Curtains are inevitable draperies in any house. They are not only a medium of decorating your home but also a source of letting the right amount of light and air enter your house. Curtains also prevent unnecessary elements like dust particles, pollen, and moisture from entering your room. However, very few of us are thoughtful in buying and hanging window curtains in the right way to solve our purpose.
So, let’s learn some tips and tricks on hanging window curtains for best lighting effect in your home…
1. Fabric comes first!
The kind of fabric you are choosing for your curtains plays a significant role in adding the right amount of light to your room. If you are a person who loves ample sunlight and fresh air to fill your room, then you need to go for lightweight sheer curtains that are translucent and bless you with both sunlight and elegance! On the contrary, if you are comfortable in a dark, cozy room and love your privacy more than anything, then go for thick and dark fabrics.
2. Length of the curtains:
Curtain lengths also play a crucial role in the best lighting effect. Generally, full-length curtains look the best, either those that touch the floor or are just a few centimetres above the floor. Full-length hanging window curtains make the room look royal and sophisticated and interestingly, they also allow adequate sunlight to enter the room. However, in some exceptions, if the window is too short, you can go for shorter curtains, based on your requirements.
3. Width of the curtains:
This is a favourite topic for debate! As a general rule, the combined width of your curtains should be ideally 2 or 2.5 times the width of your window or the window rod. This creates a sense of fullness. Also, the folds of your drapery give a very fancy look to your room and allow light to enter when the curtains are gathered neatly.
4. Mounting the curtain rods:
Once you have decided upon the fabric, length, and width of the curtains, you need to work on the window rods. The height and width of the rods matter equally. It is good to fix the window rods at least 5 inches above the window frame. And the width of the window rod should be at least 10 inches wider than your window to allow ample sunlight to fill into your room.
5. Don’t forget the Tiebacks:
Tiebacks and holdbacks don’t only accessorize your curtains but also let the curtains gather properly, permitting adequate light to enter the room. Stylish tiebacks and holdbacks also give a sense of exquisiteness and classiness when positioned at a height!
6. Experiment with different curtain hanging styles:
There are different ways in which you can style your curtains such as rod pocket, tab top, and eyelet, though rod pocket is the commonest way of styling curtains for best lighting.
7. Using Dual curtains:
We find many people using dual curtains, especially for their living room. In dual curtains, the heavier curtains are placed on top of the sheer curtains. They are a little difficult to clean and maintain, however, the efforts don’t go to waste. Dual curtains not only offer aesthetic appeal to your room but also help you to adjust the amount of light you desire. Here, sheer curtains act like liners filtering the right amount of sunlight!
8. Regular cleaning:
Curtains need to be dusted regularly as they withstand a lot of dust particles throughout the day. Vacuum cleaners come in very handy in such cases! Once in a while, they should also be washed. Do read the instructions carefully, before washing the curtains at home or get them dry cleaned, if mentioned so. Regular cleaning is a major factor for the best lighting effect in the long run.
These simple tips will surely make hanging curtains or curtain installation easier and more effective for the best lighting!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. Why is the placement of window curtains important for lighting?
The placement of window curtains is very important to allow abundant sunlight and fresh air to enter the room instead of blocking them making the room gloomy and dull.
2. Should curtains cover the entire window for optimal lighting?
It depends upon your requirements. When you want a cozy, dark room, then curtains can cover the entire window, otherwise curtains can be moved back on each side of the window for letting natural light enter the room.
3. What types of curtains are best for maximizing natural light?
Sheer curtains are best for maximizing natural light in your room. This is because sheer curtains are not only light-weighted and airy but also semi-transparent, welcoming abundant natural light into your home.
4. Should curtains touch the floor for the best lighting effect?
Yes, in most situations, curtains should touch the floor or stay just a few centimetres above the floor not only for good lighting but also from an aesthetic point of view.
