Hanging curtains: trapeze act or child's play?
Curtains are not only great for creating privacy or darkening a room, they are also wonderfully decorative elements. The right curtains can transform a room into a cosy home and complete the picture of a room. It all depends on which curtains or drapes you want to hang in your home, as there are many variations. However, taking curtains down and putting them back up can be a chore. We have compiled the best tips for you on how to make hanging curtains easier and what you need to bear in mind.
Spoilt for choice - which system is right for your home?
You want to buy new curtains or drapes and are not sure which one to choose? That’s understandable, because there are so many options out there. Probably the best-known variant is the classic curtain rod. It offers many possibilities for the individual design of your home and comes in numerous looks. Whether playful or simple, in the bedroom or living room, there is a suitable solution for everyone. The curtains are attached to the rod with eyelets or loops. Usually, curtain rods are mounted on the wall at least 10cm above the window frame, but you can decide for yourself what height you like best. There are no rules here, but you should pay attention to the relationship to the ceiling height. The rods should protrude 10 to 15 cm on each side.
Another popular option is to install curtains with a rail system. These are attached to the ceiling and the curtains are fastened to them with hooks, gliders, or clips. The rails should be 30 to 40 cm wider than your window frame, otherwise the window will look smaller. A decisive advantage is that the rails can also be guided around curves and can be opened and closed again without the eyelets getting tangled. Track systems are particularly popular in low- to medium-height rooms, as they can make the room look much quieter. Floor-length curtains in particular create a harmonious picture. If you want to hang two curtains in front of each other, this is no problem: you can easily find double rail systems and curtain rods. If you prefer the look of a curtain rod but also appreciate the advantages of a rail system, there is an optimal solution for you: curtain rods with an inner runner combine both systems in one.
If you prefer light fabrics, a cable system could also be suitable for your home. Here, the curtains are attached to clamping hooks and thus hung on a thin rope, which is either hung on the wall or on the ceiling. You can choose the length of the rope system individually, but be sure to include a centre bar if you want to stretch a particularly long rope.
All four systems require load-bearing walls, as it is necessary to drill into the wall or ceiling. If this is not possible, you can still use the clamping system. Here, as the name suggests, the poles are clamped between the window frames and the curtains hang from loops or eyelets on the pole. Since they are adjustable in size, they can be adapted to any window.
Which fabrics are best?
The choice of fabric depends entirely on the purpose of the curtain. In the bedroom, curtains should usually be opaque so that they are able to darken the room. Therefore, choose rather heavy, dense fabrics. Cotton is a good choice here. In the living room, curtains often serve mainly decorative purposes. Whether silky, shiny or smooth fabrics with a strong colour are suitable depends on the furniture in your living room and your personal taste. Light-coloured or white curtains are particularly suitable if you want a lot of light to fall into the room. In the kitchen in particular, you will have to wash the curtains more often, so easy-care fabrics that are easy to clean are suitable here. In the bathroom, you should choose washable textiles that can withstand moisture.
When choosing the colour and fabrics of your curtains, it is up to your personal taste. There are also no limits to their length. You can follow certain rules of thumb or tips to make the room look taller, for example. For example, for a classy result, choose floor-length drapes for large window fronts. When choosing light or heavy fabrics, you should pay attention to the system you have, as not every system is suitable for every fabric. The properties of a fabric also play a role: for example, you should choose a wrinkle-resistant fabric if you don't like ironing.
When wash day comes
In the past, cleaning curtains took a whole day, as the hangers had to be taken off and later put back on and washed by hand. Nowadays, fortunately, it's quicker because the curtains can be washed in the washing machine without much effort. The hangers do not have to be removed either. If the curtains are very delicate, you should at least wash the upper part of the curtain in a laundry bag. Normally, it is sufficient to wash your curtains twice a year. Curtains from the kitchen or from rooms with a fireplace get dirty more quickly and should therefore be washed more often. A tip to save your washing machine unnecessary dirt is to shake out the curtains thoroughly before washing to remove coarse dust in advance. Also follow the manufacturer's instructions and set the spin speed of the washing programme lower to avoid creasing. Once the curtains are clean again, you can iron them or hang them up while they are still damp. If you hang the curtains while they are still very wet, it is best to lay newspaper or towels on the floor to catch dripping water.
Hanging curtains - a game in airy heights
Putting up curtains can be quite tricky. Depending on the height of the room and the window, it can become a wobbly affair. Therefore, do not use household objects such as chairs or tables to attach the curtains, otherwise accidents can happen faster than you think. A safe and stable solution is needed here. With stepladders from HAILO, attaching the curtains is child's play. When using the HAILO D60 StandardLine aluminium safety double step ladder, you don't have to move the ladder as often because it can be walked on from both sides. It offers secure footing and, as a folding ladder, is easy to stow away. The HAILO L100 TopLine has extra wide steps and an extendable grab rail, making it particularly safe to stand on. With three to eight steps, it is also suitable for particularly high windows. With the matching ladder, you don't have to worry about safety and can put up curtains in no time at all.