Curtains and blinds can make huge changes to a room. They are very important for a major makeover and can add height, drama, breezy ambience, softness and colour to any space. Curtains have many uses in a home. They can be used for privacy, decoration or to disguise an unwanted window. Curtains have an impact on your home. It is up to you to choose the impact that they do have.

There are many important aspects to consider when choosing a curtain. These are choosing the right fabric and colour based on the colour of the room. Selecting the perfect curtain is so important as if not right the feel and ambience will be spoilt. If done right the feel of the room is perfected.

• The first thing to be aware of is that different rooms need different treatments. A living room needs very different treatments say compared to a childs bedroom. So the right curtain needs to be chosen for the right room.
• Lighting is extremely important in choosing your drapes. In a bedroom heavy drapes are required to block out light and noise and to give privacy. When we do not require privacy sheer drapes may be selected so that sunlight can penetrate the room.
• Curtains come in different lengths and styles. Think about the look you want to achieve with your curtains. Curtain fabrics come in numerous compositions such as linen, silk, polyester, cotton, viscose etc as well as mixtures of the yarns mentioned above. Silks have a magnificent opulence yet will not last as long as a polyester fabric and may not be as colourfast as polyester. Linen fabrics are eco friendly. So the right fabric needs to be chosen for the right drape according to individual taste.
• The heading describes the way the curtain is attached to the pole or track. Formal gathers are created with sew-on tapes that create set patterns, while contemporary headings, including eyelets, ties, clips or tabs, have a more relaxed feel. Popular headings are pinch pleats, pencil pleats, tab tops, wave pleats, box pleats and goblet pleats.
• Sheer curtains are good for accenting a room. They allow light in to the room and create exquisite effects and shadows without blocking out light. They can be opened in the day for a casual look and drawn at night for a formal look. Sheers are available in many colours, compositions and textures so offer a great mode to decorate a room.

So the bottom line is curtains have a unique power to change an ordinary room to a magnificent space with a dynamic look. Alternatively a chaotic space can be given a calming effect by your drapes. But if well chosen they will certainly enhance and beautify your home.

There are a number of different types of fabric, all of which are suitable for use in the home for different reasons. Fabrics fall into varying categories, you will find yourself deciding on design, colour, application depending on where the fabric will be used. Below is a guide to the different types of fabric which are available and how they can best be used.

Prints

Printed fabrics are available in a multitude of colourways, and can feature designs which vary greatly, and can feature anything from stripes of colour or simple geometric shapes to decorative African animal prints.
They are also likely to feature more than one colour or more than one tone of the same colour. This can mean you have more flexibility when it comes to the colour of your other decor as there are more colours in the print which you can choose to tone in with. With most prints, it is sensible to select one colour from the design to accent in your other décor, otherwise the room can start to look a little ‘busy’.

Plains

Plain fabrics tend to feature one main colour. Although they may have stripes or patterns woven in too, these will usually be in the same colour or a very similar tone. Again, most colours will be available from the bold and bright through to soft pastels and neutrals. Plain colour fabrics may be available in a wider variety of textures such as a chunky boucle which can make them a fantastic feature. Plains also have the advantage of enhancing other features of the room rather than taking the focus away from them.

Decorative

Florals, stripes, circles – any fabric that has a design woven into the cloth constitutes a Decorative. These fabrics cover a broad spectrum of colour and design from Naturals through to big bold colours. These fabrics bring a lift to any room and can make a fantastic statement.

Sheers and Voiles

Sheers – are translucent fabrics, often with a soft sheen. If used alone as a window treatment, sheers are usually a decorative option, as they do not ensure privacy when a room is lit from the inside.
Voiles – light, semitransparent fabrics. Usually a plain-weave, sheer fabric of cotton, rayon, silk, or wool, voiles are also used for decorative purposes and teamed with drapes to provide privacy and light control if required.