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Decorating a room comes with many decisions. It's not only about the wall colour and furnishings. The beauty of the decor is often in the details.

There are many things to consider in the design including artwork, pillows, flooring, and what window treatments will work for you.

If you're stuck on how to choose curtains for your rooms, you've come to the right place. Curtains come in many designs and textures. They also make a great accent statement.

Choosing the right colour, size, and style can change the entire look of a room. Changing your curtains isn't limited to when you decide to redesign a room. You can change a room by changing the window dressing.

Keep reading for three tips on how to coordinate curtains with a room's decor.

How to Choose Curtains with the Right Color and Fabric

Choosing the right curtains is about more than selecting the right colour. The colour of the curtains you choose is important, but so is the type of fabric and the length. You will also need to decide on colour, texture, and pattern.

You may also want your curtains to add height to the room. Understand that colours set the tone of a room. If you want a bright airy room, go with light colours in a lightweight fabric. For a more dramatic effect choose heavier fabrics in darker colours.

If colour isn't your thing, look at earth tones in linen fabrics. Curtains do not have to be the same colour as your furniture or bedding.

Will You Need Sheers or Blinds?

Knowing how to pick curtains will also dictate whether you want sheers or blinds behind them. It is not uncommon to have both.

A popular trend is to have two slim curtain panels with sheers visible in the middle. People that love a lot of sunlight choose this option.

Often times when a window has blinds of any size the option may be to go with a valance of side panels. This will help dress-up the walls surrounding the window especially if there is no wood trim.

What Type of Rod should You Use?

Once you know what colour curtains you want and the style you'll have, it's time to consider hardware. There was a time when curtains hung on a curtain rod hidden from view. Today, options include decorative poles, rings and stylish tieback handles.

These items come in an array of finishes and designs. Think about the curtain fabric and the overall theme of the room. Next, decide if you want wood, metal, or something else.

Cap it off with your choice of artsy finials.

Do You Need New Curtains?

Now that you know how to choose curtains it's time to go shopping. Use these tips to add an eye-catching effect to your favourite room.

If you are in the market for new curtains check out our how you can shop for energy-efficient curtains that can save you money.

Outdoor aluminium shutters allow you to take control of your privacy, security, ventilation, light and views.

Similar to indoor timber plantation shutters, outdoor shutters are made from high quality aluminium they are specially engineered for the outdoors to withstand the harshest of Australian coastal conditions, extremely durable to protect your home from the heat, rain and wind. They are wind rated to 180km/h offering strength and protection for your home.

DC+B’s outdoor shutters provide stylish, affordable and practical solutions for patios, decks, balconies, verandahs and windows. They are ideal to use to create an extra room in an outdoor living area and suitable for any size height or width area as they are custom made shutters, made to measure for a perfect fit to any size window, door, alcove or open space.

Outdoor shutters are perfect for outdoor entertaining to easily close off the area from the sun, wind, rain and also insects. They are also ideal for closing off areas for privacy from neighbours or if you want to hide unsightly views or block off an area of your backyard, garden or driveway.

As they block out the weather this results in increased insulation for your outdoor area and home which in turn means you’ll get energy savings and you may find reductions in your power bills.

They are also easy to operate, as all you need to do is tilt the blades, which takes minimal user effort. This makes them a preferred option for many homeowners.

Our outdoor shutter range can be fitted internally or externally and adapted to any form of installation, whether it is hinged, sliding, bi fold, French doors or simply fixed in place.

Outdoor shutters can also be fitted with a security locking system so you can fully secure outdoor areas.

Choose from a large colour range from modern whites through to wood grain colours, which offer the warmth of timber. Custom powder coating is also available to match back with Dulux colour ranges.

A summary of the many benefits of outdoor aluminium shutters:

• Control privacy, light + views
  
• Increase security with locking systems
  
• Protection from heat, wind + rain
  
• Increase insulation + energy savings
• Create an enclosed outdoor living area
  
• Fixed, hinged, sliding + bi-fold styles
  
• 90mm + 114mm blade sizes

Did you know your curtains could be saving you money year-round? Far from just an attractive way to improve the atmosphere of your home, window treatments could save you big on the warmest and coldest days of the year.

Are you using curtains in the most energy efficient way possible? With many Australian households seeing a utility bill increase of up to 20%, you can't afford not to. Read on to find out how to save!

The Right Curtain

Selecting the correct style of curtain and method of hanging is essential. Energy-efficient curtains often have a core of dense material designed to insulate. You can buy curtains that have a energy-saving lining which has been coated onto the back of the fabric, or buy lining fabric that is attached behind your drapes.

To save the most on energy, curtains must be mounted as close to the walls as possible. Reducing the amount of air between the window and curtain helps prevent air from escaping from around the edges.

Reduce the Draft

If your windows are old or lack a proper seal, temperature fluctuations can be a problem. Even moderate climates can see a loss of heat with drafty windows.

Heavy, thick, or insulated curtains can help reduce heat loss by 15-17% when drawn closed at night. Energy-efficient curtains create a draft barrier and prevent temperature transference from the cold of the window glass.

Choose the Correct Time of Day

When the sun is out, open curtains to allow natural heat to penetrate through your windows. Solar energy can be a powerful heater, but leaving the curtains closed can prevent that heat from getting through.

To maintain privacy in your home while still seeing heating benefits from the sun, consider hanging a sheer second panel behind the first. Pulling back the heavy protective drapery while leaving a sheer panel will maintain a privacy barrier without compromising sunshine. This combination is what we call Double Curtains and having two layers of fabric also doubles the insulation benefits.

Keep it Cool

In the hot days of summer, using curtains can prevent the sun from overheating the inside of your home. Curtains have thick layers of woven fabric which are one of the best window covering solutions to insulate your home throughout the year.

Keeping the interior from heating up during the warmest part of the day means your air conditioner or fans don't have to work as hard to cool your home. Try leaving curtains open on the shaded sides of the house, while drawing them closed over windows in direct sunlight.

Use Less Artificial Light

In warm seasons, longer days allows you to take advantage of natural light in the evening. Ambient natural light uses no electricity, unlike lamps and light fixtures. Try to use natural light during the day to cut electricity costs, only drawing curtains closed when direct sunlight threatens to warm the interior of the house.

Sheer curtains are perfect for summer, too. They allow you to enjoy the use of natural light without compromising your privacy. Sheers allow breezes to pass through, which can help to move stagnant air and keep the house comfortable.

Time For New Curtains?

Do your curtains pass the energy test? If not, don't fear. A simple update of the draperies in your home could mean big savings on your next utility bill.

Looking for an affordable window treatment upgrade? Visit our guide on how to chose the right curtains for your home.