As with any new project, it’s a good idea to plan the detail if you’re creating a new window treatment. For readers who are more ‘big picture’ oriented, this may prove a challenge, but if you want to save yourself time and money, it will certainly pay off in the long run. So, if you’re buying curtains online, here are some of the things you may well need to purchase at the same time:

Blinds

The fashion for pairing blinds with curtains continues apace, particularly as sheers are making such an impact in style circles at the moment. There are of course practical reasons for this too, such as the great potential for blocking out solar glare offered by the humble blind. So, while we’re talking about buying curtains online, let’s talk about blinds! Firstly, decide on the type of blind you want for the space. For example roller blinds pair well with curtains and provide a solid block of colour to work with. It’s important you pay attention to the colour and fabric selections, and how these work together in the room. If bright colours aren’t your thing, white or light creams for the curtains create a crisp look that works well with a variety of blind styles. If you’re going for prints, pairing curtains and blinds together looks best when a solid colour is chosen for one and a print is chosen for the other. Combining prints on both the curtains and blinds can look overdone.

Accessories

Looking at the wide array of visual resources for decor and ready made curtains online, it’s impossible not to feel inspired. You can use room accessories such as cushions, table runners and throws to offset your window treatment and many retailers already supply these items ready made, ensuring that you can kick-start your décor scheme with ease. In terms of the window treatment itself, tiebacks or wall-mounted metal hold-backs can add impact and create a polished look. Pelmets, once thought to be out of fashion, are another great ‘accessory’ that’s making waves again. In modern settings, because they are actually built into the architecture of a room, recessed pelmets hide the curtain tracks and operating components in the ceiling space to achieve a really sleek finish. Accessorising with pelmets also provides better insulation.

Motorisation and hardware

If you’re in the market to buy curtains online, it’s definitely worth considering motorisation. While it may not be for everyone, particularly if you’re on a budget or you’re deliberately aiming for a more low maintenance, cottagey look, motorised curtains are now commonly used in high end homes and are great for today’s wider windows. Motorising your curtains is now relatively cost effective and can also help prolong their life. Even if you’re not opting for motorisation you’ll need to work out what kind of track to buy. Among the most popular at the moment is the S-Fold track, which requires comparatively less fabric than other forms while creating a relaxed but modern look. Many suppliers will powder-coat tracks to any colour supplied, which gives the homeowner much more flexibility when trying to match colour schemes.

Across the huge landmass that is Australia, trends in custom curtains may vary slightly according to local demand, but overall they seem to unite the nation, primarily, it seems, due to the huge influence of TV shows such as The Block! Key among the demand trends are a keen interest in insulation and solar protection and a tendency towards neutral colour palettes.

One retailer in coastal Victoria confirms cooler local temperatures are impacting sales. “Drapes have certainly picked up in the last 12 months. Insulation is a big part of this and people are seeking out heavier drapes with pelmets to fend off the cold in winter. Tastes tend more to the conservative, with customers choosing natural and neutral colour palettes that will stand the test of time.”

“At the same time, sheers are also very much on trend due to the influence of TV shows like The Block, and we’re busy trying to keep up with demand.”

A retailer in Melbourne says he is catering to the rapid growth of new apartments and display homes, typically with eyelet grommet custom curtains that are both simple to look at and economical, as well as easy to install.

On the west coast, a retailer in Perth says curtains are among the strongest sellers in the company’s portfolio. “We tend to cater to a residential clientele who are quite selective and not necessarily influenced by price. Curtains are making a comeback for aesthetic reasons but one of the things we’ve noticed is that acoustic insulation is becoming increasingly important, in light of the growth of industrial harder edged looks and finishes in homes.”

Meanwhile in regional New South Wales, one retailer says the local cold winters and hot summers have created demand for custom curtains that offer both block out and insulation properties, creating highly versatile window treatments that serve homeowners well throughout the year.

There’s also a fashion element to it too, with many homeowners opting for the recessed look that’s seen in new builds and hotels, where there’s a bulkhead and the curtain is hung behind it. And if that isn’t achievable, they’ll invest in the next best thing, which is to install a sleek slimline pelmet to achieve a similar contemporary, pared back look.

Indeed while drapes are essentially a ‘traditional’ window furnishing, many homeowners are finding ways to inject them with new life and modernity. That’s one reason why S-fold hangs for custom curtains are a sought after look that’s also significantly cheaper to achieve, requiring a lot less fabric than other types of curtain hang.

