Your Guide to Curtains and Window Treatments

How to Pick Curtain Fabric, Color, and Pattern

1. Texture

If you've chosen to go with curtains, considering the mood of the room will help you select the right texture. For a formal space, there's heavy silk or velvet; both are dry-clean only. More practical (often washable) options include silky rayon blends and cotton sateen. For a casual feel, there are billowy linen (generally dry-clean only) and crinkly crushed velvet. Cotton and cotton blends work with any type of decor and bring a crisp, neat feel, as does seasonless wool or wool blends.

2. Color

You'll need to decide if you want the curtains to blend with the decor or to pop. For blending, pick curtains that are the same tone as the wall but a few shades darker, or choose a non-dominant subtle color in the room (a soft shade from the rug, say). A bold color will work like an exclamation point (if you're looking to add some wow). Also keep in mind that in a space where the sun shines through unlined curtains, the color will infuse the room. Blue can be eerie; pink, cheery.

3. Prints and Patterns

A rule of thumb: If you have patterned furniture or bedding (or a very elaborate rug), stick with solid curtains. If you have solid-color furniture or bedding, consider patterned curtains. For a subtle hit of style and energy, go for a small, neutral print, like dots or paisley, which reads like texture from afar. A large, graphic print in a color that relates to the existing decor is daring but can be spectacular.

How Long Should Curtains Be?

Floor-length is the way to go unless there's a radiator or a deep sill in the way. Ready-made panels are available in lengths from 63 to 144 inches. Measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod, then round up. You can always have the dry cleaner hem them a bit if needed. You'll get the most current look if the fabric makes contact with the floor (or sill or radiator). Too-short curtains can seem nerdy and off, like high-waters.

Here are two surefire approaches.

1. Just Hitting the Floor or Sill

This look is classic and tailored; it makes sense if you'll be opening and closing the curtains a lot (they'll easily fall back into place every time you move them). The fabric should just touch the floor or hover 1/2 inch above. This is also a great approach for café curtains (short panels that cover only the lower portion of a window and hit the sill), which work well in spots like the kitchen and bathroom, where long drapes aren't practical.

2. Breaking Slightly at the Floor

Panels that extend onto the floor by 1 to 3 inches are another stylish option. They're more relaxed than those that graze the floor (left), but they still feel tailored—think of a pair of dress trousers. If you have uneven floors or are worried about precision measuring, this style is more forgiving. In formal rooms, an exaggerated take—6 or so inches of fabric pooling on the floor—can look romantic but is also high-maintenance. They'll need to be cleaned more often and will have to be readjusted every time you vacuum or the cat lies on them.

How Wide Should Curtains Be?

To ensure that panels look ample and drapey when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2½ times the width of the window. Exceptions: If you're hanging curtains just to frame a window and don't intend to shut them, you can round down to 1½ times the width. Pleated panels have fullness built in, so their width should more or less match the span you're covering.

Where Should Curtains Be Mounted in Relation to the Window?

Generally, hanging curtain brackets on the wall above and outside the window molding looks best, since it allows fabric to fall gracefully. If you have detailed window frames you don't want to cover, an inside mount (hanging curtains within the frame, as you would with a tension rod) can work.

Below are two hanging tricks that decorators love for maximizing windows—you can opt for just one technique or use both on the same window.

1. Hang Curtains Above the Frame

To create the illusion of a taller window, mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame—or halfway between the frame and the ceiling molding. (But within reason—don't go more than 8 inches above the frame or it might look awkward.) A track mounted on the ceiling also lengthens windows. Be sure to account for the extra fabric when measuring.

2. Hang Curtains Wider Than the Frame

Extending the rod 3 to 6 inches beyond the frame on each side makes a window feel grander and allows extra light to stream in when the curtains are open (the fabric hangs against the wall without blocking the glass). You can also use this plan to reveal pretty molding. In this case, you may want to leave as much as 12 inches on either side. Remember to adjust your width measurements for this look.

Curtain Heading Styles to Know

The top hem of a curtain, known as the heading, can help define the overall look—casual or formal, feminine or sleek—and also play a part in functionality (allowing the panel to slide easily or not).

Here's a quick rundown of common options.

1. Basic Heading With Hooks

A traditional flat heading that attaches to the rod via rings stitched into its top hem or, sometimes, drapery hooks (the rings attach to the hooks). With either setup, the curtains move easily.

2. Rod-Pocket Heading

A channel along the top holds the rod and creates a casual, gathered effect. A nice choice for curtains that will stay put, because shimmying the fabric back and forth can be difficult.

3. Pleated Heading

There are many styles, from narrow pencil pleats to wide, flat box pleats. Because they're structured, these panels read more formal than do other types. Pleated curtains generally operate with drapery hooks and rings.

4. Tab-Top Heading

Flat loops of fabric hang on the rod. This can look relaxed with sheers or buttoned-up with stiffer fabrics. A variation on this theme is tie-tops, with bows instead of flat loops—still casual but more feminine and romantic.

