Curtains

Bring a little softness and warmth to your windows

Curtains can make a room feel cosy and complete, whether you love gentle neutral fabrics or something with more colour and personality. They look beautiful on their own and can work especially well alongside a roller or Roman blind. There are lots of little choices, from the heading at the top to the lining and how the fabric falls, but you don't have to work them all out yourself. Tell us the kind of room you're creating and we'll happily guide you through the possibilities.

Curtains work well alone, over blinds or alongside them. Many bedrooms combine a roller blind for the main light control with curtains for comfort and style. If you are weighing curtains against a fabric blind, our curtain or Roman blind guide is a useful read.

Headings

The heading is how the curtain is gathered at the top, and it sets the whole look.

• Pencil pleat. A classic, tightly gathered heading, simple and traditional, and suited to tracks.
• Eyelet. Metal rings set into the fabric, threaded onto a pole. A clean modern look with even folds, though the curtain slides along the pole less smoothly than with rings or hooks.
• Pinch pleat or goblet. Formal and structured, with pleats stitched at intervals. They take more fabric and look more tailored.
• Tab top. A casual look, where loops of fabric hang from the pole.

The amount of fabric matters too. Fuller curtains look richer and hang better. We'll help you choose the amount of fullness you like, whether that's a relaxed look or generous, flowing folds.

Tracks or poles

A track is discreet and works well for heavy curtains, bay windows (some tracks can be bent to shape) and ceiling-mounted fittings. Curtains glide smoothly along it, and it can be hidden behind a pelmet.

A pole is a feature in itself, with finials and rings you can choose. It looks good with eyelets and tab tops. Longer or heavier curtains need a pole with central support brackets, and walls must be able to hold the load, so it is worth checking what the wall is made of before fixing.

Wherever you put it, fit the hardware wider than the window, so the curtains stack back against the wall and leave the glass clear when open.

Linings

A lining changes how the curtain hangs and what it does:

• Standard lining adds body and protects the face fabric from sun fading.
• Blackout lining helps make a room darker, though light can still slip round the edges. See blackout blinds for how edge gaps work.
• Interlining is an extra layer between face and lining, giving a heavier drape. Whether it helps with draughts or warmth depends on the curtain and the room, so it is worth asking us what to expect.

Length

Length decides how smart curtains look, and it is best decided before the hardware goes up.

• Just above the sill is practical, especially above radiators or furniture.
• Just below the sill or apron gives a neat finish.
• Floor length, either just clearing or lightly touching, looks the most generous. Measure with the carpet or flooring in place.

Curtains that stop awkwardly short of the floor can look a little unfinished, so aim for a clear, confident length, and remember to measure from the pole or track, not the top of the window.

Curtains and blinds together

Mixing the two is common. A blind handles day-to-day light and privacy, while curtains add colour and comfort. Our Roman blinds are an option where you want fabric but a cleaner line, and roller blinds work well beneath curtains. For a wider overview of what is available, see our blinds page.

Safety and care

Keep curtain cords and tie-backs tucked out of little hands' reach, and move climbable furniture away from windows. Care varies by fabric and lining, so a quick look at the label is worthwhile, because some fabrics are only suitable for dry cleaning.

To talk through headings, hardware and measurements at your windows, book a free measure. A quotation is provided first, before you commit.

Curtain and Roman fabrics

Browse the curtain and Roman fabrics we supply from Decora and Louvolite, with every colour named.

Inspiration