Window Treatment Rules That Will Make Your Curtains Look More Expensive

When it comes to decorating your home, window treatments are one of the fastest ways to elevate the appearance of a space. They do this by filtering light into a room and by lending visual appeal in the forms of texture and dimension. However, if you are on a tight budget, it may feel as though your window treatments aren't living up to their stylistic potential. Fortunately, by employing the appropriate decor tactics and window treatment rules, your lackluster curtains can be significantly elevated, making even the most budget-conscious curtains look expensive. Tips for making your curtains look more expensive will fall into a couple categories: placement of the curtains and the hardware with which you choose to hang them.

To begin, homeowners can inadvertently make their affordable curtains look cheaper by positioning them incorrectly, decoratively speaking. While you may think that your curtains should be just large enough to cover your windows, think again. Hanging your curtains so that they too closely frame your window has a tendency to make the entire space look small and cheapens the appearance of your drapes. Instead, you'll want to mount your curtains high on the wall — the closer to the ceiling the better. This will ensure that you're letting lots of natural light in as well as creating the illusion of luxurious, large windows. If you like precision, aim for 4 to 6 inches from the ceiling to the top of the curtains. Also choose drapes that are long enough to just touch the floor for the best look.

Beyond putting your curtains in the optimal position, another trick to make affordable drapes look more expensive is to choose the right hanging hardware. For starters, you will want to choose a correctly-sized curtain rod. Just like how placing your curtains too low will make them look cheaper and your space feel more cramped, choosing a curtain rod that is too small for your window can have a visually limiting effect. To facilitate hanging your curtains wide enough, purchase a curtain rod that is significantly wider than your window. Aim for a foot of clearance on either side of the window when the curtains are open. Also ensure the curtain rod is thick and sturdy enough to hold your curtains — the diameter should typically be at least 1 inch.

To get the most visual appeal out of your curtains, you can purchase curtain rings, a quick swap that makes cheap curtains look designer. This simple addition brings an extra element of visual attraction to what might be somewhat plain curtains. If your curtains are a little on the short side, adding rings can also lengthen the curtains slightly. Purchase enough curtain rings for your width of drapes (roughly one ring every 5 to 7 inches of curtain) or you'll risk uneven hanging and — even worse — a cheap-looking end result. Last but not least, remember to choose complementary styles and colors of curtain rods and rings to achieve the best appearance. To guarantee that you hang your curtains straight, try this no-fail hack for perfectly level curtains.