Curtains

Easily create and add additional style modes to Windows 10.

• Add new «modes» to Windows® 10
• Create and share your own styles
• Customize the Start button, title bar buttons, and title bar
• Adjust hundreds of other small elements in Windows

Features

Apply

Curtains works similarly to the modes that Microsoft has implemented. Any app that already supports the existing dark and light modes will automatically benefit from Curtains.

Stardock Curtains includes several new styles, like Crystal, Sky and Midnight. It also includes styles that let you change Windows to look like previous versions (XP, Windows 95, etc.) as well as alternative operating systems.

Create

Using the built-in style editor, you can easily create and share your own styles. A Curtains style can change everything that Light and Dark mode can change, including the Start button, title bar buttons, and title bar coloring. It also supports tweaking gradients, shadows opacity, and hundreds of other small elements of the Windows GUI.

Curtains makes it very easy for people to create their own styles. There are a lot of customization features that have been buried in recent years, such as font faces and sizes, detailed color choices, and much more.

How to Cover Windows Without Curtains

Last Updated: September 10, 2020 References

This article was co-authored by Cindy Hofen. Cindy Hofen is a Certified Relocation Specialist and the founder of Managing Moves & More, a San Francisco Bay Area-based professional move management company specializing in start-to-finish moving solutions, home clearouts, estate sales, and home staging. Since 2009, her team has helped over 2,500 clients to simplify their transitions. Cindy has over 10 years of professional moving and organizing experience, is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), holds an A+ Accreditation, and belongs to the Diamond Society. She has a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a BA in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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Whether you just don’t like the look of curtains or you aren’t allowed to hang them, sometimes you need a creative way to cover your windows. Fortunately, the options are nearly endless. You can use household objects in front of the window to block the view, or you can create your own covering using film or glass paint. If you’re looking for a more permanent option, you can hang blinds, shades, or shutters. Whatever you choose, your home is sure to look incredible once you add your personal touch!

How to Hang Curtains to Make Your Windows Look Bigger

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Simple trick, big impact — it’s the easiest DIY you’ll tackle all weekend!

Hanging curtains is often one of the first projects new homeowners tackle. Curtains bring style, warmth and texture to your room’s design. But how do you transform your window from this …

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Follow this step-by-step tutorial to easily hang your new curtains and avoid some of the most common design mistakes.

Supplies

• Curtain rod (usually comes with hanging hardware)
• Curtains
• Curtain hooks (depending on curtain style)
• Drill and drill bits (pilot hole drill bit and screwdriver drill bit)
• Stud finder
• Anchors and screws
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Level

Step 1: Choose the right curtains

Choosing the perfect curtain doesn’t have to be hard, but there are some points to keep in mind for selecting a curtain that is the perfect size for your space.

When you hang your curtain rod higher than the window — almost to the ceiling — the window will look bigger, and the curtains themselves will look much more high-end. But hanging the curtain rod higher than the window requires curtains that are longer than your typical curtain.

The first thing you need to decide is how the curtains will attach to the rod. We used these curtain rings with hooks, which we took into account when calculating the length of the curtain.

However, if you’re using curtains that feed directly onto the rod, you will not have to account for the length of the rings.

Once you have chosen the rod and decided how the curtains will attach to it, it’s time to figure out how long the curtains need to be.

To make the window appear larger than it actually is, and to make the ceiling appear higher, you want the curtains to hang above the window and flow all the way to the floor.

Traditionally, the rod is hung about 4 inches below the ceiling to achieve this look. Take the measurement of the height of the entire wall and subtract 4 inches. Then subtract the length that will be provided by the curtain hooks, if you’re using them. Your final number is the length of the curtains you need to purchase.

Rookie Tip: If you can’t find curtains to fit this exact measurement, you may have to hem them. In that case, wait until after you hang the rod to hang the extra-long curtains, and then start the hemming process. This will ensure the curtains are the exact length you want them to be.

We’re no seamstresses, so we took ours to our local cleaners to get them hemmed.

Step 2: Measure some more

Now it’s time to figure out where to hang the hardware to attach the curtain rod. We chose to hang our curtain rod 5 inches from the ceiling. Don’t be afraid to hang them even closer to the ceiling for an even longer and more dramatic window treatment.

Next, determine how wide you want the curtain rod to be outside of the window frame.

We had a wall on one side of the window, and we wanted to keep the rod symmetrical on each side of the window, so our width was limited. We ended up hanging the rod’s hardware 10 inches outside of the window frame.

Rookie Tip: Many people make the mistake of placing the curtain rod directly on the outside of the window frame. But anchoring the rod 8 to 12 inches outside the frame on each side will make the window appear much larger.

Plus, when the curtains are open, they won’t block any part of the window — instead, they’ll only block the wall. That means you’ll get much more light flooding into the room.

Step 3: Make the mark

Once you have all your measurements set, hold up the rod’s hardware and mark exactly where you want to drill your pilot holes to attach the rod securely. We used a level while holding up the hardware to make sure it was vertically level, or plumb.

Step 4: Check for studs and start drilling

When you have everything marked, it’s time to start drilling. It’s important to use a stud finder to identify whether you’ll need to use a screw and an anchor (in areas with no studs) or just screws (when studs are available) to hang each piece of hardware.

In our case, two of the pieces of hardware needed to be reinforced with screws and anchors, while one of the pieces of hardware did not need anchors, just screws.

Step 5: Hang the curtains

Using the marks as your reference, you’ll have your curtain hardware hung in no time at all. Before adding the curtains, hang up the rod and make sure it’s level. If it is, it’s time to put up your new curtains.

