Exploring Bedroom Furniture, Decorations and Layouts

How To Choose The Best Curtains For Your Home

13 March 2015

Margie Craig

Curtains combine form and function into a single piece of fabric; not only do these window treatments add color to complement your decor, but they also add privacy, sun control and even a bit of energy efficiency. While it can be overwhelming to choose among countless fabrics, colors and patterns, savvy homeowners know there's more than just looks to consider when it's time to choose curtains.

Shop smart by comparing curtains based on your specific goals to find the best option for your home.

Spice Up Your Decor

If you simply want curtains with style, it's important to consider how each option will look within your space, not just on how good it looks hanging in the store. If you want your curtains to blend in with the room, pick colors just a few shades darker than the room.

If you want your curtains to stand out, choose a bold shade, or pick one of the more dramatic accent colors in the room and use this as your drapery inspiration. Steer clear of patterns if your furniture or bed sheets are already heavily patterned to avoid pattern overload. 

Set the Mood

Colors can have a significant impact on mood, so pick colors that can help set the tone in each room. Choose warm colors or earthy shades to stimulate a feeling of connection and spur conversation in sitting rooms. Red stimulates appetite, making it a good choice for kitchen or dining room draperies. Bedrooms and bathrooms benefit from cool shades of blue and green, which help you relax and unwind. 

Decrease -- or Maximize -- Solar Heat Gain

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that choosing medium-colored drapes with a white backing can cut solar heat gain from the sun by a third. This is great news for those living in hot climate zones, like the southwest.

Using curtains in this way can cut cooling costs and reduce your impact on the environment. If you live in a colder region, pick light curtains with a loose weave to maximize solar heat gain and reduce your dependence on your furnace.

Make Your Home Look Larger

It's no secret that light colors make a space look larger, and this extends to curtains as well. Choose light-colored fabrics to open up small spaces, and avoid dark drapes, which make a space feel closed and small. If you're goal is to make your home more attractive to buyers, pick curtains just a shade or two lighter or darker than your walls to give the room a neutral feel while making the space feel as large as possible.

To learn more, contact a company like Landis Decorating Inc. with any questions or concerns you have.

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