How to Choose Bedroom Curtains

Choosing new curtains can bring up more questions than you might expect. Should you go for cotton or velvet? Would eyelet curtains suit your room, or would pinch pleats look better? Even choosing a colour can take some thought. 

The right curtains should suit your room and work well in everyday use. Fabric and lining affect how much light comes through, while the heading style changes how the curtains hang. 

This guide walks you through nine things to consider before buying curtains, from measuring your windows to choosing a fabric that suits your room. 

Why Choosing the Right Curtains for Your Home Is Important

Some people think that curtains are only to protect privacy, while others consider them an important part of home decor. In reality, these are just two of the many roles curtains can play.

Bedroom curtains can help create a darker sleeping environment by reducing light from street lamps and early morning sunshine. Blackout curtains may be particularly useful if outside light regularly disturbs your sleep. 

Other than blocking unwanted light, some fabrics, especially the heavier ones, can also soften some outside noise, which makes the inside environment more comfortable.

Some curtains can also reduce your energy bills by reducing heat loss by up to 25%, according to the Energy Saving Trust. That means you get double benefits.

How to Choose Curtains for a Bedroom: Step-by-Step Process

So, how to choose curtains for your bedroom? Here is a step-by-step process that guides you through all the important elements that you should consider while making a choice:

1. Identify Your Bedroom’s Curtain Needs

Choosing the right curtains should not be a blind decision. Instead, you must be aware of what exactly you need and why you need it. To do this, think about how you use the room each day and ask yourself these questions:

• Does early morning sunlight wake you up? 
• Do you need more privacy after dark? 
• Does the room feel cold around the windows?

Your answers will help you identify the right features before making a purchase. For example, if you want to improve your sleep quality, blackout-lined curtains could be a good choice. On the other hand, fully lined curtains are suitable if you want more privacy.

2. Choose the Best Curtain Type for Your Bedroom

Choosing the right curtain type becomes straightforward once you know your needs. Here are five common curtain types to consider, depending on what you need:

• Blackout curtains: Reduce outside light and help keep bedrooms darker.
• Thermal curtains: Add insulation around windows during colder months.
• Sheer curtains: Soften daylight while offering limited daytime privacy.
• Fully lined curtains: Add body to the fabric and may improve light control.
• Layered curtains: Combine sheer and heavier curtains for more flexibility.

3. Select the Right Curtain Fabric for Your Bedroom

The fabric you choose plays an integral role in determining how your curtains hang and how much light they let through. Also, different fabrics require different care, so choose based on what works best for you.

Here are some popular fabric options that you can choose from:

• Cotton: It is a flexible choice that works well in both traditional and modern bedrooms.

• Linen: Linen gives the room a natural look, although it can crease more easily.

• Velvet: It creates a fuller and more luxurious finish, especially around larger windows.

• Polyester blends: These curtains are often easier to maintain and less likely to crease.

4. Choose the Best Curtain Colour and Pattern

Curtains usually look best when they work with the colours already in the room. These could be the colours of your walls, bedding, or furniture. So, make sure that you select the tint or shade that complements your existing belongings. 

For example, you can use warm white or beige for a soft look. Sage green and soft grey can also be used for a calm appearance. Similarly, if you want the bedroom to feel richer, you can opt for navy or forest green. Such dark colours can add more depth to the overall look.

Another thing to consider is the pattern of the curtains. If your wallpaper or bedding already has a bold design, plain curtains can stop the room from feeling too busy.

If your bedroom walls are plain and neutral, patterned curtains can add interest without making the room feel too busy. 

5. Find the Right Curtain Length, Width, and Fullness

Hanging curtains is not just about choosing the right colour, style, or fabric; the measurements are also as important as the other factors. Why? Because even a beautiful curtain can look wrong if the size is off.

So, make sure you take the right measurements of your bedroom curtains. For that, you can start by measuring the width of your curtain pole or track. Then, measure the drop from the correct fixing point to where you want the curtain to finish. 

For a fuller look, curtains often need more fabric width than the pole or track measures. The amount depends on the heading style. Pencil pleats may need different fullness from eyelet or wave curtains, so follow your supplier's measuring guide before ordering. 

Quick Tip: Check out our measuring guide for made-to-measure curtains before placing your order.

6. Select a Curtain Heading and Hanging Style

Once you have the right size for your bedroom curtains, your next move is to choose from different heading styles. The reason why it matters is that it directly affects the fabric fall and curtain attachment.

There are 4 main options for heading styles.

• Eyelet Pleat: Metal rings slide directly onto a curtain pole, creating wide yet even folds.

