Curtain Call: Drape Your Home in Unexpected Ways
From gracing windows to dividing rooms and dancing in the outdoors, curtains can bring vibrancy and privacy to many areas of the home
When the light through yonder window breaks, most of us start the day by opening the curtains and peering out to see what the weather holds. For me, the idea of curtains always conjures up images of mystery and surveillance – prying neighbours peering from behind their shutters, or the dramatic ‘swoosh!’ of drapes to reveal a surprise. When I was starring in a high school play I surprised everyone by mistiming my entrance onstage. I clutched each end of the curtain, parted them with a dramatic flourish and thrust myself centrestage; not realising until too late that I had, in fact, made my grand entrance a scene too early. I yanked the curtains closed, cursing my adolescent self, and sheltered from humiliation behind the safety of the drapes.
Since then, I’ve always had an interesting relationship with curtains and a fear of revealing what’s behind them. But for those of us without the ghost of awkward teenage years past, curtains are not just a means to blocking or revealing light, but can go far to creating stylish, unique and practical solutions for rooms that need a finishing touch. So let’s tackle the curtain demons head-on with ideas that will challenge your preconceptions.
Since then, I’ve always had an interesting relationship with curtains and a fear of revealing what’s behind them. But for those of us without the ghost of awkward teenage years past, curtains are not just a means to blocking or revealing light, but can go far to creating stylish, unique and practical solutions for rooms that need a finishing touch. So let’s tackle the curtain demons head-on with ideas that will challenge your preconceptions.
Integrate patterns into the room
If you’re working with a palette of block or subdued colours and you’re looking to add style to the room, why not consider a bolder-than-bold curtain pattern? Before you do, elements to consider include the size of the room, competing furnishings and the likelihood of your actually displaying the pattern at full width at night. For example, in a room where you’re unlikely to close the curtains each evening, you’ll miss out on seeing the curtains in their full patterned glory.
If you’re working with a palette of block or subdued colours and you’re looking to add style to the room, why not consider a bolder-than-bold curtain pattern? Before you do, elements to consider include the size of the room, competing furnishings and the likelihood of your actually displaying the pattern at full width at night. For example, in a room where you’re unlikely to close the curtains each evening, you’ll miss out on seeing the curtains in their full patterned glory.
Layering blinds behind bold curtains can give you complete control over light and privacy, and allow you to make as much – or as little – impact with the curtains as you like.
Build a room within a room
Blessed with a large living space but unsure how to create smaller, interchangeable spaces within it? Curtains can be a clever and temporary solution for creating new spaces without building walls or closing off spaces. Sheer curtains, in particular, are ideal and will help to section off lounge or dining areas within the house without restricting light or fresh air.
BONUS TIP: For a simplicity and elegance, keep the curtain texture and colour as subtle as possible.
Blessed with a large living space but unsure how to create smaller, interchangeable spaces within it? Curtains can be a clever and temporary solution for creating new spaces without building walls or closing off spaces. Sheer curtains, in particular, are ideal and will help to section off lounge or dining areas within the house without restricting light or fresh air.
BONUS TIP: For a simplicity and elegance, keep the curtain texture and colour as subtle as possible.
Frame long windows
Floor-to-ceiling windows are sometimes difficult to tackle with curtains, particularly if the windows are narrow. The wrong curtains can obscure this beautiful feature and close up the room, not to mention the complexities of not being able to reach the top of the curtains. Simple curtains in a bold colour falling from a rod are a great solution, adding extra width and emphasis to the window.
Floor-to-ceiling windows are sometimes difficult to tackle with curtains, particularly if the windows are narrow. The wrong curtains can obscure this beautiful feature and close up the room, not to mention the complexities of not being able to reach the top of the curtains. Simple curtains in a bold colour falling from a rod are a great solution, adding extra width and emphasis to the window.
Use outdoor curtains for outdoor rooms
Create an idyllic outdoor space and convert your balcony, patio or garden area into an outdoor room through the use of curtains. In more exposed spaces, source durable, weatherproof fabric which will offer shade and protection. Lighter fabrics will let cool breezes through, create a Balinese feel, and also provide privacy while keeping the mosquitoes out during summer.
