STUNNING CURTAIN STYLES -Curtain Shops In Trivandrum- Sun and Sons
STUNNING CURTAIN STYLES
Sun and Sons
One of the mistakes I made when decorating my home was deciding on the curtains last. Firstly, it meant we had very little privacy (one of the main functions of curtains).
I hadn’t anticipated lying on the floor trying to wriggle into my clothes and underwear every morning, trying to keep out of sight from passers by. I also hadn’t anticipated waking up at half past four every morning when it started to get light outside – another major function of curtains is keeping out light. Or feeling overly exposed at night with the lights on.
Choosing the right curtains can be a difficult and time-consuming decision, especially if, like me, you haven’t done it before. We put it off for months because we didn’t know where to start. Since then, I’ve learnt a lot more about the different styles, lengths, pleats, rods, fabrics, pelmets and valances (bear with me, I’ll explain), so I hope to help here with a brief overview, along with some gorgeous inspiration and ideas.
Far from an after-thought, curtains add length to a room, frame a window, add wow-factor, and when using complimenting fabrics to other upholstery or cushions then curtains can be the finishing touch in tying a room together.
From poles to tracks, tab-top to tie-top and from pleats to pelmets, here are a few window dressing ideas to inspire your next project.
Curtain hanging systems
There are two ways you can hang your curtains; on a track or on a rod / pole.
1. Curtain track
A curtain track is an unobtrusive and elegant way to hang curtains, as you don’t see the track at all. They are often layered in double or even triple tracks, combining blackout curtains with sheers or voile in bedrooms.
Voile curtains complete the look of this bedroom – for some great designs on a bargain.
The quiet, efficient and smooth operation of tracking systems make them a very popular choice. They are also perfect for curved windows when curtains need to move smoothly around a corner – for example in bay windows. Brackets normally get in the way of curtain rings being pulled around a bay, but this design uses passing rings that allow the curtains to be drawn all the way round.
2. Curtain pole
A curtain pole is always visible above the curtains, unless you cover it with a pelmet or valance. They are available in different sizes and can be made from wood or metals.
The above curtain fabric is available
Poles are usually capped at each end with a finial, a decorative stopper affixed to the ends of a pole to prevent the curtain slipping off.
Curtains should frame a window, so make sure hardware is installed to reflect that. A rule of thumb is to allow an extra 10 per cent of rod on each side, but heavier fabrics will require a bit more.
When curtains are open, the space that the gathered fabric takes up is called “the stack”. The stack should not cover too much of the window itself when the curtains are pulled.
Heading styles
The heading style is the term used to describe the way the top of the curtain attaches to the hardware (the poles or tracks). Rod pocket, eyelet and tab top are amongst the most popular ways to hang curtains.
1. Rod Pocket
The most basic heading is the rod pocket (also known as pole pocket) style. This is when the curtain fabric is turned back on itself to create a pocket through which to feed the curtain rod. The curtain rod fits through the tunnel at the top of the curtain fabric, allowing it to gather together slightly.
Although decorative, it’s not particularly functional due to the difficulty of sliding the curtain along the railing.
2. Curtain rings
Using curtain rings is a popular choice. Curtains are attached to rings using small curtain hooks, and those rings are then slipped onto the curtain rod. This is a practical and durable solution, and the curtains can easily be removed and replaced.
3. Eyelet
Eyelet curtains can only be used with curtain poles and have a very contemporary and almost industrial feel. Curtains with eyelet headings give large, even and naturally soft folds.
4. Tab Top
Tab-top curtains have loops at the top, made from the same or contrasting fabric.
These modern, informal curtains can only be used with curtain poles. It’s more of a decorative rather than functional style since moving the tabs can also prove awkward.
As the curtain hardware is very exposed, it’s important to invest in quality, good-looking poles and finials.
5. Tie Top
This is where ribbons attached to the top of the curtains tie around the rod forming little bows. It’s a very informal, relaxed and rustic style, often used with linens and other light fabrics.
6. Pencil pleat
Pleats are the way that the fabric is gathered and bunched together.
Contemporary and elegant, the pencil pleat consists of long, tight folds from the top of the curtain. These tidy and consistent folds at the top of the curtain resemble the size of a pencil, hence the name.
These curtains are hung with drapery hooks attached to the back of the curtains where they can’t be seen, and then hooked onto a rod system.
7. Goblet pleat
A more traditional and formal curtain hanging style is the Goblet pleat, which looks great in a Victorian, Georgian or other home with a high ceiling.
The top of the curtain has a cylindrical cuff that resembles a wine glass. The main pleat is shaped and filled with wadding or interlining.
These curtains are usually seen in grand or traditional rooms with high ceilings.
8. Pinch pleat
This involves groups of three pleats which sit at the top of the curtain. They’re kept together at the base of the pleats by means of a stitch and allow to fan out.
This is an elegant and simple style. This is a very versatile style that can be hung on curtain tracks or poles, and often looks great when paired with fabric blinds.
9. Gathered pleat
This style of pleated curtain is a cross between a pinch pleat and a pencil pleat. A gathered curtain is created by sewing a pleating tape to the back of the top edge, then pulling cords in the tape to achieve the desired level of gathering.
10. French or tailored pleat
French-pleated curtains have groups of triple pleats, placed evenly along the curtains to create a formal heading. These curtains stack neatly to each side and are ideal for a formal dining or lounge room.
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