Why to consider custom curtains vs. store bought options
For those of us who didn’t grow up in grand country houses (myself included!) the idea of custom curtains may not be a consideration. People often ask me why they would consider having custom curtains made as it might sound a bit frivolous or unnecessary to some. I thought I’d break down some of the key reasons and explain the differences in quality, fit and finish to shed light on why it’s worth the investment in so many ways.
A classic French pleat in white is a timeless curtain choice. This is a lined and interlined curtain giving body and fullness.
First and perhaps most obvious is Length
When a curtain perfectly graces the floor it is tailor made for the space.
Whether going for short cafe curtains or full length in a very tall victorian home, your custom curtains will be made to those exact specifications. Often with store bought they come in a couple generic lengths so you have to hang your curtain rod far too low for the hem to reach the floor (which by the way is a no-go and shortens the room). Or your curtains are too short for the space which results in not looking intentional or well designed. When the drapes are made for the size and scale of the room they will bring a sense of calm and order rather than make your eye twitch every time you see the too-short curtains for the space.
Next up is Lining
A view of the hem. A curtain with interlining inserted and attached with a herringbone stitch and the final lining layer interlocked and about to be laid over the rest of the curtain panel. It is a couture curtain!
Perhaps one of the most wonderful aspects of custom made curtains is the variety and luxuriousness of lining options. When buying ready-made curtains they are always just a flat sheet of fabric with side and bottom hems. They don’t really block much light at all and don’t offer any sense of coziness. Having the option to line and interline or blackout your curtains allows any of your favourite fabrics to be suited to your lifestyle preferences and privacy needs. Adding lining also significantly elongates the lifespan of your curtains by protecting from UV deterioration and also provides more thermal insulation from cold drafts. Lining really is a huge topic on its own but in a nutshell takes a basic flat panel curtain from Toyota Camry status to Rolls Royce. Seriously, it’s all about the drape. When a curtain is interlined and lined it drapes with luxurious rippled folds and holds it’s shape beautifully. This treatment takes a room to the next level while feeling cozy and refined. It’s a luxurious element to beautify any space. Going from flat sheet of fabric to interlined curtains is like going from potato chip to scalloped potatoes. There’s just no comparison!
A store bought curtain is just a flat piece of fabric with side and bottom hem.
Add your style with Heading Options
Of course when you are selecting how your custom curtains will be made you will also be determining the heading style of your choice.
Whether you prefer a more traditional approach or perhaps are a total minimalist, there’s a curtain heading for you. From a simple pencil pleat gathered curtain to a French triple pleat to ripplefold, the choice is yours. The amount of fullness required will be dictated by your heading choice and of course what works best for the look and functionality of the space. There are lots of options to choose from and when making this selection your hardware will be paired with your selection and considered for function and ease of use. Typically with custom you will either go for rings and rod or a more sleek track or traversing hardware. Whichever is used, they open and close smoothly and easily. When using store bought curtain options they typically do not open and close easily. Store bought options like rod pocket or tab top curtains are difficult to slide along the rod and often get stuck and you have to fight to close or option the curtain. The grommet style is often available as a store bought option too. Yes the grommet style can open and close fairly easily but you lose all fullness with this style. Once the grommet top curtain is closed it returns to being a flat piece of fabric whereas the custom version of this more clean look, the ripple fold, will maintain it’s folds (and fullness) even when pulled closed. Fullness is the amount of fabric used in relation to the space it’s covering, and generally the more full the more luxurious and properly scaled it looks and feels. When the fullness is too sparse it looks cheap, and who wants that!
Let’s talk about the Side Return
The side return of the curtain closes the gap from the rod to the wall adding an elegant finished touch.
Did you know when you have custom curtains made they will have a custom side return which closes the gaps from the rod to the wall depending on your hardware choice. A small but mighty detail. Why is this important? Well most importantly it blocks the light from coming in the sides so you can sleep soundly. Also it keeps the drafts from creeping in and creates a truly cocooning space. On the aesthetic side of things it creates a finished and tailored look when you look at the side it will not look unfinished. Rather, it will look tailored to the space and of high quality.
Last but not least is Fabric!
We can’t forget about fabric, can we? Of course when you have custom curtains made you get to select a fabric best suited to your home, your style, your personality, your colours and on and on. Patterned curtains light up a neutral space or neutral velvet curtains tone down an otherwise visually busy space. The choice is yours. Take it in any direction you want and create a space totally unique and special. Take it another step up and add trims or pom poms, the choice is yours. I hardly have to mention it but store bought curtains are offered in very few tantalising options and often are a terrible fabric quality without any sense of style or design intention. Unfortunaltey the options are just drab and will not include the specliast details as mentioned in the points above.
I hope this post has identified that custom vs. ready made curtains are not even comparable, as apples and oranges. Down to every detail, custom curtains are tailor made to your exact specifications from length, lining options, side return and unique fabric choice. If you want to buy quality and have a beautiful foundation that last for years and years, custom is the only way to go. By the way, it would likely cost you less in the end as when you buy quality, it lasts.