Whether you are looking to simply refresh the look of a room or are considering a complete room re-design and makeover you should pay close attention to the curtains and blinds. A window is one of the main focal points of any room so dressing it correctly is vital. Over dress your window and it can look cluttered and dated. Under dress it and it can look bare and uninteresting.

When should you consider when buying new curtains?

Colour and pattern
Colour is a vital consideration. Look around the room and really try to understand the colours that are already in use. What colour is the carpet? Are the walls painted or papered? Does the wallpaper have a pattern? Your curtains should really complement the other accessories in the room. For instance, if you have patterned wallpaper try using a plain curtain. If you add a patterned curtain to a patterned wall the look can be confusing and unsightly.

Style
Your curtains should fit in with the style of the room. If you are going for a fresh and modern look then plain curtains with bold features such as steel trimmed eyelets look great. For a room with period features a more traditional style can be more suitable. Taller rooms can carry heavy drapes and pelmets well.

Functionality
What job do you need your curtains to perform? If they are simply for decor then style alone should be the main consideration. However, if you are looking for a curtain to keep out the light when closed you need to buy a heavy fabric which will ideally be lined with a suitable “black out” material. Black out curtains are particularly popular in bedrooms and are available in an assortment of styles and colours. You should also consider your care routine. If you want curtains that can be washed and ironed easily then avoid delicate fabrics such as silk, which will require specialist care (which can be expensive).

Accessories
There is little point spending money on a great pair of curtains and then neglecting the accessories. Choose a curtain pole that will complement your new purchase. Again, look around the room for inspiration. Steel and chrome poles are very popular but can look out of place in more traditional homes and cottages. Tie backs should also be a consideration. Quite often you will find that your curtains are sold with tie backs included. However, there are some great tie backs on the market that can really set your curtains apart. They include materials like rope, feathers, small jewels and sequins.

Key consideration when buying Window Blinds
When buying blinds you really do need to pay close attention to the window measurements.  Unlike curtains, blinds need to be an exact fit or they will look incredibly messy and will not do the job they are intended for. You can buy “off the shelf” blinds which can be trimmed to size but if your budget allows you should consider having the blinds tailor made. Different styles of blinds suit different rooms and again if you are looking to block out the light you need to opt for heavy duty black out roller blinds. Venetian blinds are the most popular blinds in conservatories and they are available in a vast choice of colours and textured patterns. Again, think about the existing colours in your conservatory before placing your order.

If you dress a window correctly you can really enhance the look and feel of a room. Adding new curtains or blinds or both to a window is a quick and easy update to any room and by shopping around it can be done cost effectively.
Author: Mark Woodcock