Getting Started

​When deciding on which curtains or blinds are best for your home or business, a number of factors need to be considered. We have listed some of the main factors below.  We have trained, experienced and friendly consultants in our showrooms and at the end of the phone, should you need someone to discuss your ideas with and guide you through this process.

Curtains, Blinds, or a Combination of Both?

​This is a common question and for many, a difficult one to answer.

There are two key factors to consider:

• Functional requirements and
• Aesthetics - the look, feel and style.
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What are your functional requirements?  This is a good place to start. Think about what you need the window furnishings to do:

• Provide insulation/warmth
• Offer privacy
• Keep light out or in
• UV Protection
• Moisture control
• Ease of cleaning

 
What are you looking for in way of aesthetics? You may have preference for a:

• Type of material
• Colour of material
• Amount of the window you want the curtain to take up
• Minimalistic look vs a feature point
• Style to blend in with rest of the house.
  
  

Once you have an idea about your functional and aesthetics requirements, we’ll work with you and provide recommendations for the best products to achieve what you’re after.

Custom or Ready Made Curtains?

Another question you need to consider is whether you want Custom or Ready Made Curtains.
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Custom Made Curtains - the word 'custom' says it all, you get exactly what you want! Plus, you will receive expert advice, an experienced consultant doing the measuring for you and a professional taking care of the installation for you.  The two things to be mindful of for this option, are timing - the curtains need to be made so that may take a few weeks, and cost – this option would likely cost more than Ready Made Curtains.

Ready Made Curtains are commonly chosen for people who want a quick (you can walk out of the store with them!) and cost-effective option. However, please remember with Ready Mades you may find it more difficult to get the exact size, colour and fabric you are after.  Also, you need to be extra careful when you measure, do it twice to be sure of accuracy. And if you're not sure you can hang them yourself, you'll need to get a professional to install them for you. At Curtain Warehouse our Ready Made Curtains can be purchased in store or online, and we do offer an extra service to alter them, hook and gather and install them if you require.

Style of your Curtains

There is a range of factors which impact the style of your curtains, including the following:

Colour and pattern – it’s a great idea to see the fabric put up against the wall in the area you are wanting to add window furnishings to, so you can get a feel for what it would look like. Our consultants have an extensive range of samples with them, so they can assist you with making sure the fabric fits the room it will end up. Here are a few tips to follow when choosing colour and pattern.

High traffic area

Darker colours work best as they won’t show dirt/marks as much.

Room with lots of light

A lighter colour is more suited (if you add a dark colour, it will fade much quicker).

Room with white walls

You have lots of options here! You can go light and keep the room clean and fresh or go dark to create a focal point in the room. Or be bold and use a block colour or pattern to inject some vibrancy into your room.

Plain fabrics

Allows you the option to add your taste and style to it, with accessories such as curtain ties, decorative rods etc.

Patterns

Curtains with large repeated patterns would work best where they can be a feature point of the room, such as over large windows.

​Type of Pleat - We have a number of different pleat options (or ‘curtain headings’ as they are also known) to choose from!  The pleat options refer to how the curtains are sewn at the top.  It’s a good idea to consider which pleat option would best provide your desired result, as the pleats impact on how the curtain falls and ultimately the look and feel.

​Invert Pleat

Also known as a Box Pleat or Reverse Pleat. 
​The Invert Pleat offers a modern, clean and neat style of curtain.  The pleats are hidden at the back of the curtain and are placed evenly across the top.

​Single Pleat

Also referred to as one pleat or the New York Pleat. 
The Single Pleat uses a single pinch of fabric placed evenly across the top.
This is a great choice for those wanting a minimalistic look or where space at the side of the window is limited. The Singe Pleat while still providing a tailored finish, is much less full than other pleat options.

​Dutch Pleat

Refers to two or double, pleats.  This is very similar to the Single Pleat in most aspects, except it has two pleats instead of one.
 
The Double Pleat, uses a little more fabric than the Single Pleat and the finished look provides a contemporary and sophisticated feel.

French Pleat

Has three pleats. This type of pleat requires the most fabric, because the three pleats create a fan shape with the folds sewn in at the top of the curtain at regular intervals, creating a full look.
 
The French Pleat is a popular choice for those wanting a more formal, elegant or timeless style curtain.

​Pencil Pleat

Is the ‘gathered’ pleat. This type of pleat uses a drawstring cord running across the top, so that you can adjust/gather the pleats at required intervals.
 
This popular style of pleat offers a clean and classic look that is suitable for any room.

​Wave Pleat

Also known as the Accordion Pleat.
The Wave Pleat gets its name because the ‘wave like’ look is achieved by using a special track and hooks placed at the right distances apart.
The Wave Pleat provides a simple finish and works well in areas when a pole isn’t suitable such as fixing to a ceiling or a bay window.

​Type of lining – The type of lining you choose is also important as it can impact on elements such as warmth, light and noise.
See below for a summary of our lining options.

Thermal

Thermal Lining helps keep the temperature at your home or business, consistent. Thermal lining helps retain heat in the winter months and block heat to keep your room cooler, in the summer months.
 
This type of lining also has black out and noise reducing benefits.

Thermal Block Out

Thermal Block Out Lining uses extra thicker layers to help block out the sunlight from your room.  It’s commonly used in bedrooms and where you don’t want sun on screens such as media rooms or lounges.
Due to its thicker layers it also has great insulation qualities and helps with noise reduction.

Polyester

Polyester Linings are ideal for lighter weight and low maintenance curtains. The polyester fabric helps protect the curtain fabric while at the same time providing some insulation.

Polycotton

As the name suggests, Polycotton linings are made from a blend of polyester and cotton and benefits from the great qualities of each fabric type.
The lining not only helps shape the curtains so they hang nicely, but also offers a degree of privacy, insulation and reduced fading.

Woven Dimout

Woven Dimout or Triple Weave Linings as they are sometimes called, offer many benefits via their woven design.
This lining is soft but thick, which adds a level of fullness to the curtains. It also has noise reduction qualities and is easy to wash.