One high end retailer in Queensland echoes widespread sentiment about the market influence of certain TV shows. “People are indeed watching The Block and it’s definitely led to more curtain sales,” he says. Given Queensland’s warmer climate, lighter looking custom curtains such as sheers are a particularly strong seller, although homeowners will often opt for another block out curtain behind the sheer for added protection from solar glare when needed.

Investing in custom made curtains can have a huge impact on the overall look and function of your home. Curtains not only work as ‘fashion’ for your windows, they also have important functional benefits. So it’s no surprise that customers are often full of questions about how to get the most out of their custom made curtains. Here at Curtains On The Net we get a lot of queries from customers about fabric and hang. Here are some examples and some of our tips in response.

What kind of fabrics should I use for my custom made curtains?

Weight is an important consideration when choosing your fabrics. Lighter weight or sheer curtains create a breezy ambience and are generally more affordable for the average homemaker. Disadvantages include that they can also let too much light into a room. Meanwhile medium to heavier weighted curtain fabrics add a classy appearance to a room and work well in formal areas such as a living room or dining room. Lightweight curtains might be made of cotton, muslin or silk, while medium weight custom made curtains might work well in chambray, damask, brocade or jacquard, and heavyweight curtains might be made from lined velvet.

How much should I spend on fabric for my custom made curtains? 

Of course this is a bit like the “How long is a piece of string?” question; it all depends on your budget and requirements. However if your budget is limited then as a rule you don’t need expensive fabric for custom made curtains as they don’t undergo much wear and tear compared to say floor coverings or soft seating items such as armchairs, ottomans and couches. Linen look curtains are particularly strong sellers at the moment; the linen look is very on trend, but it also ties in with a timeless neutral aesthetic that won’t go out of fashion. By contrast, it’s advisable to avoid high maintenance fabrics such as dark velvets that will fade unless lined. Shiny fabrics like satins or silks can also be demanding to maintain and hang.

Having said that, there is a school of thought that suggests if you’re investing in custom made curtains it’s worth spending your money on something truly unique! It might be worth considering a daring print inspired by classic design. Even if you end up opting for something more neutral, at least you’ve explored all the options.

How do I know how much fabric to use?

It’s usually best to assume that each panel is around 275 cm for a standard height window of 200 cm or so, allowing extra for generous hems at the top and bottom. If you want pleating to add more volume you should probably double these dimensions, but again, this should be carefully considered if you are on a budget.

What kind of pleats work best for custom made curtains?

There are a number of commonly chosen options in terms of pleats. Pencil pleat curtains are a classic and work well in a wide range of fabrics including full blockout. Pinch pleat curtains add style to any window offering a traditional look that’s also very elegant. Box pleat curtains or inverted box pleat curtains create a clean modern look and suit most window sizes. Meanwhile for a more functional, less fussy look, many customers opt for simple eyelet curtains, which are a very affordable form of custom made curtains and can be made to fit any rod width and height.

A note about pleating for your custom made curtains

If you are opting for a tightly pleated hang, a word of warning about how the pleats affect the look of your fabric. Ideally most suppliers of custom made curtains should consider attention to detail very important; pleating to the design of the fabric is one example of this kind of perfectionism that can make a significant difference to the look of the final product.

Pleating to the design of the fabric ensures that the repeat pattern on your custom made curtains will be shown to best effect; in other words if the pattern consists of red and pink flowers, the pleat will show these evenly distributed across the width of the window. A poorly pleated curtain might hang in such a way that only the red flowers are visible. Correct pleating does cost more, as it requires more fullness than the normal amount, sometimes as much as three times fullness.

The idea is that every fold of fabric within in the curtain falls in exactly the same part of the pattern, particularly important when using a fabric like a stripe. Not pleating to the design of the fabric can result in unsightly and slightly chaotic looking curtains.

Should I use trimmings and tiebacks for my custom made curtains?

True enough, Victorian opulence has not been in style for some time, however there’s a new interest in luxury and exoticism in some quarters of interior design that lends itself well to add-ons such as trimmings and tiebacks. In terms of the strongest selling products, tie-backs are still in demand, because they play a specific role in holding your custom made curtains open! If heavy brocades, silk ropes and tassels aren’t your style, there are more pared back alternatives available; coarse natural rope on a linen curtain can look eye catching and very on trend.

