Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering Custom Curtains Online

Custom curtains make all the difference. Let me take you through everything you need to know, step by step, about ordering custom curtains online.

I’ve been adding custom curtains to quite a few rooms in my home over the last year, and it’s amazing how a space can instantly feel so much more polished and pulled together with custom drapes, even if you don’t change anything else at all. As I’ve been sharing these little updates, one by one, I’ve been getting more and more questions about the process for ordering custom curtains online from friends and followers who want to achieve the same look in their home, but who find the process a bit intimidating between the fabric selections, liners, and header options. “How do I know if I’m measuring correctly?” “Do I need to double the width of my window measurement for a full look?” “Should I go unlined or get a liner?” “Will that beautiful fabric work in my room?” These are just a few of the questions I’ve been asked over and over again, so I thought I’d put all the basic information down in one place, as well as share a few of my own personal preferences, opinions, and favorites to hopefully make the process smooth, straightforward, and ultimately, more fun! Decorating your home should be enjoyable. 🙂

Pictured above: Curtains (Mist Blue color) | Wicker Lampshade | Curtain Rod | Cypress Pillow | Mist Blue Pillow | Verte Pillow | Sailor Stripe Pillow

My Favorite Custom Curtain Brands to Order From

Pictured Above: Curtains | Olive Tree

There are quite a few custom and semi-custom drapery retailers online, but I like to recommend a few that I’ve used because I know that the quality of their work is top-notch. I would describe the stitching and tailoring of the final products from these brands as absolutely perfect, and honestly, I don’t think you should expect anything less with curtains that are being made just for you.

The main differences you’ll notice with different brands are the selection of fabrics that they have available and the types of header options that they offer. These brands all offer a wide range of neutrals in different weights and textures, but if you’re looking for something with a pattern to add some extra character and charm, take a look at the different patterned options for each brand because they’re quite different. I’ll also include my personal discount code for each of my favorite brands below so you can be sure that you’re getting a great deal on every purchase. 🙂

Two Pages Curtains: CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off

Neutral Curtains: CREEKLINEHOUSE for 25% off

Curtarra Curtains: CH12 for 20% off

Three Girls: CREEKLINEHOUSE for 26% off

A Note on Curtain Rods

Without the right curtain rod, even the most beautiful custom draperies will look a little underwhelming, and might even look sloppy if the curtain rod isn’t sturdy enough to hold them. I always prefer to use a curtain rod that is at least 1″ in diameter to give my window coverings the presence and poise they were meant to have, unless it’s for a cafe curtain or shower curtain. You can go a little bigger than 1″ if you prefer, and this works especially well if you’re crossing a long span or working in a room with high ceilings.

Generally speaking, you should hang your curtain rod as high as you can, and go a bit wider than the window to give the illusion of a larger window and to bring a bit more drama to the overall effect. That being said, if you have really high ceilings or some other situation where hanging the curtain rod right next to the ceiling seems a bit awkward, you should instead hang your curtain rod directly in the middle between the top of the window trim and the ceiling.

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Choosing the Right Drapery Fabric and Liner for Custom Curtains Online

Pictured Above: Curtains | Rug

I believe that the best way to choose your curtain fabric is to lead with your heart. Order samples of all the decorative fabrics that speak to you so you can see them in person, touch them, hold them up to the light in your space, and see how you feel about them when you stand back from them in your room. I’m almost always surprised by which fabric I love most in person once I see it in my home, vs on a computer screen. I often notice something special about a certain pattern that I didn’t realize before looking at it up close.

One important thing that I like to keep in mind is that curtains are pleated when they hang, and therefore, much of the fabric that you’re seeing can appear a bit darker as it’s cast in shadows. This means that overall, your curtain fabric will appear a bit darker when it’s hung as curtains than when you look at it on the swatch. If you’re hoping for a lighter, more airy look in your space, it’s good to keep in mind that you should always err on the lighter side when choosing fabric colors.

When it comes to liners, I almost always prefer a lined curtain over an unlined one. Using even a light liner will give your drapes a much more substantial, polished look while still allowing a bit of light to come through, so this is something I always recommend unless it’s a situation where sheer or lace curtains are being used, or if you really want an ethereal, floaty look.

