curtains - how to look nicer than “off the rack”

[Anonymous]

I want to buy curtains for my bedroom. I’d love tips for how to make them look more custom - for example, I’ve read to hang them almost at ceiling height instead of at the top of the window moulding. How far outside of the window frame to go?

And I guess I need to get the curtains hemmed? How does I get those nice pleats in them?

Any suggestions on where to buy nice looking ones?

Thank you for tips!

[Anonymous]

I'm sure a lot of DCUM'ers will boo and hiss at this, but I just put these IKEA curtains up in our living and dining rooms and they look wonderful.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tibast-curtains-1-pair-white-50396758/

I used these curtain hooks, which have two prongs for making pleats:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/riktig-curtain-hook-40212203/

And I hemmed them using iron-on tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-222-WITCHERY-FUSIBLE-20-Yards/dp/B0001DSIHI/ref=asc_df_B0001DSIHI/

I installed the brackets 2" below the crown molding and 6" out from each side of the window so that when installed, they show most of the window and sit quite high above it.

I found these links helpful:

https://www.11magnolialane.com/how-to-pleat-curtains-for-a-custom-look/ (I used those exact hooks and rings and curtain rods)

https://caitlinmariedesign.com/budget-pinch-pleat-curtains/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FjcGmhq6QU

(^^^ those hooks are different from the IKEA ones and create a more pronounced pleat)

[Anonymous]

^^^ Hemming process. I set up the ironing board right by the window for each panel and did the hemming right there.

https://lifeinthebigwoods.com/2018/07/30/how-to-easily-hem-super-long-ikea-curtains/

[Anonymous]

One more: https://www.create-enjoy.com/2015/03/how-to-hem-ikea-curtains-tutorial.html

[Anonymous]

The IKEA tape with the hooks is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to make pleats. But you need at least two panels for each inch of window. And really, you won't get the "look" of real curtains unless they're lined and interlined. I don't know why you can't buy store bought panels with interlining, but it doesn't seem like you can. And the interlining makes a huge difference. If you can sew, making panels isn't hard, but you'll still be shocked by the material costs even if you pick very reasonable face fabric.

[Anonymous]

Match then with your lampshades or upholstery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The IKEA tape with the hooks is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to make pleats. But you need at least two panels for each inch of window. And really, you won't get the "look" of real curtains unless they're lined and interlined. I don't know why you can't buy store bought panels with interlining, but it doesn't seem like you can. And the interlining makes a huge difference. If you can sew, making panels isn't hard, but you'll still be shocked by the material costs even if you pick very reasonable face fabric.

So for a 30" wide window, you need 60 panels?

What?

[Anonymous]

Shore bought curtains aren’t wide enough. Our designer told us to buy off the rack and two for each side. She hung them at the ceiling (and all even with each other) and her workroom added a complementary color band to the bottom and maybe edge (can’t remember off hand) to make them the right length. They should skim the floor. Doing it this was was under $1000 vs $20,000 for the custom ones in our family room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure a lot of DCUM'ers will boo and hiss at this, but I just put these IKEA curtains up in our living and dining rooms and they look wonderful.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tibast-curtains-1-pair-white-50396758/

I used these curtain hooks, which have two prongs for making pleats:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/riktig-curtain-hook-40212203/

And I hemmed them using iron-on tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-222-WITCHERY-FUSIBLE-20-Yards/dp/B0001DSIHI/ref=asc_df_B0001DSIHI/

I installed the brackets 2" below the crown molding and 6" out from each side of the window so that when installed, they show most of the window and sit quite high above it.

I found these links helpful:

https://www.11magnolialane.com/how-to-pleat-curtains-for-a-custom-look/ (I used those exact hooks and rings and curtain rods)

https://caitlinmariedesign.com/budget-pinch-pleat-curtains/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FjcGmhq6QU

(^^^ those hooks are different from the IKEA ones and create a more pronounced pleat)

Thank you - fantastic! - OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The IKEA tape with the hooks is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to make pleats. But you need at least two panels for each inch of window. And really, you won't get the "look" of real curtains unless they're lined and interlined. I don't know why you can't buy store bought panels with interlining, but it doesn't seem like you can. And the interlining makes a huge difference. If you can sew, making panels isn't hard, but you'll still be shocked by the material costs even if you pick very reasonable face fabric.

