Drapery, when chosen and hung correctly, can be the finishing touch that elevates your living spaces to new heights of style and comfort. Get it wrong, and your window treatment can throw off the look and feel of your whole room. Here, we explore six common mistakes to avoid when hanging drapery, helping you achieve the perfect balance of form and function in your home. You can easily sidestep these common pitfalls with our tips to choose and hang drapery curtain panels. So get ready to transform the windows in your living room, bedroom, and more.
1. Choosing the Wrong Hanging Style
Start by selecting the right hanging style for your drapery. The three most common curtain styles are back tabs, rod pockets, and clip rings. The mistake to avoid here is mismatching the style with your room’s decor. Back tabs might feel out of place in a traditional setting, while rod pockets may look off in a very modern room. Ensure your choice complements your interior’s style and, for the ultimate flexibility, look for drapery panels that offer multiple hanging options.
Back Tabs: Back tabs provide a modern and sleek appearance. They are perfect for a contemporary and minimalist look. These drapery panels hang directly on the rod, creating a clean and crisp line.
Rod Pocket: This style features a pocket at the top of the drapery where the rod is inserted. It offers a classic look, making it suitable for more traditional interior styles.
Clip Rings: Clip rings offer versatility, allowing you to change the appearance of your window coverings easily. They work well with different styles and make it easy to open and close the curtains. Clip rings can be both functional and decorative.
2. Forgetting About Opacity
The level of opacity in your drapes should be chosen carefully. In a bedroom, where light control is crucial, sheer drapes aren’t the best choice. Conversely, using opaque curtains in a living room may block too much sunlight and detract from the room’s warmth. To avoid this mistake when hanging your drapery, choose opacity based on the room’s purpose and your specific needs.
Opaque Drapes: If you need maximum light control, such as in a bedroom where you want to create a dark and peaceful environment, opt for opaque drapes. They’re excellent for blocking out sunlight and maintaining privacy.
Sheer Drapes: In living rooms, dining rooms, or family rooms where you want a soft and airy feel, sheer drapes can be a great choice. They let in natural light and provide a gentle, filtered view.
Brian’s Tip: For added versatility, you can combine sheer panels with opaque ones to create flexible privacy options.
3. Using The Wrong Colour Or Material For The Room
Choosing the right colour and material for your window coverings is crucial for achieving the desired look and feel in your space. If you want your window coverings to blend in, ensure they complement your room’s colour scheme. On the other hand, if you want to make a statement with your windows, choose bold colours or textured materials that stand out.
Matching Decor: If you want your drapery to blend in with your existing decor, choose a colour that complements your room’s palette or matches your wall colour. This creates a seamless and harmonious appearance.
Making a Statement: If you want your window coverings to make a statement and stand out, opt for rich colours or textured materials, like a luxurious jewel-tone velvet, that contrast with the room’s overall design.
4. Using the Wrong Drapery Length
Getting the length of your drapery panels wrong can throw off the visual balance of your windows and room. One of the most common mistakes when it comes to hanging drapery, is using panels that are too short for your space. Conversely, if your curtains pool on the floor, they’re too long and look outdated. Ideally, drapery panels should just graze the floor or hang slightly above it, typically no more than a quarter of an inch. This creates a polished and tailored appearance.
5. Hanging the Rod Too Low
The height at which you hang your drapery rod can impact the feel of the room. Hanging it too high or too low is a common mistake. Striking a balance is crucial. Generally, position the rod about six inches above the window frame. This extends the perceived height of the room, making the ceilings seem higher. However, in rooms with a significant amount of space above the window, adjust the height accordingly to maintain proportion.
6. Not Maximizing Your View
Lastly, another common mistake to avoid when it comes to hanging drapery is forgetting to maximize the window, and your view. Maximizing your view depends on where you position your drapery hardware. Be sure to consider how far out from the edge of the window you position your hardware. Hanging the curtain rod a few inches beyond the window frame allows you to pull back the drapes fully and ensures they don’t block the window or natural light too much.
Photography by A Plus Creative
