When it comes to designing your ideal room, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into the main elements: the paint color, the furniture, and even the flooring. But what about the window treatments?
Curtains are often an afterthought, but, as many interior designers will attest, drapery is the unsung hero of a space. From blocking out light to adding an instant “freshening up” effect, window treatments are essential in transforming a space from drab to fab.
By investing in the right curtains, you can turn an ordinary room into a true work of art. How, exactly? Read on as we share tips and tricks to teach you how to hang drapery like a designer!
Why Care About Curtains?
If you’re looking to transform a space without undergoing a major renovation or redesign, start by focusing on the windows – mainly, the curtains. That’s because curtains have a much larger purpose than simply blocking out light.
To start, curtains can help make a room appear bigger than it actually is, even if you don’t have very large windows. Whatsmore, the style, print, and color of your curtains can add an instant design lift and pop of color to any room. without having to paint or swap out any other design elements.
And ultimately, curtains can instantly shift the aesthetic of any room. The style you select sets the tone for the room’s mood and ambience; rich and ornate fabrics add a sense of luxury; thin or neutral tones add to a more casual feeling.
Clever Curtain Hacks
Hack #1: Hang High and Wide
Create a higher-end look and make your room appear bigger by hanging your curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible, which creates an optical illusion by drawing the eyes up. The longer your curtains, the better, so aim to find panels that are able to touch the floor to make your ceilings appear taller.
It’s also recommended to extend your curtain rods past your windows – by at least a foot – which allows the panels to hang outside the window opening when pushed open, letting the maximum amount of daylight in.
Hack #2: Layer Up to Level Up the Luxe
Add an instant sense of luxury to your space by doubling up on panels and layering your curtains. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing and adding some luxury to any space, layering two different sets of curtains adds contrast and practicality.
As an example (pictured above), a set of white sheer curtains can let in light during the day, while darker colored panels, when drawn, can keep the room darker at night and in the early morning when they’re drawn.
Hack #3: Don’t Hold Back on Hardware
Drapery hardware is essential in making (or breaking) your overall design aesthetic. First and foremost, the curtain rods you select should complement the fabric of your curtains. For example, heavier fabrics (such as velvet) should be placed on large, somewhat decorative rods, while light cotton and sheer fabric can be mounted on lighter-weight rods.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the curtain rods you choose should complement the rest of the room’s design. As an example, if you have bronze hardware in the rest of your room, a matching bronze curtain rod would be the best choice to bring the design together.
If you’re ready to transform your space but not ready to invest in new paint or a renovation, curtains and window treatments are a great start. And, with these three hacks, you’ll be hanging drapery like a designer in no time!
