If you decide that window curtains are right for the room, we’ll guide you to pick the right fabric, curtain rod, and tiebacks to complete the look. Then, consider blackout curtains for a sleep-friendly bedroom or long velvet curtains for a luxe look in the living room. Not sure if curtains and drapes are the right choice? Find out when blinds are your best bet, how to measure for them, and where to buy them. And remember: Don’t be afraid to opt for different window treatments from room to room. Heavy drapes may look beautiful in your formal dining room while roller shades work best in your kid’s room. Consider all of these curtain and window treatment options to take your home decor to the next level. If you’ve chosen to go with curtains, considering the mood of the room will help you select the right texture. For a formal space, there’s heavy silk or velvet; both are dry-clean only. More practical (often washable) options include silky rayon blends and cotton sateen. For a casual feel, there are billowy linen (generally dry-clean only) and crinkly crushed velvet. Cotton and cotton blends work with any type of decor and bring a crisp, neat feel, as does seasonless wool or wool blends. 2. Color You’ll need to decide if you want the curtains to blend with the decor or to pop. For blending, pick curtains that are the same tone as the wall but a few shades darker, or choose a non-dominant subtle color in the room (a soft shade from the rug, say). A bold color will work like an exclamation point (if you’re looking to add some wow). Also keep in mind that in a space where the sun shines through unlined curtains, the color will infuse the room. Blue can be eerie; pink, cheery. 3. Prints and Patterns A rule of thumb: If you have patterned furniture or bedding (or a very elaborate rug), stick with solid curtains. If you have solid-color furniture or bedding, consider patterned curtains. For a subtle hit of style and energy, go for a small, neutral print, like dots or paisley, which reads like texture from afar. A large, graphic print in a color that relates to the existing decor is daring but can be spectacular. Here are two surefire approaches.

