Not sure if you want to buy custom curtains and drapes online? Trust us – we’ve made the process as smooth and seamless as possible. Start by ordering free sample of your favourite colours and patterns so you can see how they look and feel in person. With our easy measuring guide, taking measurements is a snap! To help you find the perfect custom curtains, here are some tips to keep in mind.
What to Look for When Buying Curtains?
Choosing the right custom drapes is easy to do once you’ve narrowed down exactly what you need. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you start browsing drapes.
What Are Your Needs?
If you’re looking to add a glamorous finish to your room by layering exquisite drapes over your window blinds or shades, you’ll want to consider what your needs are in the room first. If you need the drapes to block out light, you may want to consider a blackout fabric. If you just want to highlight the window area, sheer curtains are ideal.
Stand Out or Blend In?
Next, you’ll want to decide on the motif. We have bold and striking patterns for a show-stopping look. If your room already has a main focal point, you can always choose from our luxe neutral fabrics for an understated yet elegant look instead.
What is the Best Length for Curtains?
When it comes to custom drapes, they are 100% customizable, but these four styles are the most common:
- Apron Curtains: Drapes that reach down to about 4” inches below the bottom of the window frame. These are intended to be short but should not be even with the window frame. That few inches at the bottom is necessary for a modern look.
- Floor Length Curtains: Drapes that lightly graze the floor and are usually only about one-quarter of an inch above it. This is the most common length. We also recommend measuring from the ceiling and placing your curtains as high up as possible, rather than right above the window frame. It creates a much more elegant look.
- Puddle Length Curtains: Curtains that are intentionally too long and puddle together on the floor. This is ideal for lightweight curtains. Drapes with a heavy liner may not fall smoothly and will look bunched instead.
- Café Length Curtains: These are absolutely stunning and unique. The idea is to place them in the centre of a small window so they cover just the bottom half. These are cute and fun and ideal for kitchen window and bathrooms.
The best length for your curtains will largely depend on where they are and what your preferences are. In a room like the kitchen, you may want to keep your curtains shorter to avoid getting them dirty. In a living room, you may want floor-length or puddle-length for effect.
Should Curtains Be Lighter or Darker than the Walls?
In the world of interior design, curtains can be either lighter or darker – as long as there is some type of contrast. Aim for custom-made curtains that contrast with the wall rather than match it perfectly. This can make both the drapes and the wall appear dull. The contrast will brighten the room and call even more attention to the curtains you’ve chosen.
What Widths Do Curtains Come In?
The beauty of custom-made curtains is that you can choose the exact right width for you. Most of our drape panels can be made as wide as 96” each, with some models available as wide as 196”. Ideally, you want two curtain panels for a standard window and you want them to be wider than you need for the window so they can gather nicely when pulled open.
Both panels together should measure one a half times the width of the entire window to allow you to gather them beautifully on each side and frame the window. If you intend to fully shut the curtains at times, then you’ll want the combined width to be two and half times the width of the window.
Most Popular Curtain Customizations
There are a few customizable features on drapes to consider when choosing the perfect ones for your interior design project. Here are some of our most popular features:
- Grommet: This style is when the material has metal rings woven into the fabric at the top. It allows the material to slide onto the curtain rod easily and also exposes it a little bit.
- Pinch-Pleated: This style will expose the curtain rod completely, while the material is gathered into sections and is attached to the rod by decorative rings in the colour and finish of your choosing. If you plan to have the curtain drape over the frame of the window, this style works best.
- Wave Fold: These drapes have an inconspicuous rail that is drilled directly into the ceiling. Once the drapes are hung, the rail will not even show and the drapes will hang in a modern wave fold style. Plus, this style can be motorized!
- Liners: You can add a privacy liner if you want light filtering through while maintaining privacy. Or you can choose a blackout liner if you want to completely block light from entering the room. You can also choose a thermal liner if you are interested in insulating your windows more to reduce energy costs.
How Do I Hang Curtains?
If you buy drapes online, the next step is to hang them up yourself and we promise, this part is easy! You’ll need to screw in a curtain rod anywhere from three to four inches above the window frame (we say the higher, the better!). Then hang your brand-new drapes and voilà!
Why Buy Custom Drapes?
Adding custom drapes to your window blinds for a layered effect can instantly give your space a more elegant vibe. Layering various materials and textures can also brighten up your room and make your windows stand out.
You can also customize your space even further by choosing details like grommet or pleated style curtains, tie backs, or combining both thick and sheer materials together for a look that is home décor magazine-worthy.
We Can Help
Not sure where to begin? We know shopping for new window treatments can be a tough job, so we’re here to help. We highly recommend starting off by ordering free samples of your favourite materials and colours so you can get the feel of the product and see how it blends in with your room before making a final decision. You can also contact us if you have any questions or concerns about placing an order. One of our in-house window treatment experts will gladly guide you along and help you make the right decision.
And of course, all of our products are covered by our Perfect Fit Guarantee. In the unlikely event your window treatments don’t fit, we’ll replace them for free.