Nichol & Hill’s Guide To Curtains

When styling or decorating a room, an important factor to consider is the curtains. Whether you want them to match the living area of a residential home or block out the sunlight for a bedroom, there are lots of designs to choose from and options to mull over. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to show you the different types of curtains available.

Types of curtains

Blackout: These curtains are usually found in bedrooms and can be very handy for restless sleepers or people who work throughout the night and need to catch up on sleep during the day. The curtains block out light that may come through thin fabrics.

Although the name would suggest otherwise, blackout curtains aren’t black in colour which is a common misconception. Blackout curtains can be whatever colour you want them to be – it is the foam lining which blocks out the light.

Lined or unlined curtains?

Another option to consider is lined or unlined curtains. If you choose lined, the fabric will be better protected from sunlight, the pattern (if there is one) will be a lot clearer and the curtains can last longer. If your curtains aren’t lined, it is less maintenance and they will also keep the room cooler and lighter. This can be ideal for a family living space where natural light will be important.

Uncoated fabrics are better for insulation for your rooms and will help you to better control the temperature. Coated fabrics, on the other hand, are better suited for when you need to blackout a room as they better prevent light from penetrating the material. This is handy for when you want to use a screen or projection in the room without glare, or if you have a small child who will need to sleep while it is light outside.

Curtain styles

There are also many styles to choose from:

Wave Top:

These types of curtains are a very versatile option, and for that very reason, a popular one too. They are usually held on the curtain rail with hooks.

Tab Top:

These curtains use narrow straps which tie at the top and then loop around the curtain rail, which can be ideal if you have a curtain pole with an intricate pattern on it – it makes an excellent feature of a room.

Pencil Pleat:

This style uses gathered folds which resemble a row of pencils which is where it gets the name from. It can be eye-catching if you have patterned curtains so a good choice if you want your curtains to be noticed.

Eyelet/Grommet:

An eyelet curtain is a metal ring which is surrounded by the fabric and is often used on shower curtains. It is a very supportive option as the fabric is reinforced with metal.

Pinch Pleat:

With pinches at the very top of the fabric, this style offers an alternative way of draping the material over your window, creating sharp lines at the top, but allowing a soft flow further down your curtains.

When looking after curtains, make sure they are kept in the best condition possible to ensure longevity. When you hang them, do so away from the window so they do not get in direct contact with condensation, otherwise there is a risk of them getting mouldy.

If you need more tips, or would like some advice on which curtain style would be most suitable for your environment, get in touch with the team at Nichol and Hill. We’re experts in the manufacturing and installation of commercial curtains, with specialist knowledge of the care home and nursing home industry.