Interest in opulent drapes and trimmings to match is very much in line with a move back towards a more formal look in the home, with the emphasis on warmth, colour and texture. Tassel fringing and bullion fringing for curtains and cords and brush fringes for cushions are making a comeback in some areas, while for more modern tastes there are alternatives; beads, feathers, crystals and anything ‘bling’ are certain to attract interest and enthusiasm. Tiebacks can also be custom made from drapery fabrics to match your custom made curtains, with the fabric also frequently echoed in other smaller soft furnishing items such as cushions.

While you may well be saving money by buying custom made curtains online, there’s no need to assume that you need to skimp on creativity! Whether it’s an unusual location for a certain type of curtain treatment or a new way of thinking about a traditional hang, there are plenty of ways to add a surprise element to your curtains. Here are six of the best:

1. Sheer taste (see top image)

Who would have thought that sheer curtains could be a great way to style an upscale kitchen? Looking for custom made curtains online took us to the great houzz.com and a great example of how this treatment can really work when approached the right way. It’s a particularly successful look if you want to create an element of the unexpected by offsetting the more functional aspects of this area of the home, in other words cooking, cleaning and workaday eating, with a cosy yet elegant vibe. Light diffusing neutral coloured sheers looks great set against the earthy timber and polished hard surfaces of this contemporary fit out and work well with that other soft furnishing element, the seat set against the wall, perfect for guests or lazier members of the family to chat, sip and maybe taste an appetiser while watching the kitchen jockey toil! Clearly this approach only really works if your kitchen shouts ‘designer’. If you team sheers with that relic from the ‘80s that you’re yet to renovate, they may be more trouble than they’re worth. It’s also worth noting that they look particularly great over full length windows; positioning them over the kitchen sink may not be so easy on the eye.

//www.houzz.com.au/photos/336789/the-home-of-geert-and-cecilia-contemporary-kitchen-amsterdam

2. From ready-mades to custom made curtains

A wise person once said that we don’t always get exactly what we want in life; the trick is to make the best of what we already have. If you’ve been searching for the ultimate custom made curtains online to co-ordinate with your existing décor scheme and haven’t found perfection, now may be the time to follow that wisdom by customising your ready made curtains. The clever treatment found on pinterest (see below) shows how, by adding accent fabric that co-ordinates with other elements of your interior, you’re can achieve a number of goals. Firstly you’re saving money by revamping existing curtains or readymades you’ve purchased online; secondly you’re turning a plain curtain into a print design statement and thirdly you’re creating floor to ceiling drapes that will create real impact and add visual height to your interiors.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/138696863501892615/

3. In the zone

If you live in a smaller house or apartment, or even a larger home with an open plan layout, the way you decorate different zones makes a real difference in creating a sense of flow while also subtly emphasising the different function and aesthetics of a given area. And of course, the right window treatment can create a visual focal point to underpin each zone. The example pictured shows perfectly how well this idea can work if executed effectively. A harder, more functional yet light diffusing blind treatment in a charcoal grey adorns the kitchen zone of this open plan set-up, while wave-fold curtains in a complementary charcoal grey and white pattern create a softer, more welcoming look for the dining zone. The cool of the charcoal grey is nicely offset by the timber fittings and the statement pendant lamp, which also echoes the geometric design of the drapes. Geometrics are big in custom made curtains online right now, so this look wouldn’t be too hard to reproduce.

4. Layering

If you’re purchasing custom curtains online there are great ways to dress them up that don’t need to cost the earth. For example, installing a valance or pelmet along with a blind and curtain combination is a great way to create depth and texture and a complete, professional finish for your décor scheme, as the treatment below, also on pinterest, shows. If you’re brave enough, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube on how to make your own DIY pelmet or valance. This more formal style of treatment would probably work best in larger rooms, although a smaller room such as a dining room or study where a sense of elegance and order is the desired look could probably also carry it effectively.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/487936940856343073/

5. Neutrals with colour

Let’s face it, while magazines abound with rich colour palettes, the reality is that when we get down to the nitty gritty, most homeowners want an overall scheme throughout their home that won’t date too quickly or be too overpowering, meaning neutrals usually get the upper hand. Some more confined rooms can then be used as ‘colour hotspots’, for example a study or work room in dusty Wedgewood that continues to pick up the neutral theme in certain elements, or of course, as in this example found on houzz.com, a girls room with a serious dose of PINK! Edging plain custom made curtains with a decorative element allows you to tie pops of colour in with a more neutral décor. Adding bedding and accessories, not to mention a sumptuous magenta ceiling, completes the colour theme while also allowing it to be neutralised over time once pink is no longer the occupant’s passion!

