How To Choose The Perfect Curtains For Your Space

How to choose the perfect Curtains for your Space

A Practical Guide

Curtains have the power to transform a room and they can be placed in every single room of your home. Unfortunately, if hung poorly, they can really drag down the look of your space so by the end of this article, you will know exactly what curtains to purchase and how to properly hang them up.

So let’s get started.

We will follow four easy steps:

FUNCTION

Function is incredibly important when it comes to curtains and before we look into what color we want, we have to ask ourselves a couple of questions.

How do you and your household function in your space?

In other words:

What do you need in your curtains that will blend well with your lifestyle?

In What room will you be placing your curtains?
Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen, Bathroom
Do You prioritize Privacy?
Opt for blackout or room darkening curtains for maximum privacy. Alternatively, you can also hang sheer and light blocking curtains together on a double rod so you can easily adjust the light and privacy levels throughout the day.
Do you prioritize Natural light shining through?
Opt for sheer or light filtering curtains. You also have the option of using a double rod with two types of curtains to adjust privacy levels throughout the day if you so choose.
Is there furniture partially or fully blocking the window?
Is this furniture that can be moved or are you forced to work around it? Decide if you want to have access to draw your curtains open and shut. Roman shades can also be a great option for you.

Tranquil scene of sunlight casting soft shadows through a lace curtain in a cozy room corner.

The above are only a few examples of some questions you can ask yourself.

Go ahead and list out any other functionalities you want your rug to offer that will work with your lifestyle. These will be your non-negotiables. From now on, any curtains you look at will need to have the functionalities you listed. This will narrow down your options which is good for those that tend to get decision paralysis.

SPACE

Space dictates how we move forward. Analyze your space and how much or how little you have to work with.

Tricky Window Shapes

Corner Windows:

Determine whether you’d like a singular Curved Rod or Two Separate Rods. This will depend on how you want the fabric to move.

1. 1. A curved rod allows curtains to slide seamlessly across the entire bend.
  2. Separate rods create a distinct break.

Bay Windows:

You have two layout options.

1. 1. You can use specialized hardware to have the curtains follow the exact angled path of the windows.
  2. You can mount a straight rod further out across the entire alcove to frame the space.

Furniture Obstacles

Bed in Front of the Window:

If you are working with a small bedroom and the bed must sit in front of the window, consider running curtains across the entire back wall. This creates a cohesive, high end backdrop.

Furniture Partially Blocking Windows:

If a dresser, chair, or console is in the way, pull the furniture slightly forward. Giving the fabric a few inches of breathing room allows you to draw the curtains open and closed without a struggle.

Remember, you also have the option of using roman shades instead of curtains. If you think that will work best for your needs, don’t hesitate to try it out.

If none of the above apply to you:

Look at the wall space around your window frames. Especially the sides.

Extending your curtain rods past the actual window frame always looks better. Functionally, it allows you to fully draw the curtains open to let in maximum light.

Don’t have the extra wall space? That is completely fine. Let’s work with what you have!

Choose Your Rod

Once you know your layout, choose the rod type that fits your architecture:

Curved Rods: Perfect for continuous corner or bay window tracking.

Ceiling Mounts: Ideal for adding height or when wall space is limited.

Wall Mounts: The standard approach for traditional framing.

After evaluating your space, we can move on to our next step.

DIMENSIONS

Dimensions are going to be our best friend in this process. It is very important we don’t skip this step as this is going to determine how many panels we need and how long we need our curtains to be. Here is our guideline:

If wall mounted: We want our curtain rod to be mounted ½ to ⅔ the way to the ceiling from the window AND extended 6-10 inches outward from window

If ceiling mounted (not necessary information for the purchase of the curtains but necessary for installation) the rod or track must be placed 2-3 inches from the wall

We want the curtain to either:

Float

Just off the floor (less than an inch distance from floor)

Kiss

Gracing the floor

Puddle

Puddles on the floor (2-4 inches excess)

Bay Window with Nook Seat

If you have a bay window with a nook seat, I recommend mounting a straight curtain rod on the main room wall just outside the alcove. This allows the fabric to fall beautifully to the floor.

