Guest Blogger #335, Entry #907, January 20, 2012

Choosing the right curtains for your room can be a difficult task when there isn’t always an opportunity to see them in situ before buying them. They are often the last thing you consider when decorating a room which is why finding the right curtains can be made more difficult once your room is finished.

Choose curtains that reflect your personal style

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Color

Choosing the right color is vital and will often be determined by the color of your room. Tonal colors will create a calming space, but colors can be used in direct contrast to create a dynamic and open space.

In rooms with a feature wall curtains can be used on adjoining walls to balance the color throughout the room.

Texture

Equally as important as color is the texture of the curtain fabric. Texture can subtly match your furniture or be used in disparity to create depth.

Texture will often be determined by the fabric type and this can be important when selecting curtains, especially in consideration of practicality and whether you need to be able to wash them or not. For example in bathrooms and kitchens curtains will undergo much more stress than in your living room.

Lighting

Somewhat effected by texture, how do you want your room to be lit when the curtains are open or drawn?

The curtains you choose will affect a rooms natural and ambient light. This needs to be considered depending on the atmosphere you want to create; this is especially important when considering curtains for the lounge or for the bedroom.

Artificial lighting, such as spot lighting can also be considered to make a feature out of your curtains and windows.

Texture, color, patterns can enhance your interiors

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Scale and Balance

The size and scale of your curtains is important. You may want to make a feature of a window or opening or allow it to be subtly covered; this needs to be carefully considered when decorating a room to achieve the desired balance.

Style & Shape

The style and shape of your curtains is another important fact to consider. Whether it be pencil pleat, tab top, eyelet or voiles, nets and cotton lace they will achieve a different effect.

The style can be further differentiated by the use of poles, pelmets and accessories such as tie backs.

Whichever curtains you choose you need to be considerate of how you want them to affect the space. Taking all of the above into consideration prior to the decoration of a room will make the choice a lot easier to make.

Choose curtains that complement your home

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Your curtains should complement your hard work and decor and should not be shoe horned in as an afterthought.

Lucy Harding from Oxford Curtain Consultancy specializes in curtains, blinds and soft furnishings. For more information, please visit her website: Oxford Curtains.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.