Can cheap curtains look expensive?

[linspins]

Hello, we need to get new curtains for our bedroom (and other rooms too soon) but money is a bit limited...do you think some sorts of curtains can look more expensive and luxurious even though they aren't? What sort would be best?
Also I can't decide if patterned curtains and plain bedding would look nicest, or patterned duvet cover and plain curtains...or both?! Miss Indecisive at the moment! I LOVE Sanderson Dandelion Clocks pattern, for either curtains, bedding or even wallpaper. Any thoughts? Thanks!

i'd go fantastic wonderful curtains - eg designers guild type - but buy fabric on ebay and make them yourself if you can OR plain cream ones from dunelm mill or ikea and fab bedding - eg designers guild type but from tk maxx or la redoute do great ones too.

i did once see some curtains made from decorators scrim (the stuff proper dust sheets are made of) interlined and looking great but i am sure that i would make them look crap..

I got some from local bargainous establishment TJ Hughes, cost £20 a pair for 90x90s, double them all up, in our lounge, looks gorgeous. With some (inherited from parents) ridiculously expensive tiebacks

We've just got some nice ones - not sure if they LOOK expensive but we like them! They were £34 for pair of 90x90 from Shaws the Drapers if you have one of these locally?

For a bedroom I would go for plain curtains as there are so many nice duvet cover sets around that are patterned so would be a shame to limit yourself to plain bedding!

I think the thing that makes curtains look expensive is the thickness of the fabric and the lining - cheap curtains tend to have a very thin lining and to be quite thin themselves. I've done quite well with Ebay curtains that were very expensive, marked down to just being quite expensive. Cheap curtains on the whole do just continue to look fairly cheap.

and good hanging.. sorry what i mean is that cheap curtains hung well dont look half as cheap as cheap curtains hung badly.

I got some gorgeous 90x90 black ones for my lounge in the Homebase sale £35. Was planning on splurging on MTM but they were too nice to pass up.

DD bought same size ringtop 'shot silk' effect ones from Primarni £20. Hang quite well although they are not as thickly lined as I'd like personally.

HH has a good point.

yes totally agree that lining makes a difference and hanging them well - taking time to pleat properly. You can buy linings to add - think interlining is also good and adds insulation!

You can make curtains look more expensive than they are by using extra fabric and good lining so they look generous, rather than looking like you have skimped on fabric and/or lining.
Also hand sewing them yourslf (if you are good) or having them made up always looks better than machine sewn, though of course this adds to the cost.
I would also look at ebay for bargains/ex-showroom curtains etc.

I always use calico[a lot of it]so curtains are full and use a heavy interlining so curtains hang well.I don't think you can scrimp on the making up or measuring.I think its always better to get your windows professionally measured if at all possible.Have them made up by an independant [ not at John Lewis because they charge a fortune].Alternatively go to somewhere like Dunelm Mill where you can find really nice fabrics and they will also do the making-up.I think its better to have plain curtains and a patterned duvet etc.To save on money i buy expensive fabrics for Roman blinds[silks etc]as you need much less fabric and they still look luxurious.

Good point teta about the blinds, they are a great way to have expensive window dressings minus the huge fabric bill!
And yes I agree that you should avoid using John Lewis, but you could always ask them to measure up...

i have used local person who charges £25 a width of fabric for curtains

I went to Dunelm Mill as have non standard window sizes (old house) and been scared by the prices in smarter shops. They made the curtains up, with lots of fabricand lovely thick linings - I like to think they look much more expensive than they were. And they were a fraction of the price of most shops.

I was going to say Dunelm Mill too. We've just had loads of roman blinds made by them and I'm very impressed - good quality workmanship and decent fabrics.

They currently have 20% off and can deliver in two weeks :o.

The gather is also an indication, cheap curtains dont gather tidy. If you get them made def go for a top quality tape (still cheap).

You can get a beautiful lining with interlining attached from Edmund bell. Having interlining hand pinched in is far too expensive.

Hand finish the hem, weighted corners.

I would also recommend buying curtains on ebay and cutting them up and perhaps having a plain strip on the base (say 50cm). You see designer curtains at a snip.