However, if you prefer to mount the curtains inside the bay recess, make sure to adjust your length measurements to your desired length. Instead of kissing, floating, or puddling on to the floor, it would be onto your nook.

Measure the Height

You can now measure out your curtain’s ideal height.

Step 1: Determine what is ½ to ⅔ the way to the ceiling from the window

Step 2: From there, measure to the ground. (If you want the puddle look, just add 2-4 inches to this.)

Pro tip: Too long of a curtain can be hemmed but you can’t do anything with too short of a curtain.

Measure the Length

You also want to measure the length of your window for the purchase of your rod.

Step 3: With your measuring tape, determine the length of your window(s).

Step 4: Add 12-20 inches to that number for 6-10 inches of curtain on either side.

(Note* Panel lengths vary from seller to seller. I would recommend getting a couple more panels than you think to get a nice ripple effect.)

Style

Style is our most exciting step. Use the guide below to help you decide.

Budget: Since a good rug isn’t something you should have to replace often, it’s best to avoid buying a “temporary” option. I recommend investing in a high quality rug because it can save you money in the long run due to their durability. That being said, rugs can get expensive so it is important to set a budget before you choose a style.

Modern

Rug Characteristics

Minimalist patterns, earthy tones, bold abstract art, high low pile heights, and geometric line art

Bohemian

rug Characteristics

Heavily textured Moroccan shags, geometric tribal patterns, distressed vintage looks, and playful details like fringe or tassels

Farmhouse

rug Characateristics

Neutral stripes, classic plaids, simple ticking patterns, or faded, low contrast vintage motifs in muted color palettes.

Traditional

rug Characteristics

Intricate oriental or Persian motifs, formal central medallions, detailed borders, and rich, deep color ways (like navy, burgundy, and sage)

Other Design Styles to consider:

Mid-Century

Rug Characteristics

Bold geometric shapes, iconic retro line work, atomic era bursts, and warm earth tones (mustard, olive, terracotta) paired with high contrast neutrals

Scandinavian

rug Characteristics

Ultra clean minimalism, high texture micro shags, simple neutral monochrome grids, and muted pastel or bright monochromatic tones

Industrial

rug Characteristics

Monochromatic concrete tones, faded or heavily distressed vintage patterns, abstract iron/rust toned washes, and stark geometric grids

Investment Pieces

wool

Characteristics

Wool comes from a sheep's coat.| Pros: Very high quality due to its longevity, Stain Resistant, Fire Resistant, Exceptionally Soft, Natural Elasticity, (It bounces back even after heavy furniture sits on it) Eco- Friendly, Hypoallergenic (Reduces allergy symptoms)| The Cons: High Price Tag, Constant Shedding for the First Few Months, Sensitive to Harsh Chemicals, Sensitive to Moisture

silk

Characateristics

Silk is harvested from the cocoons of the silk worm.| Pros: Intricate Details in Design, Highly Resistant to Natural Wear, Can Increase in Value Over Time| Cons: Very High Cost, High Maintenance, Absorbs Moisture Rapidly, Not for High Traffic Areas, Fades in Direct Sunlight

Mid-Range options

Viscose

Characteristics

Viscose is a semi-synthetic material derived from natural sources like wood pulp and bamboo cellulose.| Pros: Mimics Silk Well, Soft Underfoot, Has Design Versatility| The Cons: Extremely Sensitive to Liquids, (This breaks down the fibers, causing them to permanently mat, yellow, and lose their silk-like sheen.) Prone to Crushing and Matting, Required Professional Cleaning

Nylon

Characteristics

Nylon is derived from petroleum based polymers.| Pros: Bounces Back Quickly, Stain Resistant, Vibrant Colors, Resists Mold and Mildew| The Cons: Most Expensive Synthetic Option, Prone to Generating Static Electricity, Prone to Fading in the Sun, Not Eco Friendly

Jute & Sisal

Characateristics

Jute is derived form the Corchorus Plant. Sisal is derived from the Agave Sisalana Plant.| Pros: Plant Based Materials, Jute is Soft, Sisal is Durable, Often Base Layers for Smaller Rugs| The Cons: Highly Sensitive to Moisture, Jute Sheds Fine Fibers Over Time, Sisal is Quite Coarse and Scratchy,

