If window treatments leave you confused, follow our guide on how to find the right design for you. From the latest style ideas to the curtain tips and tricks from the experts, we've got it covered.
Be inspired by the latest style ideas
Keep it in proportion: Choose a treatment that suits the proportions of your room. Floor length curtains look elegant at tall, slim windows in a high ceiling room.
Glam up plain fabric: Give plain curtains a twist with a border in something more decadent. For example, pick out the background colour of a statement wallpaper design for your fabric.
Make a feature of shorter curtains: Short curtains can look skimpy, but this bold panel draws the eye to the centre of the curtain instead of its length.
Update with accessories: Use striking holdbacks to dress up inexpensive cotton drapes, or fit a plain pole, then just swap the finials when you fancy a new look
Go for a formal look with showy designs: Disguise a tall, narrow window with full-on dressy drapes. Layer two complementary silk curtains, and sweep them both to one side for a fuller, more luxurious look.
Brighten up a bay: Try teaming patterned curtains with sheer coloured panels at a bay window. Curtains can be open during the day to let in light, while the splash of colour keeps the wide expanse of window from looking too bare.
Choose the right curtain heading
Pencil pleat
Create with the heading tap sewn on the top edge of the curtain, with the cords pulled in to make neat gathers. Perfect for a relaxed bedroom scheme, and suitable for tracks or poles and for medium to heavyweight fabrics.
Eyelets
An unfussy heading with a soft, wide fold, this looks good in contemporary settings, and is a great way of showing off a boldly patterned fabric. An eyelet heading is suitable for most curtain fabrics, though generally not sheers.
Pinch pleat
Created with heading tape that forms a fan effect. Gives a more tailored look than pencil pleats - good for more formal living or dining rooms.
Tab tops
Loops of fabric are stitched to the top of the curtain and slipped onto a pole. Suitable for sheers and light to medium-weigh curtains, and good for an informal setting, but can catch on the pole when opening and closing.
Six expert kitchen tips
1. Make windows appear taller: Hang the curtain pole 15-30cm above the window frame to draw the eye up.
2. Maximise light: Hang curtains 30-45cm wide of the frame on each side - you can then push back the curtains and see the whole window. This also makes narrow windows appear wider.
3. Freshen up lightweight curtains: Just put them in the tumble dryer on a low setting with a fabric-softener sheet.
4. Check the strength of your curtain pole: Poles are designed to hold a certain weight, so check the packaging. Fixings have to hold the weight of the fabric and will suffer stress every time you draw the curtains, so they must be strong.
5. Don't skimp on fabric: Cutting down on the amount of fabric you buy will look mean. Economise by opting for a cheaper fabric instead - just make sure it handles well and drapes evenly.
6. Measure up carefully: Use a metal tape measure for accuracy, as a cloth one may stretch.
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