How to Fit Curtains to a Window
Well-chosen curtains can enhance the light in a room, frame the views and add a sense of coziness or elegance. But when poorly chosen, curtains can be the sore thumb that steals the attention from all the other carefully selected elements in the decor. While fabric, pattern and color play an important role in choosing the right curtains, properly fitting curtains to the style, shape and size of the window is equally important. By following a few simple style guidelines and measuring carefully, anyone can have great results when fitting curtains to a window. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine which kind of window you are dressing. Different styles of windows are naturally suited to different styles of curtains. Casement windows, usually found in older homes, typically look best with short curtains (ending at the sill) positioned just inside the frame. However, if you do prefer to use a long curtain on a casement window, they should be positioned outside the frame. Sash windows are often found is historic homes and are considered an elegant design feature. Therefore, curtains on sash windows should be hung above and outside the frame so as not to conceal their beauty. The same guideline can be followed for stained glass or any other decorative windows or windows that offer a beautiful view, such as picture windows.
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Pinpoint the style of curtain you prefer. Generally speaking, formal curtains will reach from the top of the ceiling and puddle slightly or just skim the floor and they may have a very heavy drape, which means more fabric will be needed. Casual curtains may lay flat against the window, inside the frame and require very little material.
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Measure the height and width of the area you want your curtains to cover. Remember, you may choose a curtain style that covers much more than the actual window space, so measuring the window may be irrelevant.
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Purchase your material or premade panels according to your measurements. Don't skimp. Adopting a "close enough" attitude will likely result in frustration and dissatisfaction when you hang the curtains.
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Tips & Warnings
Whether you are purchasing material or premade panels, allow enough extra yardage for draping. For example, if the space you wish to cover is 20 inches wide, generally you will want 30 inches of material to cover it -- allowing the curtains to hang with a slight drape. If you prefer a more formal or elegant look, you may need to double or even triple the amount of fabric to achieve a very deep drape.
It is sometimes difficult to find premade curtains long enough to reach from floor to ceiling, even when the walls are a standard height. Consider purchasing an extra panel in the same or a contrasting color to sew onto the bottom and extend the length. If you don't sew, this project can be done relatively inexpensively by a seamstress.
