If you don’t know how to choose curtains for a bedroom, you’re not alone. You'll find dozens of curtains for bedrooms that look relatively the same with slight variances. However, there is an art to finding the right option for your room.
Choosing curtains requires you to:
You'll also need to consider color, walls and a bunch of other factors that are easy to overlook. With that said, the material is the first thing you’ll want to choose because some materials are more expensive than others, such as silk.
In spaces where you want to maximize privacy, consider lined curtains. These curtains are often made of:
And they’ll have a lining on the other side that will help you achieve one of a few things:
Blackout curtains, for example, are thick and will block nearly all the light in your space. Thermal curtains will help trap the outside air from entering the room. These curtains may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but they add a lot of function to the space.
If you want your bedroom to feel upscale, silk is definitely luxurious. Silk curtains add a sense of formality to your space. It’s a heavy fabric and has a very beautiful texture. You'll find that silk works very well in rooms without an abundance of natural light because the sun can discolor or fade the curtains.
Silk works very well in spaces that are:
You can also invest in small blinds for your windows to protect the silk from sun damage if the window allows an abundance of sunlight into the space.
Thick and dense, velvet is great for insulating the space and blocking the sun. Many people prefer velvet because it blocks allergens and pollen, making it a very good choice for anyone who has allergies.
Additionally, this material also:
Depending on your specific needs, you’ll need to choose the right material for your bedroom from the list above. Next, you’ll need to consider the style of bedroom curtains that you choose.
Ideal for smaller windows, gathers are traditional and formal. These curtains will have heads that are unpleated and pockets on the back to help hang them. You can use hooks or tracks to hang these curtains.
Common with heavier fabric, grommets have a series of circle eyelets on the top that you attach your rings to. The rings will then hang from the rod. When dealing with thick fabric, such as with blackout curtains, grommet-style curtains tend to work best.
Also known as “pinch pleats,” this type of curtain is what most people think of when they first go to buy curtains. These curtains contain pleats that are pinched together and spaced out evenly. One advantage of pleats is that they help curtains fall nicely and look neat.
And there are many types of pleats, including two-, three-, four- and five-finger pleats.
If you want to add a sense of romance to the room, this is the type of curtain for you. These curtains will hang loosely over the window frame and are used for decorations. The swag or scarves style of curtain doesn’t provide the most functionality because it focuses on style, but it’s still a nice option if privacy isn’t your primary concern.
Eliminate the eyelets with the tab tops type of curtains. These curtains have one long top panel and fabric loops along the panel. These curtains hang straight off of the rod.
You'll find all of these styles above in the fabrics mentioned previously. Once you know the style and fabric that you would like for your curtains, you’re sure to have a lot of questions before buying.
We've outlined the most frequently asked questions when buying curtains to help make your choice a little easier.
Choosing a color for your curtains can be tricky. You want some contrast to draw attention to your curtains, but should you be choosing colors that are lighter or darker than your walls?
The answer is: it really depends on your wall color.
If you have white walls, you can choose white or matching curtains if you really want to brighten up the space.
If your curtains have a pattern, make sure that at least one of those colors matches or complements the wall color.
When picking out curtains for a bedroom, length is always a concern. Should your curtains touch the floor? What if you have shorter windows?
As a general rule of thumb, curtains should touch the floor – no matter what size windows are in your bedroom. Of course, your home is your oasis. If you prefer shorter curtains, then go for it.
It’s all about personal preference when decorating your home, and your bedroom curtains are no different in this way.
If you have a small bedroom, you likely want your curtains to make your space look bigger and more open. Your curtains can help you achieve that goal, but you have to choose the right color.
Generally speaking, bright-colored curtains will make a small bedroom look bigger. Great options include:
Dark colors may have the opposite effect and make your already-small bedroom look even smaller.
Today, you can find blackout curtains in virtually any color. But do you really need them for your bedroom? The answer depends on a few things:
You may also find that your blackout curtains save you money by helping keep your rooms cooler in the summer.
Before you start looking for curtains, it’s important to take the time to measure your windows. Measuring is a simple and straightforward process.
Measure the Width
If you want your curtains to cover the entire window, follow the steps below to measure the width:
This figure should be the width of each panel.
Measure the Length
Next, measure the length of your curtains. This part is simple.
If you have the space, aim to hang your curtains eight inches higher than your window.
Once you have your length and width, you can start shopping for your bedroom curtains.
Curtains should complement your bedroom and help tie everything together. It’s not absolutely necessary for your curtains to match your bedding. However, your curtains should at least complement your bedding.
Consider both your wall and bedding colors when choosing your curtains to choose a color that will tie it all together and create balance.
Choosing bedroom curtains doesn’t have to be daunting. Use the tips above to choose the right colors and lengths for your curtains. While these “rules” are often followed by interior designers, remember that this is your space. Your curtains and room should reflect your style and personality.