  1. Just Hitting the Floor or Sill This look is classic and tailored; it makes sense if you’ll be opening and closing the curtains a lot (they’ll easily fall back into place every time you move them). The fabric should just touch the floor or hover 1/2 inch above. This is also a great approach for café curtains (short panels that cover only the lower portion of a window and hit the sill), which work well in spots like the kitchen and bathroom, where long drapes aren’t practical.
  2. Breaking Slightly at the Floor Panels that extend onto the floor by 1 to 3 inches are another stylish option. They’re more relaxed than those that graze the floor (left), but they still feel tailored—think of a pair of dress trousers. If you have uneven floors or are worried about precision measuring, this style is more forgiving. In formal rooms, an exaggerated take—6 or so inches of fabric pooling on the floor—can look romantic but is also high-maintenance. They’ll need to be cleaned more often and will have to be readjusted every time you vacuum or the cat lies on them. Below are two hanging tricks that decorators love for maximizing windows—you can opt for just one technique or use both on the same window.
  3. Hang Curtains Above the Frame To create the illusion of a taller window, mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame—or halfway between the frame and the ceiling molding. (But within reason—don’t go more than 8 inches above the frame or it might look awkward.) A track mounted on the ceiling also lengthens windows. Be sure to account for the extra fabric when measuring.
  4. Hang Curtains Wider Than the Frame Extending the rod 3 to 6 inches beyond the frame on each side makes a window feel grander and allows extra light to stream in when the curtains are open (the fabric hangs against the wall without blocking the glass). You can also use this plan to reveal pretty molding. In this case, you may want to leave as much as 12 inches on either side. Remember to adjust your width measurements for this look. Here’s a quick rundown of common options.
  5. Basic Heading With Hooks A traditional flat heading that attaches to the rod via rings stitched into its top hem or, sometimes, drapery hooks (the rings attach to the hooks). With either setup, the curtains move easily.
  6. Rod-Pocket Heading A channel along the top holds the rod and creates a casual, gathered effect. A nice choice for curtains that will stay put, because shimmying the fabric back and forth can be difficult.
  7. Pleated Heading There are many styles, from narrow pencil pleats to wide, flat box pleats. Because they’re structured, these panels read more formal than do other types. Pleated curtains generally operate with drapery hooks and rings.
  8. Tab-Top Heading Flat loops of fabric hang on the rod. This can look relaxed with sheers or buttoned-up with stiffer fabrics. A variation on this theme is tie-tops, with bows instead of flat loops—still casual but more feminine and romantic. Here are common options.
  9. Classic Rod An adjustable pole, often featuring ornamental end caps (finials), that attaches to the wall with brackets. Match the metal to other finishes in the room. You can buy a double curtain rod if you want to layer with sheers.
  10. Return Rod An adjustable U-shaped rod that screws directly into the wall. Panels wrap around the curved sides, making this a good solution for blocking out light.
  11. Track Rod Drapery hooks attach to pulleys inside a track. Can be installed on a wall or the ceiling. Some tracks resemble a rod with finials, concealing all moving parts inside the pole. Curtains glide effortlessly.
  12. Tension Rod The easiest and cheapest but least sturdy option, it adjusts to fit inside a window frame with no hardware. Bare-bones, it’s meant only for lightweight panels or café curtains. They’re also a very affordable option and ideal for rental apartments. Check out all of the styles below before you make your pick.
  13. Venetian Blinds When you think about window blinds, you’re likely thinking about this classic style with horizontal slots that can pivot open and closed to control the amount of light that filters through. If you want to control the light in your bedroom, look for room-darkening blinds with slats that overlap, and consider installing the blinds over the window frame rather than inside it.
  14. Roller Shades For a modern look, roller shades that unroll from the top of the window are a great option. With many materials to choose from, you can find everything from sheer to blackout shades.
  15. Roman Shades Roman shades work similarly to roller shades, but they have panels that stack up evenly when the shade is opened. This style lends a touch more elegance than standard roller shades.
  16. Solar Shades Similar in style to roller shades, solar shades are specifically designed to block UV rays and glare, making them ideal for a home office or a room that gets a lot of sun.
  17. Panel Track Blinds A popular option for sliding glass doors or patio doors, wide vertical panels slide open and closed along a track. These blinds come in a variety of materials, including solar-blocking fabric and woven wood. A handyman can hang curtains for you. Expect to pay $55 to $95 an hour, depending on where you live. Figure about 20 minutes per window for a basic rod with brackets, and 45 minutes per window for a track rod. If you would rather do it yourself, hanging ready-made curtains is not that difficult. Rods usually come with mounting hardware and instructions. You may need to buy rings separately. Beyond that, hanging panels involves a stepladder, a tape measure, a pencil, a level, a handheld drill, a screwdriver, and a stud finder. If there are no studs where you’re anchoring brackets, use toggle bolts instead of screws. You can view helpful how-to videos from West Elm and Pottery Barn. How to Install Blinds or Roller Shades Depending upon your skill level, installing horizontal blinds can also be a DIY project. Follow the step-by-step instructions from the Home Depot. If you order directly from a blinds company, they will often offer a free in-home consultation, as well as deals on installation. Below are some reliable sources, most of which you can visit in person as well as online.
  18. Lower Priced Curtain Sources
    A range of colors and pretty patterns abound, but materials are mostly limited to unlined cotton, linen, and polyester.
  19. Mid Priced Curtain Sources Many curtains from these retailers are lined, so they’ll drape better.

West Elm Pottery Barn Crate & Barrel Anthropologie Restoration Hardware Williams Sonoma

  1. Higher-Priced Curtain Sources Expect to find every style, rendered in especially luxurious fabrics.

Calico Corners (made to order) Horchow The Shade Store (made to order) The Curtain Exchange (made to order) Ballard Designs

Our Panel (get it?) of Curtain Experts: Ian Gibbs, cofounder of The Shade Store, a custom-drapery retailer Jackie Von Tobel, an interior designer and the author of The Design Directory of Window Treatments