//www.houzz.com.au/photos/139013/tineke-triggs-transitional-bedroom-san-francisco

6. Branching out

This radical approach to window treatments takes the idea of earthiness to new heights and is clearly not going to work in applications where a smooth drawing action is required! But how great an idea is it for say, a whimsical child’s bedroom or even a grown-up’s haven in a rustic country getaway? Here the choice of fabric is critical though – you’d need to consider having your custom made curtains put together in a lightweight sheer or possibly a neutral linen fabric. A minimal pattern like the polka dots on this version or floral sheer devoré will also work well if you’re looking for an element of ornamentation that still retains a lightness of touch. This look will work particularly well with timber flooring, rough-hewn, weathered wooden furniture and washed out accessories such as curtains and rugs.

If you’re buying custom made curtains it’s well worth investing some time and thought before taking the plunge. After all, once your curtains are in situ, it’s harder to rectify mistakes or issues that you might have overlooked. To make the groundwork easier, we’ve put together five key tips for shoppers, particularly useful for those purchasing custom curtains online.

ONE: Why curtains as opposed to blinds?

While blinds have been popular in recent times, curtains, previously seen as something of a ‘nanna option’, are definitely getting their groove back thanks to the abundance of exciting new fabrics hitting the market and a new taste for luxury. With a wide range of styles to choose from, curtains are great choice for lounges and living areas; and are of course also very well suited to bedrooms. For rooms that are smaller, they can even add depth and height by mounting curtains just below the ceiling to “cheat” a window up, creating the effect of a taller ceiling. They can also be styled to co-ordinate with any décor and can be dressed up with pelmets or headings.

The insulation and blockout properties of curtains
Aside from their aesthetic merits, extensive experiments have shown that heavy-duty curtains offer the best overall results for insulating properties. In winter a house loses heat from glass windows while in summer, outdoor heat radiates inwards. The right custom made curtains improve insulation because they create airspace between the glass and the window covering, and the thicker the curtain covering, the better. It makes sense therefore that the best result comes with heavier, tighter fitting window coverings to prevent convection of air between the window covering and the glass of the window.

For summer insulation, increasing numbers of consumers are opting for blockout curtains.Blockout curtains are treated with specialised coating to prevent light transference through the fabric and are a great way of keeping light and heat out during Australia’s scorching summers. (They can also trap heat during the winter, reducing heat loss by as much as 25 per cent.) Blockout curtains are hung wide and high, ensuring the fabric at the top of the curtain is placed so that it blocks the light effectively.

TWO: Consider the different styles of custom curtains

Eyelets, through to long drops and pencil pleats – the choices are virtually endless. However if we’re talking about popularity, the market for eyelet custom curtains is particularly strong at the moment, as many homeowners looking for a cost effective, pared back style are opting for this look. With their clean cut, metallised ‘holes’ through which a contemporary curtain rod can be threaded, eyelet drapes create a relaxed and casual ambience and can be used with a wide variety of fabrics; eyelet sheer curtains maintain your view but create daytime privacy, while eyelet curtains in translucent or blockout fabrics are also common. Popular choices of fabric for this style tend towards neutral linens or bold contemporary plains or prints – anything with an unfussy, modern feel. Eyelet curtains are also one of the easiest types of drape to install. All you need is a drill, a couple of screws, a tape measure and a pen and paper. The measuring element is really required, as with most curtain styles, to establish the drop; the curtains should hang several centimetres below the window frame or sill and should also be hung clear of power outlets and other protruding elements. For eyelet curtains you simply feed the eyelet onto the rod, ensuring that the last eyelet stays on the outside of the mount to hold the curtains in place.

By contrast, long drop custom made curtains add elegance and drama to statement zones such as the living or dining room or master bedroom. They’re ideal for covering longer windows, but can also be used to add height to a room over standard sized windows. Hanging your curtain rod several centimetres above the window and allowing for a full length curtain to the floor or even beyond to create a puddling effect, can make a stunning statement, although it is better reserved for lower traffic areas of the home. Meanwhile inverted pleat curtains, pencil pleat curtains and pinch pleat curtains are all popular styles. The inverted pleat curtain offers a clean contemporary effect while the pencil pleat consists of tightly gathered folds kept in place by a cord. With pinch pleat curtains the top of the curtain is literally pinched together and the drape is hung using metal hooks at the top of the back of the curtain panel.