Create an idyllic outdoor space and convert your balcony, patio or garden area into an outdoor room through the use of curtains. In more exposed spaces, source durable, weatherproof fabric which will offer shade and protection. Lighter fabrics will let cool breezes through, create a Balinese feel, and also provide privacy while keeping the mosquitoes out during summer.
Enhance the colour palette
If you’re unsure about adding a new colour to your room, using fabrics from within the same colour palette can give it a stunning finish. From azure blues or turquoise tones to pastel pinks and ruby reds, you don’t have to leave the colour family in order to style your room with warmth, flair and creativity.
Take a look around Villa Redferno – a perfect example of lush colours and warm spaces
If you’re unsure about adding a new colour to your room, using fabrics from within the same colour palette can give it a stunning finish. From azure blues or turquoise tones to pastel pinks and ruby reds, you don’t have to leave the colour family in order to style your room with warmth, flair and creativity.
Take a look around Villa Redferno – a perfect example of lush colours and warm spaces
Go high
While some curtains aren’t quite complete without a pelmet or decorative rod, a lot can be gained through the simple elegance of a built-in rod or runner just below the architraves, or the picture rail as seen here. If your room already has strong features, such as statement furniture or boldly patterned soft furnishings, building the curtain fixture into the wall higher than the top of the windows will make the windows appear larger without competing with the other elements in the room. This look works best with soft, subdued colours for the curtains.
While some curtains aren’t quite complete without a pelmet or decorative rod, a lot can be gained through the simple elegance of a built-in rod or runner just below the architraves, or the picture rail as seen here. If your room already has strong features, such as statement furniture or boldly patterned soft furnishings, building the curtain fixture into the wall higher than the top of the windows will make the windows appear larger without competing with the other elements in the room. This look works best with soft, subdued colours for the curtains.
Shoot for sheer
For rooms that are predominantly windowed or have sliding doors, the sunlight pouring through them may need to be filtered, but not necessarily shut out. Perhaps you want your privacy from the neighbours or you’re keen to create a softer light within a glary space. A complete wall of sheer curtains is a soft and subtle method of creating a silken screen without restricting light. Best in lighter colours, a box or a pinch pleat curtain fixed to a simple rod can create an ambient and breezy space.
For rooms that are predominantly windowed or have sliding doors, the sunlight pouring through them may need to be filtered, but not necessarily shut out. Perhaps you want your privacy from the neighbours or you’re keen to create a softer light within a glary space. A complete wall of sheer curtains is a soft and subtle method of creating a silken screen without restricting light. Best in lighter colours, a box or a pinch pleat curtain fixed to a simple rod can create an ambient and breezy space.
Double up
Particularly popular for bedrooms and living spaces, a double curtain can both keep the sunlight out of an evening, and let the light in of a day without compromising your privacy. With a sheer curtain for during the day and a heavier curtain for the evenings, the two curtains can feature contrasting colours and patterns, or keep within the same colour palette.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Do the curtains at your house add something special? Why not add a photo in the comments section.
MORE
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Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
15 Gorgeous Ways to Dress Up Your Windows
Serenity in the City: 10 Ways to Create a Peaceful Urban Oasis
Particularly popular for bedrooms and living spaces, a double curtain can both keep the sunlight out of an evening, and let the light in of a day without compromising your privacy. With a sheer curtain for during the day and a heavier curtain for the evenings, the two curtains can feature contrasting colours and patterns, or keep within the same colour palette.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Do the curtains at your house add something special? Why not add a photo in the comments section.
MORE
Fabric Shopping: Where to Find the Best Materials for Your Needs
Window Wizardry: 7 Clever Approaches to Privacy
15 Gorgeous Ways to Dress Up Your Windows
Serenity in the City: 10 Ways to Create a Peaceful Urban Oasis
Growing up in a home in a gully, curtains were always about keeping in the warmth and creating a cosy environment. Rather than framing the landscape outside, in rooms where what’s outside is not the feature, think about colours and materials that can create rich and vibrant areas filled with warmth and colour.
More ways you can work with your windows