Softening the Whole Look with Curtains
I’ve always been a fan of curtains. They have the power to soften the whole look of a room and add the perfect complementary touch. But they also come with a lot of questions and complications. Which curtains should I choose? How high should I hang them? Are there inexpensive options to store-bought curtains? How do I hem them?
Over the years, I’ve experimented with so many options. Today, I want to share with you all the tips and tricks I’ve learned from my experimentation, so that you can choose and hang the perfect curtains for your space.
Affordable Curtain Options
As you begin the search for curtains, you may quickly come to the conclusion that they are expensive. They sure can be. The good news is you can get the same effect and results with options that aren’t store-bought curtains.
One of my favorite affordable sources is Target. They have a great selection of patterns and colors that fit with the farmhouse style I love so well. I currently have Target curtains in my Dining Room and Living Room.
Another great option is IKEA. Their RITVA curtains are an amazing value at around $39.99 per pair, and they are an extra long length of 98 inches, giving you lots of options for hanging height even if you have tall ceilings.
Hanging Curtains with Style
Although I’ve read lots of formulas and curtain rules, I personally don’t follow any hard and fast rules. The fact is, curtains have the power to make a window appear larger and the walls seem taller.
Take our Master Bedroom for example. This set of curtains was hanging in our room before we started our Modern Farmhouse Boho bedroom makeover. They were hung at the height that they were bought at, which was at least 6 inches above the window. You’ll notice that when we took them down, we had hung them to hang wider than the window was, giving it the appearance of the window being wider.
Since we wanted to use a pair of RITVA curtains for our makeover, we realized we had the opportunity to raise both the height and increase the width of our curtain rod placement.
To hang a curtain rod, follow these simple steps:
- Measure the width of your window, then add 12-16 inches to each side to allow the curtains to fully open.
- Determine the desired height for your curtain rod, typically 4-12 inches above the window frame.
- Mark the wall where you’ll be placing the curtain rod brackets.
- Drill pilot holes and securely install the brackets.
- Slide the curtain rod through the curtain panels and place it in the brackets.
Hemming Curtains the Easy Way
There are some pretty handy no-sew methods to hemming curtains. These include:
- Hem tape: Iron-on hem tape that creates a clean, polished edge without sewing.
- Curtain clips: Clips that attach to the bottom of the curtain panel, instantly creating a hemmed look.
- Fabric glue: Apply a thin line of fabric glue to the raw edge, then fold over and press.
This time, I decided to do a real hem on my RITVA curtains. To do so, I followed these steps:
- Measure the desired length and cut the curtain panels to size.
- Fold the raw edge over by 1/2 inch and press.
- Fold over another 1/2 inch and press again to create a clean, double-folded hem.
- Sew the hem in place using a straight stitch.
We ended up using a copper curtain rod I found hiding in the back of my closet that I’d forgotten about. It fits in perfectly with our Modern Farmhouse Boho style.
I just love the fabric of IKEA’s RITVA curtains and have made projects with the fabric I cut off, like this upholstered stool I made. Stay tuned for more details on this room makeover!
So there you have it, my top tips for breezily hanging curtains in your home. Remember, the key is to have fun and not get bogged down by “rules.” Your space, your style. Now go forth and soften those windows with some fabulous curtains!