What Type of Curtain Rod Should I Use?

Decorative curtain rods should relate to the style of the room. Those that are completely hidden from view can be chosen based on function alone.

Here are common options.

1. Classic Rod

An adjustable pole, often featuring ornamental end caps (finials), that attaches to the wall with brackets. Match the metal to other finishes in the room. You can buy a double curtain rod if you want to layer with sheers.

2. Return Rod

An adjustable U-shaped rod that screws directly into the wall. Panels wrap around the curved sides, making this a good solution for blocking out light.

3. Track Rod

Drapery hooks attach to pulleys inside a track. Can be installed on a wall or the ceiling. Some tracks resemble a rod with finials, concealing all moving parts inside the pole. Curtains glide effortlessly.

4. Tension Rod

The easiest and cheapest but least sturdy option, it adjusts to fit inside a window frame with no hardware. Bare-bones, it's meant only for lightweight panels or café curtains. They're also a very affordable option and ideal for rental apartments.

Do I Need Tiebacks?

If you want to be able to pull curtains to the side for more light or a swoopy, formal look, tiebacks are the answer. They're also a nice way to showcase a view. Mount a curved metal bracket or a peg (known as a rosette) on the wall about two-thirds of the way down the window. Match the room and the rod for style and finish. There are simple fabric tiebacks and fancy ropes with tassels for a grander effect. More casual: tying a curtain in the center of a window with matching fabric or a wide grosgrain ribbon.

Types of Window Blinds and Shades

Think blinds or shades are the best option for your space? They can provide a clean, minimalist look to a room and are also ideal for modern home decor.

Check out all of the styles below before you make your pick.

1. Venetian Blinds

When you think about window blinds, you're likely thinking about this classic style with horizontal slots that can pivot open and closed to control the amount of light that filters through. If you want to control the light in your bedroom, look for room-darkening blinds with slats that overlap, and consider installing the blinds over the window frame rather than inside it.

2. Roller Shades

For a modern look, roller shades that unroll from the top of the window are a great option. With many materials to choose from, you can find everything from sheer to blackout shades.

3. Roman Shades

Roman shades work similarly to roller shades, but they have panels that stack up evenly when the shade is opened. This style lends a touch more elegance than standard roller shades.

4. Solar Shades

Similar in style to roller shades, solar shades are specifically designed to block UV rays and glare, making them ideal for a home office or a room that gets a lot of sun.

5. Panel Track Blinds

A popular option for sliding glass doors or patio doors, wide vertical panels slide open and closed along a track. These blinds come in a variety of materials, including solar-blocking fabric and woven wood.

How to Install Curtains and Blinds

How to Install Curtains

A handyman can hang curtains for you. Expect to pay $55 to $95 an hour, depending on where you live. Figure about 20 minutes per window for a basic rod with brackets, and 45 minutes per window for a track rod. If you would rather do it yourself, hanging ready-made curtains is not that difficult. Rods usually come with mounting hardware and instructions. You may need to buy rings separately. Beyond that, hanging panels involves a stepladder, a tape measure, a pencil, a level, a handheld drill, a screwdriver, and a stud finder. If there are no studs where you're anchoring brackets, use toggle bolts instead of screws. You can view helpful how-to videos from West Elm and Pottery Barn.

How to Install Blinds or Roller Shades

Depending upon your skill level, installing horizontal blinds can also be a DIY project. Follow the step-by-step instructions from the Home Depot. If you order directly from a blinds company, they will often offer a free in-home consultation, as well as deals on installation.

Where to Shop for Curtains and Blinds

There's no substitute for touching fabric and feeling its heft, so it's a good idea to check out curtains in the store or order swatches (higher-end sites will allow you to do this) before making a purchase. Some retailers will even lend you large fabric samples to take home and hang in front of your window.

Below are some reliable sources, most of which you can visit in person as well as online.

1. Lower Priced Curtain Sources

A range of colors and pretty patterns abound, but materials are mostly limited to unlined cotton, linen, and polyester.

• Amazon
• Urban Outfitters
• World Market
• Bed Bath and Beyond
• Wayfair
• Lowe's
• IKEA

2. Mid Priced Curtain Sources

Many curtains from these retailers are lined, so they'll drape better.

• West Elm
• Pottery Barn
• Crate & Barrel
• Anthropologie
• Restoration Hardware
• Williams Sonoma

3. Higher-Priced Curtain Sources

Expect to find every style, rendered in especially luxurious fabrics.

• Calico Corners (made to order)
• Horchow
• The Shade Store (made to order)
• The Curtain Exchange (made to order)
• Ballard Designs

Our Panel (get it?) of Curtain Experts:

Ian Gibbs, cofounder of The Shade Store, a custom-drapery retailer

Jackie Von Tobel, an interior designer and the author of The Design Directory of Window Treatments