Have you ever had this experience? You thought curtains were ordinary and didn’t even have a decent budget for them. But when you actually bought them, you realized how much water there was in them. Take my advice: Don’t spend a lot of money on curtains anymore!

The essence of curtains is a piece of cloth, and their functions are nothing more than two: to look good and to block light.

Whether it looks good or not is a matter of personal opinion. If you don't really want French linen or 100% mulberry silk, it would be enough to pick an ordinary blended solid-color curtain .

Don't buy the cheapest coated curtains on Taobao , which are only a few dollars per meter and can easily become brittle and crack. Choose curtains with black silk interlayers and high precision .

Coated curtains

The black silk interlayer curtains have printed upper and lower layers, and a black silk shading layer in the middle, which has the best shading performance . The price per meter is 50 to 90 yuan .

High-precision blackout curtains are flexible and durable, priced at more than 80 yuan per meter, but only available in solid colors.

If you want it to look good, you can make a double track and add a layer of your favorite curtain fabric, or just sew it behind a nice-looking fabric as a lining .

Chenille is mainly made of fiber or filament, which is a common and practical fabric. It is light-shielding and antibacterial, with a thick fabric, light texture and smooth feel, but its disadvantage is that it is easy to shrink.

Cotton and linen blends are also the mainstream curtain material. Most of the so-called cotton and linen on the market are chemical fiber blends of 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. However, the shading effect is average.

Moreover, you don’t have to go to a physical store to buy curtains, or blindly believe in big brands. You can buy them for the whole house online for only one or two thousand yuan.

The retail price of ordinary cloth is only about ten to twenty yuan per meter, plus a processing fee, which includes cutting, pleating, and edge sealing. The finished product is sold for a maximum of forty or fifty yuan per meter .

You can save thousands of dollars by eliminating tassels, draperies, lace, and straps. For living rooms and balconies that don't require high light blocking, Roman rods will be cheaper than curtain boxes .

Source: Zhufaner self-photographed

As for the formaldehyde problem, just throw it in the washing machine and wash it after buying it, and it will be fine after washing.

To be honest, nowadays, people are more and more willing to spend time on curtains. For the difficult and daunting selection of curtains, many people choose to shop online. Let's talk about it today:

· 4 things to note when buying curtains online

What information do you need to tell the merchant when buying curtains online?

Online shopping store selection and recommendation

Buy samples to see the color, texture, and light-blocking properties

When shopping for curtains online, be sure to look at the sample first. Don't blindly trust the pictures on the product details page or the buyer's show on a certain book. Even without filters, online pictures will be affected by light and weather , and color differences are inevitable.

Samples are either free, or you have to pay for them first and then use them as a deduction. The more expensive samples are 1 yuan each, and if a store requires you to pay for shipping but only get 5 samples, that's a bit of a rip-off.

Image source: Zhufaner official mall

Based on the principle of shopping around, it is recommended to buy samples from at least 3 stores and compare the color, feel, and shading after the products arrive.

In terms of color, it mainly depends on whether the color difference is big . If you can accept the small color difference and it suits the decoration style of your home, it is OK.

The second thing to consider is the material, to see if the texture and feel meet your expectations. You can also use a brush to scratch the back of the sample to see if it is snagging;

Photo credit: Zhufaner

Use flour instead of dust, sprinkle it on the sample, shake it a few times, and you can also determine which fabric is more susceptible to dust.

The method we used to evaluate curtains before

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Photo credit: Zhufaner

If you are satisfied with the color and material, then look at the light blocking degree. The light blocking rate will be indicated on the product details page. In order to avoid discrepancies between the actual light blocking effect and the actual light blocking effect, it is best to shine a flashlight on it to see at a glance which light blocking property is better.

Photo credit: Zhufaner

If you like the feeling of being completely dark after you draw the curtains and not being able to tell the difference between day and night, you can buy full blackout curtains with a weight of 280gsm or more;

Or you can buy a layer of black high-precision blackout cloth and ask the merchant to sew it behind ordinary fabric , so that both the style and the blackout can be achieved.

PS. Don’t choose cheap silver-coated curtains. They have a very strong smell and will cause environmental problems.

Image source: Taobao

Stiff fabrics must be shaped at high temperatures

Why do some curtains look neat and tidy when hung, while others look messy and twisted? It is probably related to high temperature setting.

Most curtains on the market are made of relatively stiff fabrics such as polyester and polyester blends. It is recommended to use high-temperature shaping to make them look more noble.

No high temperature setting VS High temperature setting

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Image source: Taobao buyer show

Online purchases of mid- to high-end curtains usually include high-temperature shaping , and if charged separately, it is about 8-10 yuan per meter. Remember to confirm with customer service before placing an order.

Gauze curtains and flannel cannot be shaped at high temperatures as this can easily damage the fabric ; the curtains themselves are soft, heavy, and have a good drape, and if you just think the curtains should be a little casual, you can choose not to do high-temperature shaping.

Used as paper film for high temperature setting

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Image source: Zhufaner official mall

Rails and curtains can be purchased separately

The curtain rods are available in two types: tracks and Roman rods. Those who have high requirements for shading can choose tracks , which can be matched with curtain boxes for better shading effects. Roman rods may leak light.

Image source: A book blogger Zhang Pixiu sent peas

The prices of the rods and rails provided by curtain shops are too outrageous or of poor quality, so you might as well buy them yourself. Generally, it costs 10-30 yuan/m . It is also better to look at the samples first to test the quietness, material, etc., and then place an order if there are no problems.

Roman rod VS track

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The measurement methods for tracks and Roman rods are slightly different , so just ask the seller for detailed measurement methods.

