How to Choose the Right Curtains for Any Room

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I’ve been choosing the right curtains for every room in my home.

Curtains are like the final brushstroke on a painting. Subtle, but capable of transforming the entire feel of the room.

Whether aiming for farmhouse charm, modern elegance, cottage-style, or boho, curtains help tie it all together. Their style, fabric, and hardware all communicate the room’s design direction.

Curtains act like picture frames for windows, drawing the eye upward and outward. They create a sense of structure and balance, making the room feel more complete. When choosing curtains for any room, consider these factors.

My Home Office Curtains:

I’ve added black-and-white buffalo-check curtains to my office window, which faces south.

Black-and-white buffalo-check curtains strike a bold yet comforting balance between classic charm and tailored style.

With its crisp contrast, the oversized check pattern adds visual interest without overwhelming the space. The black squares provide an element of sophistication, while the white keeps things bright and open.

When drawn back, the curtains frame the window and let in natural light from the backyard. Pulled closed, they offer a cozy warmth, much like a rustic cabin meets a small workspace in an old house.

Paired with the two black wooden desks, the curtains provide a defining statement for the room.

Note the new paintings I hung on the wall around the bulletin board. I wanted to add a floral, feminine touch to this small office space. Because of the paintings, I tried not to mix too many colors when choosing the color and style of these curtains.

How To Choose The Right Curtains For Any Room:

To choose the right curtain style, consider your room’s overall design, desired light control, and personal taste. Consider whether you want a formal or casual look.

1. Style & Design

• Room’s Overall Theme: Match the curtain style to your room. For example, sleek, contemporary curtains for a modern space, or traditional curtains with intricate patterns for a classic look. 
• Formal vs. Casual: Consider the room’s formality and choose curtains accordingly. Heavier, more elaborate fabrics and styles, such as pinch pleats or grommets, can create a formal feel. At the same time, lighter fabrics and header styles (like rod pockets) create a more casual look. 

I mainly chose grommet curtains because they are easy to open and close at night. Since the windows in this old house are pretty high, I didn’t want to struggle with that.

2. Light Control

Light Filtering: Sheer or lightweight fabrics softly filter light, creating a bright and airy feel. 

Blackout Curtains: Blackout curtains are the best option for bedrooms or rooms needing complete light blockage. 

Layering: Combining sheer curtains with heavier drapes allows for flexible light control and privacy. 

3. Fabric & Color

Consider the mood you want to create in the room. Warm colors can be energizing, while cool colors can be calming. To choose curtain colors, consider your existing decor, desired ambiance, and the room’s natural light. 

Light colors brighten and enlarge, while dark colors create a sense of coziness. 

Determine Length and Hanging Style Choosing Curtains:

Classic floor-length curtains offer a sophisticated look, while shorter cafe curtains can be ideal for kitchens or bathrooms. Consider how the curtains will interact with furniture and architectural details. 

• Floor-Length: Curtains that puddle on the floor create a sense of drama and luxury, but require more maintenance. 
• Just Touching the Floor: This creates a clean, tailored look. 
• Shorter Curtains: Practical for rooms with furniture or heaters near the window. 
• Header Styles: Different header styles (such as grommets, rod pockets, or pinch pleats) create distinct visual effects. 

How To Measure Windows For Curtains:

To accurately measure the window for curtains, you’ll need to determine the width and length. 

For width, measure the length of the curtain rod and add extra for fullness (typically 1.5 to 3 times the rod width). For length, measure from the top of the rod to where you want the curtains to fall (floor, sill, etc.). 

Curtain Width

1. Curtain Rod/Track: Measure the total length of your curtain rod or track from end to end, including any finials (decorative ends). 

2. Decide how full you want your curtains to look. To achieve a standard fullness, multiply the rod width by 1.5 to 2. To achieve a more luxurious, full look, multiply by 2.5 or 3.

3. Panel Width: If you’re using multiple panels, divide the total width by the number of panels to find the width of each panel. 

