The happiest thing in hot summer

When I come home from outside and open the door

A cool breeze blew towards me!

It is not a remotely timed air conditioner, nor a fan that is always on.

But it’s the curtains that every household has!

Curtains can help save electricity for air conditioners

The warming effect of solar radiation in the summer can significantly increase air conditioning energy consumption, so curtains can help keep your home warm and insulated.

Good blackout curtains have the energy-saving effect of blocking outdoor heat from flowing into the room, and can reflect strong sunlight into the room in the form of diffuse light.

The better the insulation effect, the more energy-saving the air conditioner is. As long as the temperature of the room is lowered and maintained at a comfortable temperature, it is energy-saving. Even after turning off the air conditioner and going out, it is still much cooler when you return home after a whole day!

Choice of curtain fabrics

The choice of curtain fabric is very important. Different fabrics can create different atmospheres and have corresponding functions.

Light blocking

You must have blackout curtains at home, and they should be the kind that block out pitch-black curtains. In the summer, as long as you hang the curtains, the temperature in your home can be about 3° lower than without curtains. But how do you choose blackout curtains?

It is recommended to use high-precision blackout cloth, which has a denser structure and prevents light from passing through. The price is at least 30 yuan/㎡. Different colors are available, but dark colors have the best blackout effect.

If you think blackout curtains are not decorative enough, you can use double-layer curtains, with one decorative curtain facing the inside of the room and the other blackout curtain facing the outside. Double-layer curtains have a better heat insulation effect! See the picture below.

If you don't want the blackout to be so strict, just don't draw the blackout curtain layer.

So are the so-called "half-light blocking" or "90% light blocking" curtains on the market really light blocking curtains? They block out light but not completely, and are no different from ordinary curtains.

How to identify blackout curtains?

The best way is to turn on the flashlight of your phone, hold it close to the back of the curtain and see if there is any light coming through. If there is no light coming through, then it means it is working well.

Most low-end blackout curtains are made by sewing a layer of cheap coated cloth directly onto ordinary fabric. Although this can block light, it affects the drape of the curtain itself, especially causing wrinkles, which affects its appearance.

Transparent but unclear

On a sleepy summer afternoon, it is too dark if you draw the blackout curtains, and you may easily sleep until the next morning. But it is too sunny if you don’t draw the curtains. At this time, you might as well replace your home with a layer of white gauze curtains, which are easy to match and make people feel relaxed. They can prevent the strong light from being overbearing, and they are also very fairy-like while protecting you from the sun.

The material of gauze curtains is mostly chemical fiber, and a small part is linen or a blend of cotton, linen and chemical fiber.

Gauze curtains are not only available in white, but different colors have different light-transmitting effects and can also be decorated with prints or embroidery.

Some gauze curtains have reflective effects, while others do not. Usually for home use, the cheapest one at 30 yuan/㎡ is enough.

It is suitable for use in balconies, bedroom bay windows, and studios, which can protect against the sun and look beautiful.

It can also serve as a partition between two spaces, which is breathable and not oppressive.

The most common curtains

In fact, there are so many curtain fabrics on the market that it is easy to be dazzled. So how do we choose?

It is recommended that you choose curtains of the same material as your sofa and bedding.

Pure linen blend

The most mainstream curtain material, solid color and embroidered curtains are basically made of it, with printed ones being less common.

Most of the so-called cotton and linen are chemical fiber blended cotton and linen. Obvious warp and weft textures can be seen on the surface, but there are also differences in the thickness of the fiber lines.

If you have a fabric sofa at home, you can choose curtains made of this fabric, which are very harmonious and unified.

As for the shading effect, please see the figure below.

Suede/satin chemical fiber

The suede texture is naturally elegant, has a very good drape, and has excellent sound insulation and heat preservation effects. It is especially suitable for retro style decoration. In fact, there is no need to add any patterns, and the solid color makes it more upscale.

The satin surface has a simulated silk effect and is available in solid colors, prints, embroidery, and dark patterns.

If the glossiness is too high, it will be considered an outdated nouveau riche style. It is recommended to use a matte texture.

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Other materials

In addition to the above materials, don't forget to also have blinds and roller blinds, they can create the original, natural sunshade and light transmission effect. Blinds are available in PVC, aluminum alloy, and wood.

Curtain size

Is it enough if you choose the right curtain material? Wrong! The size of the curtain is also critical. If the curtain material is clothes, the length of the curtain is like a person's height. How can it be coordinated and look comfortable?

Height of curtains from the ground

If there is a skirting board installed, it is recommended that the curtains be 1-2cm higher than the skirting board. This will make the curtains, the skirting board and the floor appear more layered.

If there is no skirting board, it is recommended that the bottom of the curtain be 1-2 cm from the ground, that is, the curtain should be long enough to lightly brush the instep of bare feet.

If your home is particularly clean or the curtains are made of velvet, mopping the floor is also acceptable.

How big should the curtain area be?

In terms of width, the best size for the curtains is to be 10 to 15 cm wider than the window frame on both sides.

If it is a thin curtain, it needs to be pleated with twice the area, that is, the actual width of the curtain purchased should be twice the width of the window frame.

If the curtains are very thick, pleating them twice may make the pleats too thick, or they may pile up on both sides of the window frame after being pulled open. You can consider 1.5 times depending on the situation.

The length ratio of curtains and curtain rods

As for the ratio of curtains to curtain rods, it is recommended that the curtains be about twice the length of the curtain rods, because curtains generally bend when opened.

If the curtains are not wide enough, they will appear unnatural when opened or will not fully cover the windows.

Installation rules of curtains

Choosing the right curtains and size is only 50% of the work; installation rules are more important.

Vertical or half-covered windows?

There are two hanging methods, which can be decided according to the style and window size.

