There’s more to installing beautiful, functional drapery than just the fabric, print, and style. Drapery hardware can make a big difference in both the look and functionality of your curtains, so it’s important to carefully consider your options and choose what’s best for your room. So how do you choose drapery hardware? Follow these guidelines to ensure you pick the perfect style.
- Choose the proper thickness. Curtain rods come in a wide variety of widths, with certain sizes being better suited to certain drapery fabrics and aesthetics. Typically, we advise our customers not to use any curtain rod under .75″ in width, as curtain rods thinner than this can tend to look cheap and have a better chance of bowing or breaking under the weight of full-length drapery. From there, you may need a thicker curtain rod if you opt for lined curtains in a thick wool fabric, for example, to support the weight properly. You should also choose a thicker curtain rod if you’re installing floor-length drapes in a room with a twelve foot ceilings, as a thinner one will look insignificant against such expansive proportions.
- Choose the right length. Most curtain rods come in a length range, i.e. 48″-72″. To get the right length for your window, measure the width from the outer edges of the window casing and add four to eight inches, depending on how far outside the window frame you’d like your drapery to hang. If your total measurement is right on the cusp of two curtain rod lengths, opt for the larger one to be on the safe side.
- Choose the right style. The ideal outcome if for your drapery hardware to fit seamlessly with the style of your curtains, and luckily there is large enough selection of curtain rod and finial styles to ensure you get a complementary look. For more formal drapery, such as that made of rich fabrics like velvet, silk, or brocade, or any drapery hung in a formal sitting or dining room, look for decorative drapery hardware, which typically allows for the addition of finials. For informal spaces or fabrics (like sheers or single-layer, off the shelf curtains) a standard curtain rod (typically thinner, simpler, less expensive, and without finals) will do just fine.
- Choose the right function. If you will be opening and closing your drapery multiple times daily, consider forgoing a traditional curtain rod and choosing a traverse rod instead. A traverse curtain rod hangs drapery from a series of hooks, allowing your curtains to open and close through the use of a wand or cord.
For more information about choosing the perfect drapes and drapery hardware for your space, get in touch with The Shade Company, or schedule a complimentary in home consultation with one of our window treatment experts.