Can you explain/clarify your point re the width? My windows are 37” wide to the outside of the framing/moulding. Thanks! - OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure a lot of DCUM'ers will boo and hiss at this, but I just put these IKEA curtains up in our living and dining rooms and they look wonderful.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tibast-curtains-1-pair-white-50396758/

I used these curtain hooks, which have two prongs for making pleats:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/riktig-curtain-hook-40212203/

And I hemmed them using iron-on tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-222-WITCHERY-FUSIBLE-20-Yards/dp/B0001DSIHI/ref=asc_df_B0001DSIHI/

I installed the brackets 2" below the crown molding and 6" out from each side of the window so that when installed, they show most of the window and sit quite high above it.

I found these links helpful:

https://www.11magnolialane.com/how-to-pleat-curtains-for-a-custom-look/ (I used those exact hooks and rings and curtain rods)

https://caitlinmariedesign.com/budget-pinch-pleat-curtains/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FjcGmhq6QU

(^^^ those hooks are different from the IKEA ones and create a more pronounced pleat)

Thank you - fantastic! - OP

PP here. For our double-wide DR window, I hung two panels on each side so that it wouldn't look skimpy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The IKEA tape with the hooks is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to make pleats. But you need at least two panels for each inch of window. And really, you won't get the "look" of real curtains unless they're lined and interlined. I don't know why you can't buy store bought panels with interlining, but it doesn't seem like you can. And the interlining makes a huge difference. If you can sew, making panels isn't hard, but you'll still be shocked by the material costs even if you pick very reasonable face fabric.

Can you explain/clarify your point re the width? My windows are 37” wide to the outside of the framing/moulding. Thanks! - OP

I would hang them on the edges of the glass/frame so they are mostly covering wall to make the windows look bigger.

[Anonymous]

I ended up going with these linen curtains from Quince (in ecru) for my living room. I used black curtain rings, they look great, just natural really pretty for the price and it was all easy. They look even better in person than the pictures.
https://www.quince.com/home/european-linen-curtain?color=flax&productPosition=1&searchQuery=european%20linen%20curtain&tracker=landingPage__search_section__search_results

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to buy curtains for my bedroom. I’d love tips for how to make them look more custom - for example, I’ve read to hang them almost at ceiling height instead of at the top of the window moulding. How far outside of the window frame to go?

And I guess I need to get the curtains hemmed? How does I get those nice pleats in them?

Any suggestions on where to buy nice looking ones?

Thank you for tips!

Do your measurements and look at Touch of Class. They are pricey but very nice looking and well made. I bought from them before.
Then go to Wayfair. Same thing just plug in your measurements.
Another place, Lush Decor. You can find that brand at many stores but the actual site gives you an idea of what to look for.

You do not have to pay a small fortune for curtains unless you plan on never replacing them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The IKEA tape with the hooks is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to make pleats. But you need at least two panels for each inch of window. And really, you won't get the "look" of real curtains unless they're lined and interlined. I don't know why you can't buy store bought panels with interlining, but it doesn't seem like you can. And the interlining makes a huge difference. If you can sew, making panels isn't hard, but you'll still be shocked by the material costs even if you pick very reasonable face fabric.

Can you explain/clarify your point re the width? My windows are 37” wide to the outside of the framing/moulding. Thanks! - OP

Sorry I said this really unclearly.

Okay so:
If you want your curtains to close and cover the window, they need to be at least as wide as the opening, right? But if you pleat the fabric, it won’t open out all the way any more. So you have to add width, depending on how big your pleats are.

If you don’t have pleats, you may still want extra fullness for aesthetics.

What I meant to say is if you’re making pleats in ikea panels you probably need two panel INCHES for each window inch, which is a guess starting place. It would depend on how you did the pleats.

Also of course your curtains don’t have to actually close all the way if you don’t need that.