If there is a balcony or bay window, it is recommended to hang curtains from floor to ceiling on the wall. This will give it a more integrated and grand feel!

If it is a small window, just hang curtains all over it. You can use curtains to disguise it as a large window.

If the room is large and the windows are large, it will not appear stingy to just cover the windows, but the curtain rod must be wider and taller than the windows.

Vertical blinds or roller blinds?

Straight curtains are the most common type of curtains we usually see. They are not cheap because pleats need to be reserved.

If you want to block out light, only vertical curtains can do it. All others will let light leak in from the edges.

It is recommended that vertical curtains must reach the ground. If there are large pieces of furniture in front of the windows, it is better not to use vertical curtains, or simply tuck the vertical curtains behind the furniture.

Roller blinds have a more modern, clean and neat feel, but it is not recommended to put them down completely. Half-open is just right. Putting them down completely will feel depressing.

Roman blinds or venetian blinds?

Roman blinds are also a type of roller blinds and are suitable for tall or square windows. Hanging Roman blinds on wider windows will not be in proportion.

The Roman blinds on the market are extremely luxurious, with drapes on the top and semicircular decorations below, but these are unnecessary. Keeping it simple is actually good.

Roman blinds installed against the ceiling or close to the ceiling can have the effect of increasing the height of the floor!

The blinds can adjust the brightness of the light. Wooden blinds have a particularly retro and natural feel, but they are a little more expensive.

Roman rod or slide rail?

There are two types of curtain tracks: Roman rods or sliding rails.

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▲ Roman rod and slide rail

The sliding rail pulls the curtain by sliding the hook on the track. This track is usually hidden in the curtain box or on the inside of the ceiling and is a concealed rod.

Sliding rails are usually paired with curtain boxes, which means adding a layer of board made of core board or gypsum board to the outside of the sliding rail to block the top of the curtain, which has a good shading effect.

When removing and washing curtains, it is not as convenient as Roman rods. In fact, you can also install a suspended ceiling in the whole house and hide the slide rails in the suspended ceiling.

▲ The whole house has a suspended ceiling, and the sliding rails are hidden in the ceiling.

▲ Make a baffle along the wall and install tracks and curtains inside the baffle

The sliding rail is suitable for spaces with higher ceilings, wider windows, and curved windows. 

Roman rods are much more casual, they can be directly nailed to the wall and the styles are also ever-changing. When installed close to the ceiling, it will be more elegant, the floor will appear high, and the room will be more transparent. The only disadvantage is that it will leak light.

Roman rods are suitable for spaces with smaller window spans and lower floor heights.

Curtain color matching

How to match solid color curtains

For solid color curtains, you can choose a color similar to the wall color, or a few shades darker. For example, if the wall is apricot, light brown or beige curtains are more suitable.

If you really don’t know how to choose, gray curtains are the most suitable. They are more stain-resistant than white, brighter than brown, and appear more upscale than beige.

If you're feeling bold, choose a color that's close to your home's secondary tone. A secondary tone is a second color you notice in addition to the main color on your walls and floors.

For example, coffee tables, carpets, table lamps, cushions and other decorations. In fact, it is safest to follow the color of the cushions or bedding for the curtains.

If these are changed frequently, you can follow the color of the carpet, but the color of the carpet should be neutral.

How to choose the pattern of curtains

If your home is crowded, with many paintings, carpets, and cushions in different colors, choose solid-color curtains. If you must have a pattern.

First recommendation: two-tone curtains

It is best to use a gradient color from dark at the bottom to light at the top, especially when there are more light areas than dark areas, which can visually make the house taller.

Second recommendation: striped curtains

The striped pattern can be a striped pattern of the same color, making the curtains appear more layered.

How to save money on curtains

Don't try to avoid the pitfalls caused by hard installation, as all the problems will be caused by curtains. Curtains on the market are cheap and expensive. How should we choose the most cost-effective curtains?

Several folds

For ordinary household use, 1.6~2 times is enough, it looks good and saves money.

For gauze curtains, it is easier to achieve the desired effect by using 1.8~2 times pleats.

Hanging ring method

After you have chosen the curtains and decided on the size, the seller will ask you what style of valance you want.

S hook, four-claw hook, Korean folding hook, nano ring, rod-through hook, sling hook...

With so many, how to choose?

Four claw hook

Money saving index: ★★★★★

The most mainstream one is the four-claw hook, which is very convenient to use and can adjust the hooking method according to different fold multiples. It is also the most cost-effective process.

S hook

Savings Index: ★★★★

The workmanship and price of the S hook are exactly the same as the four-claw hook, but the hook style is different, and it can produce the same effect as the nano ring.

Nano Ring

Savings Index: ★★

Nano rings can only be worn on Roman rods, the labor and materials are expensive, and it is not convenient to disassemble and wash. Unless you particularly like its style, it is not necessary.

Korean Folding Style

Savings Index: ★★

The Korean folding style has existed for a long time, but it seems to have been given this name only in recent years. It is especially common on Taobao, and it is also a more fancy style. There is no need to choose it if you want to pay extra for it.

Rod type and sling type

Savings Index: ★★

Both the rod-through type and the sling type have direct friction between the fabric and the hanging rod, and opening and closing are not smooth. Unless you are making a hanging curtain such as a warm curtain that does not open or close at all, it is better not to choose these two types of curtains. The labor cost is also expensive.

No fancy ingredients needed!

Unless you like the gorgeous and extravagant palace style, or have beautiful pictures as guidance, you should not have anything extra except curtains.

There is no need to understand what the other person is asking, just say no.

Precautions

Curtains are also the main source of formaldehyde release. If the solvent added during dyeing is of poor quality, formaldehyde is easily volatilized, so don't just buy curtains for cheap prices! If there is a smell, hang them up for more ventilation after washing!