For curtains to search trendy, be certain privacy, and regulate light, you want to pick the correct fabric. They need to have to be effectively sized for the window, far too, as perfectly as hung at the ideal peak.
But window remedy ideas also require the appropriate hardware in the type of the curtain rod so they search their most effective and, if they’re far more than a decorative addition to the inside, purpose as you demand.
When you arrive to come to a decision on a curtain rod you will discover there are unique sorts to choose from, which are suited to distinct needs. How to come to a decision which one particular you need for your curtain thoughts? This is our professional guide with information from interior designers and curtain specialists.
7 varieties of curtain rod
Picking a curtain rod is never ever just a problem of aesthetics. ‘Choosing the proper curtain rod is essential,’ claims Kelly Simpson, senior director of style and innovation at professionals in blinds, shades, shutters, and drapes Funds Blinds (opens in new tab). ‘The rods you opt for rely on how you want to style and run your draperies.’
The kind of rod that is greatest will also be affected by no matter if material is stationary or not, the body weight of the curtains, no matter if the window will be dressed by one type of curtains or more, and no matter whether you want to open up and close curtains remotely.
(Picture credit rating: Jackson Warren Interiors Photograph: Julie Soefer)
1. Single curtain rod
There is a planet of alternative when it arrives to the fashion of solitary curtain rods mainly because these are a layout that are so commonly required.
‘Single curtain rods assistance light-weight to medium draping panels,’ explains Kelly Simpson. ‘This rod is a lone bar put in at the best of the window. It threads by means of curtain tabs, grommets, or rings.’
Be absolutely sure to opt for a decorative curtain rod design considering the fact that the rod alone will be on clearly show so is an crucial element in the best achievements of the window cure. Equally wood and distinct metallic finishes are obtainable, allowing you to enhance other components and tones in the space, as nicely as the curtains on their own.
2. Double curtain rod
Opting for different kinds of curtains as a solitary window cure? ‘Double curtain rods enable you to layer two kinds of draperies,’ describes Kelly Simpson. ‘They arrive as a established of two rods. Two rods necessarily mean you can layer thicker curtains above sheer curtains.’
Be aware that you can choose for a triple curtain rod for even extra layering of window dressing alternatives.
(Picture credit score: Emma Lee)
3. Traverse curtain rod
A traverse curtain rod tends to make opening and closing curtains a smoother procedure. ‘We favor traverse rods for an straightforward glide if material is operating,’ suggests Maggie Griffin, founder and principal designer of Maggie Griffin Design (opens in new tab).
While they are called traverse rods, they are frequently intended as tracks with clips. The clips connect to drapery pins on the back of a curtain panel to suspend it and a wire inside the rod moves the curtains alongside when you operate a pulley or rod for uncomplicated opening and closing.
For the reason that of the clean curtain operation, a traverse rod can be a excellent alternative for a window dressed with a substantial amount of money of cloth. ‘Traverse rods are ideal for substantial home windows, patio sliders, or any other huge opening,’ states Kelly Simpson. They also have the benefit of cutting down dress in on the curtains as you never touch the fabric to open up and close them. Dressing a bay or bow window? There are transverse rods for these, as well.
If you opt for a traverse rod, you have the solution of a model that opens in the middle to ship panels to either aspect, or one that sends them only in a single way. Traverse rods also occur in double variations for layering window remedies.
‘If you like the plan of a traverse rod, but really do not want to forgo the decorative opportunity of a curtain rod, seem out for attractive traverse rods,’ says Lucy Searle, worldwide editor in main of Residences & Gardens. ‘These have concealed sliders within so curtains transfer effortlessly but you nonetheless get the profit of utilizing an appealing wooden or metallic rod as element of the window dressing.’
(Graphic credit history: Katie Davis Style Photograph: Kerry Kirk)
4. French return curtain rod
French return curtain rods – aka wrap-about or self-return curtain rods – are a favored of a lot of inside designers, which includes Katie Davis of Katie Davis Style and design (opens in new tab). ‘I see a good deal of French return these days which I enjoy,’ she claims. ‘The hardware can perform off of other metals in the space as an accent and I normally pick black or brass dependent on the rest of the place.’
A French rod doesn’t use finials as an alternative it turns through 90 levels and fastens to the wall. These rods have straightforward magnificence but as properly as appreciating their fashion, you might also desire the design when the spot of the window does not leave space for finials.
5. Motorized curtain rod
When a traverse rod helps make opening and closing curtains uncomplicated, even a lot less effortful is a motorized curtain rod. Match 1 of these and you can open up and shut the curtains via a wall change or a a remote, or as element of a sensible dwelling procedure.
Motorized rods are the most high priced rod selection, so you are going to will need to spending budget a lot more than for other curtain rods. Bear in head, way too, that the designs generally have a bodyweight restrict, so be guaranteed your drapes are compatible when selecting.
6. Pressure rod
If you’re leasing and want to hang curtains devoid of drilling, a pressure rod can occur to your rescue. Since it’s sprung, a pressure rod is held in location in the window frame.
There are caveats, nonetheless. The rods only have a particular amount of adjustment so you are going to need to have to match window width to the variety of measurements included by a particular style and design.
Next, tension rods are only ideal for light-weight curtains. Really do not try to use a single of these for medium or heavy drapery.
(Picture credit: Jane Beiles)
7. Café curtain rod
Café curtains protect the reduce component of a window. They add softness to a window in a kitchen area or lavatory, for case in point, and a evaluate of privacy, but nonetheless permit light in. If you choose for café curtains, they could be hung from a pressure rod, or go for a café curtain rod which is sized to match these mild curtains but is equipped to the window body or wall.
There’s a alternative when it will come to finishes, so you can pull jointly the glimpse of your home.
The place must curtain rods be?
Curtain rods should, as a rule, be previously mentioned the window and connected to the wall. This will make home windows glance greater. If there isn’t area enough to resolve the curtain rod to the wall, just take a search at ceiling mounted curtain rods in its place.
If you simply cannot drill into the wall, or there is not ample area over the window body and the ceiling isn’t a probability for mounting a rod, you can attach faucet-in brackets to the prime of the body to maintain a rod or, if the body has sufficient depth, use a stress rod.
How wide should curtain rods be?
As a basic rule, curtain rods need to be sized so they prolong by 4 inches possibly facet of the window as a least, and up to close to 12 inches. This enables the curtains to stack absent from the glazing for optimum mild.
The exceptions to this contain rigidity rods, since they match throughout the frame, and café curtain rods. A curtain rod of this width could possibly also be difficult if there isn’t sufficient wall space due to the window’s locale in the room.
Be guaranteed to compute how wide curtain panels need to be thoroughly so they are ample ample for the width of the rod.
How superior need to curtain rods be?
Ordinarily, curtain rods need to be hung around 4 to 6 inches above the window. Nonetheless, there are possibilities when selecting how large to hang curtains.
If there’s a hole of 6 to 12 inches in between the ceiling and window frame, you can posture the curtain rod midway between the ceiling and the top of the window frame.
A even more alternate? Set the rod just underneath in which wall and ceiling meet. The exception below is when the ceiling is pretty substantial, so that the rod will no lengthier be visually associated with the window.
