How To Choose The Best Curtains For Your Bedroom Windows

Your bedroom is a sacred space. It's a place of rest and relaxation after a long day. It's a sanctuary of serenity; a dwelling for dreams, so naturally, you want it to be decorated as such. Choosing the right decor for your peaceful place, however, can be anything but relaxing. From mattresses and bed frames to dressers and accent pieces, bedroom decorations require a lot of thought before loosening your pursestrings. Often overlooked, an important piece of bedroom design to take into account when creating your tranquil space is drapery. 

Finding the best curtains for your bedroom windows can be a daunting task. With so many lengths, fabrics, colors, and specialty curtains on the market, how can you find the perfect curtain for your needs? There are a few things to take into consideration when deciding on your dream drapery. Establish your reason for adding curtains to your room; will curtains be strictly for design and decor or will they be used to further insulate a bedroom or block out light? Once a reason is determined, factor in the type of climate your home is in as well as how often you want to maintain and upkeep your curtains. After all of these factors are considered, choosing the perfect color (as well as the perfect curtain rod to hang your carefully curated curtains) could be the final step in fine-tuning your bedroom.

There are a surprising amount of fabrics to choose from, which makes finding the perfect bedroom curtain set a little overwhelming. Certain fabrics can serve different purposes, especially when used as drapery. Look to light-blocking or blackout curtains made from polyester, foam-backed, or triple-weave fabric to cloak your bedroom in darkness for a good night's sleep. If complete darkness isn't your thing, reach for sheer fabrics like lace or chiffon to brighten up a room by letting more natural light in. 

To reduce costs on gas or electric bills, thermal curtains or drapery made from insulating fabrics are energy-efficient choices, and can effectively block both cold and hot air from entering your space. For additional insulation in homes located in cold climates, thicker fabrics like velvet, wool, or suede can be optimal choices to keep heat in your bedroom and block cold air from entering through windows. For those with homes in warmer climates, turn to lighter fabrics like muslin, linen, or voile that allow cool air to flow through windows while blocking out sunlight, keeping your bedroom cool.

The type of fabric you choose for your bedroom curtains can depend on the ambiance and aesthetic you're aiming to achieve. If you want your sanctuary to match an old money aesthetic, reach for brocaded fabrics in jewel and earthy tones. A room for luxury and sophistication calls for damask, silk, or rayon fabrics. For simple, cozy, and relaxed vibes, cotton is always a reliable pick. Linen, nylon, and poly-cotton fabrics are also great for giving your bedroom a comfy, laid-back feel. Most fabrics come in a plethora of colors, too, so finding the perfect color fabric to match your bedroom motif could be the easiest part of your curtain selection process. 

As the bedroom is typically private dwelling space, it's important to consider curtain fabrics that can provide ample coverage. The thickness and opacity of fabrics can add or reduce the barrier between your bedroom and the outside world. While lighter, see-through fabrics are ideal for allowing light into your bedroom, keep in mind they do not provide a lot of privacy compared to denser fabrics. On the flip side, thicker, more opaque curtain fabrics, like blackout or velvet, can provide ample coverage and privacy. To find a happy middle ground, you can always successfully layer curtains to get the perfect amount of coverage, privacy, and natural light supply for your bedroom. 

Proper and regular maintenance is essential to ensure your curtains last for a long time. Selecting a bedroom curtain fabric that fits with your lifestyle and cleaning routine is an important factor to consider, as different fabrics require different care. More luxurious fabrics, like velvet, chiffon, silk, and lace can add an elegant and sophisticated feel to your room, but they require a little more TLC. The delicate nature of these fabrics make them susceptible to tearing, staining, or shrinkage so it's recommended to dry clean these fabrics or wash by hand in order to maintain longevity. For those who prefer to spend more time relaxing in their room than cleaning it, easy care fabrics like cotton, polyester, or the various blends are popular curtain choices since they are easy to clean and maintain.

Whatever fabric you decide to add to your bedroom windows, it's important to regularly clean and maintain your drapery. Proper curtain care and upkeep helps extend the life of your bedroom curtains, ensuring they provide sufficient coverage and charm to your bedroom for a long time. If maintaining a single curtain set is proving to be difficult, you can make a habit of swapping out your bedroom curtains every season. Seasonal curtain swap-outs make for quick and easy bedroom refreshes and can improve energy efficiency in your bedroom.