Curtains are a huge part of the decor of a room, and quite often they are responsible for setting the overall tone.  It can be tricky to figure out how to use curtains so here are our favourite hints for decorating with curtains! We’ve found some surprising uses for curtains as well.  Read on to find out what they are!  For more hints and tips for decorating with curtains, just have a chat with your local curtains professional. They’ll be only too happy to help.

Using Curtains in a Space

When it comes to using curtains, it is important to remember that they are actually a major soft furnishing in the room where they are used.  For this reason, they can be used in one of two ways – to set the tone of the room, or to tie a room together. Which use you pick depends on if you have the rest of the elements for your room already.  For example, if you are basing the room around your curtains, pick curtains that echo the colours and ambience that you want. That is, if you want a light, airy room, choose curtains made from lightweight fabrics and soft colours, so they let in lots of natural light while still giving you privacy.  A combination of a heavier block out fabric and a light sheer works fantastically for this!  Alternatively, if you want a rich, cosy feeling room look for plush, heavy fabrics in deep colours and use a pelmet to really bring the look together.

However, if you want to use the curtains to tie the room together, have a look at the colours and textures that you are already using.  That is, if you are using reds throughout your room, coordinating red curtains will really help the space as a whole look more polished and finished.  If you are using neutral colours for the main elements (furniture, flooring etc), look towards the accessories to give you inspiration for your curtains. Don’t use neutral curtains with neutral colours or the room risks looking beige and boring.  Make an existing room feel dramatic by using curtains in a deeper shade than the colours that you are using in the room (as an example, deep blue curtains with lighter blue accessories).

Don’t be afraid to use patterned curtains either.  In many cases, they are absolutely perfect for introducing a sense of playfulness or visual interest that a room so desperately needs!

Creative Uses for Curtains

The beauty of curtains is that you don’t just have to use them on your windows – you can use them in so many other ways!  This is perfect if you find a pattern or pair of curtains that you love but aren’t quite right for the windows.  Here are some awesome alternative uses for curtains:

• On bookshelves – jazz up your bookshelves by using curtains as a door, or even by lining the backs of the bookshelves with curtain fabric so you see it peeking out from behind books and ornaments.

• As a valance – sick of boring bed valances?  Get creative and use your curtains as a valance!  Match them with the ones already on the window or use ones that tie in perfectly with your bedding.

• As artwork – some curtain fabrics are just gorgeous which makes them perfect for hanging canvas style (stretched over a wood frame).  Alternatively, you can use curtain fabric as photo matting for something different yet beautiful.

• For cushions and upholstery – for the ultimate in coordination, take some curtain fabric and make cushions out of it.  Use the cushions on your main lounge, and then use some leftover fabric on an armchair or an ottoman.  You’ll get a gorgeous lounge setting that you know no one else will have!