Ideas for curtains

Dress your windows with our pick of beautiful curtains – from romantic cottage styles to pared-back, practical designs

Dress your windows to impress with the latest designs

PATTERN PLAY

Above: As private spaces, bedrooms offer a fantastic outlet to unleash your creativity, and curtains are perfect for adding bold pattern.

In a stunning autumnal palette, these Harlequin Flores curtains in Rust/ruby/nordic Blue, from £462 at Thomas Sanderson, add warmth and character to the room. The hardwearing linen-blend fabric can also be used for upholstery or to create matching cushions, and features abstract watercolour florals for an artistic edge.

SHORT AND SWEET

Right: While for larger openings, floor-length curtains tend to work best, for small, cottage-style windows, cill-length curtains will look more in proportion. These pretty curtains are made in Moonflower linen in Reverse Smokey Blue, £62 per m from Susie Watson Designs, and finished with a Pom Pom trim in Light Beech and Ivory, £15 per m, for a playful touch. They are paired with a handmade weathered reeded curtain pole, from £195, which beautifully completes the look.

DOUBLING UP

Layering curtains and blinds is a flexible solution that offers greater control over both light and privacy levels. To prevent the look from overwhelming, pair a patterned fabric with a single block colour in complementary tones. These pretty pleated curtains are made in Sanderson’s Mauritius fabric in Fire and Coral, £49 per m, which is adapted from an early 19th-century design. The curtains softly frame Roman blinds in Tuscany fabric in Coral, £26 per m.

WARMLY DRESSED

Right: Wool curtains offer a cosy, classic look that is perfect for country homes. They look particularly striking in solid block colours, and are a popular choice for tartan prints, such as this Moorland II Glen Derry wool in Pink, £39.95 per m from Moon. Wool is a thick, heavy fabric so hangs beautifully and also improves insulation levels when the curtains are drawn, making it ideal for dressing original single-glazed windows.

SEAT WITH A VIEW

Left: Create a cosy spot to curl up with a book by adding floor-length curtains to a window seat. These pretty curtains, made from Vanessa Arbuthnott’s Herbaceous Border Detail fabric in Soft Raspberry/ Pigeon/lettuce/charcoal, pair perfectly with the window seat cushion in her Dainty Daisy fabric in Soft Raspberry, both £57 per m. The neat painted wood pelmet ties the look together, and is a good idea if you don’t like poles on show.

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

Right: If you have an original door that lets in draughts, then a curtain will improve comfort and energy efficiency while making an attractive feature. This dainty floral curtain, made in Mathilde herringbone linen in Rose and Thyme on Cream, £85 per m, from Peony & Sage, features a ruffle top, and is at a length that pools on the floor for a soft, romantic look.

GO WITH THE CURVE

Above: Bay windows are beloved features of period homes, and while curtains will beautifully accentuate their shape, they can be tricky to get right. First, your choice of pole or track is key – either invest in a bespoke design made to fit the shape of your window, fit smaller poles to cover different sections, or opt for a bendable curtain track that will perfectly follow the curve of the window. Here, stunning block-coloured Flax curtains in Sunset, £39 per m from Stitched, create a striking contrast to the elegant window. The fabric is made from a combination of sustainable wool and flax, which has naturally strong fibres, and is a breathable material that improves with age.

A LIGHT TOUCH

Right: Sheer curtains create a delicate window dressing with a soft, sophisticated look. Ideal for overlooked rooms at street level, light fabrics, such as voile or linen allow in diffused light while maintaining privacy when closed. As they filter the glare from the sun, they also help to protect antique furniture and artwork. These Cream linen curtains, £89 from Piglet in Bed, are effortlessly elegant and will remain looking good for years to come. When paired with French or patio doors, they would also create a seamless transition between indoors and out.

FRINGE BENEFIT

Right: Adding trims to curtains gives a handcrafted and personalised look, and can be a great way of revitalising existing window dressings. ‘Trimmings can really help frame the drop of a curtain or finish the bottom of a blind beautifully,’ says designer Kate Forman. ‘Not only does it add another layer of colour and interest but also, by adding this small but important detail, a far greater impact can be made.’ There are a range of fabric trimming styles to choose from, such as block fringes, pilot braids, pom poms, and beads. These curtains are made in Antoinette fabric in pink, £90 per m, with Fan Edge trimming in red, £25 per m, both Kate Forman.

PLEATED PERFECTION

Left: Eyelet curtains are one of the most popular heading choices, and offer a more modern, pared-back look. They create neat, uniform pleats, which beautifully showcase heavier fabrics such as wool, allowing them to fall in deep folds. As well as their elegant aesthetics, eyelet curtains are also a practical choice as their pole and ring design means they run more smoothly than on tracks. These blackout lined eyelet curtains in Aurea Red cost £30 per m from Loom & Last.

CLASSIC ELEGANCE

Below: Pelmets are a stylish way to conceal the top of windows, and create a more structured, traditional look in period homes. They can be custom-made using your chosen fabric, or can alternatively be made using wood painted to match the walls. These curtains are made in Eloise fabric in Ivory and Green, £76 per m, Colefax & Fowler.

TYING IT TOGETHER

Above: Tiebacks are a versatile addition that can be used to fully draw the curtains away from the window, maximising the amount of light in the room, or allow them to be partially opened for a softer look. These pretty curtains are made in Molly Mahon’s Strawberry fabric in Copper, £181 per m, and are finished with a frilly heading for a romantic feel. For a more subtle approach, use tiebacks in a matching fabric, or make a feature of them with a contrasting colour. For similar orange tiebacks, try the Victoria tieback, £10 from Dekoria. Alternatively, for a more understated look, opt for metal tieback hooks.

SLEEP EASY

Left: Blackout curtains comprise a dense lining material that blocks out natural light, making them ideal for bedrooms as they aid restful sleep. The lining can be used with almost any non-sheer curtain fabric, so doesn’t impact on style. With a luxuriously velvety feel and shimmering gold finish, Hillarys’ Dusk Brass curtains, from £163, add a glamorous feel to this atmospheric space.