More interior design tips for a polished space: The Oversized Light Fixture Rule for Elevating any Room

The Best Header Options

Pictured Above: Curtains | Sconces | Sconce Shades

The header is the top part of the curtain that allows it to hang from the rod. There are quite a few different options available, and each one gives the finished curtains a distinctly different style and personality. Choosing the right header style is crucial to making sure your custom curtains look truly custom and give you that polished, high-end look that custom draperies are supposed to bring to a space.

First, let’s cover the header styles that you should stay away from. Grommet top, rod pocket, tab top, or flat panel style headers will all make your curtains look more like something you’d buy in a package at a big box store than the beautiful custom draperies that they are. If you go with these header styles, basically, you’re wasting your time and money.

A pleat-style header is always my go-to, and it never lets me down. My first choice is always a French pleat or a double pinch pleat to make my curtains look elegant and refined. Even if your space is very casual and you’re using a very relaxed fabric style, a pleated header will make the whole space feel a little more special without being too fussy.

The only exception to my header rule is that I will very occasionally opt for a rod pocket or a back-tab style header with a very casual cafe curtain in a cottage-style space, especially if the height of the curtain is very small and there isn’t much room for the rings that are needed to hang curtains with most pleated header styles.

Measuring for Your Custom Curtains

Pictured Above: Curtains | Similar Basket | Sheets | Olive Tree

Measuring for custom curtains is very simple and people seem to like to make it more complicated than it needs to be. You may have heard some different tips and tricks on social media about doubling the width of your window and things like that, but these are all totally unnecessary, and a little silly, to be honest.

To measure the width of your curtains, simply measure the length of your curtain rod. If you need two panels the hang on either side of the window, simply divide that number in half, and you have the width of each panel. If you’d like extra fullness in your curtains, a pinch pleat header will ensure that the extra fullness and beautiful drape are built in, and your curtains will look stunning either opened or closed.

The measure the height of your curtains, measure from the bottom of your curtain rod, straight down to the floor and subtract a half inch to an inch to allow space for the curtain rings. The goal is to have the curtains just grazing the top of the floor, not puddling too much or falling too short. This is another essential element that gives custom curtains their beautiful tailored look.

More helpful home decor ideas for your room makeover: The Simplest Formula for Mixing Patterns that Always Works

Other Helpful Things to Know

Pictured Above: Curtains

Get the Memory Training

Always get the memory training for curtains that hang perfectly straight and look like they’re straight out of a magazine. It really makes such a difference.

Curtain Hooks are Adjustable

Your curtains will come with curtain hooks to hang them from your rings in either metal or plastic. Both styles are adjustable and allow you to adjust the length of your curtains slightly (1/4″-1/2-ish) to make sure they fall just how you want them to.

Try Custom Curtains in Unexpected Places

Pictured Above: Curtains | Tub Filler | Market Basket

Custom curtains are a beautiful solution for adding softness and charm in unexpected places around your home. Use cafe curtains to skirt open shelves and cubby holes, look for roman shades to use where full draperies don’t make sense, or use curtains on showers and closets to bring style and elegance to otherwise utilitarian spaces. Read: How to Use Regular Curtains as a Shower Curtain

You Can Order Matching Pillows

Pictured Above: Cypress Pillow | Mist Blue Pillow | Verte Pillow | Sailor Stripe Pillow

Most curtain manufacturers now have matching pillows available in the same fabric options as their draperies. This allows you to create a really cohesive and complete look in your space very easily without having to turn on your sewing machine or hire a designer.

TLDR Recap

That was a lot of info, so just to recap, here are the key points we covered here. Make sure to come back and double check this list before you place your order!

1. Fabric – go with your gut and get the fabric samples to know for sure which one you love.
2. Curtain Rods – at least 1″ in diameter, hung as high as possible or halfway between the top of the window frame and the ceiling.
3. Get the liner
4. Double pinch pleat or French pleat – you’ll need rings as well
5. Measure the width of the curtain rod, and from the bottom of the curtain rod to the floor, subtract 1/2″-1″
6. Get the memory training
7. Coupon codes: Two Pages – CREEKLINEHOUSE, Curtarra – CH12, Three Girls – CREEKLINEHOUSE, Neutral Curtains – CREEKLINEHOUSE

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