Curtains & Blinds for Beginners

In depth

Let's talk about the basics of choosing curtains and blinds – especially if this is your first time buying them. It can feel overwhelming with all the different types and terms used, but really, it boils down to a few key things that will make a big difference in how well they look and function in your home. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect right away; you'll learn as you go.

The first thing to consider is fabric. There are so many options – from heavy velvet for a luxurious feel to sheer voile for letting in lots of light. ‘GSM’ stands for grams per square metre, and this measures the weight of the fabric. A higher GSM means a heavier, thicker fabric that will block out more light and provide better insulation. For example, a blackout curtain might have a GSM of 400 or more, while a casual living room curtain might be around 180-250 GSM. Don’t get caught up in chasing the highest GSM unless you genuinely need blackout – it will often cost considerably more and may not suit all rooms. Consider where you're hanging them; a very heavy fabric on a light roller blind can cause issues with operation.

Next, think about the heading of your window. This is how the curtain or blind tracks along the top. ‘Pelmet’ headings are built into the curtain casing itself and are great for smaller windows as they take up less space. 'Pod' headings have individual fabric pods that attach to the track, offering a more tailored look and allowing you to adjust the fullness of the curtains. ‘Grommet’ headings use metal rings (grommets) sewn onto the curtain hem to slide along the track – these are generally simpler and cheaper but can sometimes cause curtains to wrinkle if not hung correctly. 'Flat roll' blinds, often made from PVC or vinyl, rely on a simple roller mechanism and don’t require any heading at all; they're fantastic for quick installations.

Then there’s ‘fullness’. This refers to how much fabric is added beyond the width of your window – it’s what gives curtains that lovely, draped look. A fullness of 1:2 means one width of curtain for every two widths of window. So a window that's 60cm wide would need a curtain panel that’s 120cm wide. A higher fullness (e.g., 1:3 or 1:4) will create more dramatic folds and gather, but it also means the curtains will take up more space when open. It’s often best to start with a fullness of 1:2 for most rooms – you can always adjust later if needed. With blinds, ‘commence’ refers to the distance from the window edge to the beginning of the blind slat; ‘cover’ is the distance from the commence to the end of the slat.

Now let's talk about blinds specifically. Venetian blinds are made from horizontal slats that you can tilt to control the amount of light entering a room. The 'commence' and 'cover' measurements are particularly important here, as they determine how much of the window is covered by the blind when it’s raised. Vertical blinds, on the other hand, have long vanes that slide up and down. These are great for tall windows and sliding doors. Roman blinds, which fold up into horizontal shades, often use a heading to keep them neatly stacked when closed. The type of heading you choose will influence how they hang and how much light they let in.

Don’t worry too much about things like ‘chain weights’ or ‘pinch pleats’ at this stage. These are more advanced curtain-making techniques that add extra detail and cost, and they're really only important if you want a very bespoke look. You can always add these later if you change your mind. Similarly, the precise measurement of the window recess – whether it’s deep or shallow – is less critical initially. A slight adjustment to the heading tape can usually compensate for minor variations in depth.

Finally, remember that colour and pattern are hugely important! Consider the existing colours in your room and choose curtains or blinds that complement them. Don't be afraid to introduce a pop of colour or pattern if it suits your style, but think about how the light will affect the appearance of the fabric – a dark pattern might look different in bright sunlight than it does in dimmer conditions. You can always change them later, and generally speaking, lighter colours tend to brighten a room, while darker colours create a more cosy atmosphere.