THREE: Think about tracks + rods for your custom curtains from day one

Choosing the right tracks, rods and hardware is one of the most important decisions in completing your custom curtains and should be considered at the outset rather than as an add-on once your curtains are chosen. There’s an enormous range of tracks available, from single to double or triple tracks. Double tracks are a great way of layering sheers with curtains, while triple tracks allow for the addition of a valance. Tracks can be mounted onto walls or ceilings to achieve different design objectives; some modern homes even have recesses between the ceiling and the window to allow for a really stylish hang in which the curtains appear to hang down from ‘behind’ the ceiling at the edge of the room. You can also choose from hand drawn, cord drawn or motorised tracks. Drawn systems can accommodate one way draw for single curtain panels or two way draw for dual curtain panels. For taller windows, corded tracks are also worth considering; curtains are opened and closed using a pull-cord, which is useful as it protects fabric from damage. To achieve the optimum hang, it’s important to ensure that the track is suitable for the weight of your custom made curtains. PVC tracking tends to be inexpensive, flexible and works well with lighter weight curtains, while aluminium is a more costly option but is more robust.

Motorisation
Motorised tracks allow your curtains to glide open and shut and stop exactly where you’d like at the touch of a button. Leading motorisation suppliers such as Somfy provide electric curtain tracks with a central or side opening, designed to blend in with your décor scheme. The advantages of motorisation include the blissful absence of cables to operate or strings to get tangled, while curtains can be controlled with one click to protect homeowner’s privacy and prevent glare from the sun’s rays entering the interior. Many motorisation options include handy features such as a favourite position memory, which allows you to program a preferred position of your curtains to ensure your drapes close in the same way every time.

FOUR: Choosing the colour of your custom made curtains

Colour is a deeply personal choice that depends on your individual taste and preferences. Having said that, most curtain retailers will attest that plains and neutrals continue to be the standard for curtain shoppers, mainly because they fit with almost any décor, and, if a serious investment is being made in custom curtains, will also stand the test of time.

At the light end of the colour spectrum, white remains one of the most popular colours, whether it’s applied to sheers or heavier fabrics. It adds freshness to the neutral palette that still holds sway and looks great with white or cream walls and polished timber floors.

By contrast however, darker colours including black and grey are increasingly on trend. Black drapes with a white print form a great statement in a modern interior and can be offset with pops of colour – say earthier tones or, for the more daring, bright punches of colour such as yellow or magenta. If you’re after a more subtle look, dark charcoal linens or pale grey chambrays also work well, and for more opulent or traditional décor schemes, jacquards and velvets add luxury and elegance.

Earth toned curtains from sand to taupe to red dust are a great way of adding a sense of authenticity and warmth to an interior, while bright pops of colour in curtains such as cerise, mustard yellow or persimmon orange are also a great way to draw the eye and create impact.

Blue has made a strong comeback in recent times, with dusty robin’s egg, teal and more recently navy, drawing strong interest from fashion forward homeowners. Blue custom made curtains will create a sense of stylish, cool harmony for the main living areas of your home. Green of course evokes the natural world but can also be used for high directional impact when applied in its more gem oriented guises. For example emerald green curtains offset by striking black and white are a great statement.

FIVE: Finishing your custom curtains with trims & accessories

Trimmings and accessories such as decorative curtain rods, curtain tiebacks and exotic curtain rings provide a real finishing touch to your window treatment, whether it’s contemporary or traditional. Tie-backs are one of the strongest sellers being purchased along with readymade curtains online, and are available in many and varied styles, colours, and textures. Tassel and bullion fringing for curtains are also popular, providing an opulent finish. Contemporary tiebacks and modern decorative curtain rods in steel or copper, as well as exotic elements such as crystal finials are experiencing strong demand.Bronze or black rods feel classic without drawing a lot of attention to themselves, while chrome rods can look provide a modern touch in contemporary rooms. White rods can definitely work in certain locations such as bedrooms or breezy contemporary living areas.

SUMMARY: Selecting your custom curtains should be a labour of love!

