Curtain rod sorts and the way to decide on the appropriate ones |
For curtains to look trendy, guarantee privateness, and management gentle, it’s worthwhile to select the appropriate material. They should be accurately sized for the window, too, in addition to hung on the proper top.
However window therapy concepts additionally want the appropriate {hardware} within the type of the curtain rod so they appear their finest and, in the event that they’re greater than an ornamental addition to the inside, perform as you require.
Once you come to resolve on a curtain rod you’ll discover there are differing kinds to select from, that are suited to completely different functions. How you can resolve which one you want to your curtain concepts? That is our knowledgeable information with recommendation from inside designers and curtain professionals.
7 varieties of curtain rod
Deciding on a curtain rod isn’t only a query of aesthetics. ‘Selecting the best curtain rod is crucial,’ says Kelly Simpson, senior director of design and innovation at consultants in blinds, shades, shutters, and drapes Finances Blinds (opens in new tab). ‘The rods you select rely on the way you need to model and function your draperies.’
The kind of rod that’s finest may also be influenced by whether or not material is stationary or not, the burden of the curtains, whether or not the window can be dressed by one sort of curtains or extra, and whether or not you need to open and shut curtains remotely.
(Picture credit score: Jackson Warren Interiors {Photograph}: Julie Soefer)
1. Single curtain rod
There’s a world of selection on the subject of the model of single curtain rods as a result of these are a design which are so incessantly required.
‘Single curtain rods assist gentle to medium draping panels,’ explains Kelly Simpson. ‘This rod is a lone bar put in on the prime of the window. It threads by way of curtain tabs, grommets, or rings.’
Make sure you select an ornamental curtain rod design because the rod itself can be on present so is a crucial issue within the final success of the window therapy. Each wooden and completely different steel finishes can be found, permitting you to enrich different supplies and tones within the room, in addition to the curtains themselves.
2. Double curtain rod
Choosing several types of curtains as a single window therapy? ‘Double curtain rods will let you layer two varieties of draperies,’ explains Kelly Simpson. ‘They arrive as a set of two rods. Two rods imply you’ll be able to layer thicker curtains over sheer curtains.’
Notice that you would be able to go for a triple curtain rod for much more layering of window dressing choices.
(Picture credit score: Emma Lee)
3. Traverse curtain rod
A traverse curtain rod makes opening and shutting curtains a smoother course of. ‘We favor traverse rods for a simple glide if material is functioning,’ says Maggie Griffin, founder and principal designer of Maggie Griffin Design (opens in new tab).
Though they’re referred to as traverse rods, they’re typically designed as tracks with clips. The clips connect to material pins on the again of a curtain panel to droop it and a wire contained in the rod strikes the curtains alongside if you function a pulley or rod for straightforward opening and shutting.
Due to the graceful curtain operation, a traverse rod could be a nice selection for a window dressed with a considerable quantity of cloth. ‘Traverse rods are appropriate for giant home windows, patio sliders, or some other giant opening,’ says Kelly Simpson. In addition they get pleasure from decreasing put on on the curtains as you don’t contact the material to open and shut them. Dressing a bay or bow window? There are transverse rods for these, too.
In case you go for a traverse rod, you might have the choice of a model that opens within the middle to ship panels to both aspect, or one which sends them solely in a single path. Traverse rods additionally are available in double variations for layering window remedies.
‘In case you like the thought of a traverse rod, however don’t need to forgo the ornamental potential of a curtain rod, look out for ornamental traverse rods,’ says Lucy Searle, world editor in chief of Houses & Gardens. ‘These have hidden sliders inside so curtains transfer easily however you continue to get the advantage of utilizing a pretty wood or steel rod as a part of the window dressing.’
(Picture credit score: Katie Davis Design {Photograph}: Kerry Kirk)
4. French return curtain rod
French return curtain rods – aka wrap-around or self-return curtain rods – are a favourite of many inside designers, together with Katie Davis of Katie Davis Design (opens in new tab). ‘I see a whole lot of French return lately which I like,’ she says. ‘The {hardware} can play off of different metals within the room as an accent and I typically select black or brass relying on the remainder of the house.’
A French rod doesn’t use finials; as an alternative it turns by way of 90 levels and fastens to the wall. These rods have easy magnificence however in addition to appreciating their model, you may also favor the design when the placement of the window doesn’t go away room for finials.
5. Motorized curtain rod
Whereas a traverse rod makes opening and shutting curtains straightforward, even much less effortful is a motorized curtain rod. Match one in all these and you’ll open and shut the curtains by way of a wall change or a a distant, or as a part of a wise dwelling system.
Motorized rods are the most costly rod choice, so that you’ll have to finances greater than for different curtain rods. Keep in mind, too, that the designs sometimes have a weight restrict, so be certain your drapes are suitable when choosing.
6. Pressure rod
In case you’re renting and wish to hold curtains with out drilling, a rigidity rod can come to your rescue. Because it’s sprung, a rigidity rod is held in place within the window body.
There are caveats, nonetheless. The rods solely have a specific amount of adjustment so that you’ll have to match window width to the vary of measurements coated by a selected design.
Secondly, rigidity rods are solely appropriate for gentle curtains. Don’t try to make use of one in all these for medium or heavy material.
(Picture credit score: Jane Beiles)
7. Café curtain rod
Café curtains cowl the decrease a part of a window. They add softness to a window in a kitchen or lavatory, for instance, and a measure of privateness, however nonetheless let gentle in. In case you go for café curtains, they might be hung from a rigidity rod, or go for a café curtain rod which is sized to suit these gentle curtains however is fitted to the window body or wall.
There’s a selection on the subject of finishes, so you’ll be able to pull collectively the look of your room.
The place ought to curtain rods be?
Curtain rods ought to, as a rule, be above the window and hooked up to the wall. It will make home windows look larger. If there isn’t house sufficient to repair the curtain rod to the wall, check out ceiling mounted curtain rods as an alternative.
In case you can’t drill into the wall, or there isn’t enough space above the window body and the ceiling isn’t a risk for mounting a rod, you’ll be able to connect tap-in brackets to the highest of the body to carry a rod or, if the body has enough depth, use a rigidity rod.
How large ought to curtain rods be?
As a basic rule, curtain rods must be sized so that they lengthen by 4 inches both aspect of the window at the least, and as much as round 12 inches. This enables the curtains to stack away from the glazing for optimum gentle.
The exceptions to this embody rigidity rods, as a result of they match throughout the body, and café curtain rods. A curtain rod of this width may additionally be not possible if there isn’t enough wall house as a result of window’s location within the room.
Make sure you calculate how large curtain panels must be fastidiously so they’re ample sufficient for the width of the rod.
How excessive ought to curtain rods be?
Usually, curtain rods must be hung round 4 to six inches above the window. Nonetheless, there are alternatives when deciding how excessive to hold curtains.
If there’s a spot of 6 to 12 inches between the ceiling and window body, you’ll be able to place the curtain rod halfway between the ceiling and the highest of the window body.
An additional different? Put the rod just under the place wall and ceiling meet. The exception right here is when the ceiling could be very excessive, in order that the rod will not be visually related to the window.