If the track is installed on the whole wall, measure the total length of the whole wall, minus 2cm ; if it is not installed on the whole wall, measure the width of the window plus 30cm;

Image source: Taobao

If the Roman rod is installed on the entire wall, measure the total length of the wall and subtract 4cm . If it is not installed on the entire wall, measure the total length of the wall and add 60-70cm to the window width.

Image source: Taobao

If your home has inward-opening windows that reach the ceiling, you should choose ultra-thin tracks . It would be awkward if the tracks are too thick and you can't open the windows.

Image source: a book blogger Twenty-twelve

If you are good at hands-on work, you can ask the seller for the installation video and then install it yourself; or you can find a master from Wan Shifu or Luban Daojia, fill in the information and wait for the master to quote . The installation fee is generally 20 to 30 yuan per track.

Image source: WeChat applet screenshot

Confirm installation fee, freight and processing fee

Before placing an order, ask the seller whether installation is included and how much it costs , so that you can compare it with the installation fee of hiring a technician to install it yourself, and finally determine whether the seller needs to provide installation services;

In addition, shipping and processing fees should be communicated in advance to avoid disputes later.

Confirm the delivery time in advance . Some online celebrity stores have too many orders and the factories are too busy to handle them, so they keep delaying. Slow delivery is fine, but the worry is that mistakes are made in a hurry , such as getting the size wrong or the wiring is rough, which leads to a mess.

Photo credit: Zhufaner

Tell the store customer service this information

When placing an order, you only need to tell the customer service the width and height of your window, the number of pleats, and the pleating method.

Generally, the width is determined by the height, that is, the cost of curtain fabric = actual width * number of pleats * unit price per meter. The more pleats there are, the more fabric is used, which means the store will make more money.

So if you encounter a black-hearted boss, he may recommend 3 times the pleats. In fact, in general, 1.8-2 times the pleats are enough.

Then tell the store the type of pleating you want, whether it’s Korean pleat, four-claw hook or punch.

The processing fee for Korean pleats and four-claw hooks is the same, about 12 yuan/meter, which is suitable for rails and Roman rods; if punching, it is about 15 yuan/meter, which is only suitable for Roman rods.

The length and width of the curtains are related to the type of rods and rails installed, the way the curtains are hung, etc. For example, if you want to make a Roman rod + non-full wall + curtains that reach the ground, the measured width is the window width plus 60-70 cm, and the height is the distance from the bottom of the rod to the ground.

Corresponding to the third installation method

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Before measuring, describe the condition of your home clearly to the buyer, and then ask for the measurement method to avoid making mistakes.

Choose a reliable store

How to filter stores

◉ Taobao reference platform list, 1688 look at the origin

For example, Taobao has a "Retro Luxury Fabric Store List", "Ins Style Fabric Store Repeat Customer List", etc. If you have no idea, you can choose from the stores on these lists.

Curtains are mainly sold in Keqiao, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and Xucun, Haining . You can select by filtering the cities when shopping on 1688.

PS. There is no need to discourage people from buying “Internet celebrity stores” as advertising does not conflict with product quality and style.

◉ Choose a store with many buyer shows

The more buyer shows with pictures, the easier it is to judge the quality and workmanship of the product. Look at the overall effect and detailed pictures. If the product does not look ugly without filters, you can consider it.

Then look at the negative reviews and the neutral reviews in the additional comments, mainly the reasons for the negative reviews and the seller’s response, and whether the problem has been properly resolved. If it has been resolved, it’s ok.

How to judge whether a store is reliable

◉ Product details page thoughtfulness

If the product details page not only displays the overall and detailed pictures, but also has purchasing recommendations, processing method introductions, price calculation methods , materials that require additional charges, formaldehyde test reports, etc.

This indirectly proves that the operation of this store is relatively mature and pays attention to details, which is very favorable.

Image source: SOOGIF

◉ Customer service professionalism

For example, after telling the customer service the height and width, see if the customer service will take the initiative to continue asking for measurement details , such as "Is it a Roman rod or a rail installed?", "Have you considered the thickness of the rod and rail?", "What pleating method to choose?", etc.

Image source: Taobao screenshot

◉ Mid-range curtain price reference

Here is a price list for mid-range curtains. You can refer to it to determine your own psychological price range, which will facilitate price control.

Taobao store recommendations

◉ Three Thousand Gold Flagship Store

Reason for recommendation: This is an internet celebrity store that tends to be retro and modern and simple in style. The store has a high rating, and judging from the buyer's shows without filters, the product drape and details are well made.

Image source: Taobao buyer show

◉ Curtain Flower

Reason for recommendation: It is ranked TOP3 in the list of Taobao ins-style fabric stores. I have bought curtains from it for evaluation. The quality of the curtains and the service are not bad.

My editor colleague also bought it from him.

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Photo credit: Zhufaner

1688 Store Recommendations

◉Bi Changhong

Recommended reason: Internet celebrity shop, high transaction volume and praise rate, good real buyer show effect. There are 6 medium and bad reviews, the reason is that the customer service is slow to respond and the wrong goods are sent, the probability of this happening to me is relatively low, so it is acceptable.

◉ Shaoxing Keqiao Hongkuo Fabric Co., Ltd.

Recommended reasons: rich styles, high praise rate, and good real buyer show effects. There are several curtains that are fixed width and high, and we usually fix the height and buy the width, so please pay attention to calculate whether the price is appropriate.

Image source 1688

Here is our compiled "Decoration Material Brand and Price List", covering common main materials, auxiliary materials, custom furniture, kitchen and bathroom appliances, home soft furnishings, etc. It is very comprehensive. Friends in need can privately message Xiaofaner: Material list, to receive it.

In addition, there are purchasing suggestions for 50 major categories and some purchasing guides compiled by assistants, which can also be sent to everyone for reference.