Curtains Buying Guide

Curtain Buying Guide

Not just a home essential to control light and provide some privacy, curtains form a significant part of your room's decor.

In this Guide
Our curtains buying guide will give you expert advice on the following:

Which type of curtain do I need?
What are the different curtain headers?
Which curtain lining should I choose?
Ready-made or Made to Measure curtains?
What curtain collections are available?

Which type of curtain do I need?
There are several factors to consider when thinking about the type of curtains you need. The main one is going to be the room the curtain is in; blackout and thermal curtains are great for any room as they can keep the room warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while voiles and nets are great for adding privacy to any room and an extra layer to a window. Then there’s also the style of the window itself: a bay window will require a very different curtain to a small, single bedroom window, while we also stock door curtains to exclude draughts in doorways. Here are the main curtains we stock:

Door curtains
Door curtains are sold as a single panel and are a great way of stopping draughts and unwanted light from entering the home via exposed doorways. We have a range of door curtains available in a variety of colours and styles.
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Voiles & Net curtains
Voiles and net curtains are a popular choice among those who want daytime privacy but also to enjoy some natural daylight in their home.
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Blackout curtains
As the name suggests, blackout curtains block out chinks of light but blackout curtains also hold the same benefits of a thermal curtain where they can make a room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. They are ideal for bedrooms, especially children’s rooms, but can be hung in any room of the home where you want to stop light from getting in.
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Thermal curtains
Thermal curtains can help give you maximum insulation during the colder, winter months. They can be used in any room of the home where there’s an unwanted draught and will keep you warm in the winter.
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What style of curtain should I choose?

The type of curtain header you choose will often dictate the overall style and feel of your curtains, so it’s worth taking some time to think about this. Are you after a modern or traditional feel? Do you want something subtle or statement? We stock six different types of curtain headers so it’s not hard finding one to suit you and your home.

One of the most popular curtain headers, eyelet curtains don’t require curtain rings as they’re threaded directly onto a pole via the curtain’s ‘eyes’ or holes. This gives the curtains deep, uniform folds from top to bottom, and the finish is modern and sleek.

Pencil pleat curtains offer a traditional curtain header and are attached to a curtain track or pole with hooks or rings. You can achieve the amount of gather you desire by adjusting the curtain header via its strings. The end result is neat pencil-like pleats that go with a range of decors.

Pinch pleat headings are gathered in a series of bunches and stitched together for an ornate, decorative finish. Unlike pencil pleats, once stitched, the design is permanent and cannot be altered. Pinch pleat curtains can be used with either poles or tracks and produce dramatic, elegant folds which reach down to the floor. Note; our pinch pleat curtains are available on Made to Measure only.

Slot Top curtains are hung on curtain poles only, using one slot along the top edge. They are most commonly found on voile panels or net curtains, but occasionally thicker curtain fabrics also feature slot top headers.

Tab Top header curtains are hung on a curtain pole via fabric loops along the top of the curtain. They wrap around the pole and support the weight of the curtain, giving windows a vintage feel. These curtains complement a traditional aesthetic and are a great way to show off statement curtains or fabrics.

Which curtain lining should I choose?

While you don’t see a curtain lining, it can make all the difference to how your curtains look, and the effect they create in a room. Lining with blackout and thermal benefits both have obvious practical benefits, while, whether you line your curtains or not, will alter how they appear, and result in fuller, thicker curtains or those with a light and airy feel. Any sort of lining will also protect curtain fabrics from fading in the sun.

Blackout lining is becoming increasingly popular, especially in bedrooms, as it fully blocks out light and reduces outside noise. This lining also has the added benefit of being thermal through keeping rooms cool in summer and warm in winter and is especially effective at preventing fabric fading.

Use this lining on curtains in particularly draughty and cold rooms to help keep the warm in.

Lined curtains comprise of a layer of fabric behind the main, room-facing material. These can help block out some daylight. As well as standard lining, you can also opt for blackout or thermal linings.

Unlined curtains are often sheer in appearance, and net and voile curtains usually fall into this category. As they don’t have lining, these curtains have a light, airy effect and are ideal for the summer or warmer climates.

Should I choose ready-made or Made to Measure curtains?
It’s likely that the style and size of your windows will dictate whether you use our ready-made or Made to Measure service. Our ready-made curtains come in three different widths and lengths, which cover all the standard window sizes, however, if your windows fall outside these sizes, we offer the option of using our Made to Measure curtains. This service has an unlimited number of sizes, so your curtains are made to fit your windows perfectly, and it caters for bay window and conservatory window styles, among others.

 
Ready-made curtains
- We have hundreds of ready-made curtains for you to choose from, in a number of standard curtain sizes.
- Our ready-made curtain widths measure 117, 168 and 228 cms and lengths come in 137, 182 and 228 cms.
- On some of our curtains we also offer wide widths and longer drops outside of these measurements.  Just measure your windows at home, using our handy curtain measuring guide, and you’re ready to choose your curtain style and fabric.Made to measure curtains
- If your windows are a little unusual, our Made to Measure service offers the flexibility you need to get the perfect fit.
- Just send over the measurements and we’ll work with you to create the perfect bespoke curtains for your space.
- We double check your measurements and fit everything for you. We can even tweak pre-made curtains that don’t quite fit.
- As well as thousands of fabrics to choose from, there’s also a choice of accessories, such as curtain poles, tie-backs and finials.
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What else should I consider when picking my curtains?
Our curtain collections allow you to create a complete look for your home. Each collection focuses on a particular design or pattern and comes in a range of colour ways so you can find the fabric and shade that best suits your décor. There’s also a choice of matching accessories, including tie-backs and poles, so you can make sure the final result is just what you’re after.


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Related guides
HOW TO HANG CURTAINSHOW TO MEASURE FOR CURTAINSOTHER CURTAIN GUIDES