Clueless about curtains

[taxiformum]

I need advice on curtains please. Bought a house and every room needs curtains. In the past I've always just bought a pair of eyelet curtains from Dunelm which have done the job and look fine but I want to try a bit harder. Looking online there's eyelet and pencil pleat.. which is more modern? What's better in your opinion? And tie backs.. never had these but if I get them what do I buy and how do I fit them? I would love to pay a company to come and do it all for me but we won't be able to afford that. Any words of wisdom with curtains will be gratefully received

I prefer pencil pleat because I like the 'gathered' look at the top. I have found they are harder to come by on the high street than eyelet though. The ranges available are small.

Most on MN will say always hang to the floor, but some times it isn't always possible. I have beams above every window and I didn't want to hang a pole above the beam, then it be hidden by curtains. So I fitted a track in the recess of the window so the curtains 'sit' on the windowsill.

Hang to a point, radiator, windowsill, floor.

I make my own, and am self taught. There’s loads of tutorials online. It’s really not that hard, but need a bit of patience so I can only make them when I am in the mood. Alternatively check to see if there is anyone local who can make them for you, who might be cheaper than one of the curtain designer places.

I usually get fabric from this place www.designerfabricoutlet.co.uk/ they don’t have a big selection on their website, but do post on their Facebook page. They also have a shop which is Lancaster, currently open on Saturday and Sunday. They manufacture Harlequin, Sanderson etc, and sell end of lines and seconds. The staff are very helpful, and will check stock if you have an idea of what you are after.

Thanks @MirandaMarple. Yes we have radiators below most of the windows so floor length probably isn't possible, but will try and get a length to just above the radiator. I've noticed on Dunelm that quite a few ranges are now in eyelet or pencil pleat. I like the look of pencil pleat just never had them. Thanks for your advice

Forgot to add, my personal preference At the moment is a double pinch pleat www.google.com/search?q=double+pleat+curtains&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB866GB866&oq=double+ple&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.5391j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=99t0zwXkTWTKlM They are a bit harder to make

I think eyelets are on the way out. I was speaking yo a curtain maker recently and she said that she hardly ever gets asked for them now.

It does also depend on the overall look of the house or room. Is the house modern, or an old house? There are many beautiful options to be had,don’t necessarily just rush for off the shelf. As a pp said, look for a curtain maker locally and buying fabric can often work out cheaper for better quality, especially if you’re doing the whole house. If it’s an older house, double pinch pleat with leading edges can look beautiful. What colours are you going for?

@NHSEA Thank you. I'm in awe of anyone who can make their own anything. I definitely wouldn't be able to make my own I can barely thread a needle haha. But thanks for the tips about eyelet curtains. I think I'm definitely leaning towards pencil pleat

@AutumnSummersBuffysCousin Colour wise I'm looking at gold/cream for lounge and main bedroom and children's curtains for the kids rooms. What do you do about tie backs? Or do you not bother with them?

@taxiformum really depends on the overall look you’re going for in the room. In the lounge do you want a more cosy and luxurious feel? If so you would go for a double width pencil pleat curtain, so that you get a nice gather, preferably floor length. Then a hold back that you just sweep the curtains up into would be nice. What size is the window, will you be able to get off the shelf to fit?

Personally I would not go for tiebacks for anything other than floor length curtains , I think it looks a bit fussy. on shorter curtains. BUT that's only my opinion.

There are plenty of how to choose curtains guides on the net. I'd agree that getting someone to make them for you is a good idea if you don't want to tackle it yourself.