Window treatments such as custom made curtains are one of the best investments you can make in your interior décor scheme and selecting them should give you joy, especially when you remember what they’ll bring to your home. They have great functional benefits and are a marvellous way to ‘dress’ your room and give it a sophisticated, complete look. Good curtains can be the key to any major makeover, adding height, drama, atmosphere, texture and colour to any space. As mentioned above, they’re wonderful for creating “the great curtain illusion”, which involves hanging drapes to create the effect that a window is much taller and grander than it really is. Curtains are also a great way of bringing flow to a room. For example, if you have a number of windows along one wall with spaces between them, use one rod to create a seamless look. Adding curtain panels over sections of wall makes smaller side-by-side windows look like one big wall of glass. If you have one window that’s not balanced within the overall symmetry of a room, cleverly hung curtains can make it appear more symmetrical.
A checklist for choosing your custom made curtains might include the following pointers:-

• What visual effect do I want to create? Contemporary, industrial? Traditional, opulent? Light and translucent or heavy and light-blocking? Use magazines and online resources such as Houzz and Pinterest to hone your personal style guide.
• What kind of rod or track do I want to use? How do I want my curtains to be pleated and hung?
• What role do I want my curtains to play? Aesthetic, functional (cold and heat insulation, privacy etc.) or both?
• What’s my budget?
• How long do I need my curtains to last? Do I want a fashionable chevron print that might be dated next year or something more timeless? Do I want a hard wearing, fade resistant fabric curtain? And do I want to lengthen my curtains’ life by including lining, cord-pulls or even motorisation?
• Finally, am I in love with my custom curtains?

This last point might sound frivolous, but it’s actually crucial. As a key part of your décor and one that can’t easily be changed, you want to make sure your curtains give you a real buzz every time you look at them.

Before visiting a curtain retailer or buying your custom made curtains online, try to tick off as many of these pointers as possible, particularly the last one! The result will be a selection and installation process as light and smooth as the swish of a motorised sheer!

There’s nothing like installing curtains in a room give it that feeling of being really well dressed. If that’s the case, the curtain accessories bring with them that great finishing touch; like a well-chosen necklace or hat that completes an outfit.

This wasn’t always the case. There was a time when much of homeowners’ focus was on blinds; the minimalist look held sway and curtains took a back seat. Even if drapes were used, they were often kept basic and unadorned in line with existing trends. But talk to any interior decorator or retailer these days, and it’s clear that trends are moving in a new direction. Evidence is growing in favour of a more opulent look, creating great opportunities for daring consumers to include not only drapes, but a wide range of accompanying trimmings and accessories, in their home décor scheme. Experts confirm that recent years have seen a niche move towards luxury and exoticism in interior design, resulting in corresponding interest in decorative curtain rods, curtain tiebacks and exotic curtain rings.

Tie-backs are one of the strongest sellers being purchased along with readymade curtains online, and are available in many and varied styles, colours, and textures. Aside from the fact that they provide ready made curtains with a great visual ‘finish’, they also offer great practicality in terms of holding drapes open. Other products such as tassel fringing and bullion fringing for curtains and cords are growing in popularity; tassel and bullion fringes give an opulent finish to the leading edge of drapes and look great on swags and tails; those luscious looking swathes of material that are draped across the top of the window and hang down on either side respectively.

However, while they’re often thought of as being key to the creation of a ‘heritage’ look, the use of trimmings is not confined to traditional or classical interiors. Contemporary tiebacks are also popular, with on trend colours including red, black or grey as well as natural earthy tones and linen textures. Unusual materials such as beads and feathers are also being used on trimmings in more contemporary settings, while decorative curtain rods in steel or copper, as well as exotic elements such as crystal finials, are experiencing strong demand.

Popular colours and colour combinations for curtain trimmings move in line with fabric trends and include charcoal with silver, grey and oyster, chocolate and beige, eggshell blue and cream, as well as a resurgence of interest in previously overlooked colours such as navy, influenced by current fashion tastes. Interest in natural, linen looks is also an ongoing trend, meaning curtain accessories with timber, hemp and other natural elements are also popular.

Curtain accessories are a great way to complete the look of your window treatment, and of course if they’re coordinated with other accessories in the room, they create a complete look for your whole interior. So cushions, table runners and similar items are typically sold alongside trimmings, enabling homeowners to create a fully integrated décor scheme, complete with all the trimmings!

For homeowners buying readymade curtains online the options available are seemingly infinite and narrowing them down may simply be a case of style and price. If you’re looking for the cheapest curtains online you may want to opt for drapes that fit the bill in the most basic sense; in other words, they go with your décor and are well priced.

