Tips for choosing & hanging curtains

I’ve covered various types of window dressing (shutters, frosted film) over the years, but I’ve never really talked in depth about curtains. In recent weeks I’ve had quite a few questions about them via Instagram DM, so I thought it was time I addressed the balance and put together a handy guide.

Done badly, curtains can look fusty and outdated, and they often make rooms seem smaller and darker than they actually are. But done well, they can add warmth and elegance to all sorts of spaces – even minimalist Scandinavian-style ones where you might assume they’d be best avoided. Here are my top tips for choosing and hanging curtains, covering everything from fabric and fittings to how to position them. I’ve also rounded up a few of my favourite places to source them at the bottom of the post. And stay tuned for a follow-up next week looking at more unusual ways to use curtains. Hint: they needn’t be restricted to windows…

Selecting curtain fittings and heading styles

It’s worth taking time to choose the right fittings and heading style, as you’ll need to consider the type of window as well as the overall look that you’d like to achieve. The most traditional option is hanging curtains from a wooden or metal pole using rings, which are attached to the fabric with hooks and tape. This can look bulky, however, and unless you hide it with a pelmet the pole will always be visible above the top of the curtains. If you want to avoid rings all together, then pocket-top, tab-top and eyelet designs that fit straight onto the pole (pictured below) make good alternatives. Just be aware that they can get stuck when you draw them, so they might prove irritating if you’ll be opening and closing the curtains regularly, for example in a bedroom.

Photos via Alvhem, Piglet in Bed and Casas AD

If you want your curtains to glide along smoothly, then tracks could be the answer. There are wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted versions, and the curtains fasten to them using hooks on the back; many can even be curved to fit around corners and bay windows. The fabric normally sits in front of the track and hides it from view, creating a sleek and pared-back look, but you can turn it into a feature by choosing a more visible design, as shown in the second example below.

Photos via Ibiza Interiors and VIPP (see full tours of these properties here and here)

Curtain wires are another minimalist, understated option, and they’re generally very affordable. They can also be bent around corners, and the fabric is normally attached with a subtle hook-and-clip system.

Photo via IKEA

Choosing fabric

There are all sorts of practical and aesthetic considerations when choosing curtain fabric. Heavy silks and velvets are good for blocking light and draughts, but other fabrics can often be supplemented with blackout or thermal linings if needed. Semi-sheer and sheer voiles are ideal if you want to reduce glare and increase privacy while allowing softly diffused light, and they can create a beautifully breezy feel. Linen is another good option, and it can appear relaxed or smart depending on the weight and weave you choose. If you buy a double-track system then it’s even possible to layer curtains, combining sheer panels with something thicker to pull across when needed.

Photos via Norm Architects and Entrance Makleri

You also need to work out whether you want the curtains to blend into the wider decor, or whether you want to make a statement with an accent colour or contrasting texture. Remember fabrics often look different in photos and under artificial shop lighting, so it’s worth getting hold of swatches so you can mull over potential options in situ.

Photo by Kristofer Johnsson for Riksbyggen (see more of this apartment here)

Finally, the fabric you choose will have a big impact on the way the curtains hang, and heavier fabrics will generally fall more neatly than lightweight ones. You may want the laid-back, billowing-in-the breeze effect that thinner options provide, but if not you can give them a crisper look by stitching curtain weights into the bottom hem.

Photo via Esny

Positioning curtains

It’s worth hanging the curtains as high above the window as you can – perhaps even positioning the track or pole so that it almost touches the ceiling. Not only will this make the window and therefore the room as a whole seem taller, it will also create a much more elegant look and prevent the curtains from floating awkwardly in the middle of the wall.

Photo via Alvhem

When it comes to width, choose a pole or track that’s wider than the window itself. It will generally look a lot nicer on the eye, and it will stop the curtains blocking light when open by partially covering the glass. You could even run the pole or track along the entire width of the room – something which is seen regularly in Scandinavian interiors and which looks very smart. It’s also a great way to deal with multiple windows along a single section of wall, as you can hang one wide pair of curtains that pulls across all of them or dot several narrower pairs along it.

Photos via Lotta Agaton Interiors and Innerstadsspecialisten (see a full tour of the second property here)

Getting the length right

Curtains generally look best when they just skim the floor or puddle slightly at the bottom, so take care to get the length right. If you need to shorten machine-washable curtains, make sure you put them through a full cycle before measuring to take account of any shrinkage. Also remember to measure from where the fabric will sit on the pole or track, rather than the top of the window, and allow enough length for a hem.

Photos via The Shade Store and Clear Cut Factory

Where to buy stylish curtains

• Swedish brand Himla has an excellent range of linen curtains in various lengths and thicknesses
• John Lewis stocks a comprehensive choice of ready-made curtains, as well as poles and tracks. There’s a made-to-measure service, too
• IKEA has a great-value selection, including voiles and blackout curtains with a variety of heading and fitting styles. Most are 250cm in length so they work well for tall windows, and they can be shortened as needed. There are also poles, tracks and curtain wires
• Nordic Nest stocks beautifully understated and elegant curtains from several Scandinavian brands [AD – affiliate link]
• Secret Linen Store has a small but perfectly formed range of linen curtains in timeless neutrals, including a couple of blackout options
• Piglet in Bed sells breezy linen curtains that are ideal for laidback or rustic schemes, although at the moment they’re limited to tab-top designs only [AD – affiliate link]

Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly.

Photography as credited above; top image by Kristofer Johnsson for Riksbyggen