7 Foolproof Curtain Hanging Tactics To Get The Designer Look
Curtains are the one major design element that can instantly soften a space’s look. While shades and blinds are what most people go for when choosing window treatments, curtains are what bring the designer look and not the former. You already know this which is why you clicked on this post!
This is an overly discussed topic in the design & home decor world that tends to get very technical and confusing. In this post, I have simplified the process for you by breaking it down into 7 rules you can follow when choosing your next window treatment. I promise you will get the designer look in your space if you follow these to the tee!
1. Deciding On Blackout Curtains, Sheer Curtains or Both
The first question you need to ask yourself is what kind of curtain you want. Do you want a blackout curtain (that blocks light up to 100%) or a sheer curtain (light filtering)? This largely depends on the space you’re designing. If the window treatments are for a bedroom or a nursery, go for blackout curtains. If the space is a living room, dining area, or home office, you can go for a light-filtering curtain. Want the best of both worlds? You can do a dual window treatment and have sheer curtains as the first layer and blackout curtains as the second layer.
TIP: If you already have blinds or shades installed you can still hang curtains to frame the windows. It will not mess up the look and will in fact elevate it.
2. Choosing The Right Color
Now that you’ve chosen what type of curtain(s) you want, here comes the fun or the most stressful part – choosing the color! A sheer curtain filters light and is almost always white in color so you don’t have much of a choice there. Let’s talk about blackout curtains. Since this post is all about getting the designer look I will recommend you to stay away from the bold colors, reds, blues, or even blacks when choosing a blackout curtain. If you carefully look at a room designed by a professional you will find that the blackout curtains are either warm neutral – browns, beige, white or they match the color of the walls.
If you want to warm up the space go for a darker tone while staying in the neutral family. You can also match the color of the walls to get a seamless look.
Note: Just because the blackout curtain is light in color does not mean it won’t do a good job of blocking out the light. It may not be a 100% but still good enough to darken the room and ensure privacy.
3. Understanding Impact Of Plain Vs Patterned Curtains
While plain is the way to go when aiming for a designer look, you can also choose a patterned curtain and still achieve the look – if done the right way! If you don’t like how plain the curtains are and want to get something with patterns, stay AWAY from the bold and heavy patterns. Go for curtains with simple and light patterns that have neutral tones. Remember, curtains can either soften the look of your space or weigh down and be an eyesore you can’t cover up.
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4. Golden Rule For Choosing The Size Of The Curtains and Curtain Rod
If I have to pick ONE factor that affects the overall look of the space it’s this one. The height and width of the curtain and curtain rod are the most important details when doing a window treatment. No matter how good of a curtain you select you can still mess up the look if you don’t get this right.
To get the designer look, follow these THREE simple steps:
Go 4″ – 6″ above the window trim and mark it. This is how high up the curtain rod will go.
Go 8″ – 12″ on either side of the window trim and mark it. Measure end-to-end. This is how long your curtain rod should be.
Measure the entire length from this point to the floor. This is how tall your curtain should be.
In terms of the width of the curtain, go for wider curtains if you have big windows to get a fuller look when the curtains are open. This trick will also work if you have smaller windows but you can have your pick here and also opt for narrow curtains. Just follow the steps above when it comes to height and you’ll be fine!
5. Going For The Right Pleats
If you notice, the pleats of the curtains designers choose are very specific. The simple yet elegant look comes from selecting the right kind of pleats. Go for ‘Tailored Pleat’ or ‘Pinch Pleat’ to get that typical designer look. Below is a quick guide that summarizes the do’s and don’ts of pleat selection.
6. Selecting Simpler Curtain Rods
Simplicity in design & home decor goes a long way! The cleaner and simpler your elements, the more elegant your space will look. In that spirit, let’s talk about curtain rods. A clean black rod with simple ends is THE way to go when choosing curtain rods for your window treatments. Stay away from decorative rods, wraparound rods, rods with brushed metal finishes.
7. Shopping For The Panels
Last but not least, you need to decide how many panels to shop for. For those who don’t know what panels are, a panel consists of 1 curtain. Typically for a window, we need curtains on each side. In other words, we need 2 panels. If you have a big window with equal wall space on each side it’s a no-brainer – get 2 panels. However, if your space has two windows next to each other, a window in a corner, or two windows on walls creating a corner, the designer way to go about this is to still buy 2 panels for each window. That way, if you have a corner, it looks full and if you have space between the windows it gives the illusion of one big window.
Credit (From L to R) : Studio McGee, Jenna Sue Designs, Jenna Sue Designs
This post was about 7 easy tricks and hacks to follow when hanging curtains to get the designer look. I hope this simplifies the intimidating process of hanging curtains for you! See you in the next post!
