There is nothing as fun as giving an old room a makeover, or moving into your first apartment. Whether you are hiring a décor specialist or choosing to take on the interior yourself, there are few things you would need to know.
This article will take a look at all the factors you have to consider when you are shopping for the perfect curtains for your décor project. Even though others around you might think curtains are just material, there are a lot of intricate details, types, lengths, colors, styles and fabrics to consider.

Types and Functionality
Room Analysis
First and foremost you will realize that each room will have its own curtain requirements. Some rooms are darker than others and some more private. Study your open space during the day and night and make notes about the room. This will also help with the way in which you will decorate and move the furniture in the room. Consider functionality factors such as the temperature of the room, natural lighting, privacy etc.
Fabric and Materials
When you are inspecting a certain fabric or material for your curtains, check that the material is fade resistant. This is particularly important when you are buying curtains for a room that will be getting a lot of direct sunlight. The combinations of materials will depend on patterns on the fabric; heavy curtains can bring a sense of luxury to a room where it will be overkill for a kitchen area. If you are looking for curtains with a printed design, your best fabric options would be cotton.
Think about the setting and the mood you are trying to create within the room in question.
Lighting and Length
The main purpose of curtains is the enable to you restrict or allow the amount of lighting that you would want in a certain room. How you make use of the light will also determine how big or small a room appears. Heavy curtains in a dark room might appear much smaller than it is, but as a result it can create a feeling of romance and intimacy.
Sheer drapes are very popular for lighter rooms in the house such as the living room and kitchen, but they aren’t as appropriate for the bedroom and bathrooms. If you like the look and feel of the sheer fabric you can always pair it with a darker drape to give sufficient covering.
Not all windows are the same, but type of curtains you choose allows you to alter the visual aspects of the windows. If you want the roof of your room to appear higher, you can hang the curtains above the windows to create that illusion.
Style and Colour
This part of your curtain shopping comes down to personal preference. It is advised that you have a color scheme in mind that will simplify the selection process. If you are merely replacing curtains and the room already has a theme and color scheme in place, you will work with that in mind.
If you are decorating the room from scratch, the style that you have in mind for the room, will play the biggest role in choose a color. If you want a simplistic space you will opt for a neutral color that is not too overpowering. You might be interested in a traditional or classical feel for your living room, so patterned curtains and dark furniture will add to this mood.
In some cases curtains and drapes really are the balance within a room, so it isn’t just a curtain since it can make or break your décor. As the focal point of the room curtains can create the style, mood, texture, brightness and proportion within a space.
When you are shopping for curtains, the best idea would be to choose your style beforehand. Think in the lines of the following styles.
Farmstyle Fun
When you visit the country you will find that the décor is more traditional and feminine. The décor will feature a lot of lace, bows, ribbons, ties and floral prints. If you are looking to create this mood and setting for your sunroom opt for light colors and fabrics. These materials would include linens, cottons and organzas. The room should not appear to be decorated ‘over the top’ but merely be a reflection of the laid back style that the room wants to represent. This style also works well with kitchens and guest rooms.
Luxurious Living
These rooms are elegant and stylish and traditional curtains complement the décor. Rooms that would be ideal for these type of heavy complex curtains include the dining room, library and master bedroom. The décor is intricate with multiple layers of lining and patterns; fabrics include velvets, sheers, cottons, damasks and silk brocades. These curtains can also be ‘dressed up’ with detail.
Modern Mainstream
If curtains aren’t your world and you just want to apply basic decoration to your room then you can downplay the interior with basic curtains. The modern look, however, is not so easily achievable than one might think. Less is more in a room with modern design, but choosing the right curtain is as important as staying simplistic. Keep textures and prints to a minimum and opt for cottons or sheers. If the rest of your room is neutral the curtains can bring a pop of color, or the other way around.
Writer Biography
This is a guest post by Lindsey Mcmahon. Her interests are entertainment, television, parenting and health but she is constantly extending her field of view to incorporate interesting news suggested to her by her readers.