Five Common Curtain Mistakes

From softening light to thermal insulation, they’re more than just window dressing. But even beautiful fabrics can fall flat with the wrong fit or style.

Here are some common curtain mistakes we have seen, and design tips to help you avoid them so you can create a space that is naturally elegant and functional.

The lowdown

Don't install the curtain rail too low. Aim to hang your curtains high and wide. Mounting them closer to the ceiling makes your space feel taller and more elegant. A ceiling mounted track enables you to maximise the height of the room and creates a feeling of space.

Avoid short lengths

Curtain drops should kiss the floor or gently pool for a refined, soft look. Short curtains break the vertical line of the room, making ceilings feel lower and the space feel smaller.

Aim for generous fullness

Curtains should be 2–2.5x the width of the Curtain Rail to create a beautiful, gathered look. Allow approximately 1/6th of the window width on either side to enable your curtains to be drawn back completely clear of the window or door. This makes your window/door appear larger and doesn't obstruct the view. 

The silver lining

Lining improves the curtain’s durability, insulation and shape. Our Thermal Blockout lining is OEKO-TEX 100 certified with no harmful chemicals. It provides full light blocking with a high thermal value which protects your natural fibre curtains from UV while also reducing energy costs. Combined with our heavyweight eco linen, lining reduces noise and creates a low light environment to improve sleep quality.

Our Translucent Lining allows some light to filter through whilst still providing privacy and protects your natural fibre curtains from UV.

Choose to leave your curtains unlined to allow diffuse light to pass through the fabric. Unlined and Sheer curtains are a beautiful and functional addition to interiors. They are ideal for when you want to filter light softly, maintain a sense of privacy, and create a light, airy feel. Best suited to windows protected from intense sunlight to prolong lifespan.

The right window furnishings are more than decoration, they have the ability to affect the way you feel in your space. With careful planning and thoughtful material choices, your window furnishings can offer softness, function and timeless beauty.

At Ink & Spindle, we believe in slow interiors. Rather than following current design or fashion trends too closely, we aim to produce textiles that will fit in your life for many years to come.

Explore our range of sustainable fabrics or email us to start designing your perfect curtains.