Your Complete Guide to Curtains

Benefits of installing curtains

There are many benefits to installing curtains in your home, these benefits will differ depending on the type of curtains you choose from.

They're classic

Curtains are a classic-looking window covering option for your home. They're easy to pair furniture with and can be designed to blend into your space or can stand out as a feature.

Increase privacy

Hanging curtains is a great way to increase the amount of privacy for your home. All types of curtains provide privacy to an extent, however blockout and linen curtains are both made from a thicker material to give your room complete coverage from prying eyes.

Sheer curtains are another good option if you're after some coverage without completely blocking out the light!

Modern

Curtains can be thought of as outdated and old fashioned, however they're making a comeback and are available in many style options.

Whether you're after a neutral shade, or you want something a bit more fun or patterned, there's a curtain style for you.

Affordable

If you don't have a large budget, curtains are a very cost effective option as they add privacy to your home, reduce the amount of incoming light and are easy to install!

Easy to customise

The great thing about curtains is that they can be made in a variety of fabric options, including many different patterns or designs. This makes them one of the easiest window coverings to customise to fit your décor.

Fabric options for curtains

Sheers

Sheer curtains are made from a translucent fabric which partially filters out and softens incoming light. Sheers aren't designed to completely blockout light, but rather, they allow plenty of natural light to fill the room without having an overbearing and harsh amount.

Sheer curtains also add privacy by ensuring that passers-by cannot see as much inside your home, while not disrupting your view of the outside world. It's for these reasons that sheers make excellent living room curtains.

For unmatched levels of privacy, pair your sheers with blockout curtains, so that you can completely block out the outside world whenever you need to. This custom curtain combination will also give you complete control over light levels and help to regulate room temperature, due to the insulating nature of blockout fabric.

Blockout

Blockout curtains, also known as blackout curtains, are a popular type of curtain to install in Australian homes. This style of curtain blocks light entering through the windows, resulting in a darker room at any time of the day or night.

These curtains are perfect for a nursery or bedroom as they ensure everyone gets an undisturbed night sleep (at least, as far as light is concerned).

Blackout curtains can also help to insulate your home. During the cooler months, the thick and lined fabric traps warmth inside the home. Then, during the warmer months, the fabric prevents hot air from passing through the windows and into your home.

Linen

Linen is often overlooked as a curtain fabric, but in our opinion it's one of the best fabrics you can choose for your home. Linen curtains don't just look great, the fabric also offers several practical benefits. For starters, linen is a strong and durable fabric, making it a worthwhile investment. It's also an extremely absorbent, anti-bacterial fabric with hypoallergenic properties, making it the perfect fabric choice for anyone prone to allergies.

Custom curtains

For something more tailored to your home décor and needs, try custom curtains. When you choose custom curtains, you have complete control over the fabric, colour, and finish of your curtains.

Choosing the right colour curtains for your home

Curtains are an investment in your home, so it's important to take your time when choosing a colour. In our range of curtains and drapes, we also offer custom colours.

Grey and white curtains continue to be popular choices however, we also offer other custom shades to complete your home. As a rule of thumb, it's always best to choose a neutral shade if there's already a bold focal point in the room.

If you're not sure what the right colour for your room is, head to our website to order up to 5 free samples, dispatched the same day! This gives you the peace of mind knowing you're ordering the right colour.

Ways to style curtains

Depending on what you need them for, or the décor you're trying to achieve, there are two main choices when it comes to styling curtains.

Pairing curtains and blinds

The most common styling option is to pair curtains and blinds together. Typically, sheer curtains are used as they are made from a semi see-through fabric. This gives you more specific light control options and additional privacy, as it means you can have your blinds open to let in light, and the sheer curtains will still give your room privacy.

Curtains by themselves

If you want to hang curtains by themselves, choosing blockout or linen curtains gives you great privacy and light control options for your home.

Curtain length: should curtains touch the floor?

One of the most important steps in getting the right curtains is ensuring you have the correct measurements.

Ill-fitting or poorly installed curtains can make even the most stylish of rooms look disorganised and unattractive, which is why we take great pride in offering all our customers a free measure and quote service.

During this service, a member of our team will come to your home to get the precise measurements of your windows and offer expert advice. Before we measure, we'll discuss the look you want to achieve in your home.

Hanging the fabric higher than the window will give a sense of height to the room. For a classic look, go with curtains that just skim the floor or, if you want to achieve a more modern look, choose curtains that break slightly at the floor, which means the curtains will extend onto the floor by a few inches.

How do curtains hang?

Curtains can be hung in a few ways, but the most common ways include using eyelets, track, or rod pocket.

Eyelets are where there are circular rings pressed into the fabric, which the rod passes through. Using this method gives your curtains a wavy look.

For a flatter look to your curtains, you can use a track or a rod pocket hanging option.

A rod pocket is where some of the fabric is folded over to create a hem, or pocket along the top of the fabric. The curtain rod then slides through the pocket to hang your curtains. This is one of the most popular methods of hanging curtains as it's simple and has a nice finish to it.

Types of curtain pleats

There are different finishes you can choose from when deciding on the look your curtains will create in your space. Pleats are one of those elements which contribute to the overall look. Some of the pleat types are:

Pinch pleats

A pinch pleat is typically used for decorative purposes and is where the curtain is pinched together in line with every ring. These pinches are sewn into the fabric and give a more luxurious look to your curtains while they're hanging.

Gathered pleats

Gathered pleats are created when the fabric length is longer than the curtain rod and the extra fabric is gathered at equal intervals to create the look.

Pencil pleats

Pencil pleats are a classic pleat option for curtains. These pleats are made from tight folds which create a slim, semi-circular look (gives the look of pencils).

Goblet pleats

A goblet pleat is another pleat that's sewn into the curtain fabric and uses more fabric in the pleat. If you imagine the top of a thin wine glass, that's what a goblet pleat looks like; its circular shape gives a fuller effect.

S-fold or Wave fold pleats

S-fold curtain pleats (also referred to as wave fold pleats) are one of the most popular choices for curtain styling as they make your home feel modern and elegant.

These pleats are folded in a specific way, so your curtains hang with continuous curves, giving the appearance of a ripple, or wave effect.

If you're wanting to create unique shapes and lines in your space, s-fold curtains are the perfect way to create symmetry and organic lines in your home décor.

Pelmets

A pelmet is a framework which sits at the top of your window. There are a few benefits to choosing to build pelmets for your windows.

Pelmets can hide curtain fixtures

One of the main benefits to installing pelmets is that they can hide anything unsightly, such as curtain rods or the curtain rod brackets.

Can be used as a décor item

While pelmets are more of a functional item, they do create a unique styling you can also add into your décor. By adding some fabric to the wood, you can create a nice finish to your pelmet structure.

Are cheap and easy to make

Pelmets are something that are simple and cheap to make. If you have any scrap plywood, this could make a great project to undertake.

To arrange a free measure and quote with a highly-trained consultant in your own home, give us a call on 13 13 15 or fill out this simple online form. We provide this service to a wide range of locations around the metro and select regional areas, 6 days a week between 8am and 6pm.

The majority of our blinds, curtains and awnings are made in Australia and are sold for the lowest price in the market, guaranteed. Just bring in a quote on any competitor's comparable item and we'll beat it by 5%.