Most Budget Friendly Options

cotton

Characateristics

Cotton comes from the cotton plant.| Pros: Lightweight and Breathable, More Budget Friendly Option, Many are Machine Washable, Soft Underfoot| The Cons: Wears Down Faster, Can Curl at the Edges, Can Slip and Slide, (This can be treated by adding a thick rug pad, Prone to Stains

Polyester

Characteristics

Polyester is derived from petroleum, natural gas, and petrochemicals.| Pros: Soft, Vibrant Colors, Affordable, Stain Resistant| The Cons: Prone to Matting and Crushing Under Heavy Furniture, Absorbs Oil Based Stains Easily, 1-5 Year Lifespan, Not Eco Friendly

polypropylene

Characteristics

Polypropylene comes from fossil fuels.| This high performance synthetic usually attempts to imitate natural materials like wool and sisal.| Pros: Stain Resistant, Fade Resistant, Hydrophobic, Budget Friendly| The Cons: Highly Flammable, Low Melting Point, Low Resilience, (This material does not bounce back easily.) Attracts Oil and Dirt, Can Have a Chemical Smell, Not Eco Friendly

Overview Comparison Guide

Material	Durability	Maintenance Level	Affordability
Silk	Low to Moderate	High Maintenance	$$$$$
Wool	High	Moderate	$$$$
Nylon	Very High	Low Maintenance	$$
Jute and Sisal	Moderate	High Maintenance	$$
Viscose	Low to Moderate	High Maintenance	$$
Cotton	Moderate	Moderate	$
Polyester	Very High	Low Maintenance	$
Polypropylene	Very High	Low Maintenance	$

Patterns and colors may be limited with some materials but there are a plethora of options to choose from. The trick here is to narrow down those options. Now, there are many ways to do this. We can narrow it down by your specific design style or the color scheme you may have or want to integrate into your space. Don’t worry, I will walk you through each one.

By Your Design Style

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First, establish whether or not you’ve chosen a design style for your bedroom. If you have a clear style set in mind, perfect! All you have to do now is take a look at the “Design Styles” tab to see what characteristics can be found in a rug with your aesthetic. If your chosen style is not represented there, Pinterest is a great resource to see what others have incorporated into their space with your specific style.

You may find that your vision may be a mix of styles and that is okay. Most spaces are. Look for the commonalities they share and utilize that as your jumping off point. Again, use Pinterest to find what others are doing.

If you aren’t sure how to categorize your style, let’s try a different way of narrowing down your options.

By Your Color Scheme

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Chances are, if you're trying to figure out what color your rug should be, perhaps you don't have a set color scheme in your bedroom already. If this is you, you have two options.

Take a look at what colors naturally exist in your space already. (ex. the color of your flooring, the walls, any furniture you may already have) Note those colors down. If they already work well together, use those colors as a guide. A rug in one of those colors may work nicely in your space.
Start from scratch. What colors are you naturally drawn to? Jot them down and choose three that you think look good together.

Both options should incorporate the 60/30/10 rule. Your color scheme should consist of 3 different colors. One of them will be used in 60% of your space, one in 30% and one in 10%. The three colors you choose should be used in a variety of hues.

Most of the time, major furniture pieces like rugs, fall into the color used 60% of the time but this is not a hard rule.

Here are some color pallet inspos:

This is the most common and the one that I will recommend. It offers the sleekest design and it is the easiest to work with. Especially in your bedroom.

This can be a beautiful shape but I would not recommend this shape for your bedroom. If you want to do it: Placing it at the foot of the bed or completely to the side of the bed will be your best options.

This can be for rooms that are more whimsical and fun. They are used mostly as runners or side rugs and rarely used as the main rug under the bed.

Design styles are here to guide you but they are not hard rules. Most people have a mix of styles in their homes and when done right, it can look beautiful. Don’t be afraid to step out of your interior design style.

Sleek, Functional, Simple, Clean