Attach all curtain rings and put them on the rod. Then put the rod back on the hardware. You may find that the curtain panels need a little steam to get them looking crisp.

Finally, clean up any dust left on the floor by the drilling and move the furniture back into place.

Next time you hang curtains, remember: Go high and wide to get the most professional look in your space.

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How To Measure Your Windows

1, 2, 3 Easy Steps to Correctly measure Your Windows

1. Choose Mount Type

Start by looking at your window to decide how you want your blinds to fit, recess or face fit.

Recess Fit

Recess Fit is where the curtains or blinds are installed inside the window framing.

Face Fit

Face Fit is where the curtains or blinds are installed on or above the window framing (Architrave) width)

2. Measure Window

Measuring for Recess Fit

Measure the width at 3 points across to check the window is square. If uneven the narrowest Of the 3 measurements is to be used.

Measure the drop at 3 points to check your window is square. If uneven the shortest measurement will be used.

Keep in mind: If you do choose recess fit your blinds, You will need to ensure that window locks or handles will not interfere with the blind and that light will show through gaps on either side. For greater light block out choose face fit.

Measuring for Face Fit (Outside Mount)

Measure the width of the window from side of architrave to other outer side of architrave.

Measure the drop from the top of the architrave edge to the bottom of the sill or the floor.

3. Choose Mount Type

Record all your measurements and widow details on the attached window measurement work sheet.

Record all measurements in millimetres (mm) This will ensure accuracy of selecting the right sized blind for your windows.

Spotlight has the largest and widest range of window furnishing to suit any room in your house. If you need further help bring your measurements to any spotlight store and our friendly staff will be able to advise and help you with your window furnishings needs.

How to measure for curtains: a simple guide to curtain measurements

Make a statement with the right curtains for your windows.

Curtains are often a focal point of a room but do you know how to measure curtains correctly? Window dressings bring style, character and warmth to a home but when you’re choosing curtains, there’s more to consider than just the width and length.

If you want curtains to make a statement, then consider a full length pair that reach the ground, or even an extra long length which then puddles on the floor, creating a luxuriously sumptuous look.

Curtains also come in several types of headings, with different ways of hanging them.

Eyelet headings have large metal rings sewn into the heading and like tab top headings, they’re threaded straight onto a curtain pole. This allows the curtains to hang in long, uniform folds.

Pencil pleats look like pencils in a row while pinch pleats gather the fabric in bunches and look more informal. Wave headings have a more fluid, curving finish. All three of these can hang from either a track (or rail) or a pole.

Once you’ve decided on the effect you want, fit your curtain track or pole. Whichever you choose, it needs to be hung before you measure up for curtains.

Measuring the width

The track or pole should be hung about 15cm or 6 inches above the window, and be 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches wider on each side. If you want to create a sense of height in the room, hang the track or pole a few inches higher than this.

Most ready-made curtains come in these widths: 117cm (46”), 168cm (66”) or 228cm (90”). To work out which one you need, measure the length of the rail or pole (between the finials), not the window. This measurement is the width of each curtain and means they’ll have a lovely, full gather even when closed.

‘Curtain fullness is what creates the sumptuous finish that’s so desirable right now,’ says Emily Booth from Hillarys. ‘Different header types require different levels of fullness. Likewise, a thin sheer fabric may require more fabric – a greater fullness – than a thicker material to achieve a similar look.’

If your curtain rail has an overlap, add the length of the overlap to the measurement of the width of the rail.

Measuring the drop

Ready-made curtains tend to be sold in 137cm (54”), 182cm (72”), and 228cm (90”) drops, while some ranges go up to 274cm. Measure the drop from your curtain pole or track.

If you’re buying curtains with eyelets or tab tops, measure from the top of the pole to allow for the fabric heading above the pole. For pencil or pinch pleat or wave headings, measure from either the top of the track or bottom of the rings on a pole, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Sill length curtains should end 1cm above the sill; below sill curtains should reach around 15cm below the sill, and floor length curtains should reach 1cm above the floor. If your window has a radiator below it, the curtains should finish 2-3cm above the radiator so that the heat isn’t blocked by the fabric.

If you’re in any doubt or if you would prefer to have your curtains made to fit your window exactly, book an appointment for a professional fitting. With made to measure curtains, accurate measurements are even more important. Retailers such as Hillarys and John Lewis offer this service.

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Stylish Curtains: Best of 8

Fancy going bold? M&S’ statement jacquard curtains with a geometric triangle pattern ticks every single box. It’s also available in grey.

This bright, watercolour-effect design will add vibrancy to your living space, while the blackout lining eliminates light and lends a full look to the curtain.

With a delicate pattern, this sheer white tab top voile panel curtain will enhance your living space in an instant.

Featuring William Morris’ classic ‘Strawberry Thief’ print, this curtain is the ultimate style statement.

How stunning does this look? This geometric design is both sophisticated and stunning.

Want the luxe look? You’ll love these velvet eyelet curtains from MADE, which will add colour and opulence to your space. If this antique gold colourway isn’t right for you, it’s also available in burnt orange, soft pink, ink blue, silver grey and teal blue.

Featuring a luxury Japanese-inspired trailing leaf design, these charming curtains are made with quality jacquard fabric for a stylish finishing touch. It’s perfect for a living room.

This lace voile will look rather lovely at your windows. A great way to create privacy without losing light, the delicate floral pattern of this soft grey net curtain will create a touch of elegance.