1. Pencil pleat: It is a gathered style that can work with suitable poles and tracks.

1. Pinch pleat: Fixed pleats create a more structured and tailored appearance.

1. Wave: It produces smooth yet regular folds and usually requires a compatible track.

Quick Tip: If you already have a pole or track in place, check which heading styles it can support before you order.

7. Choose Curtains Based on Your Bedroom Size and Window Position

Another thing to consider is room size, because it affects how your curtains will look.

In a smaller bedroom, fitting the pole slightly higher above the window can make the room feel taller. Extending the pole beyond the window edges, on the other hand, can also allow more natural light into the room when the curtains are open.

Larger bedrooms usually have more space for heavier fabrics and fuller curtains without making the room feel crowded.

The position of the window matters too. For example, if a wardrobe or chest of drawers sits close to the window, make sure the curtains still have enough room to open and close properly.

Bay windows may need a curved or angled track so the curtains can follow the shape of the window more easily.

8. Consider Energy Efficiency As Well

Curtains can also help make your bedroom more comfortable during colder months. Thermal linings and a close fit around the window may reduce heat loss, particularly in rooms with older glazing. 

With heating becoming more expensive, the right curtains can play a small but useful role in keeping a bedroom comfortable. For example, thermal or well-lined curtains can help reduce heat loss around windows, especially when they fit well and fully cover the glass.

You can close your curtains after dark to help retain warmth. If a radiator sits beneath the window, keep the curtains clear of it so warm air can circulate into the room. 

9. Look for Everyday Practicalities

Your curtains should also be practical along with being beautiful and elegant. That is only possible when you look for their practicality when buying them. But the question is, which factors should you keep in mind to choose the most durable curtains?

When comparing options:

• Check whether the fabric requires handwashing or is compatible with machine washing.
• Choose smooth weaves, as they collect less dust than loose and textured ones.
• Make sure the fabric is easy-wipe and can survive sticky hands and pet claws.
• Do not select heavy panels that tire your arm or strain the hardware.

Quick Tip: If you are working with a limited budget, focus first on the features that will make the biggest difference in daily use. For example, blackout lining may be more valuable than an elaborate heading if your main goal is to keep the bedroom darker at night. 

Ready-Made vs. Made-to-Measure Curtains: Best Curtains for Bedroom

Both ready-made and made-to-measure curtains can work well in a bedroom. The right choice mainly depends on your window size, the look you want, and how much you plan to spend.

Here is a quick comparison to make the decision easier.

Ready-made curtains are a practical choice when your windows suit standard sizes and you want something straightforward. They can also work well when you need new curtains sooner or are working with a tighter budget.

Made-to-measure curtains give you more control over the final result. You can choose the fabric, measurements and finishing details to suit your bedroom and window more closely. They can be particularly useful for unusually sized windows or when you want the curtains to sit and hang in a specific way.

At The Curtain Store, we make our made-to-measure curtains in UK workrooms. Our team pays attention to fabric alignment and finishing details to help each pair hang neatly. 

To Sum Up

Choosing the right bedroom curtains becomes much easier once you know what the room needs. It helps to start with practical considerations such as privacy and light control. From there, you can think about the fabric, colour, measurements and heading style.

Looks are important, but everyday use matters just as much. Curtains that fit well and have the right lining will usually work better over time than a style chosen only for appearance.

At The Curtain Store, we offer both ready-made and made-to-measure curtains for different bedroom styles and window sizes. 

Take a look through our collection and choose curtains that suit both your bedroom and the way you use it every day.

FAQs

Are Blackout Curtains Better Than Regular Curtains?

No curtain is universally better than the other. The best choice depends on your needs. Blackout curtains are the right choice if you want to block excessive light and have better sleep. Regular curtains, on the other hand, make sense when you want to let more light come through. 

What Colour Curtains Make a Bedroom Look Bigger? 

You can choose light neutrals, such as cream, soft grey, and warm white, to make your room look bigger. If your walls are already in the same colour, the effect doubles and makes your room feel more spacious.  

How Wide Should Bedroom Curtains Be?

We recommend keeping the width of your bedroom curtains 1.5 to 2 times the width of your track or pole. However, make sure that you check the manufacturer's recommendations because different headings require different amounts of fullness. 

Are Thermal Curtains Worth Buying for a Bedroom?

If you want to reduce heat transfer through windows and improve comfort, thermal curtains could be an ideal choice. However, their performance depends on lining, fitting, and your existing window insulation. 

Should Bedroom Curtains Touch the Floor?

It is completely up to you whether you want fabric to touch or gather slightly on the floor. We recommend finishing the length approximately 1 cm above the floor to give your curtains a nice look.