With so many options available these days, both can be practical and beautiful.

Generally curtains lend a more luxurious feel to the room, while blinds look neater and more contemporary. Curtains can also offer better thermal insulation, while blinds are generally easier to clean.

Blackout curtains have a fabric or lining that blocks out all light, while dimout usually blocks most but not all light – normally around 98%.

The key to either blackout or dimout is to use them with poles or tracks that minimize the gap between the window and the curtain. Curtains tracks are often used, or you can get special curtain poles.

It depends on the fabric and construction as there is a huge variety of options for curtains. If you don’t have care instructions we would recommend dry cleaning.

It’s very easy to measure up for curtains. Just follow our simple guide here.

Largely this is a matter of taste, but most of the time people choose one of three options:

1.       Just below the window. Offering a neat look, this is also generally cheaper as it needs less fabric. It can also be more practical if the room is busy or long curtains could pose a hazard, near a fireplace for instance.

2.       Just off the floor. Full length curtains look beautiful and can make a room seem taller. Just off the floor looks neat and provides a calming focal point.

3.       In a puddle on the floor. As above this makes a room seem taller and shows off a beautiful fabric. Puddled fabric looks less formal and really suits linens and other natural fabrics.

The length of curtain you need depends on where your pole is positioned. We rate this blog on how to hang curtains from stylist and interior designer Emily Henderson

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/hanging-curtains-all-wrong