Have you ever dreamed of having the perfect space in your house, but couldn’t find the right curtains to make it work? Curtains are all about balance. At some point, you may need to know How to Reduce Width of Curtains in order to make them smart.
They create a sense of order and visual interest in rooms, balancing symmetry and asymmetry. Curtains can also be instrumental in defining the mood of a room. But for whatever reason, there are spaces where curtains just won’t fit, or they don’t want to stay closed. The good news is that there are things that you can do to reduce the width of your curtains.
Here are some tips and tricks from expert curtain designers on how to reduce the width of curtains without compromising their beauty.
Related Article: How to Loosen Stiff Curtains: A Step-by-step Guide.
Why Reducing the Width is Important
While the width of curtains is important, it’s not usually a deal-breaker for most people. You could have the widest curtains in the world and still have a beautiful room. But sometimes, there are spaces where curtains just won’t fit, or they don’t want to stay closed. The good news is that there are things that you can do to reduce the width of your curtain without compromising their beauty!
Types of Curtains that work well with a Narrow Window
So, you’ve found the perfect window in your home for curtains, but they are just too wide for the space. Luckily there are some types of curtains that work well with a narrow window! Sheer curtains are one option. They are airy and light, keeping the room from feeling closed off while making it seem larger than it is. Another option is to use curtains that have a horizontal stripe. The stripe will serve as a good vertical anchor in the room, helping to balance out the space. Finally, if you need your curtains to cover up an ugly space on the wall, then try using sheers with blackout lining! These give you great light control without compromising aesthetics.
Types of Curtains that work well with a Wide Window
When you have a wide window, it can be hard to find curtains that will work. You might not be able to find the right length or width of curtains that will fit in your space. The good news is that there are many different types of curtains that you can use in order to fill the space in your window.
One type of curtain is called a cafe curtain, which has a rod pocket instead of heading tabs or hems. This type of curtain has no lining but is made with lightweight fabric in order to reduce its weight and give it more movement. Another option for you is called a swag curtain, which is mounted on the side of your window and looks great when paired with other light curtains such as sheer draperies. If you’re looking for something even lighter than a cafe curtain, you could also use an outdoor fabric such as voile or linen shades, which are typically used for window coverings outdoors. These fabrics work better because they don’t transfer heat indoors and can be washed without any difficulty!
How to Reduce the Width of Your Curtains
Here are some tips and tricks from expert curtain designers on how to reduce the width of your curtains.
– First, measure the width of your window or doorway where you want to hang your curtains. This will give you an indication of how wide you need them to be.
– Next – assuming that they are too wide for the space – try one of these tricks:
– Cut off excess fabric by creating a seam along one side.
– Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again perpendicular to the first fold. Then cut along this second fold, and use a hemming stitch machine to sew up the raw edges for a clean finish.
– Take two panels and sew them together at their center point, then use a seam ripper at each end to create a faux blindfold look that is open on both sides.
Reduce the width by using a thicker rod
There are a few ways to make your curtains look wider. One of the most popular ways is by using a thicker rod. This will make the curtains hang more loosely, and will create more space between them. Thick rods help to give the illusion that the curtains are less close together than they naturally would be if you were using thin rods or plain rails.
If you don’t want to change the width of your curtain rail, try adding thicker panels to your curtain fabric instead. Thicker curtains will create more space between themselves, making them seem wider!
If you really want to get creative with it, there are also options like attaching fabric loops or tiebacks to either side of your curtains. The loops will fill up all the empty space on either side of the window and make your curtains look wider than they actually are!
Install a tension rod
One of the most common ways to reduce the width of your curtains is to install a tension rod. While they might not be as attractive as other methods, they are fairly easy to do and can be helpful when you have smaller windows that need curtains. Tension rods are generally inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They can also be bent to create different shapes so you can get creative with what they look like in your space!
Reduce the width by shortening the curtain panels.
We recommend shortening the curtain panels to reduce the width. This is a great way of doing this without altering the length of the curtain. You can also use narrower fabric for your curtains, which will also help with reducing their width.
To shorten the panels, you first need to decide how much you want to shorten them by. Measure the distance from the top of one panel to the top on another panel and then subtract that number from both. If you are looking for a more precise measurement, make sure to buy some extra material in order to do so.
Take your new panels and hem them as usual, if not using a machine for this step, fold over at least 1″ of fabric on each edge before hand sewing or stitching it down with serge scissors if using a sewing machine. Now hang your new panels up and voila! Curtains that fit well in your space!
Curtains valances
can be an effective way to reduce the width of curtains
Curtains valances are one of the most effective ways to reduce the width of curtains. This is because they are built with fabric that is slightly wider than your curtain fabric, which creates a nice fullness over the curtain rod. Because they are also usually made from lighter weight materials, like lace or cotton, they do not weigh down your curtain panels like heavier fabrics might. Valances can be used in all different styles of decorating and can easily match any style.
Valance length is another way that you can reduce the width of your curtains. Many people don’t realize that they can shorten their valance by changing how it attaches to the rod! There are many ways to attach a valance, but often times it is best to use rings or loops attached to each side of the top edge of the rod – this will allow you to adjust the height so that it is hanging at just about any height you would like!
Another option for reducing curtain width is using tie backs instead of curtain rods. Tie backs attach to your window frame and then loop around your window covering in order for you to tie them together in various ways. They offer similar benefits as valances when it comes to adding fullness and reducing width – however, they don’t work on sheers or lightweight curtains due to their heavy fabrics. But if you are looking for more coverage on your windows, this could be a good
FAQS
What if the curtains are too short?
It’s not uncommon to have a pair of curtains that simply don’t have enough fabric to offer a full coverage. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to reduce the width of your curtains. One option is to add a rod pocket. For a DIY solution, measure your window and buy a rod pocket with the same width as your curtain panels. Alternatively, for an easier installation consider using drapery weights or magnets to hold your curtains in place. Either way, be sure to take extra care when installing additional hardware so that it doesn’t show from the outside of the window frame.
Will it look nice if I hem my curtains?
Drapery specialists agree that it’s perfectly acceptable to hem your own curtains! It’s easy and affordable- all you need is two pieces of fabric (a matching color) and some sewing supplies like thread, needle, scissors, pins, and sewing machine. Be sure to cut them on opposite lengths so that they hang evenly on either side of the window. You can watch this video on how to sew drapes for more detailed instructions!
What if I want my curtains open most of time?
If you prefer having your windows uncovered but still want some privacy at night or when guests come over try adding some sheer panels underneath your main curtain paneling for an elegant touch! These sheer panels will allow light into the room while maintaining privacy during certain
Conclusion
Now that you have the basics of how to reduce the width of your curtains, you can decide what you want to do. It’s always best to measure the window before deciding what size to buy. There are many factors that will determine what type of curtain will be best for your window.
If you are trying to reduce the width of your curtains, there are a few things you can do to make sure they fit the window better. You can use a thicker rod, install a tension rod, shorten the curtain panels, or use valances. Whatever you decide, make sure you take the time to measure the window first!
