and fussy rods and finials can sometimes tip them into fustiness. A super-simple ceiling-mounted track sidesteps this problem, helping material fall in elegant lines with minimal fuss. These pale curtains really show off the lovely paneled windows in this room.When choosing and installing tracks and curtains, think about your windows and whether anything else will sit behind the drapes. For example, are you planning to install them alongside sheers or blinds?
Close the gaps. These rich blue curtains add a block of color across the whole window. Ceiling-mounted tracks work particularly well in rooms with large expanses of glass. If you have a recess above, like the one here, so much the better, since it means that your track can tuck out of sight for a neat finish.
Maintain the modern. A pair of drapes mounted on a rod above the window would have changed the whole vibe of this bedroom, giving it a more old-fashioned mood. As it stands, the ceiling-mounted system offers all the softness of curtains in a modern, clean way.
Work with a wide window. A ceiling-mounted track is a smart solution for a wide, short window, since it helps lengthen the space and creates an illusion of height. In this calm, neutral bedroom, the window initially feels much larger than it really is.Unless you’re going for a dark and dramatic look, light curtains are a good choice in smaller rooms because they help open things up visually.Browse window treatments
Help curtains fall beautifully. In this chic, light space, the pale curtains are the finishing touch, falling in soft, flowing pleats from the ceiling. Tracks come in a variety of materials, such as aluminum, steel and plastic. When choosing a curtain track, consider something that blends with your ceiling. Think about strength too. Metal tends to be stronger than plastic, so it’s more appropriate for heavy curtains. Metal tracks are also more likely to have corded options, which allow you to open the drapes at the pull of a string — handy if your windows and curtains are very tall.
Keep things cozy. Large windows can make rooms feel and look chilly, especially in winter. In this bedroom, the ceiling-hung curtains save the day, helping the whole space seem extra snug by covering a large area.Choose a curtain color that blends with your scheme but won’t dominate too much when the drapes are fully closed. Here, the medium gray coordinates beautifully with the bedside tables and throw.
Curtain LiningsBlackout lining. Your curtains will not be complete without the right lining for your lifestyle. Blackout linings, for example, will block much of the light that would otherwise creep through closed curtains. “For [nighttime] workers, parents with babies and cinema rooms, blackout is an essential element,” Gannon says. “They also provide insulation, thus energy-saving benefits, as well as reducing noise from outside.” Blackout curtains are a useful feature in other areas of the home too. For example, in living areas they can prevent glare on a TV or computer screen. “For total darkness, you could team blackout curtains and blinds together at one window,” Quilliam says.
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