However Australia’s harsh climatic extremes are one good reason to consider more specialised options such as blockout curtains, also known as blackout curtains. Even if you don’t go for blockout curtains throughout the property, some rooms, such as bedrooms or those particularly exposed to solar glare, could certainly benefit from them.

Blockout curtains are a great way of keeping light and heat out during the summer. In addition, they can trap heat during the winter, reducing heat loss by as much as 25 per cent. Naturally this works wonders for keeping your energy bills in check and reducing your environmental footprint.

Premium quality blackout curtains can be expensive, and might cost you in excess of $200. If you know your way around a sewing machine it is possible to adapt your current curtains with the addition of blackout liners, however the abundance of readymade curtains online in blackout versions means you may end up finding it’s more cost effective to simply buy them new. There are plenty of more affordable options available, with some of the cheapest curtains online offered in blackout options.

In terms of how to hang blockout curtains, most are hung like regular curtains, however there are a few tips to bear in mind to ensure you get the best out of them. The fabric at the top of the curtain needs to be placed properly so that it blocks the light effectively. Be generous with your measurements; curtains must extend beyond the window frame to block incoming light at the top, bottom, sides, and where panels meet. A safe guideline is to purchase curtains two to three times the width of the window itself. If your aim is total darkness, install floor-to-ceiling blackout curtains as much as 45 centimetres beyond the edges of the window to block out the maximum light possible.It’s also possible to make the most of useful devices that will help bring out the best in your blockout curtains, such as wraparound curtain rods that curve to ensure the curtains’ outside edges sit flush against the wall.

Correctly installed blockout curtains mean you’ll be able to enjoy total darkness at any time of day. Their energy-saving benefits are self-evident, but there are other benefits too, such as noise reduction and the protection of the soft furnishings inside your home from fading and other forms of sun damage.

If blackout curtains are doing their job properly, once you open them, you may well be shocked by the dramatic difference. You may well even find there’s too much light entering the room when the blockout curtains are open! If this is the case, sheer drapes or blinds beneath the main curtains will allow light to be softly filtered into your home during the day.

Consumers who buy curtains online have usually done a fair amount of research into the available options before making a purchase; not surprising when you consider that purchasing curtains online can be a leap of faith without the right information and backup.

A good start in making your choice of curtains is of course to define the style you’re after and your fabric preferences, as well as understanding some of the global trends that influence curtains online in Australia, so here are some key tips to guide your selection, and some ideas on how to make them pop.

A key to your online curtain choice will be understanding the ambience and style of the room. Is it formal or casual and cosy? Contemporary or classic? Do you want the curtains to disappear or make a bold statement? If the latter is your aim, one idea is to choose bright curtains that will work well with other colour highlights in your room. Conversely, if you want your drapes to blend with the overall colour scheme, choose curtains whose base colour is the same as the wall colour.

Length is also an important consideration in your online curtain purchase as it can influence the style of the room. Floor length curtains give a classic look. A potentially riskier investment, curtains that puddle on the floor are less practical in this respect and, a bit like a huge statement necklace on very petite lady, don’t work very well in rooms with smaller dimensions. When you can’t use long curtains but don’t want to leave the window bare, choose curtains that finish half a centimetre above the sill or fall about eight centimetres below it.

Another key question is whether to opt for curtains in a single colour or those with a repeat pattern. Full colour curtains are a safe investment if you’re planning to keep them a while; they are less likely to date and can be matched with lower cost accessories that will be easy to change up if needed. For plainer or gloomier rooms, patterned curtains are an instant visual hit, particularly if you choose a bright, eye-catching print. However it’s also useful to note that smaller or darker rooms can be overpowered by a large graphic pattern, in which case sheer curtain fabric might be used to provide lightness in two respects: lightness of touch and the ability to let light into a room. Another key look at the moment is for natural looking curtains, with the ongoing trend for neutrals receiving a boost through the introduction of textured linens in a variety of finishes.

Other great contemporary looks include spots and chevrons and honeycomb prints, which create instant visual impact. Vertical stripes work very well in small rooms as they make a ceiling appear taller, while horizontal stripes give a playful feel. By contrast, botanical and floral prints remain strong and are a wonderful addition to a room with a classic, traditional character.

With a market offering a huge number of curtains online Australia now offers some of the most exciting styles and fabrics in curtains possible. So if you’re planning to buy curtains online, keep these guidelines in mind and the only limit is your imagination!

