Shopping for made-to-measure curtains offers you a plethora of options. While this is undoubtedly a boon, to make the best of this personalization opportunity, you must know the ins and outs of drapery, and even more importantly, the mistakes to avoid while shopping for custom curtains.
In this blog, we will help you kickstart your custom drapery shopping spree by listing the top 3 mistakes that you must avoid while buying made-to-measure curtains:
Selecting the Wrong Length
The length of your drapery should always be selected according to the utility of the space. Firstly, it is always recommended to choose floor-length drapery. This creates a more opulent and sophisticated look as compared to sill length or cafe curtains which are better suited to function-oriented spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
Furthermore, also think of the vibe of the space. In formal rooms, opulent floor-to-ceiling drapery puddled gently on the floor brings a polished, luxe look. Whereas, in a laidback space, short curtains billowing in the wind set the mood right.
Lastly, consider the household mandates. If you have pets and children who run around the house, puddled drapes can get in the way and cause tripping accidents. In such cases, you will find a better match in short curtains or other sill-length window treatments like custom roman shades.
In general, there are three floor-length styles of drapes:
Float: ‘Floating’ curtains graze the floor without touching, pooling or gathering. It creates a clean and tailored look, suitable for modern or minimalist spaces where simplicity is key. Float-length drapery is also practical in high-traffic areas where excessive fabric pooling on the floor might be a hindrance.
Kiss: The ‘kiss’ style refers to drapery that barely touches the floor, just lightly brushing it. This style offers a subtle and refined appearance, providing a hint of elegance without the dramatic pooling seen in other styles. It’s a versatile option that works well in both formal and casual settings.
Puddle: Puddled drapery involves allowing the fabric to pool or gather on the floor for a more luxurious and opulent look. The are different styles of puddle curtains like break puddle, casual break, middle puddle, and true puddle. The length of the puddle can vary depending on personal preference and the overall aesthetic of the room anywhere between 1 to 12 inches.
As for short curtains, the different heights are:
Cafe Curtains: Cafe curtains are typically hung halfway up the window, covering only the bottom portion while leaving the top half exposed. This style allows for privacy while still allowing ample natural light to enter the room. It’s commonly used in kitchens, breakfast nooks, and casual dining areas for a charming and inviting look.
Sill Length: Sill-length curtains usually extend around 1 to 2 inches below the window sill. Alternatively, the curtain can also be snugly fit within the frame or window sill. This style is popular for kitchens and other splash-prone areas where full-length drapery might need to be more practical.
Getting the Drapery ‘Fullness’ Wrong
The fullness of a drapery refers to the ‘extra’ width required for pleat formation. For example, if the width of your window is 100 cm, then for lush pleats, you would ideally order 2x fullness, i.e., (100×2)=200cm. So, a single panel of 200cm or two panels of 100cm will be the ideal width of your curtains.
However, for bathrooms and kitchens, stylists recommend ordering lower fullness so the curtains are lighter and more breathable. This helps them dry faster and keep away odour and mould formation. In such rooms, you would order 1.5x fullness for your drapes, i.e., (100×1.5)cm, 150cm, meaning, a single panel of 150cm or two panels of 75cm.
Do note that you should never order drapery of the same width as your windows as it will hang like a flat piece of cloth without any pleats when closed.
Missing the Palette & Pattern Balance
In a room that looks like a potpourri of colours, adding another pair of curtains bursting with vibrancy will only make the space feel overwhelming. The palette and pattern of your drapery should complement the rest of your decor, not overpower, overstimulate, or rival it.
Therefore, if you have white walls, you may add a popping accent with colourful drapery. However, if you have other accent features, let your drapes slay in neutral colours and provide a strong background.
The pattern should also be chosen with the same basic principle – it should sync with the decor. For example, a larger-than-life floral print drapery will suit a contemporary room while in a country cottage, floral curtains featuring ditzy motifs or chinoiserie-style flowers will look best.
Not Syncing Drapery with the Decor
If your home is styled in minimalist aesthetics but your drapes are stitched in ornate triple pinch styles with heavy velvet fabrics, the entire space will fall flat on its face. Instead, lightweight cottons in flat panel tops or euro pinch pleats will better suit the space.
Again, think of boho or coastal style decors which have an innate sense of whimsy imbued in them. Tie tops and tab tops in wrinkly linens will love up to this flair. Again the same fabric will fit in rustic chic styles like country and farmhouse when stitched in rod pocket style.
Therefore, know your fabrics and headers before you order your drapes.
Conclusion
Now that you know exactly what you need to avoid and keep in mind while shopping for made-to-measure curtains, we hope the shopping journey will be a breeze. So, enjoy your retail therapy and with that, happy draping!
