Curtains and the Choosing of Fabrics
When decorating the home there is almost an infinite amount of decisions to be made. Understandably styling and decor evokes passions in people. Just this morning a conversation with my partner about the decorating of our flat almost turned into an argument when I suggested a certain type of TV stand. This article however is not a focus upon my personal decoration, or even my choice of TV stand but an in depth look at the world of curtains and how they can be used to accentuate decorative items and compliment existing furniture pieces.
When buying curtains there are a number of considerations that need to be made; naturally curtains are available in a myriad of different styles, colours and patterns , from striking block colours to more ornate pearls and sequins. Ultimately the choice is up to you, the homeowner. Subsequently it is vitally important for those decorating to obtain different samples, typically available for no cost, to see which patterns, colours and styles suit the existing decor.
One of the most important considerations is the type of fabric the curtains are to be manufactured from. For the boudoir look, velvets and silks provide an elegance and sophistication that is hard to find with any other material. In contrast, more casual rooms, such as the living room or study will benefit from fabrics such as cotton and linen; these lighter fabrics are perfect for informal rooms. As well as these traditional fabrics there are newer varieties such as faux leather, PVC and metallic mesh; many of these new varieties have features such as water resistance and fire retardance.
When selecting fabric for curtains it is important to recognise how much light you want in the room. Bedrooms are better suited to heavier materials as they will let in less light and hence provide a darker room for a night’s sleep. On the other hand lighter fabrics such as netting can be used for privacy reasons without sacrificing the light let into a room.
Many curtains on the market today are lined. Fundamentally this means that the curtain has a lining behind the front fabric. This can be used to block more sunlight but can also provide a more professional finish. Removable linings are available for cleaning and blackout linings can be bought if total darkness is a necessity.
Most fabrics can be washed when the curtains become dirty. Depending upon the fabric, this may have to be done regularly, in the majority of cases curtain fabric is either machine washable or can be cleaned by hand. In some instances however, fabrics will have to be dry cleaned. As with any fabrics it is important to study the washing instructions that come with the material.
Hopefully this article has set out some of the important considerations concerned with the selection of curtain fabric. With a conscientious approach it should be possible to find a fabric that not only provides privacy but is aesthetically pleasing as well.