You might think that buying curtains online will make the purchasing process a lot easier than buying them through a traditional retailer, and in many respect this is true; if you buy curtains on the web, there’s a strong chance they’ll be less expensive than shop-bought products due to the reduced overheads of e-tailers. And of course, the fact that you can make your acquisition from the comfort of your home is also a plus.

However, when you buy curtains online you do need to do some serious research before purchasing, in order to avoid ending up with ill-fitting or inappropriate window coverings and the hassle of returning products that aren’t quite right. Things to think about include the style of curtain you want, including fabric and hang; for example full length sheers or window length blackouts.

A key consideration will be your curtain tracking systems. The right track, correctly fitted, will have a significant effect on the hang of your curtains and the look of your interiors. You will also want to think about whether you want cord drawn curtain tracks or hand drawn ones. Cord drawn curtain tracks are threaded with cord that connects to a system of gliders and pulleys. You open and close the curtains with a pull-cord without having to touch the curtain, making this system useful for delicate fabrics or particularly heavy curtains or large windows.

You’ll also have a choice of materials for your tracking. PVC is low cost, flexible and suitable for light or medium weight curtains, while aluminium is more expensive but stronger and more robust, as well as being easy to bend and shape. It also works well for light and medium weight fabric and gives a smooth drawing action. Steel, available from some suppliers, is suitable for heavy weight curtains.

Finally, if you’ve purchased curtains online it’s likely that you’ll be installing your own curtain tracking systems. The task may seem daunting but in fact it’s surprisingly simple as long as you keep a few key pointers in mind.

If you’re planning to go the DIY route, you’ll need screws, a drill, screw driver, laser or spirit level and saw. Wider windows, which are becoming increasingly popular in the Australian market, usually require that tracks be mounted end to end. You can either use hardware that connects the track sections, or simply align them during installation using a laser or spirit level.

Tracks and brackets should be attached to ceiling joists and wall studs, while you may need to use anchors if attaching your tracking to plasterboard. Most curtain tracking systems do not feature pre-drilled mounting holes so you will need to use a drill for this, having marked the track with the right positions. Using a small bit, drill pilot holes centred in the slot through the top of the track. Remember to take care not to damage the slot of the curtain track when drilling or mounting the track.

It’s probably fair to say that curtains still remain something of a niche product in the Australian market, which like the global market, has gradually moved away from traditional drapes towards blinds and other types of window covering over the years.

However, if you’re looking to buy curtains it’s clear you haven’t let their niche status put you off! In fact, it has perhaps surprisingly given a boost to curtains, as when people do invest in them, they are more likely to want to make a real statement through the use of quality fabrics and accessories and a really professional-looking hang. The result is that while the curtain market is fairly small, there’s a lot that’s exciting going on in it!

If you’re searching for information about “curtain au”, you’re probably just beginning to look at the various options available in the Australian market before you buy curtains. If this is the case, it’s worth carefully considering your curtains as well as the different accessories that go with them. This will allow you to create a complete look for your interior.

For example if you’re after a laid back, relaxed look, curtains with rings or tabs can be hung on a curtain rod while more formal curtains like box pleat curtains utilise curtain tape that runs on a track. The perceived length of your curtains will also influence the overall feel of the room. If you’re looking for something more grand and formal, consider how high above the window to hang your curtains. The higher the hang. the longer the curtain will appear, lending added visual height to your interior.

In terms of curtain accessories and add-ons, pelmets give a formal look and also perform a very useful function by covering the curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing. They can also conceal more than one curtain rod when hanging layers of curtains like a sheer and block out curtain. A little more feminine, valances perform the same way as pelmets but have a softer look with a gathered or pleated heading. While they are seldom used these days, they can look great in certain settings such as girls’ bedrooms.

Decorative curtain rods in materials such as bronze, silver, gold and pewter, as well as brackets, curtain hooks, curtain rings, tie backs and hold backs are just some of the other accessories available on the market that can add vibrancy to your window treatments. Meanwhile finials are the ornate pieces that attach to the rod ends and should also be selected carefully when you buy curtains depending on the look you’re after. These come in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes and a range of materials including timber, metal or crystal.

If you’re buying curtains online you may well be able to buy these accessories at the same time. Wherever or however you decide to purchase, bear in mind that the curtains together with the accessories are what create a whole, unified look.