Curtains serve a purpose other than keeping the heat in and the prying eyes out. They are an important part in decorating your home and setting the theme for any room.

In order for you to choose the right curtains for your home you have two options. Hire an interior decorator that will be able to perfectly pick whatever curtains look best in your home. Or the cheaper option, do some research.

The best place these days for doing research is right in your very home or office. That’s right – online. The internet has a treasure trove of information that will help you in deciding what curtains are best for your home.

Here are a few things that you should be looking for:

Curtain Fabric

These days curtains are made from a number of different fabrics and choosing the right one can be daunting. Different fabrics are suitable for different environments. For instance a light cotton curtain fabric might be ideal in the kitchen, but not very practical in a study.

Here are a list of common curtain fabrics:

Acrylic – A synthetic fabric which is quite soft and wool like, it is easily dyed so acrylic curtains come in a great range of colors. Acrylic is also very wrinkle proof and has excellent sunlight resistance.

Brocade – A very elegant, heavy silk material, usually with gold or silver woven patterns. This is a very ornate, heavy fabric which has a feel of opulence.

Cotton – The most widely used fiber in the world, cotton curtain fabric is a very versatile and popular choice.

Damask – Similar to brocade, but flatter, damask has contrasting design motifs.

Polyester – A great, inexpensive fabric which has a low melting point making it perfect for use in homes.

Rayon – A fully synthetic fabric which has a natural luster. Used quite extensively for curtains and upholstery.

Curtain Color

The color of your curtains can really change the whole look of the fabric transforming it into something completely different.

photo credit: Plum Pretty Sugar

Your curtains should match other features in your house such as the flooring, walls and cabinetry. Cream curtains look great in bright airy rooms which dark colored curtains look best in rooms such as studies and bedrooms.

Remember when choosing your color, if you opt for a cream curtain then you will have to think about a good backing material to help with heat insulation.

Curtain Style

Just like the color, the style of curtain can dramatically alter how it looks. You need to think about curtain headers, curtain rings, curtain rods and tie backs. Contemporary designs are using eyelet curtains quite a lot these days.