Curtain Length:

1. Rod/Track Height: Determine where to mount the rod or track (above the window frame, on the frame, etc.) and measure from that point down to your desired curtain length (floor, sill, etc.). 

2. Consider Overlap: If using multiple panels, add a little extra to the width to account for overlap in the center. 

Decide the Style & Color of Curtains:

Assess the space. Note natural light patterns throughout the day. Consider the current decor style of your room (modern, boho, farmhouse, cottage, etc.) Identify whether you desire privacy curtains or light-filtering curtains.

Decide on the curtain style: single-panel, double-panel, or tiered. What header style do you want: grommet, rod pocket, tab top, or pinch pleat?

You can choose cotton, linen, velvet, or polyester blends when selecting fabric and pattern. Consider the opacity: sheet, semi-sheer, lined, or blackout curtains.

Decide on a color palette that complements the existing furniture and wall color. Consider brackets, finials, and optional tiebacks and holdbacks.

How To Choose Curtain Rods:

Determine the curtain rod’s function, material, and style.

1. Single Rods: The most basic type, typically used for a single layer of curtains. 
2. Double Rods: These rods hold two layers of curtains, often sheer curtains paired with heavier drapes, allowing for light control and privacy. 
3. Tension Rods: These rods are spring-loaded and require no hardware for installation, making them ideal for temporary or lightweight curtains, like in bathrooms. 
4. Traverse Rods: These rods feature a pulley or cord system for easy curtain opening and closing. They are often used for heavier drapes. 
5. Cafe Rods: Typically smaller, decorative rods used to hang curtains on the lower half of a window, often in kitchens or dining rooms. 
6. Bay Window Rods: Designed for bay windows, these rods are curved or angled to fit the window’s unique shape. 
7. Metal Rods: Strong and durable, available in various finishes like brass, nickel, or black. 
8. Wooden Rods: Offer a classic, warm aesthetic, and can be customized with different stains and finials. 
9. Decorative Rods: These rods feature elaborate designs, patterns, or finials to enhance the window treatment’s overall look. 
10. Acrylic Rods: These rods offer a modern, sleek look and are often used in contemporary spaces. 
11. Plastic Rods: Economical and lightweight, but may not be as sturdy as other materials. 

Installation Plan:

Gather the tools you will need before hanging your curtains. You will need a drill, level, measuring tape, anchors, and screws.

Mount the curtain rod brackets 4–6 inches above the window frame. Extend the rod 4–6 inches beyond each side for complete coverage.

Then, install the curtain rod brackets, ensuring they are level and secure. Finally, thread the curtains onto the rod, hang them on the brackets, and adjust the length/hem if needed.

How I’m Choosing Curtains For My Home:

I want the curtains I choose for each room to blend in easily and not detract from the decor in this old house I call Mamie. I’m selecting stripes, checks, and soft floral curtains, and I want a subtle look.

If you recall, I had green-and-cream striped curtains in my apartment kitchen. I’ve hung those curtains in my bathroom.

I’ve ordered one set of curtains for both the living room and guest room, though I will need three for each room. I want to see how I like one curtain before I order multiples.

I chose blackout curtains for my bedroom and the back room. The back room has five east- and south-facing windows that tend to heat it up.

Why Add Curtains?

Hanging high, wide curtains makes ceilings feel taller, and windows feel larger, making even a small room feel grander and more open.

The way curtains filter or block light dramatically affects the room’s ambiance. Sheer curtains create a dreamy, diffused glow, while blackout panels can make a space feel cozy and calm.

Hanging curtains at the window makes a room feel lived-in yet peaceful. A place you’d want to sit with a cup of coffee or tea, a good book, or a moment of quiet thought.

Here are the Curtains I’ve Ordered so Far:

• Gray & white buffalo check curtains, 95 inches long
• Black & white buffalo check curtains 54 inches long (hung in my small office)
• Gray linen blackout curtains (96 inches long for the back room with five windows)
• Light green linen blackout curtains (96 inches long)
• Boho floral linen curtains (96 inches long)