Swags and Tails

Are you looking to take your space from drab to fab? Curtains are an easy and affordable way to give your room a new look. But with so many forms and fabrics, it can be hard to know how to choose the best fabric for your curtains. 

How to Choose the Best Fabric for Curtains

Need some advice on choosing the best fabric for your curtains? Here are some tips and things to consider as you shop for new curtains.

Know the Different Fabric Types

When it comes to curtains, there are many kinds of fabrics to choose from. The fabric you pick will affect how your curtains hang and drape, as well as how durable and easy to clean they are. That’s why it’s important to evaluate the different fabric types before you start looking at designs.

Polyester is a common fabric for curtains. They’re popular because they’re affordable, easy to clean, and durable. If you’re looking for an easy, low-maintenance option, they may be your best bet.

Linen curtains are great if you want a sheer fabric option for your space. They’re billowy but provide a tailored look, so they make any space seem more elegant. 

Sheer, voile or lace curtains offer a light and airy feel to any space. Like linen, they’re super sheer and provide some privacy without blocking out any light. Other popular curtain fabric options include cotton, silk, and velvet.

Consider Your Needs

Are you interested in curtains for functional reasons, aesthetic reasons, or both? Your answer to this question can help you narrow your fabric options down to the ones that would work best for you.

If you’re looking for aesthetic options, sheer curtains are great. If you want curtains to actually block out the sun and provide privacy, you may want to go with a polyester blend.

Do you live in a chillier climate? If so, you may want thermal curtains. These thick curtains can help better insulate your home and reduce drafts.

If you’re someone who needs to sleep during the day, you may want blackout curtains. These curtains, made out of an opaque fabric backed by foam, are effective at stopping any light from entering your room. They can also increase the privacy of your space.

Think About Your Space

When it comes to curtains, some fabric options are better suited for certain rooms than others. For example, polyester curtains are great for bedrooms to control light and sheer curtains add a lovely ambience of diffused light in living spaces.

The tailored look of linen makes it a perfect addition to a casual dining space or chic living room. Silk or velvet curtains are well suited for more traditional spaces like formal dining rooms.

Before you buy, think about where you want to put your curtains, and whether the fabric you choose will enhance the space.

Final Thoughts on the Best Fabric for Curtains

When it comes to curtains, the options are endless, but some fabric styles are better suited for certain spaces than others. By studying up on the best fabric for curtains, you can find a stylish option that enhances your space!

Ready to start your curtain search? Check out our quality selection of curtains and more!

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