We will tell you what difficulties you may face when choosing and ordering curtains. And how to avoid it.

Choosing beautiful curtains that are suitable for the interior and perfectly perform their functions is not so difficult if you know what pitfalls you may encounter. We share the most common mistakes of customers and immediately offer a solution to the problem. 

1. Wrong curtain width

Problem

When buying or ordering curtains, many are guided by the width of the wall, for example, 200 cm. And they completely forget about the folds, which significantly reduce the size of the finished canvas.

As a result, two curtains do not reach each other in the center of the window and the sun or the light of a street lamp constantly enters the room.

Solution

The width of the curtain is determined by the length of the eaves and the type of curtain attachment desired. To calculate how much fabric you need, you need to know the gathering factor.

Minimalism tip: when calculating the width of the curtain on both sides, add another 10 cm to the fold of the sides if you plan to sew the curtains yourself.

2. Incorrect curtain density

Problem

A common situation: they ordered a curtain from the fabric you liked, hung it up, it fit perfectly in size. We closed the window at night, and in the morning we woke up just as early because the curtains do not block the sunlight – and we wanted it to be.

Or, on the contrary, they just wanted to shade the room a little, but in the end, it turned out to be twilight, because the curtains are too thick.

Solution

There are several of them. For the shadow side, canvases made of light materials will come in handy: organza, viscose, or silk. Thin cotton and linen in natural colors are back in fashion. Tulle, Roman blinds, pleated blinds made of such natural fabrics can be used independently, without additional dense curtains.

If the windows of the room face the sunny side or a lantern is shining through the window at night, you need to think about blackout curtains that do not let light through.

But it is even more convenient to use ready-made Day-Night roller blinds, which cope with protection from the sun even better than a blackout lining. 

Minimalism tip: if you want to control the amount of light in the room, Zebra roller blinds will suit best. 

Their peculiarity is that transparent and opaque stripes alternate in one canvas – hence the name. 

With the help of a special mechanism, they are set in motion and combined, darkening the room. This is convenient: they do not need to be raised and lowered in order to regulate the light level.

3. Wrong curtain length

Problem

Having calculated the length of the curtains by the height of the window, you can find out during the hanging process that the canvas is too short – they forgot about the cornice. And if you take a large stock, the edge of the curtains will lie on the floor. 

Yes, it’s so fashionable now, but just imagine how inconvenient it is in everyday life: the folds need to be constantly straightened, if you move and open the curtains for day and night, the long edge attracts pets and collects dust and wool.

Solution

To the window sill: the bottom edge of the curtain is 1 cm above the window sill – the fabric can be moved freely.

Below the windowsill: The curtains look neater if they hang 10-15 cm below the windowsill.

Floor-length: Curtains end 1 cm above floor level for less wear and tear. You can also choose the length of the curtains so that the fabric falls to the floor.

Mnimalism tip: To determine the length of the curtain, measure the distance from the hanging point to the intended position of the curtains at the bottom.

4. Curtains along the entire length of the wall

Problem

Curtains start to look like a wall too, especially when closed. It is more comfortable for the look when they have a clear border.

Solution

Use curtains and tulle slightly larger than the width of the window – at the same time you can save on fabric, do not be afraid if part of the wall is visible. Extra-wide curtains are suitable for panoramic windows. 

5. Tulle even where it is not needed

Problem

The most common window decoration is tulle and two curtains on the sides. And this sometimes causes inconvenience: additional expenses for fabric, the need to wash, since the tulle absorbs more dirt and turns gray faster. And also a change in heat transfer from a heating radiator, if it is covered with a canvas.

It is worth adding that light tulle can, in a strong wind, flutter inside the room or outside the window, if you decide to arrange ventilation.

Solution

Firstly, you can not use tulle at all – why not an option? The room will have more air and light and less dust.

Secondly, lightweight fabric can be replaced with more comfortable Roman or roller blinds. They can be used alone or paired with curtains.