How To Choose Curtains For Living Room? Step-By-Step Guide

New to curtains? Just focus on the fabric, fit & folds. And most essentially, your personal taste. Do not let the bad internet advice or vast array of choices confuse you. We’ll help you choose curtains in under 10 steps.

From interior designers to curtain shoppers, Muse Design brings a step-by-step strategy for choosing the right living room curtains. You’ll learn to pick the right material, size, design, and hardware. We have also listed common mistakes to avoid when buying living room curtains. Dive In!

Curtains 101: Choose Living Room Curtains In 9 Easy Steps

Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for how to pick curtains. These 9 steps will help you choose curtains that boost the functionality, comfort & aesthetics of your living room.

In this article:

1. Establish A Budget For Curtains
2. Select A Theme & Define Your Needs
3. How To Choose The Best Curtain Fabric?
4. Easy Way To Decide The Curtain Length
5. Should The Curtain Color Be Lighter Or Darker
6. The Case Of Solids vs Patterns
7. How Should The Curtain Heading Look Like?
8. Select The Right Curtain Hardware
9. Costly Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Curtains

• Establish A Budget For Curtains

Most living room curtains in Dubai cost between AED 20 and AED 1000 per panel. A wise step is to decide your budget beforehand to prevent overspending. Three factors that significantly affect the curtain price the most are: the material, hardware & installation.

Before you shop, ask yourself three questions to pinpoint your budget:

• Do I Want Pre-Made Or Custom Curtains?

• Do I Plan To Get Professional Curtain Installation Services?

• Will I Need To Buy New Curtain Tracks Or Rings?

A tip for smart shoppers: compare the curtain prices online & look for discount coupons.

• Select A Theme & Define Your Needs

How do you want people to feel when they enter your living room? See the right curtain theme for you based on your answers:

• Like visiting an old palace: Traditional theme.
• Feel peace and clarity: Minimalist decor.
• Refreshed and connected to nature: Biophilic design.

Search these themes on Google, and you will find a selection of curtains that suit your design taste.

Pro tip: Create a mood board on Pinterest to identify your personal taste! 

• How To Choose The Best Curtain Fabric

Consider whether you want your curtain fabric to perform a specific function: insulate, reduce noise, or darken the room. Next, think about how much maintenance you’d be willing to provide.

Blackout Curtain Fabric

All triple-weave, acrylic-coated fabrics or foam-backed materials are opaque. Their main purpose is to block sunlight (up to 95%) & provide privacy. Such curtains can be tricky to clean and difficult to rehang due to their bulky weight.

Light-Filtering Curtain Fabric

Materials like voile, gauze, organza, lace, georgette, tulle, and chiffon are sheer. Meaning, they restrict 20%–30% outdoor light and allow you to enjoy the outside view. You may need to buy an additional lining fabric if you want nighttime privacy.

Thermal Curtain Fabric

Velvet, heavy cotton, wool, and suede are all insulated fabrics. Their function is to make your heating or AC cooling last longer. Most homes with thermal curtains enjoy up to 15% savings on their utility bills due to reduced HVAC use.

• Easy Way To Decide The Curtain Length

For living rooms, apron, hover, and pool curtain lengths are the best choices.

Curtain Length	How To Measure
Apron	Add 2 To 4 Inches To The Distance Between The Curtain Rod & Window Sill.
Hover	Measure From The Curtain Rod To 1 or 1.5 Inch Above The Floor.
Puddle	For Minimal Puddle: Add 3 Inches Extra For Lavish Puddle: Add 6 Inches Extra

• Should The Curtain Color Be Lighter Or Darker

This is an age-old question, and we’ll answer it once and for all!

Benefits Of Lighter Curtains 

• Makes The Room Feel Bigger
• Harmonize With Pastel & Neutral Walls
• Calming & Relaxing Atmosphere

Benefits Of Darker Curtains

• Dramatic, Intimate Vibe
• Offer Better Privacy
• Hide Dirt & Stains

• The Case Of Solids vs Patterns 

Now that you have selected the color, should you go for some pattern? Sure, curtain patterns can be a great way to display your personality. Especially if your villa design Dubai is plain, patterned curtains will dramatically transform the room’s vibe.

However, if your room already features patterns on the walls or sofa covers, our designers recommend opting for plain curtains instead. Solid colors, like grey, beige, white, red & royal blue curtains, look luxurious without extra details or prints.

• How Should The Curtain Heading Look Like

The heading is the top part of the curtains, and it determines how the curtains should be hung. And more importantly, the kind of pleats they create.

Pinch pleat, goblet & inverted pleat curtains offer a high-end look and are best for formal interiors. For simple pleats and easy installation, choose eyelet curtains.

• Select The Right Curtain Hardware

The right hardware should support your curtain’s weight. And it should not clash with your existing living room interior. Choose a hardware material (wood, metal, or plastic) based on durability and function. Select a matte black, chrome, nickel, or some other finish.

Here is the curtain hardware shopping list with only the essentials:

1. Rod Or Track
2. Brackets
3. Tiebacks/Holdbacks
4. Rings Or Hooks
5. Finials

. Costly Mistakes To Avoid When You Buy Living Room Curtains Online

• Not Inspecting The Quality Details

Zoom into the curtain image and see the quality of stitching. Look at the product description to find out about the curtain’s construction. Even better, ask for samples when choosing curtains online.

• Choosing The Wrong Fabric For Functionality

Do not just buy the first pair of curtains that you like. Ask the retailer about the types of curtains for living room and their function. Do not waste money on cotton curtains if you want noise reduction.

• Saving Money On Cheap Hardware

Invest in high-quality curtain hardware, and you’ll not need to think about replacing it for a few years. Flimsy curtain tracks break easily, and you end up spending more money than you saved.

Conclusion

To sum up, we discussed 9 steps for selecting the most practical & stylish living room curtains. You learned ways to be a smart curtain shopper. We informed you about what kind of curtains for living room are in trend and which ones to choose.

We hope this article helped you choose the perfect lounge curtains. If you need further help, contact us, the leading apartment design Dubai company.