Mistakes You're Making When Buying Curtains For A Room With A Vaulted Ceiling

Sure, vaulted ceilings can make a room feel more spacious and lavish, flooding a room with natural light. But choosing curtains for the lofty windows that often accompany a tall ceiling leaves room for error.

Traditionally, "vaulted" referred to any ceiling with a self-supporting arch. But these days, anything taller than the standard 8 to 10-foot ceiling (that is also angled) can be deemed vaulted. And, of course, with all that added wall space — many walls can be 12 to 25 feet high — comes more windows that need covering and more empty space to heat or keep cool. Because of this, buying a too-thin curtain can cost you extra on your electricity bill. 

However, that's not the only place you can go wrong. Curtains that are bland or too short can make your space feel cold and impersonal. The wrong fabrics can also be hard to hang, move, and keep clean. Still, with the vast choices in window coverings, you can create the vibe you want and address these problem areas at the same time — if you know what to avoid.

To avoid some mistakes people make when buying curtains and save money in the long run, look for insulated curtains to help retain cooler indoor temps during summer and warmth during winter. According to the Department of Energy, studies have shown that using medium-colored curtains with white plastic backing reduced heat gain during summer by 33%, while closing up draperies during winter helped conserve 10% more heat.

When you block out that direct sunlight, dense curtains can make daytime feel like night — and unless you're a vampire, that's probably not a good thing. However, sheer panels are a popular curtain style, offering an airy feel and privacy while filtering out light. They can also be stacked with a thicker curtain, offering additional nighttime options. That being said, super heavy draperies can make them harder to hang, open and close, and keep clean. (Speaking of cleanliness, did you know you're probably cleaning your curtains the wrong way?) Lighter materials such as linen or silk make curtain movement and hanging easier. 

Finally, massive ceilings can sometimes make a room feel blah, cold, or imposing, so you don't want to choose curtains that are too short and/or dull. After all, that large window area is often the focal point of the room. Extra-long drapes will create a dramatic feel. Adding 2 to 3 inches from the length of the top of your curtain rod to the floor makes for an ideal sweep at the bottom, while tacking on 6 to 8 inches makes a striking puddling effect. A textured fabric (think velvet or something woven) will warm up a sterile-feeling space.