Although I’ve been working from home since my first kid was born, I never gave much thought to creating a dedicated workspace that’s comfortable and will keep me organized. I was basically working (answering emails and calling clients) either from my kitchen or dining room. This provided distractions, which was very stressful at times, especially when deadlines were looming. I knew I needed a space that “forces” me to sit down at a desk, if I wanted to get work done right, and on time.

Getting a desk, chair, a few table lamps was really no problem. Arranging furniture and accent pieces to create an inspiring and practical space – now that was a challenge. Especially when it came to curtains. Don’t get me wrong, I love them – they are more than just window dressing. From creating privacy to saving energy and being practical, curtains are perfect for adding style and pattern to a room. However, regardless of how much I love them, curtains are the hardest décor item to shop for. At least for me. Thankfully, my friend Jade came to my rescue.

She advised me to buy modern curtains that are made-to-measure to ensure a perfect fit for my office window. Also, going with the ‘buy modern curtains that are made-to-measure’ option allowed us to choose the material, colour, and style of the curtain Jade had in mind for the space. Once we got curtains out of the shopping list, I was done, but for Jade fitting the curtains properly was just as important as choosing the right ones. As she puts it, a perfectly fitted window treatment has the power to change the size of a room, hide or correct window’s imperfections and even give a room a sharp, orderly appearance. So, here are a few tips on what to and what not to do when hanging curtains.

Go wider instead of narrow

When selecting a rod, choose one that is wider than the width of the window. This will allow enough room for the panels to hang on either side of the window as well as give you the impression that your window is much larger than it actually is. Jade recommends going 20cm to 30cm wider than the window.

Make sure there is enough fabric

Remember, your curtains should feel full and not skimpy. And if you plan to close your curtains on occasion, make sure your curtains have at least 2.5 times the width of the actual window.

Be confident to go high

The higher you place the rod, the taller the window will appear, so instead of fixing your curtain rod on top of the window fix it closer to the ceiling. According to Jade, they should sit 10-15 cm above the window frame.

Avoid going too short

The fabric of your curtains should always fall to the floor, (this rule doesn’t apply for café-style curtains). If you prefer a romantic feeling, a little of fabric dragging can be nice, but if you don’t want to worry about your curtains getting dirty, then stop the fabric before it hits the floor – a little under two centimeters is ideal.

Select the right fabric

Look for a fabric that suits both the décor of the room and its function. Denser fabrics feel more formal and provide more privacy while lighter blends feel casual and filter light. For a breezier feel, consider linen and for drafty window try something like heavy velvet.

A template can make your life easier

Using a simple template will ensure that you hang your curtain rod at the same height for every window. You can use a couple pieces of cardboard to create your template and save a great deal of time, otherwise you’ll have to measure from the corner of each window.